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Supernatural Graphic Novel “Carbon” Burns with Themes of Horror, the Environment

Posted By : Mukesh    At 25-05-2014 00:26:06

Tags : Supernatural Graphic Novel “Carbon”     

 A supernatural horror story intertwined with environmental issues so timely they appear to come from the day’s headlines, just barely scratches the surface of “Carbon” the latest graphic novel from West Virginia State University (WVSU) Assistant Professor of Communications Daniel “Danny” Boyd.

Set in the southern West Virginia coalfields, “Carbon” tells the story of what happens when an evil coal operator unwittingly awakens and releases a cursed and banished underground civilization onto the surface and the only thing that stands in the way of the end of the world is a disgraced, ex-pro baseball pitcher and a community of courageous coal miners.

“I have been thinking about this for story for nearly 10 years,” said Boyd, who during that time has transitioned from a successful movie-making career into creating award-winning graphic novels. “The primary goal is to entertain, but the story also reflects many real and complicated issues that face the coal industry today.”

Boyd dedicated “Carbon” to “those that toil in darkness - coal miners” and said that whatever side of the debate over the industry you fall on, miners are the often unseen heroes.

Boyd wrote the story for “Carbon” and Brazilian artist Edi Guedes did the artwork. Guedes worked with Boyd on “Chillers,” and has also illustrated such comics as “The Daughters of Merlin” and “Agencies Frontiers.”

“Carbon” features an introduction by well-known filmmaker John Sayles (Lone Star, Matewan, Eight Men Out, The Spiderwick Chronicles) who describes the graphic novel as “an ambitious addition to the long tradition, religious and secular, of that basic cautionary tale – be careful what you dig up.”

“Carbon” is published by Caliber Comics, a leading American comic book publisher that has published over 1,300 comics and helped launched the careers of some of the leading comic book writers and artists in the industry today, including James O’Barr (“The Crow”), Guy Davis (“Hellboy” and “The Simpsons”), Michael Allred (“Daredevil,” “X-Men,” “Silver Surfer”), and Brian Bendis (“Spiderman”).

Boyd is an acclaimed filmmaker with dozens of films, including “Chillers,” “Strangest Dreams: Invasion of the Space Preachers” and “Paradise Park” to his credit. In addition to his work at WVSU, Boyd has taught around the world including in Tanzania as a three-time Fullbright Scholar. He has recently moved into graphic novel creation with “Chillers” the graphic novel series. “Chillers Book 1” was a 2012 Shel Dorf nominee for original graphic novel of the year and a Ghastly Award nominee for best horror anthology.

“Carbon” will retail for $19.99 and will be available at comic book stores nationwide, as well as through select local bookstores, including Charleston’s Taylor Books.

A local party to celebrate the national release of “Carbon” will take place at Lost Legion Comics, located at 600 D. Street in South Charleston, on Wednesday, May 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Boyd will also be appearing at the 28th Vandalia Gathering on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Charleston, WV at the State Capitol Complex, located at 1900 Kanawha Boulevard E. After the gathering, fans can find Boyd at Taylor Books on 226 Capitol Street in Charleston from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Boyd will wrap up his Memorial Day weekend appearances at the Vandalia Gathering on Sunday, May 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Appearances in June for Daniel Boyd and “Carbon” include: the 2014 West Virginia Writer’s Conference from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV; the Charleston FestivALL West Virginia Writers Roundtable and Reading on Sunday, June 22 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bluegrass Kitchen, located at 1600 Washington Street E. in Charleston, WV; and a theatrical screening of “Strangest Dreams: Invasion of the Space Preachers” featuring the original cast and crew members on Monday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Park Place Stadium Cinemas located on 600 Washington Street E in Charleston, WV.

For more information, visit Daniel Boyd's website at http://www.danielboyd.com.