Press Release
As Children’s Book Week 2015 kicks off its celebration of beloved children’s characters, young readers can look forward to a new hero hitting their shelves early next year. David Gallaher and Steve Ellis, the award-winning creative team behind digital hits HIGH MOON and BOX 13 are teaming up with industry-leading kids graphic novel publisher Papercutz to bring their webcomic sensation THE ONLY LIVING BOY to bookstores and libraries everywhere.
The publisher has announced a multi-volume deal with Gallaher and Ellis’ Bottled Lightning Studio, brokered by Dara Hyde at the Hill Nadell Literary Agency, that will see the webcomic collected into a series of paperback and hardcover volumes beginning in March 2016. Publishing of the print collections will begin with a 72 page first volume entitled “Prisoners of the Patchwork Planet” set to arrive in March 2016. Plans call for subsequent books to be released on a regular schedule with the entire story eventually collected in six volumes.
THE ONLY LIVING BOY tells the story of 12-year old Erik Farrell, who runs away from home only to find himself without his memory, stranded on a patchwork planet with danger lurking around every corner. Every day is a struggle to survive. Erik quickly allies himself with Morgan, a mermaid warrior and Thea, a teenage princess from a mysterious insect race. He’ll need their help to escape the Dreaded Lord Baalikar and the evil Doctor Once and maybe, one day, find his way back home.
“Our story has dragons, an insect princess, a mermaid warrior, dangerous and exotic creatures and a boy who just might be the last human alive,” said Ellis. “It was important for me, as a father, and for David, who’s been a teacher, to create a story that will capture the imagination of young readers today, while channeling the excitement of the adventure novels, old-time radio broadcasts and epic storytelling we loved as kids.”
The brainchild of Harvey award-winning creators Gallaher and Ellis, the series has received both critical and fan acclaim since its launch. Mark Waid (DAREDEVIL, KINGDOM COME) said “Paul Pope and Jack Kirby never had a chance to work together, but if they had, it would be only slightly less awesome than this.” Mental Floss called it “an all-ages adventure book inspired by pulp serials, Saturday morning cartoons, Jack Kirby, and even the music of Paul Simon.”
“THE ONLY LIVING BOY is a timeless tale that combines all the best elements of classic adventure fiction with a modern sensibility,” said Papercutz Editor-in Chief Jim Salicrup. “Erik and his predicament are something any kid can identify with. Everyone has felt like ‘the different one.’ Erik’s struggle to figure out the strange world he’s found himself in, and his friendships with characters like Morgan and Thea are perfect analogs for kids’ everyday lives. But the fantastic settings, incredible creatures and perilous situations transport the reader into an utterly unique world where those experiences become something truly special. This is the kind of comic I loved when I was a kid.”
“We wanted a print partner with a deep appreciation of children’s publishing,” said Gallaher. “When we looked at Papercutz’s range of titles, with everything from graphic novel adaptations of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to contemporary characters like Geronimo Stilton, we knew we had found a home for THE ONLY LIVING BOY.”
“We’ve got a terrific mix of great characters, great content and great creators here,” notes Papercutz publisher Terry Nantier. “We’re looking forward to introducing Papercutz readers and kids graphic novel fans to their new favorite series!”
THE ONLY LIVING BOY VOL. 1: “Prisoners of the Patchwork Planet” will be available in bookstores and comic book stores across the United States and Canada on March 8th, 2016. To find a comic shop near you go to http://www.comicshoplocator.com/ or dial 1-888-COMIC BOOK.
ABOUT PAPERCUTZ: At Papercutz, we’re all about publishing great graphic novels for all ages. Papercutz graphic novels for kids, tweens, and teens include a wide range of genres, including humor, action adventure, mystery, horror, and favorite characters. Papercutz is proud to be the only publisher exclusively dedicated to children’s graphic novels. We work every day to introduce young readers to the imaginative wonders waiting to be discovered in comics.To find out more visit http://www.papercutz.com.
ABOUT BOTTLED LIGHTNING STUDIO: David Gallaher & Steve Ellis have pioneered the landscape of digital comics, tamed werewolves, and fought vast conspiracies – and that’s just the beginning! Bottled Lightning is their undertaking, sparking life and excitement into stories for themselves and a broad range of brands, including The Walking Dead, Green Lantern, Breaking Bad, Dungeons & Dragons, MTV, and the New York City Police Department. Their featured projects include HIGH MOON, THE ONLY LIVING BOY, and BOX 13.You can visit them online at bottled-lightning.com.
