Update on My Trad Published Graphic Novel

I had pretty much checked out on my own graphic novel, The Curse of Monte Cristo, after not seeing very much marketing for it by the publishing house. I figured it would get lost in the multitude of titles out there. So I’ve been focusing on new projects that I’m working on for my company Exile Circus. Projects I would have complete control over.

A little backstory:

I was hired to write the graphic novel by David Dabel, who had some background in the comic book industry (or at least more than I did). He also offered me a percentage of sales. Once an agent was onboard, I did some rewrites to satisfy her. Later I made adjustments for the publisher who picked it up. It came out in May 2025 to not much fanfare, other than an endorsement from a bestselling writer. I haven’t seen any money from it so far. The agent is currently selling the foreign rights.

Out of curiosity, I googled it today. There was an AI Overview listing a string of solid reviews. Hell, maybe one day I’ll even see a check.

The Curse of Monte Cristo is a 2025 horror graphic novel that reimagines Alexandre Dumas’s classic tale, The Count of Monte Cristo, with a supernatural twist.

Overview of the Reimagining

Written by David Dabel and Carlton Holder and published by Simon & Schuster, this version incorporates the authors’ shared Haitian heritage and shifts the setting to the onset of the Haitian Revolution.

Edmond Dantès: In this version, Dantès is a Black man who has escaped enslavement and become a sailor.

The Demonic Pact: While imprisoned in the Château d’If, his desire for revenge summons Faria, who is reimagined as a demonic entity rather than a human priest.

The Price: Faria offers Dantès the power and wealth needed to destroy his enemies in exchange for his soul.

Historical Setting: The story follows Dantès as he returns to Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) during a time of rebellion against French colonial rule.

Key Themes

Horror and Supernatural: The book features gothic atmosphere, visceral art, and elements of voodoo and dark magic.

Colonial Struggle: The quest for vengeance is reframed as a struggle against the oppressive colonial powers that enslaved Dantès.

Internal Demons: The narrative explores whether Dantès’s deal with the demon is any different from the pact he has made with his own inner rage.

The graphic novel is illustrated by David Lentz and Rodrigo Catraca, featuring a sharp, high-contrast visual style to match its dark themes.