“Lady Killer” #1 cover art by Joëlle Jones & Laura Allred.
Today is your last chance to tell your retailer that you want to take a chance on the inaugural issue of Jamie Rich’s and Joëlle Jones’ gritty Dark Horse series “Lady Killer“. The first issue will debut on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
LADY KILLER #1 | Joëlle Jones | Jamie S. Rich | Laura Allred
Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother—but she’s also a ruthless, efficient killer for hire! A brand-new original comedy series that combines the wholesome imagery of early 1960s domestic bliss with a tightening web of murder, paranoia, and cold-blooded survival.
* New original series by Joëlle Jones!
* Dark comedy, gritty action, and killer laughs!
“[Jones] varies her style to suit the mood of each piece, and the results can be spellbinding.”—Powell’s Books
Jones killing it with Cullen Bunn on their badass viking comic “Helheim“, so it should be interesting to see her style applied to this upcoming “Mad Men” meets “Dexter” ongoing series. Rich’s known for his editorial hand in the infamous Allred’s “Madmad” series. (Unfortunately I don’t have a copy of the new 3-D issue. That’s on top of my Christmas list.) I really enjoyed his bold writing on “Archer Coe and the Thousand Natural Shocks” original graphic novel with French based artist Dan Christensen. I noticed on Christensen’s Facebook feed that he’s working on the second volume, so look out for that as well.
Rich as was kind enough to share the upcoming “Lady Killer” covers numero #2 (hits stands on Feb. 4) & #3. Art by Jones and colors by the mighty Laura Allred:
“Lady Killer” #2 cover art by Joëlle Jones & Laura Allred.
“Lady Killer” #3 cover art by Joëlle Jones & Laura Allred.
Click here to pre-order this exciting new series.
I just got into the TV show, Dexter.
I never had Showtime before so I couldn't watch it and the entire 8 seasons is now free on Netflix. (woot woot! I know what I'll be doing over the summer.)
This is the. best. show. evah!
If I could write books like this - I would be a bestseller for sure!
I'm learning so many writing lessons from this show that I wanted to share:
Top 10 writing lessons from Dexter:
- Character arc - The character arc in each show let alone every season is amazing! Each character changes a little. in each episode.
- Dexter. The man perfect for this character - smart, hot, funny. So relatable that the whole serial killer thing is overlooked or accepted and you don't really know why or how it happened. :)
- Tension/Pace - Each chapter should have some tension or suspense. Even in books that aren't thrillers, you need to keep the reader turning the page. The suspense is killing me - every show has an amazing cliff hanger and i find myself saying "just one more episode."
- Voice - Each character should have his/her own voice. This is what makes each person special and relatable. Every character has their quirks, flaws and lovable moments.
- Character Development - Every character should be fully developed with backstory and motive. Each character from Dexter, to his sister Deb, to the "reborn cop" Angel, to the other forensic scientist, Vince. Each is unique.
- Villain - Your antagonist should be relatable. Not that Dexter is the antagonist but he should be. he's a serial killer yet somehow you root for him not to be caught.
- Setting. Your setting should invoke some emotion. Dexter is set in Miami. Everyone is always hot and sweating which adds anxiety to everything they do.
- Romance - Dexter started out awkward and has become more sexy as the shows go on. He's had a couple love interests but they were very purposeful in his character development which I find refreshing. It's not just love on the side. Each plays an important role in his arc.
- Reveals/Surprises. The reveals should be well placed and strategic. It all has to make sense in the end. So far they have done a brilliant job of reveals and I find myself going "I did not see that coming."
- Hook - You need a great hook as the foundation of any story. The idea of a serial killer killing bad guys is brilliant.
You need to watch this show, esp if you are a thriller writer. The lessons are endless.
I heard there were Dexter books so I may check that out just to see how it plays out in the writing vs script.
Have you watched Dexter? What do you think? What is your favorite lesson from the show?
You know when a project takes over your life? Yeah? Well, that's exactly what has happened here.
Here's an update on the
Books About Town /
Wild In Art book bench project that I am working on. Last time, I posted about it, I had just received this giant open book that has now become part of the furniture in my living room.
Stage 1 was to prime the bench. I wanted a clean white background for my drawing - so a friend came around to help with that. That friend was not
Dexter, despite it looking that way from the photo above. We just got over enthusiastic with the dust sheets.
That was the easy bit. Stage 2 is to transfer
my drawings, which I originally made on A4 paper (20 x 30cm ish) onto the bench. It's not just enlarging the drawing, to such a scale, that's difficult. No. It's that the bench is not a flat piece of paper. Working the drawing around all the curves is tricky. But, I've started.
And, I did so whilst watching back to back
Columbo over this Easter weekend.
Many people have said that this must be a daunting task. People often talk about the fear of drawing in a new sketchbook. The fear of the blank page. And, this is such a large blank page. But, I've never had the issue. In fact, I'm quite the opposite I love starting a new sketchbook with all the possibilities that brings. Procrastination is my issue.
So, I'm pleased that I've got going, whilst being watched over, and inspired by, my ladies over the bench; the
Lady of Shalott; my teenage self; and, of course,
Sue Townsend whose recent death has made choosing her
Adrian Mole book as my theme for the bench even more poignant.
It also fills me with pride to be honoured to pay tribute to her, and Adrian, in this way.
You can read about how I got involved in this project
HERE. I'll see you soon with some drawings, I hope. Although this has taken over my life. And my living room.although
Nice of Dexter to come and help paint the bench.
This time last year, it seemed like Homeland and Dexter couldn't have more different trajectories. Dexter was coming off a plodding, padded sixth season that had devolved into the butt of a sad joke, full of nonsensical plot twists, increasingly boring subplots involving the show's perennially underserved secondary characters, and an growing sense that no one involved with the show knew what to
Here are my latest Dexter samples - one of Jennifer Carpenter as Deborah Morgan and the other of Julie Benz as Rita Morgan. I think I made Deborah's lips a little too big but nailed the eyes. Apart from a little adjustment to the eyes I think I got Rita pretty well spot on.
Newest Dexter sample sketch-card. I'm actually pretty happy with this one.
Two of my newest sample Dexter cards - John Lithgow as the menacing Arthur Mitchel ("The Trinity Killer"), and David Zayas as Sgt. Angel Batista. I think I'm getting back into the swing of likenesses again - it's a very satisfying feeling. Hope ya digs!
On May 24th, 2009 I gave birth to my lovely son, Dexter Nolen Driedger. Birth was a profoundly spiritual and empowering experience and being a mother has taken me by surprise. I'm grateful for this experience and can hardly wait to paint and draw my memories of labour and early motherhood for my growing up show come this fall. Of course, I should probably try to catch a few zzz's before I crack open the sketch book. This parenting business is really lots of hard work! Thanks for checking in!
There are certain genres and story types one associates with serial killers. Procedurals, thrillers, intense games of pursuit and evasion between detective and killer or killer and prey, psychological horror or the regular, visceral kind. In its first season, Dexter hewed pretty close to the expectations created by its premise, pitting the eponymous (anti-)hero against a rival serial killer
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Looks like an interesting series and premise, but I do have a quibble with your headline. Is it really an ‘exclusive’ if these were already shown in solicitations?
The third cover hasn’t been solicited before, Chris.
Apologies, then. I saw 1 and 2 and knew they were and simply jumped the gun. Sorry.