Hexed

I've been dropping hints about my "super secret" project for a while now. Today, I finally get to reveal it. So here it is: HEXED (advertised in this week's Previews catalog).

The tagline "Blood, Sex, Theft, Magic" pretty much says it all. It's a story about a young thief who operates in a world of magic. For those of you familiar with my writing, you know that it's going to be dark. But there will also be elements of humor and (I know this is a first for me) a happy ending every now and again. I know, radical departure for me, but I think it's a good idea to see the light at the end of the tunnel every now and again.

There are several reasons for my excitement about this project. First and foremost, it's the first project I've ever done that is, from top to bottom, my own creation. It's not a series based on someone else's concept or written in someone else's pre-constructed universe. This one is all me.

Granted, I've had substantial leeway and enormous (if not total) creative input with all of my other projects, but they still were all the brainchilds of someone else. Second Wave was loosely based on War of the Worlds, Dominion came from the concept originally hatched by Ross Richie and Keith Giffen, X Isle and Engima Cipher were conceived by the wonderfully talented Andrew Cosby, the rich world for Last Reign was designed by Walt Becker, and of course Fall of Cthulhu is told within the confines of Lovecraft's mythos (no matter how much I try to push those boundaries). Even all of my Tales stories are based on a pre-existing conceit: zombies, Cthulhu, pirates, ninjas. Not so with Hexed. For better or worse, this story, this universe, and the characters that inhabit it are all of my own creation.

What's interesting, however, is that the main character (and a few peripheral ones as well) come from Fall of Cthulhu. Hexed is Lucifer's story after the events of FoC (if you haven't read FoC, Lucifer is not the devil, just in case you were wondering). But here's the rub: this does NOT take place within the Cthulhu mythos. There is nothing Lovecraftian about this series. There is no Cthulhu, no Nyarlathotep, no Nodens. Don't worry, there's still horror and madness, but I'm taking Lucifer out of that world and putting her inside my own (if you're curious about the kind of world I'm talking about, read my online novel DINGO to get an idea). Even though the fact that Lucifer had a terrible past will remain intact within the context of this new series, the specific events of FoC will never be mentioned. They're not important. It's a new world for our darling thief.

Another thing that has me dancing in the streets over this series is the art. Here are the two covers for Hexed #1. The first is by the amazing Joe Pekar. He's doing a few covers for us and they are simply beautiful. Those of you who are familiar with his work know that this guy has a way with iconic poses.

This second cover is from the wickedly talented Emma Rios who is also doing the interior art for this first arc. Boys and girls, let me speak very plainly: Emma's art is chocolate-covered awesome on a stick. With the help of Cris Peter (who did some wonderful work for FoC as well), she is going to make this book something to talk about. This. Book. Is. GORGEOUS! I can't tell you how lucky I am to have such a talented team working on this. These girls are going to make me look good.

Check the Previews catalog or come back here to the blog in a few weeks for the exact date when the first issue drops. Seriously folks, I've never had more fun or been more excited about a project than I am with Hexed. And I'm confident you'll enjoy it just as much as I do. Check it out.

Godwar #2 in stores today 9/18

I like to call this issue the "reunion" issue for reasons that will become evident in the last few pages of the book. The first reunion is one most readers would expect. The second, not so much. So pick it up if you have a chance.

Also, I will finally be able to talk about my "secret" project. I've never been more excited about a project than this and I think readers will feel the same way. The art that I've see so far is absolutely stunning, so even if you don't dig the way I tell stories, you will LOVE how this book looks. More details to come next week. In the meantime, Godwar beckons. Heed its call.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that this amazing image of Nodens thrashing some Cthulhu spawn on the #2 cover was created by the immensely talented Nick Percival.

Ah, to be a kid again...

For some reason, this just puts a huge smile on my face.

School Library Journal Review

Now THIS is interesting. Fall of Cthulhu: The Fugue has been reviewed by the School Library Journal. You'll have to scroll on down to the High School section to find it (suitable for gades 9 and up), but it's there.

So what does this mean? It means that there's a good chance that my work is, or soon will be, in school libraries across the country. Yes, my creative tendrils will be needling their way into the easily molded minds of students everywhere.

Cue maniacal laughter as I scratch off one more item on my World Domination "to do" list.

In all seriousness, this is a great honor and a serious boon to my career. My goal as a writer is to be read by as many people as possible and, hopefully, entertain them for the few brief moments that I've captured their attention. I can't think of a better opportunity than to be introduced into school libraries.