Kim Harrison’s Graphic Novel

Book CoverI don’t often host blog tours (hardly ever, actually) but this seemed so neat I wanted to share it with y’all. Youse guys. Yinz!

Anyway. Kim Harrison’s Hollows series is pretty familiar to readers of paranormal and urban fantasy romance, but now those same characters are making the jump to graphic novel format. Since I know many of you love graphic novels, especially those featuring strong women, I thought you might enjoy this sneak peak.

I have two pages of the novel below, and there’s more at other sites, as well, with links to come. Here’s pages 8 and 9 on “Blood Work,” coming 12 July (Amazon | BN).

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Here’s what Kim Harrison has to say about the two pages we’re sneak-peaking here:

Blood Lust. Yeah, I Gots It.

I am a novelist at heart, but I jumped at the chance to script out a graphic novel based on my Hollows characters, wanting to stretch my writing skills and possibly reach a new audience.  One of the difficulties I had anticipated very early on was how to visually show the emotion of blood lust.  Most emotions translate easily to the visual page.  We all know what anger or joy looks like.  But blood lust?  I was stumped.  How could I show a rising, almost uncontrollable sexual desire mixed with the need to dominate?  I couldn’t rely on my usual adjectives, and had to come up with something else.

Being able to visualize this was key to telling the reader what was going on in the mind of Ivy, my vampire being driven to distraction by thoughts of desire and betrayal.  Without the visual clue of her state of mind, nothing would make sense.  It was then I asked potential artists to show me how they would draw the emotion of blood lust as an extension of a person’s aura, able to touch, caress, or bite, the crux being that the stronger the emotion, the more definition the “hunger shadow” would have.  You can see here what Pedro came up, his imagery pretty much cinching his involvement in the project.  His rendition of blood lust was as complex and dangerous as the emotion itself, having all the facets of anger, lust, domination, and desire that I was looking for.  It’s a peek into the character’s soul, and it’s beautiful.
 
You can read why I broke from traditional novels to script a graphic novel at Graphic Novel Reporter, why I chose to tell the story of how Rachel and Ivy met at Fantasy Book Critic, and how a card-carrying soloist becomes part of a team at Comics Beat.

There is also a kickin’ contest at Suvudu to win a pair of boots, if you’re so inclined to try to win things like really, really sharp boots.

I have here two signed copies of the Blood Work graphic novel, for your winning pleasure. Want one? Leave a comment with the graphic novel character you love most (or series, if there’s more than one character, which there usually is!) and I’ll pick two winners in 24 hours.

Standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Any resemblance to art projects near or far is strictly coincidental. No animals or magic markers were harmed in the making of this giveaway.

 

Comments are Closed

  1. Robin says:

    I’ve perused a few graphic novels but I’m not a regular reader.  I am however a HUGE Hollows fan so I’m really excited to see how the characters translate to this medium.

  2. Akesha says:

    Kim you freaking Rock! I cant wait to pick up the graphic novel.

  3. Snarky*Bitch says:

    I love Sin City and Lady Death.  Marv is my favorite in Sin City.

    I can’t wait for this GN!  Rachel is pretty much what I had in mind.  I want to see Jenks!

    <3

  4. Matthew Morrell says:

    My favorite graphic novel has to be V for Vendetta with V as my favorite character. There’s just something about how eloquent he is, yet at the same time ACTUALLY doing something to fight for the freedom of England. Also It’s fantastically illustrated.

  5. Michelle says:

    Can’t wait to read about ivy and rachel’s first meeting…..would be my first gn, but I’m looking forward to it!

  6. My favorite graphic novel character is probably Batman from Batman The Dark Knight Returns. There are plenty of good ones out there though.

  7. Autumn says:

    At this point, my favorite Graphic Novel character is Anita Blake, but she will have some competition in my heart once I get my hands on “Blood Work.” I love me some Rachel Morgan 🙂

  8. Jennifer Graham says:

    I have never read a graphic novel so I’m going to pick Ivy in Bloodwork.  I absolutely love the Hollows novels and Ivy is my favorite character in those.  I’m excited to see what her point of view look like!

  9. quichepup says:

    Oh, wow I am gonna show my age here. Usagi Yojimbo, the Ronin who roams medieval Japan and just happens to be a rabbit. There was a new edition not long ago but I still have the original which is *cough* over 20 years old.

    Most interesting graphic novel characters were probably the Bennet sisters in the Marvel release of Pride and Prejudice. There’s a lot of love for Sandman so I won’t mention it but have to give a shout to Tek Jansen.
    http://www.amazon.com/Stephen-Colberts-Jansen-John-Layman/dp/1934964166/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1310052430&sr=1-1

  10. Jenny Y says:

    I’ve never actually read a graphic novel just for myself, but I read alot of them to my son when he was younger. I made the “noises” and everything 😀 I always left out the inappropriate parts and made something up. I am really looking forward this one as I love the Rachel and the Hollows.

  11. Jenks is my favorite Hallows character. Graphic Novel… I think Delerium. From Sandman.

  12. Chris H says:

    My favorite is John Constantine in Hellblazer, although Silk Spectre II in Watchmen is a good one, too.

  13. Kelli says:

    It’s hard to choose a favorite character but I love Jenks too 🙂 Favorite graphic novel? Hard decision- but I have to go with A Girl and Her Fed- does it matter that it is an online novel? Because it’s awesome

  14. CarrieS says:

    Awww..so much Elfquest love!  I’m, going with Skywise, all the way, bay-bee.  He is awesome.  Also love Andrew from Buffy Season 8, Death From Sandman, and the last man in Y the Last Man.  Girl Genius isn’t technically a graphic novel but oh, how I do love every character from Girl Genuis, and let’s not forget The Tick (“Spooooon!) if we’re branching from graphic novels to comic books (the diff being that a graphic novel is supposed to be a stand alone work (like a novel) while a comic book is more like an episode in a TV series – let the quibbling begin!)

  15. Tiffany M. says:

    My favorite would have to be Ryan from the Blood Legacy comics by Kerri Hawkins. I love it when my favorite authors make their books into comics. (Although Hawkins made her comics into very well written books) It just takes you one step further into the world that the author is trying to take you to. I’m sure Blood Work by Harrison will be another great one!

  16. henofthewoods says:

    I loved the New Mutants – Kitty, Illyana, Sam, Roberto, Piotr, Rahne
    I’m not sure which my absolute favorite was, (maybe Jean Grey’s daughter from the other time-line that wasn’t really true but might be in the future… I think her name was Rachel and her mutant name used Phoenix or Marvel Girl as a base, like Phoenix-lite but not that cause it would be silly.)
    There isn’t one particular graphic novel that I loved best, they were great as an on-going soap opera with friendships that mattered to the characters.

  17. Patricia Briggs’ graphic novels got me started on what I’d always thought of as “comics”. I also really like Marjorie M. Liu’s installments of the X-Men.

  18. Sara says:

    You know, I haven’t read a graphic novel in so long I can’t remember what the last one was!  Probably a Sandman.  Which is another reason (first being the Hollows is a great series and Kim is a bad ass writer who doesn’t let herself slide in to banality and become a joke as the serie’s progresses) I was so excited about this project. 🙂

  19. missy moo says:

    The graphics are awesome. Just as I imagined them too !
    Xxoo
    Missy

  20. Bri says:

    It’s hard to pick a favorite… I do love all the comics based on the books I read… but I’m going to have to go with Walking Dead.

  21. KiriD79 says:

    I have to pick another from Elfquest.  Nightfall.  She is a warrior woman, yet under all the steel and swords is a passionate wife.  She is what I have always striven to be.  A Mother Wolf to my (as yet unborn) children.  A warrior woman, strong enough to protect my family and the best wife I can be.

  22. Steve says:

    The art looks fantastic, I can’t wait to add Blood Work to my collection!  I have been in withdrawal since finishing Pale Demon.

  23. stephjx says:

    My favorite character of all times is the awesome Buffy Summers.  I’m so glad I have the graphic novels to continue my Buffy addiction.  I can’t wait to read Blood Work,  I always wondered what happened when Rachel met Ivy.

  24. Claudia says:

    Wow, I didn’t know some of my other favorite authors had graphic novels out, aside from Laurell K. Hamilton. I will have to check those out. I am eagerly awaiting Blood Work. I love the Hollows and am happy to soak up every bit possible.

  25. Amy says:

    Go Kim!!!

    My favorite Hollows character is definitely Trent. He’s got class, the looks, the winning personality… Who am I kidding, Trenton Kalamack is probably the biggest as*h**e in the Hollows world but I’ve always loved the badboys 😉

  26. Amy says:

    Sorry about the double post but I couldn’t find an edit button.
    My favorite GN character has got to be Ampersand the sh*t slinging Capuchin monkey from Y: The Last Mani

  27. infinitieh says:

    I don’t read graphic novels much anymore (since college) but I did read a goodly amount of manga.  My last favorite character was Haruhi Fujioka from “Ouran High School Host Club”.  Unlike so many manga/anime girls, she’s not concerned about her outward appearance – initially the boys thought she was a boy.  It’s pretty fun to read about a female character that isn’t portrayed as cute or kawaii.

  28. Sarah L says:

    I really enjoyed the Mercy Thompson Homecoming graphic novel. My favorite original graphic novel series is the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi. Written and drawn simply enough that an elementary school student can read them, but with a compelling and complex storyline that even adults (or theoretical adults, like me 🙂 can enjoy. Plus giant robots!

  29. Pamk says:

    books chracters as graphic novels would be Patricia Brigg’s Mercy series and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters. But I do love my comics so I’ve read lots of as graphic novels and no I can’t pck a favorite of those.

  30. ev says:

    Emailed my comic guy to add it to my pile of stuffs!! Woot!!

  31. CherryPie says:

    Though I’ve spent way more money than I want to think about on GN’s for my son, I’m not a reader myself. But an opportunity to read more on The Hollows will get me reading them for sure! Not so impressed with Rachel & Ivy’s looks… Just not quite as sexy as imagined, looking forward to seeing Jenks… And Trent! Yeah, definitely want to see Trent!

  32. Tonya Prather says:

    frist one i read in along time was James Patterson’s witch & wizard. I liked whit, it made me think of my childhood, and the crazy made up games me and my friends did. it’s just great now to get out of this world, into a graphic novel, far away from the maddness of this world 🙂

  33. Jennifer W. says:

    Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men is at the top of my list as far as graphic novels go.  It’s a fresh take on one of the classic superhero comic series.

  34. Lizzi says:

    My favorite graphic novels were the old Elfquest ones from the 80’s.  They were beautifully illustrated and just fun to read.

  35. Jade says:

    Elfquest holds a special place in my heart because it was the first graphic novel series I remember getting interested in as a kid.

  36. The only real graphic novel I’ve read and liked (much to the chagrin of my comic-artist-husband) was Adam Warren’s EMPOWERED. I’ve never been able to decide whether the whole thing is really sexist or empowering, and that kind of intrigues me.

  37. Steven says:

    It’s the one “everyone” knows, but my favorite graphic novel by far is Watchmen. The characters have so many dimensions to them that I couldnt put the book down when I first read it.

  38. Patty Robinson says:

    I have never read a graphic novel before. But Blood work , Kim Harrison and the Hollows has really got me interested.I can’t wait to see all the characters come to life.I can’t wait to see Jenks and Rachel and Trent. It’s going to open me up to ne
    w way to see my favorite books. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!!!!

  39. Jess says:

    Gah, I’m so behind on my graphic novel reading, but the thing that most stands out to me in my mind as wanting to finish reading whenever I think about it is the Y: The Last Man series.  It’s such a fun concept, great art, really witty writing.  Someday, someday. . .

  40. Will'm says:

    Ember, Skywise from Elfquest.  Heck the whole cast.  Wonderful development.  Just wish the re-releases were larger like the original copies.

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