5 things you need to know about 'Evil Dead' lore

Starz is rolling out "Ash vs. Evil Dead" in style, by airing a marathon of the "Evil Dead" movies the night before the TV series arrives.

Bruce Campbell, who has been portraying Ash for more than three decades, will host the nostalgia fest. The fun starts at 8 p.m. Friday with the original film, 1981's "The Evil Dead." Then at 9:30 p.m., 1987's "Evil Dead II" brings back Ash and ups the ante on the humor and gore. The event concludes at 10:55 p.m. with 1992's "Army of Darkness," which sends Ash back to 1300 A.D. — with his chainsaw.

Special bonus: The three films will be followed at 12:15 a.m. with a sneak peek of the first episode of "Ash vs. Evil Dead," which debuts at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Bruce Campbell brings the fun to 'Ash vs. Evil Dead'

For newcomers to the "Evil Dead" mythology, Starz has provided these five essential things to know. Consider this edited version a public scary announcement.

1. Ash Williams, the unlikely hero of the "Evil Dead" films, has been plagued by demonic spirits ever since an ill-fated trip to a cabin in the woods with friends. The group unknowingly releases demons by reading from the Necronomicon Ex Mortis.

2. The Necronomicon Ex Mortis or Book of the Dead is bound in human flesh and inked in blood, and under no circumstances should passages be read aloud. That releases Evil Dead, or spirits who become Deadites.

Fans keep 'Evil Dead' franchise alive and bleeding

3. A Deadite is a life-force, person, animal or even inanimate object that is possessed by a Kandarian Demon. They are cunning and manipulative and can only be killed by bodily dismemberment.

4. Ash Williams has a unique and surprising knack for killing Deadites. He has lost loved ones and a hand (but gained a chainsaw-hand) in the process.

5. The first "Evil Dead" movie eventually became an international success and is one of the best-known horror movies ever. It was made by metro Detroit friends Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Campbell, who all are involved with "Ash vs. Evil Dead."

Contact Detroit Free Press writer Julie Hinds: 313-222-6427 or jhinds@freepress.com.