Yet another NYT #1 bestselling author is scratching that graphic novel itch; this time it’s Diana Gabaldon, author of the OUTLANDER series, which has some 15 million copies in print. She’ll pen a new yarn for Del Rey.
Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group, announced today that it will publish an original story set in the world of Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling Outlander series, written by Gabaldon herself and illustrated in full color by award-winning artist Hoang Nguyen. The project was acquired by Betsy Mitchell, editor in chief of Del Rey, in negotiations with Gabaldon’s literary agent Russell Galen.
The new story, starring Gabaldon’s beloved characters Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, opens with Murtagh, Jamie’s godfather, awaiting the return of his godson to Scotland, and the fulfillment of a vow made years before. The graphic novel will be approximately 192 pages and will publish sometime in 2009. Gabaldon’s upcoming new Outlander novel, An Echo in the Bone, is expected to publish that year as well.
The #1 New York Times bestselling series—Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes—tells the story of Jamie Fraser, a Scottish Highlander from the 18th century, and his time-traveling wife, Claire. The series has 15 million copies in print, has been published in 19 languages, and has spawned huge worldwide online fan communities, as well as numerous online discussion groups. A major motion picture is in development.
The Outlander graphic novel will not be the first project Gabaldon has scripted. Early in her career she wrote numerous comic-book scripts for Walt Disney, among them the Scrooge McDuck series, and the award-winning “Nutrition Adventures with Orange Bird.”
“I’m thrilled to see the launch of such an exciting new project,” Gabaldon says. “I’ve been wanting to do a graphic novel story for years, and couldn’t ask for a better opportunity or more wonderful people to work with. I’m especially delighted to be working with such a magical artist as Hoang Nguyen. My agent and my husband have both fallen in love with his version of Claire—and I’m looking forward with great anticipation to seeing Jamie in ink.”
ABOUT THE CREATORS:
Diana Gabaldon is also the author of the nonfiction title The Outlandish Companion and two novels starring a character first introduced in Outlander: Lord John and the Private Matter and Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology, a master’s degree in marine biology, and a Ph.D. in ecology and was a university professor before turning to writing full-time. Gabaldon lives with her family in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Hoang Nguyen’s previous work includes the Robocop movie adaptation for Dark Horse, Alien Legion graphic novels for Marvel Epic, Punisher: War Zone for Marvel and Warstrike for Malibu Comics. His original project Metal Militia was optioned by Dino De Laurentiis for feature film development. More recently he has worked in the video game industry, having contributed to such well-known titles as the Elder Scrolls series for Bethesda Softworks and Xena for Universal Studios. He was the lead artist and character designer on Dead to Rights for Namco and is currently a consultant for Namco Bandai Games. Nguyen lives in Santa Clara, California.
My mom recently got me hooked on these books, so I can’t wait to see how it gets turned into a graphic novel!
I’m glad it will be in color–We need to see Jamie’s firey red hair! (And kilt, and sporran, and, er…I’ll be in my bunk.)
A wonderful historic romance which has become an incredible epic. (The Companion includes a lot of background information, as Dr. Gabaldon researches deeply.)
The story begins when a married nurse steps through a stone circle and is transported from postwar Scotland to the civil war Scotland of Bonnie Prince Charlie. As in most historical romances, she is captured and seduced by a Scottish lord, but the history, intrigue, and characters transform the generic.
also of note, and worthy of a GN, Hamilton’s Mary Gentry series (rated NC17 for erotic sex and sadistic images), and Turtledove’s alternate history of the Confederate States Of America.
buhces