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Get Graphic: 'October with Octobriana' Kicks off with Artist Stephen Byrne

Art by Stephen Byrne

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

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From David Bowie to Billy Idol – folk hero Octobriana has inspired many creatives over her 50 years of existence. Now, a new generation of talents are expanding her mythology in Octobriana With Love (SEP211446), an anthology comic featuring the Russian amazon.

In celebration of Octobriana's 50 years of superheroing, Dead Good Comics has revived her once again! Providing readers with new and dynamic adventures for her birthday. PREVIEWSworld didn't want to miss out on the festivities, so we're dubbing the month "October with Octobriana," and we're spotlighting the artists behind Octrobriana With Love over the next four weeks. 

If you want to discover more about the history of the character then check out our 2020 interview for Octobriana 1976 with Jim Rugg. But, before you do that, let's introduce you to this week's featured creator Stephen Byrne... 

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Firstly, who are you and where do you hail from?

I'm Stephen Byrne and I'm from Dublin, Ireland originally.

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How did you get into comic art?

I used to draw comics from a very young age. Something about telling a story with pictures instead of just a still image was always compelling to me. I used to make pages and pages of my own Power Rangers comics when I was 8 years old.

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So what is your story in Octobriana With Love? What can you tell us about it?

Octobriana meets Billy Idol and chaos ensues.

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How did you get involved with the anthology?

I worked with [Octobriana With Love editor] Stu Taylor years ago on another project and he reached out [to me] and asked me to be involved with [this book].

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How did you and go about making the character of Octobriana your own?

I didn't know [much about] the character of Octobriana. I think my art style has a bright and colourful quality that is naturally a bit different from some of the grittier art styles that have been done in the past for Octobriana. 

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What can readers expect from your story?

A giant monster and explosions.

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What do you find to be cool about Octobriana?

She's not afraid to hit someone with a tree [laughs].

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Octobriana With Love (SEP211446) hits comic shops on November 10, 2021 courtesy of Dead Good Comics.

If you've enjoyed this quick trip through the works of Stephen Byrne, give him a follow on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter. More art below!

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Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's TwitterFacebookYouTube, or Instagram for more artist spotlights! 

If you want to find more comics by artist Stephen Byrne then be sure to check out these titles at your local comic shop...

DEAD GOOD COMICS
OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE #1 CVR A MARGUERITE SAUVAGE (Net) (MR)
(W) Stephanie Phillips, Stuart Taylor, Andrea Towers (A) Simon Fraser, Marc Laming, N. Steven Harris, Andy Belanger, Stephen Byrne, Juni Ba, Vincenzo Riccardi (CA) Marguerite Sauvage
David Bowie was going to make a superhero movie about her. Billy Idol has a tattoo of her. And now, 50 years since her debut, celebrate the return of one of the most enigmatic comic book characters that you've never heard of! Octobriana With Love is an all-star, 64-page, full color softcover graphic novel, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the cult underground Russian superhero by an exciting mix of creative talent.
In Shops: Dec 22, 2021
SRP: PI
PREVIEWS Page #280

DEAD GOOD COMICS
OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE #1 CVR B JOYCE CHIN (Net) (MR)
(W) Stephanie Phillips, Stuart Taylor, Andrea Towers (A) Simon Fraser, Marc Laming, N. Steven Harris, Andy Belanger, Stephen Byrne, Juni Ba, Vincenzo Riccardi (CA) Joyce Chin
David Bowie was going to make a superhero movie about her.
Billy Idol has a tattoo of her.
And now, 50 years since her debut, celebrate the return of one of the most enigmatic comic book characters that you've never heard of...
OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE is an all-star, 64-page, full color softcover graphic novel, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the cult underground Russian superhero by an exciting mix of creative talent.
For centuries, immortal warrior woman Octobriana has been the champion of the oppressed. Leading a rag-tag group of freedom fighters, Octobriana travels the dimensional highways in her Wonder Machine, disrupting authoritarian regimes, overturning tyrants... and gate-crashing the best parties!
In OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE, Octobriana and her underground take on a daring rescue mission above the skies of a near future Britain to rescue Lucretia Hussain, a young vlogger destined to be a figurehead for a future revolution. To correct the course of history Octobriana clashes with her ancient nemesis Baba Yaga, leading Octobriana to relive her past and setting the stage for a whole new universe of adventures.
In Shops: Dec 22, 2021
SRP: PI
PREVIEWS Page #280

DARK HORSE COMICS
JOY OPERATIONS #1 (OF 5) CVR A BYRNE
(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A/CA) Stephen Byrne
Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling and multi-Eisner Award winner, teams up with scorching hot comics sensation Stephen Byrne (Wonder Twins, Legion of Superheroes) for their very first creator-owned blockbuster series.

Fifty-five years from now. Joy is an EN•VOI. A special agent of one of the JONANDO TRUST. Trusts are corporate-owned cities that are the centerpiece of modern society. She rights wrongs for the trust. She is excellent. Perfection. Hard on herself. Driven. Almost legendary in some parts. Until one day a voice pops in her head trying to get her to betray everything she has ever believed.

All this and also an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and a look forward to other Jinxworld projects coming exclusively to Dark Horse.
In Shops: Nov 24, 2021
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #84

DARK HORSE COMICS
JOY OPERATIONS #1 (OF 5) CVR B MACK
(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A) Stephen Byrne (CA) David Mack
Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling and multi-Eisner Award winner, teams up with scorching hot comics sensation Stephen Byrne (Wonder Twins, Legion of Superheroes) for their very first creator-owned blockbuster series.

Fifty-five years from now. Joy is an EN•VOI. A special agent of one of the JONANDO TRUST. Trusts are corporate-owned cities that are the centerpiece of modern society. She rights wrongs for the trust. She is excellent. Perfection. Hard on herself. Driven. Almost legendary in some parts. Until one day a voice pops in her head trying to get her to betray everything she has ever believed.

All this and also an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and a look forward to other Jinxworld projects coming exclusively to Dark Horse.
In Shops: Nov 24, 2021
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #84

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. He is also the Consumer Marketing Manager for Geppi Family Enterprises. Troy's comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalpyse '91, the Glyph Award-nominated Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Award-nominated Magic Bullet.


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