Media Release -- Gary Young, writer of UK box office hit Harry Brown, has announced that his next release will be a two-volume graphic novel entitled Madam Samurai. With artwork by Eagle Award Winner David Hitchcock (Springheeled Jack, Whitechapel Freak) the first volume is due to be published in the summer of 2010. A trailer for the book is available to view and download now at http://www.scarcomics.com/trailer.htm
The action-adventure story follows a female samurai warrior whose journey brings her to Victorian London on a mission of vengeance. Writer Gary Young describes how the project started life: "Madam Samurai began as a one-line pitch devised by film producer Gael McLaughlin. The notion absolutely intrigued me and so we began to develop the idea into a full screenplay."
Young continued "The more the idea grew it became clear that it was way beyond what we had access to in terms of production budget. However, it also became clear to us that this was perfect material for a graphic novel, something I'd always wanted to do having grown up as an avid fan of the medium. We also felt that the book would ultimately help the project to be realised as the film we'd always envisioned."
Shane Chebsey of Scar Comics soon came on board as publisher and introduced artist David Hitchcock to the project. Shane said, "As soon as I read the Madam Samurai script I knew that this was a project I really wanted to be involved with. The first artist I thought of was David Hitchcock, as his amazing pencil style work already features London in the Victorian era and characters such as Jack the Ripper. We're delighted that Diamond Distribution will be distributing the book as it allows the story to reach fans on both sides of the Atlantic."
Artist David Hitchcock said, "I've really enjoyed the challenge of drawing feudal Japan. It's required a lot of research but it's been a delight to draw. The story is so compelling and the characters are so exciting that it's been a real pleasure to work on."
Madam Samurai: Volume One will be listed in the April 2010 Previews Catalogue and be available in all good comic shops in June.
