To help fans prepare for Cullen Bunn and Vicente Cifuentes's upcoming series Book of Shadows, Valiant Comics has revealed the identity of a brand new villain, who will be going face to face with some of the greatest paranormal heroes in the Valiant Universe.
CBR has an exclusive look at some of Cifuentes's concept art and unfinalized black-and-white interior art for the nefarious Exarch Fane, a new villain powerful enough to take on Shadowman, Punk Mambo, The Eternal Warrior and several other iconic heroes all at once. Valiant has revealed that Fane will be the central villain in the series, which is due to kick off with the release of Book of Shadows #1 on Wednesday, July 27. Cifuentes's concept art and a Book of Shadows variant cover by David Romero depict a ghoulish, armor-clad figure wielding an intimidating sword. The monstrous Fane definitely looks like he will fit right in with the frightening, otherwordly side of the Valiant Universe.
"Going into Book of Shadows, I knew that it would need to be a monumental threat to bring Shadowman, Punk Mambo, Dr. Mirage, the Eternal Warrior, and Persephone together. I considered an existing villain or two, but I thought it might be more interesting and fun to introduce a new threat. Thus, Exarch Fane was born. He’s a dangerous fellow, with black hole swords and armies of the damned at his command—and that was before he got his hands on the titular artifact, which will really shake things up!" author Cullen Bunn said.
The synopsis for Book of Shadows #1 reads, "The supernatural protectors of the Valiant Universe unite for the very first time to stand against a terrifying ancient threat. No one is safe as Exarch Fane has his cold hands on the Book of Shadows." Bunn and Cifuentes seem hellbent on delivering a showdown for the ages in the new series, and the brand new villain definitely raises the stakes.
Book of Shadows #1 is due out on Wednesday, July 27, from Valiant Comics.