Hot on the heels of the first graphic novel release by Terry brooks, Dark Wraith of Shannara (REVIEW), The Beat is reporting that Del Rey has announced that they will be releasing a graphic novel written by Diana Gabaldon, staring her famous duo, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser.
This is exciting news to me, for I’m currently reading her first novel, Outlander, and it’s safe to say you’ll be reading a very positive review of it soon! I think Gabaldon’s version of Scotland is the perfect setting for a graphic novel, but I’m curious to see how they handle all the sex!
The full press release:
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.â€
“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.â€
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.
I, for one, can’t wait! Especially after Del Rey proving they have the mettle for graphic novels with Dark Wraith of Shannara.
My wife is re-reading Outlander right now. We have a minor connection with the Gabaldons in that her family–or at least, part of it–is from Flagstaff, AZ where we live. Diana may have even grown up here. One of the halls in our kids’ school is named after her father. I think Diana lives in Scottsdale now. She comes up every year to do a reading or two for charity. I still recall seeing her at the local Celtic festival about 11-12 years ago. She wasn’t that well known then and was sitting at a table by herself–no line of adoring fans yet. I said hi, she said hi. How things have changed. You have to reserve way ahead of time to get into one of her readings now. Looking forward to the graphic novel!
Art Spiegelman is speaking at Northern Arizona University on January 27, 2009. In case somebody out there is interested in seeing him live in Flagstaff.