(July 9, 2024) Humanoids, the renowned Franco-American publisher that began in 1970s’ Paris and houses the works of creators such as Mœbius, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Juan Giménez, will continue the company’s 50th anniversary celebration with a Kickstarter campaign for HARD BARGAIN, a graphic novel from film and tv powerhouse Steven S. DeKnight (Buffy, Angel, Daredevil) and acclaimed artist Leno Carvalho (Dean Koontz’s Nevermore). The dark supernatural thriller follows a hard-boiled P.I. in 1940s Los Angeles who finds himself fighting not only the usual cadre of criminals and ne’er-do-wells—but also demons, monsters, and other malevolent supernatural beings—as he races to solve a deadly mystery before a horrific fate descends upon everyone it touches.
Steven S. DeKnight got his start in the entertainment industry as a staff writer on the groundbreaking television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to write, direct, and produce on the series Angel, Smallville, and Dollhouse. He is the creator and showrunner of Spartacus, as well as the executive producer and showrunner of season one of the acclaimed Marvel/Netflix series Daredevil. He’s also written Wastelanders comics for Marvel.
“HARD BARGAIN has been a dream thirty years in the making. An idea that sprang from my love of two-fisted, hard-boiled detective stories and matinee creature-features of days gone by,” said DeKnight. “I’m thrilled to finally have that dream realized via the incredible artwork of Leno Carvalho and the good people at Humanoids.”
Battling the forces of darkness is another day at the office for Frank Harding, P.I.—but his current case may just be the one that puts Frank out of business for good. As he investigates a case deeply connected to his own murky past—as well as L.A.’s all-too-real history of prejudice and discrimination—Harding is forced to reckon with the fact that the sins of one generation will always be paid for by the next… Combining the appeal of classic noir crime storytelling with a well-wrought fantasy world of monsters and magic, HARD BARGAIN pairs DeKnight’s crackerjack storytelling with Carvalho’s dynamic visuals to build a fast-paced, hard-boiled thriller that simultaneously reckons with the dark underbelly of bigotry, violence and revenge haunting gritty Los Angeles.
“HARD BARGAIN is a new universe of possibilities with new challenges and new rewards,” said Carvalho. “A strong, concise narrative rich in twists and turns that combines the charm of old detective stories with the action-packed thrillers of today.”
“It is the great John Cassaday who introduced me to Steven DeKnight, and I owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said Humanoids CEO Fabrice Giger. “The challenge was finding an artist who could match Steven’s razor-sharp storytelling and uncanny talent for breathing life into his characters. But the moment I saw the first pages of HARD BARGAIN, crafted by Leno Carvalho and filled with pure adrenaline, I knew we had hit it out of the park. We are so thrilled about this book that we’re going all out, offering an exclusive oversized edition as part of our crowdfunding campaign.”
Here’s what folks are saying about HARD BARGAIN…
“Oh man, I’m a sucker for supernatural noir. Tough talking P.I.’s and double crossing dames, along with demons, magic and monsters, both the inhuman and human kind. Steven DeKnight’s HARD BARGAIN, loaded with hairpin turns, crackling dialogue, humor, horror, and tragedy, is one of the best versions I’ve read. James Ellroy meets Stephen King, with a healthy splatter of Sam Raimi.”—Eric Kripke (THE BOYS)
“A sexy, potent dose of supernatural noir, HARD BARGAIN blends the best elements of the PI genre with the world of monsters and demons in a way only Steven S. DeKnight can, impeccably brought to life by artist Leno Carvalho. If you’re a fan of Angel, this is that show’s spiritual successor. Original and hard to put down.”—Alex Segura, bestselling author
of Secret Identity, Alter Ego, and the Pete Fernandez Miami Mysteries
“Lots of action, lots of emotion, all pulled together into a great story. Highly recommended.”—Mark Waid (The Flash, Superman: Birthright, Captain America, Daredevil)
“”A stylish, gorgeous-to-look at black magic noir with a heart of gold. It’ll put a spell on you that lasts long after the final page.”—Fred Van Lente (The Comic Book History of Animation)
The Kickstarter campaign will run from July 9 through July 25th and will include both a deluxe edition and a slipcase edition. A deluxe edition of ARKADI AND THE LOST TITAN, the last book successfully funded via Kickstarter by Humanoids by the legendary comic book artist and illustrator Caza, will also be available as part of the campaign’s special 50th Anniversary tier.
For more updates, follow Humanoids on X, Facebook and Instagram.
About the creators:
Steven S. DeKnight attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and went on to earn an M.F.A. in playwriting from UCLA. He got his start in the entertainment industry as a staff writer on the groundbreaking television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He then wrote, directed, and produced on the series Angel, Smallville, and Dollhouse before creating and running Spartacus for the premium cable channel Starz. From there he executive produced and showran season one of the acclaimed Marvel/Netflix series Daredevil. He made his feature directorial debut with Pacific Rim: Uprising, the sequel to Guillermo del Toro’s international hit. He is currently in production on the Spartacus spinoff series House of Ashur for Lionsgate and Starz.
Leno Carvalho is a Brazilian comic artist and illustrator best known for his realistic and detailed style. Throughout his career, Carvalho has worked with many publishers on series such as Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special at DC Comics, Dean Koontz’s Nevermore and Bionic Woman at Dynamite Comics, The Rift at Red 5 Comics and Crusaders at Soleil, as well as The Source at Scout Comics. When he is not at his desk drawing, he can be found in the kitchen eating or making cakes.
About Humanoids:
HUMANOIDS is a global transmedia company dedicated to bringing to life innovative and elevated contents with stunning visuals. Grounded by a fiercely independent spirit, the company is passionate about creating content that explores the power of art beyond boundaries, while focusing on the imaginative depth of fandom. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and led by CEO Fabrice Giger, HUMANOIDS is a major content provider in the expansive entertainment industry, recognized for its multigenre catalog—including science fiction, fantasy, thriller, comedy and adventure. Above all else, creators have always been the heart of HUMANOIDS as it continues to attract leading talents as collaborators and true auteurs of the iconic brand. Starting 2024 Q4, HUMANOIDS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Web: www.humanoids.com
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