This Cult Favorite Horror-Comedy’s Comic Book Adaptation Is Better Sam Raimi’s Original Movie

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It’s exciting to see director Sam Raimi back in the horror genre, the one that first brought him fame, with his new film, Send Help, releasing January 30th. But what’s really kept him a respected and popular filmmaker for so long is his ability to work across many different kinds of movies, including some truly original projects.

I’ve been a fan of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead movies for years, and the third one, from 1993, is still my favorite. It’s just such a unique mix of everything – medieval stuff, scary cosmic horror, and seriously funny slapstick. Plus, Bruce Campbell is amazing as Ash Williams, the somewhat clumsy hero. It’s so good, it even inspired a graphic novel written by Raimi and his brother, Ivan, which I’ve heard is fantastic!

The Army Of Darkness Comic Improves The Movie’s Dialogue

The Evil Dead films are highly regarded as some of the best horror movies ever made, largely because of their unique and funny take on demonic possession. However, the dialogue isn’t generally considered a strong point, and Army of Darkness is probably the weakest in that regard.

Ash’s adventure in the Middle Ages is famous for its memorable lines, like “This is my boomstick!” and “Hail to the king, baby.” But the movie sometimes feels rough around the edges, as if Bruce Campbell and the other actors (including the late Marcus Gilbert) were performing with an early version of the script. Some lines feel awkwardly placed or delivered.

The Army of Darkness comic reads like a polished version of the story, particularly with its streamlined dialogue and Ash’s voiceover. While many adaptations rely too heavily on narration, this comic uses it effectively to make the fight against the Deadites even more enjoyable and humorous.

Honestly, some of the writing in this comic is just brilliant. There’s this one part where Ash describes being attacked by a female Deadite, and he says she was trying to “squeeze a little cider out of my Adam’s Apple” – it’s way funnier than a lot of his famous lines from the movies! But what really impressed me is how the story manages to make Ash feel like a classic hero, even while still keeping him wonderfully goofy and flawed. It’s a perfect balance.

Army Of Darkness’ Artwork Is Gorgeous

The artwork is largely responsible for transforming Ash Williams into a more compelling and resilient hero in the graphic novel version of Army of Darkness. The illustrations actually contribute more to the improvement over the film than any other element.

John Bolton, a British artist known for his detailed and realistic comic book illustrations, created the impressive visuals for the Evil Dead series’ medieval setting. He’s also worked on other projects like the Hellraiser novelization for Dark Horse and Mark Verheiden’s 2008 adaptation of the original The Evil Dead film by Sam Raimi. Throughout his career, Bolton has earned praise for his painted, photorealistic style.

The unique artistic style really works for the Army of Darkness comic, perhaps even better than the movie could have. The fight scenes between Ash, Arthur’s knights, and the Deadites are more exciting and genuinely frightening. Plus, Evil Ash, the Deadites’ monstrous leader, is much more disturbing in the comic version. While the movie’s cinematography was excellent, thanks to Bill Pope, the comic brings a different level of intensity and horror.

Perhaps more importantly, Bolton’s illustrations deepen the connection between Ash and Sheila (Embeth Davidtz). While their romance in the film is somewhat charming but unconvincing, the comic book reveals a more genuine intimacy. This makes their connection feel more real and worth caring about, ultimately making the story’s ending even more heartbreaking.

The Comic Honors The Film’s Original Ending

There are actually two different endings for the movie Army of Darkness. One of them is considered one of the greatest of all time. In the standard theatrical release, Ash successfully returns to the present, but a Deadite unexpectedly shows up at his job at S-Mart, immediately throwing him back into battle.

The original ending, which the studio rejected as being too depressing, showed Ash making an error before falling into a centuries-long sleep. He awakens to a destroyed United Kingdom, realizing a terrible truth: he’d slept for far too long after some kind of apocalyptic event.

As a huge fan, I really loved the theatrical ending – it felt like a perfect, over-the-top way to finish this wild ride! Plus, it would be amazing to see Bruce Campbell as Ash one last time, especially since Ash vs. Evil Dead was cancelled. But I get why some people prefer the other ending, the one that’s more creepy and reminds you of The Twilight Zone. It’s a really cool, unsettling way to wrap things up too.

If fans aren’t happy with the movie’s ending, they can read the Army of Darkness comic book, which features an alternate conclusion. It’s good to know there’s a version out there that stays true to what director Sam Raimi originally intended for the film.

Dynamite Entertainment will continue the story of Army of Darkness with new comics, picking up right after the original movie ends. This allows fans who love the film exactly as it is to enjoy even more adventures without any changes to the classic story.

This series is a treat for any fan of the franchise, delivering some of Ash’s most exciting stories. It includes a comic book adaptation and a recent, surprising team-up. When Ash is involved, horror comics are particularly fun and engaging.

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2026-01-24 17:37