Amazon's Carnival Row hasn't been released yet, but it has already branched out into the world of comic books with two prequel one-shots from Legendary Comics.
The upcoming Amazon series, which will star Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, tells the love story of mortal detective Rycroft "Philo" Philostrate and fairy Vignette Stonemoss. Set in a Victorian world, the show kicks off with a series of murders in a city where the fair folk have found refuge.
In anticipation for the series, Legendary Comics has released two prequel one-shots: From the Dark and Sparrowhawk. Both stories are intended to introduce viewers to the two leads and their backstories.
From the Dark is written by C.M. Landrus and Charles Velasquez-Witoksy, with a story by Travis Beacham, Marc Guggenheim, Kai Wu, Georgia Lee, Marc Bernadin and Stephanie Smith. Harvey M. Tolibao with HMT Studios’ Tristan Jurolan and Jhun Mar Tadong Entico provided illustrations, with colors by HMT Studios’ Kevin Tolibao and Kevin Anthony de Castro. According to the story synopsis,
From the Dark follows Rycroft Philostrate as he adjusts to his life in The Burgue, and the memories of his former life intertwine with a mystery that will take him through the strange city streets that he now calls home. A recent bomb attack has only intensified the situation. Can he find the people responsible before there is another explosion?
Sparrowhawk is written by Jordan Crair, with story by Travis Beacham, Marc Guggenheim, Kai Wu, Georgia Lee, Marc Bernadin and Stephanie Smith, art by Giorgia Sposito and colors by Triona Farrell. According to the description,
Sparrowhawk features Vignette and her fellow Fae, who after finding their homeland under attack, must fight and sacrifice in order to reach safety. Mythical powers only count for so much, when the other side has them too. Will they find the refuge they are looking for or does an even bigger threat wait for them?
“Legendary Comics developed both stories working in conjunction with the incredible Carnival Row showrunners and writing staff,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim said in a statement. “They’re not only both in-canon, but also Philo’s story actually ends with the cold open of Season 1.”
The comics are already available on ComiXology. Both are free for the first week of release, but will cost $0.99 after September 4. The Amazon series releases Friday, August 30.