Sea Lion Books Acquires Graphic Novel Rights to Anne Rice

Not Anne Rice herself mind you, but Sea Lion Books has just acquired the rights to Anne Rice's novel, Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana. The graphic novel rights that will, ahem, adapt the novel to a graphic novel by Rice and comic creator Anne Elizabeth and featuring art by Siya Oum, slated to hit stores by Easter 2012.

"Christ the Lord: the Road to Cana, I consider one of my personal favorites," said Rice. "The writing of it took less time than the research because I feel driven to recreate authenticity in the narrative. The characters must see what people saw in first century Palestine because I want my readers to see the same. Any artistic effort short of that fails not only for me but also for the actual figures I endeavored to recreate in my novel. Today this work is being reinterpreted through the marvelous medium of graphic novels. The visual imagery will give my characters a new dimension that cannot be captured in words alone. Sea Lion Books will translate The Road to Cana into a format that will do as I have done: Recreate first century Palestine with the women and men who changed the course of human history. The characters you know will be there -- Jesus, Mary, Joseph -- in the rich colors and beautiful forms that only artists can draw. This is going to be a thrilling adventure for my characters, for me, and I think for you readers and viewers as well."

If you couldn't tell by the image above (or the title), the book is the second in a series dramatizing the life of Jesus Christ. It's based on the four Gospels, New Testament research and studies of Jewish culture in describing the early stage in Jesus' life before his baptism and miracle at Cana.

“Working on such a spiritually beautiful book is a remarkable experience! Not only is it an opportunity to work with brilliant storyteller Anne Rice and talented artist Siya Oum, but it is a chance to explore my own faith,” said adapter Anne Elizabeth, whose graphic novel The Pendulum is also being released by Sea Lion Books.

Full press release.

SEA LION BOOKS ACQUIRES GRAPHIC NOVEL RIGHTS TO ANNE RICE NOVEL

International bestselling author Anne Rice’s critically acclaimed novel, Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, receives a graphic spin as newly established publishing house, Sea Lion Books, acquires the worldwide rights to this graphic novel publication. The novel will be adapted by the author Anne Rice and comic creator Anne Elizabeth and will feature artwork by Siya Oum. This graphic novel is scheduled for release in time for Easter 2012.

"Christ the Lord: the Road to Cana, I consider one of my personal favorites," said Rice. "The writing of it took less time than the research because I feel driven to recreate authenticity in the narrative. The characters must see what people saw in first century Palestine because I want my readers to see the same. Any artistic effort short of that fails not only for me but also for the actual figures I endeavored to recreate in my novel. Today this work is being reinterpreted through the marvelous medium of graphic novels. The visual imagery will give my characters a new dimension that cannot be captured in words alone. Sea Lion Books will translate The Road to Cana into a format that will do as I have done: Recreate first century Palestine with the women and men who changed the course of human history. The characters you know will be there -- Jesus, Mary, Joseph -- in the rich colors and beautiful forms that only artists can draw. This is going to be a thrilling adventure for my characters, for me, and I think for you readers and viewers as well."

The book is the second within a series dramatizing the life of Jesus Christ. Based on the four Gospels, current New Testament research, and studies of Jewish culture, Rice created and described the early stage in Jesus’ life before his baptism in the Jordan and the miracle at Cana. Faced with a winter of no rain, endless dust, and talk of trouble in Judea, Jesus must confront his destiny. The book’s power derives from the profound feeling Rice brings to the writing and the way in which she summons up the presence of Jesus Christ.

“Working on such a spiritually beautiful book is a remarkable experience! Not only is it an opportunity to work with brilliant storyteller Anne Rice and talented artist Siya Oum, but it is a chance to explore my own faith,” said adapter Anne Elizabeth, whose graphic novel The Pendulum is also being released by Sea Lion Books.

Derek Ruiz, Vice President and Publisher of Sea Lion Books, said, “It’s an honor to be working with Anne Rice, one of my all time favorite authors. We at Sea Lion Books are excited to introduce the Christ the Lord series to the Graphic Novel Market. Anne Rice and the Christ the Lord series are great additions to the lineup we have been building at Sea Lion Books. With each new announcement we continue to show that we want to bring quality stories to the visual medium we love.”