Howard Chaykin Returns to Black Kiss

Howard Chaykin Returns to Black Kiss

Details: Category: News; Written by James Ferguson; Published on Sunday, 24 June 2012 03:39

Do you remember Black Kiss? I don't either. Then again, I didn't read many comics in the 80s as I was only around for half of it. Fortunately, the Internet doesn't forget anything and Wikipedia is around to get everyone up to speed. It seems a few decades ago, Howard Chaykin released Black Kiss, a comic that threw together sex, violence, and religion, going from LA to the Vatican uncovering a weird vampire cult.

Sounds pretty cool, right? Image Comics has announced that Chaykin will be returning to the story once more with Black Kiss II this August. Regarding the original, Chaykin said "The California-ness of it is a really big deal" however, Black Kiss II will be set in New York City in the early 20th century, promising filth, lust, and fantasy as the country is on the brink of change and evil is ready to spread.

Click image to enlarge

"The original series generated far more attention, notoriety and, frankly, income, than I ever anticipated." said Chaykin. "That said, after fielding offers and requests for a follow up, it wasn't until I was listening to Stephen Sondheim's Follies, specifically the anthem that closes act one, 'I'm Still Here,' that I had any idea how or what to do with a sequel. So thanks to Image for being there at the right time, and blame Stephen Sondheim."

While I'm not sure how something can be a sequel while being set several years ahead of the original, I have faith that Chaykin knows what he's doing. Black Kiss II is a six-issue mini-series presented in black-and-white. The first issue will be available on August 1st, 2012 but you can pre-order it now.