Update July 10, 2018:
Deadline reports Simon & Schuster will handle distribution for Zuiker Press. Original story is as follows.
A new line of graphic novels that will grapple with society’s most prominent issues, such as divorce, racism and gender politics, are going to be published by a new imprint, Zuiker Press. Starting later this year, with a total of ten graphic novels scheduled up until 2021, the line will consist of autobiographies of individuals who have had to deal or are dealing with to deal with these issues, to try and help other members of society in similar situations.
The imprint has been created by Anthony E. Zuiker and his wife, Michelle. Anthony, known for creating CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, said he wants to channel his success into a “legacy that matters” by giving something back. In an interview with The New York Times, he described how the idea led from one of his sons, Evan, who has autism, wanting to write a book telling other people what was “wrong with [him]” which Zuiker reversed, wanting to write a book about what is “right about [him]” instead.
The first graphic novels set for release are “Mend: A Story of Divorce” by Sophie Recca, which is about about an 11 year old girl’s “mission to get her parents back by demanding they both remain in her life,” and the second story is “Click: A Story of Cyberbullying” by Alexandra Philips, which tells the story of girl who is “ganged up on by a few girls over a misunderstanding on the schoolyard.” Both books are being worked on by the same creative team of penciller Nam Kim, inker Gary Leach, and colorist Fahriza Kamaputra.
The line’s schedule continues March 5, 2019, with Johnathan Harris’s “Colorblind: A Story of Multiculturalism” and Dounya Awada’s “Imperfect: A Story of Body Dysmorphia.” Next fall, Lauren Hogg, a survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, will tell her story, as well as that of autistic teenager Carlton Hudgins. The story of a transgender teen, Corey Maison, whose mother gave her her first dose of estrogen as a gift, will also be released at the imprint.
Each novel will have a section called “Take 5,” with insight from a professional on the topic of the story.
At the Times, Zuiker discussed the 18 month process involved in making the books. Zuiker is tasked with writing down what the individuals and their families tell them. Zuiker then scripts the books before it gets handed to the artist team. Zuiker intends to give “full credit to the subject of the story” and the artists who visualise it, rather than making it about himself.
“Mend: A Story of Divorce” and “Click: A Story of Cyberbullying” are both scheduled for release on November 6. The full lineup, being distributed by Simon and Schuster, is available at Zuiker Press.
