Evileye Books announced today that writers Cullen Bunn and Shawn Lee have signed on to develop Raze, a series of dark-fantasy graphic and prose novels.

Under the agreement, Bunn and Lee will produce at least one prose and one graphic novel a year, beginning with Raze: Cure, which will be released as a webcomic in January 2010 before being collected in printed form in late spring. A prose book titled Raze: Mother, Maiden, Crone will be released later in the year.

“Raze is a dark, mean-spirited series,” Bunn said in a press release. “I also think it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun. This is a dark fantasy world, but there are no dragons, monsters, dwarves, elves or the like. It’s an even darker version of the Dark Ages, a heavy metal ‘pre-apocalypse,’ if you will. Here we have a world that is so fouled up that the closest thing we have to heroes is a pair of self-destructive, pitiless, malicious monsters. They aren’t seeking redemption. They aren’t putting aside their evil ways for the greater good. They serve their own lusts and desires and all else be damned.”

Bunn, co-creator of The Damned and The 6th Gun from Oni Press, has collaborated with Lee on several projects over the past 12 years, including the upcoming webcomic (with Matt Kindt) The Tooth.

You can read the press release after the break, and find out more about Raze at the Evileye Books website.

Cullen Bunn & Shawn Lee Get Medieval with “Raze”, New Dark Fantasy Series

The writing duo will produce original prose and graphic novel properties for Evileye Books

CHICAGO, IL (December 7, 2009) — Comics fan favorite, Cullen Bunn, writer and co-creator of the hit comic book series, “The Damned”, and writer Shawn Lee, co-creator with Bunn of “The Tooth”, have signed an exclusive agreement with Evileye Books to develop “Raze”, a multi-volume, cross-platform, dark fantasy fiction series.

Under the licensing agreement, Bunn and Lee will produce at least one prose and original graphic novel each year as part of their commitment to set the narrative foundation of the series.

“‘Raze’ is a dark, mean-spirited series,” said Bunn. “I also think it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun. This is a dark fantasy world, but there are no dragons, monsters, dwarves, elves or the like. It’s an even darker version of the Dark Ages, a heavy metal ‘pre-apocalypse,’ if you will. Here we have a world that is so fouled up that the closest thing we have to heroes is a pair of self-destructive, pitiless, malicious monsters. They aren’t seeking redemption. They aren’t putting aside their evil ways for the greater good. They serve their own lusts and desires and all else be damned.”

Co-creator of the series, Shawn Lee added: “It seems like a lot of fantasy stories hinge on a gimmick,” says Lee, “a wild, unexpected thing that defines the world. These gimmicks often come in the form of ‘what ifs’—what if casting magic spells burned calories? What if butterflies ran the world? What if dogs and cats were friends? With ‘Raze’, we aren’t concerned about creating a world with a unique angle. We just want a place that feels ‘right’ for the characters—a place where interesting individuals could explore their own fears, strengths, and limits. Is there a gimmick to ‘Raze’? Sure, it’s a world facing down its own 2012 scenario, but that’s just a backdrop. You might say the end of the world is just the beginning.”

The first stories will be short webcomics running weekly starting in late January 2010, leading up to the online debut of the first book-length graphic novel, “Raze: Cure” in late spring 2010. They will set up the world and principal characters in the series, Kast and Siris.

A prose book, “Raze: Mother, Maiden, Crone” will be released in late 2010.

"Exploring the world of ‘Raze’ solely as a comic book seemed limiting,” said Bunn. “We felt the creative opportunity lay in exploring our characters and their world through many formats. Evileye Books offers us a sandbox large enough to play in and the editorial and promotional support to let the series develop over time.”

"We're stoked about our collaboration with Cullen and Shawn," said A.N. Ommus, Editorial Director of Evileye Books. "‘Raze’ promises to big and bold and we're ready to help make it a premier dark fantasy series in every format."

In addition to “Raze”, Evileye Books is currently developing various series for the fantasy, supernatural/horror and science fiction markets. Among them is “The Pack” by Bram Stoker Award winner, Mike Oliveri. Additional series announcements are forthcoming.

Evileye Books is a publishing imprint of Pulp+Pixel Entertainment Co.

“Raze” Series Synopsis

Imagine a world ravaged by unending war.

For centuries, one religion after another has raged against each other, the victor taking the mantle of the one true religion until another takes its place. The landscape is dotted with the ruins of temples and even entire cities. So many people have died over the years that the very soil cannot be tilled without turning up bone.

Now imagine that this world, already teetering on the brink of destruction, is suddenly beset by The Razing, a lethal disease that sweeps across the land, claiming the lives of all in its path.

Enter Siris and Kast.

Kast, a massive, stoic barbarian—quiet, cunning, and deadly. He cares for nothing in this world or the next.

Siris, a cruel and beautiful healer. She is cold, calculating, and obsessed with an unfathomable agenda.

This pair of cold-hearted criminals uses the decay and chaos in the world around them to destroy their enemies, gain power, and line their pockets.

Series Tagline

The World is Ending. It’s their Golden Opportunity.