Image Comics have announced that they will be publishing a translated version of Guillem March’s graphic novel “Karmen” as a five-part series. The series was originally published in Belgium by Dupuis.
The series will follow Catalina, a young woman who recently died by suicide, “on a journey of discovery and reflection,” as she is taken into the care of the eccentric angel, Karmen. March described the story as being “about what it takes to make a real change in life,” stating “I can say I´ve put my all into this project,” having spent six years on the book. He continued, “I decided to write the script because I´m a much better storyteller when I´m doing the whole thing,” adding that if you know his work from his time on titles such as “Batman,” and “Catwoman,” “‘Karmen’ will surprise you.”
In the press release, the publisher likened the export to Mirka Andolfo’s “Unnatural” and “Mercy,” with the series “offering of similarly sultry appeal and rich art style” that “provides all the ingredients for another success story on American soil.”
“Karmen” #1 is scheduled for release in comic book shops and on digital comic platforms on March 10, 2021.
The preview pages and full press release are as follows.
PORTLAND, Ore. 12/07/2020 — Image Comics will bring the unique, lushly illustrated fantasy Karmen by bestselling writer and artist Guillem March (Batman, Catwoman, Harley Quinn) stateside this March.
Originally published by Dupuis in Belgium as a graphic novel, Karmen will be translated and introduced to U.S. audiences in single issue periodical format, with five issues.
Image has a reputation for tastemaking the best of international comics and bringing them to the U.S. market with markedly high sales turnout. Given that the impressively lucrative launches of Mirka Andolfo’s Unnatural and Mercy took the industry by storm in the past two years, this new offering of similarly sultry appeal and rich art style provides all the ingredients for another success story on American soil.
Karmen is a provocative story that explores grief, suicide, and redemption told as a visual feast-for-the-eyes and featuring ethereal, fantastic artwork to set the tone.
Punctuated with humor, Karmen is the story of Catalina, a recent suicide, who is taken under the wing of the strange and quirky angel, Karmen, on a journey of discovery and reflection.
“Karmen is a story about what it takes to make a real change in life. After working on it for six years, I can say I´ve put my all into this project,” said March. “I decided to write the script because I´m a much better storyteller when I´m doing the whole thing. If you know me from my superhero work, I´m sure Karmen will surprise you. I can´t express how proud I am of this book, and how happy I am that it will finally be released in print for the U.S. audience.”
Catalina’s story is packed with surprises and metaphysics, tenderness and humor. It dives deep into the topics that matter and is brought beautifully to life by the creator behind the acclaimed Monika (Titan Comics) and The Dream (Europe Comics).
Karmen #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, March 10.
Karmen #1 will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
