IDW Publishing has announced 13 Demons Dead, a manga-inspired graphic novel from video game writer Adam Tierney and Italian artist Saspy. The 250-page black-and-white graphic novel will arrive in August..
The story follows 14-year-old Everly “Ev” Espada, who accidentally kills one of Earth’s 13 hidden demons while trying to save her favorite teacher from an invisible attacker. That one lucky swing of a pipe triggers an ancient covenant: Ev is now marked as the latest demon hunter, with one year to slay the remaining 12, or they return more powerful and unstoppable.
Tierney, whose video game credits include River City Girls, Aliens, Batman and Silent Hill, as well as the Teen Titans Go! cartoon, said the book has been a longtime goal.
“I’ve been a diehard comic book fan since I first learned to read. Throughout my career as a writer, I’ve worked in video games, TV shows, children’s books, even music, but I’ve never had the opportunity to create my own comic book until now,” he said. “13 Demons Dead combines everything I love writing about — horror, humor, demons, high school, bullies, and heartbreak — into a wild, 250-page graphic novel adventure.”
Saspy, aka Ilaria Catalani, whose previous credits include Rugrats, Go Go Power Rangers: Back to School and the original series MASK’D, said she found a personal connection to the protagonist.
“13 Demons Dead is really close to my heart and I’m so happy I got to draw Ev’s story. I saw a lot of myself in her, being calm by nature but wild within, having to face things way bigger than us, despite our young age,” she said. “Thanks to Adam and the whole IDW team for this opportunity! I hope readers will love her as much as I did!”
13 Demons Dead will arrive in stores Aug. 4.