Be Prepared!!!!

Yeah we’ll be prepared…for what?

We are prepared for Dynamite Comics new Disney Villains series which has debuted with everyone’s favorite brotherly lion and monkey’s uncle….Scar. I am not lion when I say that Dynamite Comics is creating new comic content from all of my favorite Disney IPs like Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles, and the Disney Villains. Those big three pretty much sum up my Disney personality.

Dark Horse Comics was planning a Disney Villains line of comics a few years back starting with the sea witch, Ursula. I was so hyped for that Disney Villains comic series and then later bummed out to find that the planned series was cancelled when Dark Horse no longer had the license. Dynamite Comics has revived the idea of a Disney Villains comic series with the launch of Disney Villains: Scar. Scar is easily a top three Disney Villain for me along with Captain Hook and Gaston, but there is a near infinite list of Disney Villains that I would love additional content. Maleficent has already been announced as the second Disney Villain to get their own Disney Villains comic series from Dynamite Comics. The villain is always the star of every Disney animated movie and without the villain, you would not have your hero or princess.

The Disney Villains: Scar miniseries will run for four issues.

Today, we will take a look at Disney Villains: Scar #1 published by Dynamite Comics. Issue #1 is 27 pages compared to the usual 22 pages.

Release Date: April 5th, 2023.

Writer: Chuck Brown

Artist: Trevor Fraley

Colors: Chiara Di Francia

Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry

Editor: Nate Cosby

Covers by: Jahnoy Lindsay, Karen Darboe, Erica Henderson, Jung-Geun Yoon, Gene Ha, David Nakayama, Amanda Conner, Jae lee

Official Synopsis: A startling new vision starring Disney’s greatest villain, set within the world of The Lion King! Eisner and Ringo Award-winning author Chuck Brown (Bitter Root) and stunning artist Trevor Fraley tell a tale of fire and fury, centered on an enraged Scar, unable to accept that he will never be king – not so long as long as Mufasa and his new son inhabit Pride Rock. A plan is starting to formulate within Scar’s corrupt mind, which will bring him face-to-face with the mysterious shaman, Rafiki…

Covers

This is a Dynamite Comics release. So you know that there is going to be a lion’s share of covers. In this section, I am going to highlight some of my favorite covers for Disney Villains: Scar #1.

My Review

*STOP READING HERE IF YOU WANT TO AVOID ALL SPOILERS*

I was first in line until the little hairball was born.

This Scar four issue mini series takes place some time after Simba was born. The story begins with Scar hunting wildebeests, and he is poorly dealing with the fact that he will never be king. His attack on a smaller member of the wildebeest herd is thwarted by the mama and the rest of the wildebeests herd community. Scar is surprised that his power and place in the food chain is so easily overcome by an inferior species with strength in numbers. The mama wildebeests pushes Scar off a cliff. Upon his fall he is sent into a dream land where he encounters Mufasa. A fight breaks out between the brothers as Scar proclaims that he should be king. Meanwhile, two new vulture characters have arrived on the scene to see if Scar is dead or alive. If he is dead then they feast on Lion tonight, but if he is alive they may be able to join forces with him to make him king and feast forever. Rafiki shows up and saves the unconscious Scar from the vultures and drags him back to his treehouse where Scar eventually awakens. These two characters did not have any scenes together in The Lion King. It was really great to see their interaction and friendship relationship that had never been played out before. Scar wants Rafiki to help him overthrow Pride Rock which we know he would never do. The issue ends with the vultures saying that they will continue their plan and introduce Scar to the bone eaters which we know are the hyenas. I am interested in the shadowy place that the light does not touch. I want to go there!

The backstory that we are getting with this comic series complements The Lion King purrfectly. Lion King fans are going to love it. It was great seeing how Scar learned the lesson that numbers can take down power and royalty from the wildebeests community that defeated him. The vultures were interesting new characters. I am looking forward to Scar meeting the hyenas in the next issue. Reading a comic in Jeremy Irons’ iconic voice was quite majestic and fun. Chuck Brown did a great job with the dialogue and Trevor Fraley nailed all of Scar’s expressions. Trevor’s artwork is fantastic and on point to celebrate this legendary villain and pay tribute to the beloved animated classic. You can feel the love that Chuck and Trevor have for these characters.

I just can’t wait for the next issue of Disney Villains: Scar which will be tentatively released May 10th, 2023. Also, please make sure to support the Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles, and Disney Villains: Maleficent comic series while you are out buying Disney Villains: Scar. I am excited for all future Dynamite Comics Disney Villain announcements.

Previews Catalog has stated that a trade paperback/hardcover will not be available until late 2025. So you will definitely want to keep the love and support for the Disney Villains comic series going by purchasing the individual issues.

Practice your curtsy for the Pride Lands future King, and Be Prepared to feel the love for Dynamite Comics Disney Villains: Scar.

I am now officially out of Lion King puns. OK one more…The lion sleeps tonight, but don’t sleep on this issue.

Let us know what you thought of Disney Villains: Scar #1 in the comments below. What cover(s) did you get?

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