Hail to the King, Baby! An Appreciation of Army of Darkness

“Good. Bad. I’m the one with the gun!”
- Ash, Army of Darkness

It may not be considered a movie classic in any traditional sense, but 1992’s Army of Darkness is a classic in any comic conventioneer’s heart!

With the Starz television network continuing the adventures of Army’s protagonist tonight with the 10 episode “Ash vs. Evil Dead”, it’s as good a time as any (Halloween) to look back on this demented horror-comedy. (Spoiler alert: Deadites in this movie and series means a human body possessed by an evil spirit.)

Discovering the ancient Sumerian Book of the Dead (the Necronomicon) in a secluded cabin in the woods, S-mart sales clerk Ash finds himself fighting off the evil dead in the present AND the past, as he somehow winds up in the Middle Ages. Armed with nothing but his trusty ‘Boomstick’ (Remington Rifle), a chainsaw and his sarcastic wit, Ash manages to fight off the Deadites, romance the inappropriately named (for the Middle Ages, anyway) Sheila, save two kingdoms and make it back to present-day S-mart in the grooviest way possible!

It’s understandable that Army of Darkness’ critics are… critical. The movie relies on cheap special effects, a mish-mash plot and cheesy one-liners. However, they don’t understand that this movie comes down on one man’s shoulders: Bruce Campbell. His portrayal of Ash is what makes Army of Darkness a cult classic. Ash may not be most intelligent or altruistic of characters, but he will always be chosen first if a zombie apocalypse occurs. He knows when to be gentle (“That’s what we call pillow talk, baby.”), when to get tough (“Yo, she-bitch, let’s go!), and even when to cheat (losing his right hand just gives Ash the opportunity to attach a chainsaw to the rest of his arm). Campbell has leading-man looks, but it’s his sense of humor that has viewers rooting for Ash!

Army of Darkness is a great movie in and of itself, but it has also influenced Pretty Vacant with the main character, Gigi. She just wants to play volleyball and model, but fate had other plans. Gigi may not be the smartest character (she keeps getting plasticized over and over), but she’s resourceful, tough and has a sarcastic sense of humor! Her character is likeable, leading to seven books -- two of which were crowd-funded! And like Army of Darkness, you don’t have to start with Pretty Vacant from the beginning. You can be caught up easily with every new issue you read.

Pretty Vacant: London Calling Page 7

Ash (and Campbell) has proven so popular that the television series has been commissioned 23 years after the movie, and incredibly, Ash is still a store clerk! However, the Deadites come back, but we’re not worried since Ash has his Boomstick and chainsaw close by, even if he is a little out of shape!


Fans have asked about another Pretty Vacant story. There’s no new story out on the horizon, but never say never. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take 23 years.

Previous Bruce Campbell entry

Update: "Ash vs. Evil Dead" has been renewed for a second season, and we haven't even seen the first episode!