John Shaft, described as a "tough, take-no-guff detective" and "private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks" in composer/singer Isaac Hayes' Oscar-winning Theme from Shaft, has gone toe-to-toe with organized crime bosses, stood up to the cops, squared off against kidnappers, and foiled assassination attempts in his novel and film appearances. But who was John Shaft before he became the hardboiled investigator with a reputation as big as New York City itself? For the first time ever, the detective's origins are explored, courtesy of the new series by Dynamite Entertainment.
"Working on
Shaft, one of the most iconic characters in pop culture, is a dream come true," says David F. Walker. "I've been a fan of the character since I was a kid, and especially love him in his original iteration, as created by author Ernest Tidyman. My take on
Shaft is steeped in Tidyman's work, and builds on the world created in the original novels. I'm exploring who he is as a man, as a private detective, and as a cold-blooded killer. This John Shaft is much grittier, more badass, with a complexity never seen in the films. The name may be familiar, and some aspects of the character may be recognizable, but at the end of the day, he will be something new and exciting - especially in the world of comics. This is
Shaft the way
Shaft was meant to be."
David F. Walker is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and author of the Young Adult series The Adventures of Darius Logan. His publication BadAzz MoFo became internationally known as the indispensable resource guide to black films of the 1970s, and he is co-author of the book Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak. His work in comics includes the series Number 13 (Dark Horse Comics), The Army of Dr. Moreau (Monkeybrain Comics), and The Supernals Experiment (Canon Comics).
Bilquis Evely is a rising star on Dynamite's roster of talented artists. Recently she worked alongside writer Chris Roberson on the critically acclaimed Doc Savage miniseries. Her other works include The Shadow / Green Hornet: Dark Nights crossover event with writer Michael Uslan, The Shadow Annual #1, and Miss Fury. Evely's experience with Dynamite's pulp heroes has made her the perfect fit for the mean streets of 1970's New York City in Shaft.
"The response by the media and fans over the announcement of a Shaft comic book series was nothing short of electric," says Nick Barrucci, Publisher and CEO of Dynamite Entertainment. "Frankly, there's no one better suited to take the reins on this project than David F. Walker, whose vast knowledge of and appreciation for the genre have been welcome and invaluable in our launch of the Shaft series. Combining his energetic take on this superbad private detective with Bliquis Evely's impressive artistic skills, we have all the makings of an explosive comic for Shaft fans to love."
