The fantasy novel “Anansi Boys” by Neil Gaiman is set to make its debut in the world of comics. With the 2005 novel being a New York Times best-seller and a winner of the Locus and British Fantasy Awards, Dark Horse Comics is working to adapt it into an eight-issue miniseries.
The series will be written by screenwriter and comics author Marc Bernardin, while the art will be handled by Shawn Martinbrough, a veteran artist known for titles like “Thief of Thieves” and “Luke Cage Noir.” The comic is set to hit stores on June 26 and will be colored by Chris Sotomayor with letters by Jim Campbell.
The novel follows the story of “Fat” Charlie Nancy, a Londoner with a boring life until he realizes that his deceased father was the trickster god of African folklore, Anansi. Additionally, he discovers he has a long-lost twin brother, leading to an adventure filled with sibling rivalry, jealous deities, and murder.
Bernardin, who has known Gaiman for over 20 years, expressed excitement about the project and the opportunity to play with African folklore in a contemporary setting. He highlighted the importance of portraying a Black story without relying on standard Black story tropes, stating that “Anansi Boys” is about joy, fear, and cultural specificity.
The duo has a long-standing professional relationship, with Gaiman being the mastermind behind several acclaimed works such as “The Sandman,” “American Gods,” “Coraline,” and “The Graveyard Book.” Bernardin’s previous work includes the Eisner-nominated YA fantasy graphic novel “Adora and the Distance,” along with supervising producer and writer credits for shows like “Star Trek: Picard” and “Castle Rock.”
“Anansi Boys” has already been adapted as a radio play and is set for a live-action series on Amazon, which Gaiman is actively involved in. Dark Horse Comics has previously collaborated with Gaiman on translating his works into comics, including “American Gods.”
Readers can look forward to the first issue featuring a main cover by David Mack and two variants by Martinbrough and Denys Cowan. Don’t miss the latest adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s captivating world in “Anansi Boys” hitting the shelves soon.
