Source: Brian Gross | Dark Horse Comics
On November 18th, Dark Horse Comics will be debuting a new one-shot comic called Deadlocke, a tie-in to the young adult novel Venomous by Chris Krovatin which is also being turned into a feature film by the film company “72 Productions.” Check out these great preview images from the first few pages of the comic as well as some interesting video interviews with Krovatin!
Official Press Release:
DARK HORSE GETS DEADLOCKED
CHRISTOPHER KROVATIN’S VENOMOUS ARRIVES IN COMICS THIS FALL!
AUGUST 19TH, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dark Horse partners with 72 Productions for a special one shot comic book tie-in to Christopher Krovatin’s Venomous, the Simon & Schuster young adult novel, currently in the works as a feature film, produced by the Los Angeles based company run by Jen Chaiken and Sebastian Dungan.
Deadlocke mixes real life and young adult themes with escapist comic book fantasy, to tell the story of a Manhattan teenager whose world is turned upside down when the dark alter ego who exists in his drawings threatens to take over his life. Locke Vinetti must learn to control his newfound strength at the risk of losing Renee, the darkly beautiful girl of his dreams. This internal struggle eventually culminates into a brutal rooftop battle where the characters’ lives, and souls, hang in the balance.
Novel author and screenwriter Chris Krovatin’s other credits include 2005’s Heavy Metal and You. He is currently working on his first adult novel for Broadway Books, expected to be finished within the next year. This special comic tie-in is written by Rex Mundi writer, Arvid Nelson, and illustrated by Nick Stakal, artist on the current Criminal Macabre series, Cell Block 666.
About 72 Productions:
Founded by producers Jen Chaiken and Sebastian Dungan, 72 Productions is a feature film production company that launched in January, 2007 with a private equity fund dedicated to the development of feature films.
About Dark Horse Comics:
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, and Serenity. Today Dark Horse Comics is the third largest comic-book publisher in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publisher of licensed comics material.
Cover Art:
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Having been given the opportunity to read Deadlocke in advance (thank you, Brian Gross!), the prospect of Venomous being turned into a movie sounds like it could work quite well. Granted, I haven’t read the novel. However, if the film looks anything like the dark, gothic imagery from the Deadlocke comic and stays true to the story, the idea of a movie sounds very promising.
The only problem I had with the comic was that it was too short! Just when it seemed like the story was just beginning, it ends. People will know what I mean when they read it. I realize that Deadlocke is only intended to be a “one-shot,” and is more than likely meant to simply draw audiences to the novel and get them excited about how a Venomous film might look and feel. But what’s wrong with turning it into a graphic novel instead, allowing for more wonderful illustrations and a much more complete comic experience? The look and feel of Deadlocke screams graphic novel in my opinion, as does the story.
Take a look at what Chris Krovatin, the author of Venomous has to say about Deadlocke, his ideas for the movie and insights into the characters and writing process.
Illustrator Arvid Nelson talks here about adapting the comic, similarities between Locke and himself and the concept of good vs. evil:
Check out all the latest Facebook updates on Deadlocke here.
