HOWARD CHAYKIN BRINGS COMICS TO THE BRINK… AGAIN
BLACK KISS II begins in August
Press release
At the close of the 1980s, Howard Chaykin pushedevery limit in comics with Black Kiss, a hardboiled, erotic series that controversially merged sex, violence, and religion. The story took its protagonistfrom ’80s Los Angeles to the Vatican as he uncovered the secrets of bizarre vampirecult. Chaykin now returns to that sordid world with BLACK KISS II, a new miniserieswith Image Comics, debuting in August.
Of the original Black Kiss, Chaykin has commented that "The California-ness of it is
a really big deal," but in BLACK KISS II, he takes readers to New York City in the
early 20th century — to a country on the brink of monumental changes, where the
melting pot of steaming filth, lust, and fantasy threatens to boil over. And where,
as the century moves on, the fantasies that appear on flickering film will present a
means for an insatiable evil to spread.
"The original series generated far more attention, notoriety and, frankly, income,than I ever anticipated." said Chaykin. "That said, after fielding offers andrequests for a follow up, it wasn’t until I was listening to Stephen Sondheim’sFollies, specifically the anthem that closes act one, ‘I’m Still Here,’ that I hadany idea how or what to do with a sequel. So thanks to Image for being there at theright time, and blame Stephen Sondheim."
The six-issue BLACK KISS II miniseries tells the story behind the events of the original Black Kiss. And like the first series, it is in Chaykin’s finely draftedblack-and-white. The first issue will be in stores on August 1 and is available topre-order now from the June issue of PREVIEWS (JUN120423). It is rated Mature forgraphic depictions of sex.
- The Comic Book Critic
