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Dynamite Entertainment announced the August 2013 debut of LADY RAWHIDE #1, the first chapter of a five-part miniseries that will dynamically reintroduce the iconic Western heroine to comic book fans. Written by Eric Trautmann (RED SONJA, VAMPIRELLA) and featuring interior artwork by Milton Estevam, LADY RAWHIDE #1 features cover artwork by the preeminent “good girl” artist, Joseph Michael Linsner (DAWN).
In LADY RAWHIDE #1, the masked heroine faces not only the corrupt forces of the government – bent on intimidating the populace through privation and cruelty – but also a new team of vigilantes known as the Sisters of the White Rose. The Sisters, inspired by the legends of Zorro and Lady Rawhide, have taken up the struggle against tyranny. While Lady Rawhide supports their goals, she cannot condone their bloody methods and finds herself facing off against her own devotees!
“Lady Rawhide is a thief, a bandit, a rogue,” explains Eric Trautmann, writer of the five-part miniseries. “But she exists in a time and place where, as a woman, society has strictly defined what her behavior should be. Her vigilante, Robin Hood-esque actions are subversive, and her overtly flamboyant costuming rejects those social conventions. She’s driven by a desire to control her environment on her terms… and society’s encumbrances be damned.”
Having contributed stories to both RED SONJA and VAMPIRELLA, Trautmann is no stranger to writing strong female characters, especially those that have iconic status in the comic book medium. “Red Sonja will never simper or back down. Vampirella will never admit defeat. Lady Rawhide will never turn her back on someone in need,” says Trautmann. “My job is to make sure that I’m delivering the most authentic take on the characters I’m capable of, and not betray those kinds of fundamental, core elements.”
Lady Rawhide (along with her alter-ego Anita Santiago) was introduced into the ZORRO mythos in 1994, a masked vigilante skilled with swords, guns, and her signature bullwhip. Driven to avenge her brother’s suffering at the hands of a crooked government, she first had an antagonistic relationship with Zorro, but eventually became his confidante and staunch ally. Lady Rawhide’s popularity as a ZORRO regular grew, leading to her headlining several LADY RAWHIDE comic series.
Trautmann explains, “I want to capture a sense of fun – this isn’t a grim, gritty book. It’s pulpy, swashbuckling fun at heart.”
LADY RAWHIDE #1 is solicited in the Diamond June Previews catalog for release in August. Joseph Michael Linsner, the critically acclaimed creator ofDAWN, provides the cover artwork for both the Regular and Subscription-Only editions of the first issue. Each edition is available to retailers for individual order, although the Subscription-Only edition (presented in a “Black & White Line Art” style) is limited to initial orders as a reward for dedicated Dynamite fans.
