The Iron Saint, originally known as Iron and the Maiden, is American company Aspen Comics' first creator-owned comic book. It was created by Jason Rubin, co-founder of Naughty Dog, the key creative force behind Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter. The series was released in September 2007. A one-shot titled Brutes, Bims and the City was released February 2008. The trade paperback was released by Top Cow Productions in September 2010.
| The Iron Saint | |
|---|---|
 The Iron Saint Cover by Chris Bachalo | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Series: Aspen Comics Collected: Top Cow Productions |
| Schedule | monthly |
| Format | Mini-series |
| Publication date | September 2007 |
| No. of issues | 5 |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Jason Rubin |
| Written by | Jason Rubin |
| Artist(s) | Francis Manapul (foreground) Joel Gomez (background) |
Creators
editAs well as Rubin on scripting duties, penciling is being done by Witchblade artist Francis Manapul, with backgrounds by Joel Gomez. Coloring is being done by Danimation,[1] with cover art coming from industry veteran Jeff Matsuda. The character concept art was created by Joe Madureira, of Battle Chasers fame, and Matsuda. Concept design work was handled by Blur Studio.
Plot
editThe Iron Saint was originally a four-issue mini-series titled Iron and the Maiden. It was followed up by a one-shot: Iron and the Maiden: Brutes, Bims and the City. The series portrays an alternate-universe 1930s metropolis. "The City" is struggling to survive a three-way battle for power between The Government, the ominous religious sect known as The Order and the seedy criminal underbelly led by The Syndicate. Caught in the middle of this war for power, Michael Iron discovers firsthand the meaning of sacrifice, his only hope for survival coming in the form of a forgiving Angel and several more surprises along the way.
Rubin has described it as "a cross between a '30s gangster film, Escape from New York and Beauty and the Beast."[2]
Controversy
editIn 2009, British heavy metal band Iron Maiden sued Rubin and Aspen Comics, citing Iron and the Maiden as an infringement of their trademark.[3][4]
Recent solicitations for the collected edition show that the series has been renamed The Iron Saint.[5]
References
edit- Iron and the Maiden at the Grand Comics Database
- Iron and the Maiden at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
Footnotes
edit- ^ Dandojo.com | Show me your kung fu!
- ^ Jason Rubin on Iron and the Maiden Archived 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Newsarama, September 21, 2006
- ^ Blabbermouth.net - Comic Book Creator Says Iron Maiden Lawsuit is 'Completely Without Merit'
- ^ Contactmusic.com - Iron Maiden Sue Comics Company
- ^ "Advance Image Comics Solicitations, May 2010". 17 February 2010.