La Voz De M.A.Y.O. creator Henry Barajas launched a new project on Kickstarter in early November: Helm Greycastle #1, the debut issue of a new fantasy series that explores colonization, enslavement and a powerful dictatorship. The first issue comes with a Dungeons & Dragons adventure set in the fictional Mesoamerican world of Helm Greycastle.
"Helm Greycastle is for anyone who loves fantasy but wonders where the people of color are," Barajas told CBR. "I hope a brown kid picks this up and sees their potential can exist in this and any kind of space. Folks might know me as that guy that wrote La Voz De M.A.Y.O. I'm glad this is my next project because I wanted to part some Mesoamerican history in comics form but have the creative freedom to tell a story that wrestles with the inner conflict of having indigenous family lineage while being a son of the conqueror."
Helm Greycastle follows the eponymous hero -- whose loyalty is divided -- and a band of adventurers, who are tasked with exploring uncharted land to overthrow the dictatorship and the gods suppressing the land. Barajas co-created and co-wrote the story with Bryan Valenza, and the first issue features art by Rahmat M. Handoko, with letters by Gabriela Downie. Kickstarter backers can get an exclusive cover variant by Matthew Emmons, or a variant by David Lapham.
"I'm so lucky to be working with Bryan, Gabby, and Rahmat," Barjas said. "The Kickstarter cover is Matt Emmons' first variant cover work -- and I'm excited my favorite cartoonist of all time, David Lapham, agreed to draw a cover for me. I feel like the luckiest comic book writer in the world."
Barajas has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at Helm Greycastle #1, including lettered preview pages and process art by Handoko. You can see CBR's exclusive preview below, alongside the solicitation information for the book.
Helm Greycastle #1
- Written by Henry Barajas and Bryan Valenza
- Art by Rahmat M. Handoko
- Letters by Gabriela Downie
- Edited by Claire Napier
- Book designed by Sasha Head
- Logo designed by J Gonzo
- Covers by Rahmat M. Handoko, Matthew Emmons and David Lapham
- RPG written by Tristan J. Tarwater
- RPG art by Jen Vaughn
- The last dragon prince has been abducted and is kept prisoner by an unknown threat: AZTEC MEXICA. Helm Greycastle and his band of outsider adventures are tasked with exploring the uncharted land that was once at the brink of enslavement by the savage Spanish Conquistadors...but the Aztecs used sorcery to thwart the Conquistador's murderous rampage. The possible enslavement caused the ruler, Montezuma III, to declare himself the dictator of MEXICA causing a power shift and class division. Greycastle and his comrades are recruited by an underground group lead to overthrow Montezuma III and the Gods that suppress the land. Will Greycastle join the resistance or save the dragon prince and flee?
Helm Greycastle #1 is currently on Kickstarter. The campaign ends Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9:40 a.m. ET.