DABEL BROS. TO ADAPT DEAN KOONTZ’S FRANKENSTEIN: PRODIGAL SON

[MattBrady]

Earlier this week readers learned the Dabel Brothers and Marvel Comics have ended their publishing agreement after only a year, with Marvel retaining the rights to several of the licensed properties the Dabels brought to the publisher, with the Dabels promising the announcement of new titles that they would release upon their return to independent publishing.

Today the brothers have announced their first new property, a February 2008 launching of an adaptation of bestselling author Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein Book 1: Prodigal Son.

The full Dabel Brothers’ announcement follows…

Press Release

With over five million copies sold worldwide of the first two novels in Koontz’s proposed Frankenstein trilogy, the graphic adaptation produced by the Dabel Brothers of “Frankenstein Book 1” is destined to be a Number 1 bestseller in the graphic novel and comic book categories as well.

If the Dabel Brothers can be accused of anything in life, it’s in thinking big.

They stunned the comic book world in 2003 with their graphic adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight. They upped the ante when they joined forces with Marvel Comics to produce Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which immediately became one of the bestselling graphic novels of 2007 within one month from publication.

Today Les and Ernst Dabel announced that their next wave of comic book adaptations of popular novels will include one of the bestselling novels of the decade: an adaptation of Dean R. Koontz’s Frankenstein Book 1: Prodigal Son!

“We love surprises,” laughed Ernst Dabel, President of Dabel Brothers Productions, “and we’re certain that many people will be absolutely stunned to hear that we’re working with such a well-known author as Dean Koontz. And we’re excited! Mr. Koontz is an amazing writer with some incredible ideas, and we’re thrilled to have a chance to bring his Frankenstein story into the comic book medium.”

“Says Dean Koontz: “I’m delighted that Frankenstein will come to life in comic book form, and that the project is being guided by such capable hands as those of the Dabel Brothers. I usually don’t say things like ‘they rock,’ but it’s inescapable: ‘they rock.’”

Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Prodigal Son is the first book in Koontz’s proposed trilogy of novels set in modern day New Orleans. This is a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time-- Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel. Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion (previously known as Frankenstein’s monster), a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives in New Orleans as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself—and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker, Dr. Frankenstein—now known as Victor Helios.

The first issue of the comic book is set to arrive on shelves in February, 2008. The series will be monthly and will eventually adapt both novels in the series published to date, beginning with Frankenstein: Prodigal Son. The comic books will be carried through Diamond Comic Distributors and available at comic book stores across North America.

About Dabel Brothers Productions

Dabel Brothers Productions, LLC, is a comic book studio dedicated to bringing many of the best and most popular novels in the world of fantasy to the comic book medium. With a passion for authenticity and a firm respect for the original text, the Dabel Brothers work hard to ensure that their adaptations build upon and enhance the worlds of popular works in a manner that longtime fans and new readers alike can enjoy.

The Dabel Brothers first became known for their stunning adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight in 2003. Since then, they have produced over a dozen different titles that have adapted novels by major, bestselling authors, including Orson Scott Card, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Richard A. Knaak and Robert Silverberg. The Dabel Brothers also produced the first six issues of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which they published through Marvel Comics. The hardcover graphic novel collecting these issues went on to become one of the bestselling graphic novel of 2007 with only a single month’s worth of sales.

In 2008, the Dabel Brothers will produce and publish several more comic book adaptations of novels by major bestselling authors, including Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein Book 1: Prodigal Son.

About Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife, Gerda, in Southern California. For more information about Dean Koontz, please visit http://www.deankoontz.com.

More titles are planned and will be announced in coming months.

For more information on the comic book adaptation of Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Dabel Brothers Productions, its products and its partners, please visit http://www.dabelbrothers.com

Copyright 2007, Dabel Brothers Productions, LLC. All Rights reserved.
All trademarks and titles are the property of their respective owners.

The statements contained within this document are considered "forward-looking statements"
and may not reflect upon the actual future performance of Dabel Brothers Productions, LLC.

[J.D. Lombardi]

Pretty nuts for a first choice. But hey, nobody is doing Frankenstein, so why not...right?

Good luck to these guys. They always seem to put out stuff that no one else is doing and even though I don't buy it, I can still at least appreciate someone going against the grain.

[shadow-ray]

I wonder who will be doing the art.

Is Brett Booth continuing to pencil Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter?

I would love to see his pencils on another project.

[AnthonyL]

Not to be downer, but I gotta tell you when they said exciting announcements this didn't spring to mind. Not that excited. I can think of much more exciting things than anything Dean Koontz has ever done. But then again, just cuz I don't dig it doesn't mean many many others don't.

Can't wait to see the other announcements!

Anthony L

[artiepants]

well, that get's a great big "huh..." from me...

[artjunkie]

Originally Posted by sexyjesus

Damn I hate Koontz. What a narcissistic prick. That cover is quite literally disgusting.

How is he a narcissist...at least anymore than any other artistic person published with a byline? Please explain, I'm so utterly confused by your hate. Koontz is actually quite humble and often shuns the spotlight.

Good for the Dabel's. They've aligned themselves with a powerhouse author who is very prolific, successful and quite inventitive in his cross-genre fiction writing. I don't read him as much as I used to, but if the Dabel's only wanted to adapt his works, they could do so for eons as the man has works aplenty that are perfectly adaptable to other mediums, especially graphically...and especially: Dragon Tears, Watchers, Midnight, Strangers, The Taking, the Christopher Snow novels and the Odd trilogy, just to name a few.

[Jed Saxon]

*cricket*

Now if they would get the licence to do Preston/Child's "Agent Pendergast" books... no THAT would peak my interest. Or Elizabeth George's "Lynley" adapted as comic books.

[Equinox]

I've never been less excited about a comic book. Unless the Dabel's ignore Kootz's entire literary style, this one stays on the shelf.

Koontz's only good book was "Phantoms," and that wasn't even that good. It was the premise that was truly brilliant. The execution was weaksauce.

[Hawkangel]

Has anyone actually read the book? I've read both and thought they were great so this title does excite me,

[sexyjesus]

Originally Posted by artjunkie

How is he a narcissist...at least anymore than any other artistic person published with a byline? Please explain, I'm so utterly confused by your hate. Koontz is actually quite humble and often shuns the spotlight.

Maybe I did overreact, but that cover just appalls me. "Master story teller creates a new legend" "Dean Koontz's Frankenstein." Sure, its probably all the publisher's fault, but I'm surprised he agreed to that. To me, it spits in the face of the classic he's milking. It reeks of narcissism.

[Nighttech]

So far this is the only Kootnz's novel I have read. And the reason was it was the basis for a Frankenstien movie that aired on USA about three years ago...the book was not bad, despite the movie, ....the introduction talks about how the studio wanted to change so much that he withdrew from the project and also how Martin Scorsese withdrew from the project...if the comic is a faithfull adaptation it will be enjoyable.

[shadow-ray]

So, re-imagining a classic is narcissistic? How so?

If that is the case, the Miller's 300 must have been hubris, since he took a historical battle and made it into a comic book.

[Baron Banter]

I liked the idea of a Lord of the Ring comic. This does not interest me.

[artjunkie]

Originally Posted by sexyjesus

Maybe I did overreact, but that cover just appalls me. "Master story teller creates a new legend" "Dean Koontz's Frankenstein." Sure, its probably all the publisher's fault, but I'm surprised he agreed to that. To me, it spits in the face of the classic he's milking. It reeks of narcissism.

I tend not to let arbitrary things like that rush me to a judgmental state. Especially knowing that the publisher's marketing staff writes the copy (and has a right to...it's their job to peak interest and...wait for it....SELL BOOKS). Besides, considering Koontz's selling track record, dude is a "master" storyteller.

As for the "Dean Koontz's Frankenstein" bit...it's quite obvious that is necessary to distinquish it from "Mary Shelly's Frankenstein".

My advice to you: don't be so sensitive to arbitrary things. Or too quick to judge.

Hey, I'm here to help.

[Beheader]

Never read Koontz's version, but the comic has big shoes to fill to compete with Grant Morrison's version or the Matrix guys' Doc Frankenstein.

But ultimately, it's disappointing that Dabel surrendered more original book characters for basically a public domain character. Especially, since Anita Blake did really good in trade.

[Lord Ice]

Originally Posted by Hawkangel

Has anyone actually read the book? I've read both and thought they were great so this title does excite me,

Agree with you there. Love this series so far.

On a similar note, did I imagine hearing that it was announced that there'd be an Odd Thomas comic that would be a prequel to that series?

[goofball814]

Gotta say this is disappointing....

I've read a lot of the Dabels work (Hedge Knight I & II, Magician: Apprentice, Wyrms, Red Prophet, New Spring and looking forward to Lord of Avalon) and this announcement is ho-hum at best... Maybe with Koontz's name, they sell tons, make tons of money, and get back to something more in my interest.

I just cant see that giving up Anita Blake and Hedge KNight is worth acquiring Koontz Frankenstein....

[Tom Daylight]

That is freaky. Looking at the front page, you have DABEL above the name KOONTZ. All this could make me think of was Veronica Mars villain ABEL KOONTZ.

[TerryX]

I'd be more interested in a Brian Lumley's Necroscope series being made into comics.

[STL]

If lost off their other properties for this, I am grossly underwhelmed. My favourite two titles were Magician and Hedge Knight.

When DB were still indy I bought every issue. Now since Marvel has them, I'll wait for trades.

Grossly disappointed. And it still prima facie appears DB got screwed.

But yeah, very uneexciting.

[kidvictory]

I liked the first two books and I bet this'll be fun.

Funny thing is I just mentioned to a friend the other day how the third book in the series never came out and was scheduled for summer 06 I believe.

I can't imagine they'll only adapt 2 parts of a 3 part story? If so, that'll be very disappointing.

Hopefully they'll surprise us. I was worried that the third book wasn't coming out - I would hope this means there's life in the series in both mediums.

[Blind Assassin]

Awesome! I wish the dabel bros. great success.

Koontz is a name that will bring in the readers.

I am also a big fan so I will definately be looking.

[Cray_ws]

Oh Brother...

[Charlie Hustle]

Originally Posted by sexyjesus

Maybe I did overreact, but that cover just appalls me. "Master story teller creates a new legend" "Dean Koontz's Frankenstein." Sure, its probably all the publisher's fault, but I'm surprised he agreed to that. To me, it spits in the face of the classic he's milking. It reeks of narcissism.

So you realize someone else might have written it whose job is to publish and promote his work, and you say it's proof that he's narcissistic? Did that make more sense when you typed it than it does now? And please stop pretending to be giving in depth analysis when you're calling him a prick for the cover design.

[KyleV]

I have a question for those who read such comics (adaptations of books):

Do fans of the books react the same way that comic book readers do when a movie is released based upon a comic?

I mean, do book fans bitch about what they messed up in the comic book version, or how a drawing doesn't look like the character in their head? Or how the story was "comic book-ized" to appeal to those fans instead of staying 100% true to the source material?

Just wondering.