Press Release
IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership with worldwide bestselling author James Patterson to publish original comic stories and graphic novel adaptations of his top-selling novels. This groundbreaking alliance launches in May 2010 with a spellbinding, five-part story spinning out of Patterson’s acclaimed young adult novel, Witch & Wizard.
“Graphic story-telling is a compelling and unique way to experience a story, and I look forward to working with IDW to introduce new stories and transform my existing novels into this medium,†said Patterson. “With the brand-new material, adaptations and related stories, we will offer fans of reading a whole new way to enjoy my books.â€
Under this partnership, Patterson will develop completely new, page-turning comic book stories, exclusively with IDW. IDW will also create and publish gripping comics and adaptations based on Patterson’s chart-topping books.
“James is an incredibly creative, successful, and prolific writer and we are honored to partner with him,†said Greg Goldstein, chief operating officer of IDW. “There aren’t many writers who hold a Guinness World Record, and we’re looking forward to adding a few bestsellers to his title.â€
Beginning in May and based on Patterson’s bestselling first young adult novel, Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland takes the beleaguered siblings, Whit and Wisty Allgood, on an all-new, exciting adventure in their struggle against the magic-hating New World Order. Comics mainstay writer Dara Naraghi brings all the action Patterson fans love to this new story of magical powers and inter-dimensional evil, under careful direction of the famed author himself. Artist Victor Santos brings the incredible adventure to life and provides eye-catching covers. Fan-favorite artist J.K. Woodward also contributes a painted cover for the debut issue of this five-part comic series in May.
A comic adaptation of Patterson’s smash hit, non-fiction book, The Murder of King Tut, begins in June with fellow novelist and comic writer Alexander Irvine (Daredevil: Noir) and features two acclaimed comics artists dividing the interior art. Christopher Mitten (Wasteland) will transport readers back to ancient Egypt in the time of the Boy King, while Ron Randall will depict the 1920’s search for Tut’s tomb, conducted by archeologist Howard Carter. The award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke will provide covers.
Witch & Wizard #1 (of 5, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores in May.
The Murder of King Tut #1 (of 4, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores in June.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; YOE Books, a partnership with YOE! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.
IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About James Patterson
Since his first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, won the Edgar Award in 1977, James Patterson’s books have sold more than 170 million copies worldwide. His Alex Cross series, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, is the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years. In total, his Maximum Ride and Daniel X series for younger readers have spent more than 200 weeks on national bestseller lists and both are in Hollywood development. His lifelong passion for books and reading led James Patterson to launch a new website, ReadKiddoRead.com, to give adults an easy way to locate the very best books for kids. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family
