Atomic Robot News: "Kong: King Of Skull Island" - New Artwork For The Graphic Novel

"Kong: King Of Skull Island" - New Artwork For The Graphic Novel

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Avery Guerra / Robert Hood / Markosia Enterprises

Markosia Enterprises has just released a 144-page graphic novel based Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland's illustrated novel, "Kong: King of Skull Island". This new release, is a rework of the five-issue comic book mini-series released by the company in early October.

The new edition of "Kong: King of Skull Island" was written by Andy Briggs and Chuck Saterlee, with art by Dan O’ Connor and Scott Larson colored by Kris Johnson and Richard Counsell.

As some of you may already know, "Skull Island" is also being made into a movie by Spirit Pictures. The exact date for a release, or for even that matter, the start of production, is up in the air at this point however.

Here is a recap of the story from "Kong: King of Skull Island":

The story begins in 1957, twenty five years after King Kong’s fall from atop New York City’s Empire State Building. Following Kong’s death, both Carl Denham and the body of Kong quickly vanished before any investigation could be launched, leaving rumor and speculation in their wake. Carl’s son, Vincent, was left behind. He is now a paleontologist facing a spiritual dilemma, which has its seeds in the disappearance of his father. Upon a chance finding of the hidden Skull Island map, Vincent contacts Jack Driscoll, one of Kong’s original captors. They piece together a plan and go to Skull Island in search of Carl Denham, King Kong, and an answer to questions spanning a quarter century.

During a disastrous landing attempt, Vincent is almost killed and Driscoll sets out to find his stricken friend. Upon waking in a dark cavern, Vincent finds himself being cared for by an enigmatic island elder and her young, exotically beautiful but ominous assistant, Kara. The ancient woman, who asks to be called “Storyteller,” seems to possess extraordinary knowledge about Vincent and his father. She relates a story from a century earlier that Vincent half-hears and half-dreams through the haze of narcotic herbs kept burning to aid his recovery. Her tale hints at the true origin of the island’s culture and the mystery behind questions such as: Who built the Wall and how? If the Wall was built to keep Kong out, why are its doors big enough to let him in? How could such an island and its monstrous creatures still exist? The answers to those questions and more are all revealed.

Or are they?

While the Storyteller’s tale is sometimes confirmed, it is often refuted by the sights and experiences of Jack Driscoll. He stumbles upon pieces to Skull Island’s primordial history as he struggles to survive the various threats of the island and find his friend. When Driscoll and Vincent reunite, their experiences combine to determine just who the Storyteller and Kara are, what became of Carl Denham, the story behind King Kong and clues to the origins of Skull Island itself. As a result, their lives are all changed forever.

As the story unfolds against a fantastic prehistoric backdrop, woven throughout are themes of personal redemption and reconciliation. All the protagonists have a particular cross to bear: Vincent is on the brink, both emotionally and spiritually; Driscoll comes face to face with past fears and prejudices; in the wake of Kong’s death, the lives and culture of the islanders themselves hang in the balance; and we find that Carl Denham’s desperate attempt to assuage his conscience decades earlier had very unexpected consequences…

Mysteriously, everyone is inextricably bound to the Storyteller’s ancient tale. It tells of Islanders Ishara and Kublai, and their quest to escape a terrible fate which threatens both themselves and their people. That struggle has the power to reach across time and change the destiny of all – if they survive. For at the nexus of every event is the beast-god of Skull Island: KING KONG. (Supplied by publisher)

As of this moment, the original comic book series can be purchased through Amazon.com, but the new graphic novel is not yet listed on the site.

According to Markosia Enterprises, however, the book can be ordered through local comic book retailers in the UK, USA and Australia using the product code: AUG09 0603 via Diamond Distributors or through their website - HERE

The publisher was kind enough to supply us with a few examples of the new artwork from the "King: King of Skull Island" graphic-novel: