Chronicles of Dr Herbert West Graphic Novel Set for July

Zenescope Entertainment is set to collect several issues of H.P. Lovecraft's The Chronicles of Dr. Herbert West into a graphic novel this summer. The comic series spearheaded by Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco begins by basing itself on Lovecraft's infamous serial, "Herbert West: Reanimator," and then takes a number of liberties. For instance, the story is modernized, narrated by West's girlfriend, and focuses more on his upbringing and obsession with conquering death - all elements left vague or off stage entirely by HPL.

The Chronicles of Dr. Herbert West offers a more serious treatment of the Re-animator saga than other adaptations, like Stuart Gordon's comical Re-animator movie franchise. West is humanized by tragedy and relationships, a major departure from the aloof dweeb he's often portrayed as. In many ways, his obsession as driven medicine man rather than mad scientist is no less grim...or disastrous. Chronicles also introduces re-animated dead who are clearly influenced by the recent zombie mania, offering a somewhat different take on Lovecraft's resurrected ghouls.

Graphic novels continue to be a prime outlet for H.P. Lovecraft's influence in overlapping genres. Look for The Chronicles of Dr. Herbert West in July.

-Grim Blogger