Fri Nov 14, 2008 — by Glenn Hauman

The Pilgrim by Mark Ryan and Mike Grell debuts on ComicMix

For lust of knowing what should not be known...

Today on ComicMix, we're starting a new story from Mark Ryan (Transformers) and Mike Grell (Jon Sable Freelance, James Bond: 007) that goes places no other story will go, starting from World War II to today's war on terror to realms unknown. It's an espionage story unlike any other, based in historical facts that are almost impossible to believe-- why did Ian Fleming recruit Aleister Crowley for the war effort, anyway?

The Pilgrim is written by Mark Ryan, who has one of the most varied careers you will ever encounter in your life: as an actor, going from originating the roles of Magaldi in Evita and Nasir in Robin of Sherwood to playing Bumblebee in Transformers and appearing with Eric Idle at Carnegie Hall while wearing a green dress; as a fight director, he taught Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard and Clive Owen how to swordfight; as a writer, he's written Green Arrow for DC Comics and The Greenwood Tarot for Harper Collins-- and those are the jobs we can tell you about. When he says "If I told you, I'd have to kill you", believe that he would and that he can.

Mark was inspired to write The Pilgrim upon learning about the use of psychics and occultists during World War II by Allied forces to influence the minds and strategies of the Nazi leadership, which helped save Britain from invasion. “The Pilgrim intertwines historical characters with modern paranormal capabilities used in intelligence-gathering operations to infiltrate hostile governments,” said Mark.  “It unveils a dark secret history involving classified occult research and the unmarked graves of unsung heroes who gave their lives in these desperate yet vital operations.”

Mike Grell, the comic legend behind Jon Sable Freelance, the Warlord, Green Arrow, Iron Man, James Bond, and many others, was so impressed by Mark's script that this is the first project that Mike Grell is drawing that he didn't write himself in over 25 years. And with the talents of Jason Millet coloring and John Workman lettering, The Pilgrim is a heck of a ride.

If you're a fan of Warren Ellis's Gravel or Charlie Stross's Laundry series (or you can't get tickets for Quantum of Solace this weekend) you'll love this tale. But don't take our word for it-- start reading!

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