Hey everyone,
October’s been…a month. Between world events and the day job, it’s not been my most productive month. However I just recently wrapped up the script of issue 2 for something really cool.
In fact, that’s the Halloween treat I’m bringing you today. But first a little prologue.
I think you really can’t escape knowing about Sherlock Holmes when you’re growing up. I mean, he is THE detective, some might say the greatest detective (sorry, Batman). And I always enjoyed a good Holmes tale, be it original canon, the BBC show, some really awesome movies, and, I kid you not, a weird sci fi cartoon.
And if you’re a theater kid growing up in NYC until this year, you can’t avoid The Phantom of the Opera. In my case, as family legend goes, I heard the original Broadway cast in utero as my mom worked for the publisher who did the companion book for the show. And hearing the music as a kid etc, it got me into the original Gaston Leroux novel (which, in all honesty, is actually better than the musical. I know, such sacrilege.)
So, why not combine two things I love?
Well, yes, it’s technically been done before, but usually it’s just dropping Holmes into the original 1910 Leroux novel and…I don’t want to tread old ground. So I did something different.
And before you ALW fans go nutso, this is more of a sequel to the original novel. So lower your hackles (plus, let’s be fair, Love Never Dies is not good. I should know, I’ve seen the show! Summary below for those who would rather not suffer through 2+ hours of very bad melodrama)
So, what is this I’m revealing to you today? Today I’m revealing the first six, lettered, black and white pages for something I’m calling
The Crimson Casebook of Sherlock Holmes: The Phantom Masquerade
Now this is a work currently in development as a series (though the first two issues are written). I’m writing my scripts, which are being brought to wonderful life by Jeremiah Schiek (Hush Ronin, and a lot of other great comics) and letters by Ringo-nominated letterer Justin Birch (who I swear does half the books at Mad Cave Studios)!
Now, we don’t have a colorist yet, and I’ll tell you why. I’m going to be doing a small, black and white print run of issue 1 for conventions next year (mainly summer/early fall ones) to test the waters for the book. But for the official Kickstarter release that I’m planning (current estimated date: Oct ‘24), I plan on it being in color. I’m also talking to a lot of great artists about various covers so we’ll have plenty ready for this Gothic Horror series starring the Great Detective and the Opera Ghost.
Please enjoy this little preview:
I hope this whets your appetite for what comes next!
I also got a few more tricks up my sleeve for upcoming comics, so stay tuned :)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
DK