Essays

February 27, 2008

Dabel Brothers Adapt FRANKENSTEIN BOOK ONE: PRODIGAL SON

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 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 https://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

Get up-to-date messages from Dean Koontz delivered to your inbox.

Any information you provide will not be used for other commercial purposes and will not be sold, rented, leased or forwarded to any third party.