Jim Butcher

October 9, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ:  Dynamite Entertainment is pleased to announce the Spring 2015 launch of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files: Down Town, a contemporary fantasy miniseries featuring an original Jim Butcher story exclusively developed for the comic book medium, and set within official continuity of the fan-favorite Dresden Files novel series. Building upon the success of New York Times bestselling graphic novel Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin and formidable consumer preorders of this coming November’s Dresden Files: War Cry release, the new series will pit the titular wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden and a brand-new apprentice against a partnership of magic and mobsters.

Dresden Files: Down Town reunites series creator Jim Butcher, co-writer Mark Powers (G.I.Joe, Drafted), and artist Carlos Gomez (Deadpool, Pathfinder), the acclaimed creative team of the preceding Dresden Files: War Cry comic book, a collaboration hailed by critics as being “fast-paced and explosive” (Comic Book Therapy) and worthy of the “highest possible recommendation” (SciFi Pulse). Featuring cover artwork by Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade, Conan), the new Dresden Files: DownTown storyline will be serialized in six comic book issues, before collection as a hardcover graphic novel later in 2015.

Molly Carpenter designs

In Down Town, Harry Dresden and his new apprentice, Molly Carpenter, intend to end the havoc caused by a mad sorcerer, one whose ambitions would have the streets of Chicago carved out as his own private kingdom. But when the magical upstart enters into an alliance with the notorious mob boss “Gentleman Johnnie” Marcone, will the fast-and-loose Dresden and his young charge survive unscathed?

“Gentleman Johnnie” Marcone and Miss Gard

Jim Butcher says, “So many stories go through my head when I’m building the Dresden Files universe, but relatively few of them actually make it into the novels. Some of them are too short. Some are too long, or too involved, or (shudder) too preachy. Some of them simply aren’t well suited to the written word, but would make tremendously fun visual pieces. That’s what’s in action here: Down Town is one of the stories of Harry and Molly’s relationship during her tumultuous apprenticeship, and gets to showcase some aspects of what both of them are getting out of it. We get to see a villain that probably wouldn’t have been appropriate for the novels, but who will provide a fun bit of story, especially for fans of Harry and Molly.”

Sorcerer design

“I’m beyond thrilled to have the chance to help Jim Butcher weave the incredible tapestry that is the world of Harry Dresden,” says series co-writer Mark Powers. “Down Town will give readers an extensive look at a previously-only-glimpsed area of Harry’s world — a not-altogether pleasant one, either!”

Dresden’s animal companions Mouse and Mister

“This will be the third original Dresden Files graphic novel story from Dynamite,” says series editor Rich Young, “The first, Ghoul Goblin, took place between Fool Moon (Book 2) and Grave Peril (Book 3). War Cry took place between Dead Beat (Book 7) and Proven Guilty (Book 8).  Our new Down Town takes place between the events in White Knight (Book 9) and Small Favor (Book 10).  I like the fact that Jim is jumping around the novels’ timeline and filling in with these new stories that really add to the lore of The Dresden Files. Plus, you get to visually see all these great different characters and environments come to life that you’ve been reading about, if you’re a fan of the books. It’s quite a treat!”

For art and more information, please visit: http://www.dynamite.com/