Odd Thomas
19/05/2007 . Source: Jessica Martin 
Del Rey Manga is to publish an original graphic novel starring Odd Thomas, a character created by Dean Koontz. The fry cook from Pico Mundo, California has appeared in three novels: Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, and Brother Odd, which was one of Koontz's fastest-selling hardcovers. Odd, who has the ability to communicate with the dead, has inspired more readers' letters than any other of his characters, according to Koontz.
Koontz's characters-including Odd, his girlfriend Stormy Llewellyn, Pico Mundo Chief of Police Porter, the ghost of Elvis Presley, and many more-will be drawn by Queenie Chan. Chan, author of the mystery-horror series The Dreaming, will script the story as well. Publication is planned for Summer 2008.
The graphic novel will follow Odd's race to solve the murder of a young boy whose killer appears to be stalking a second child. It is set in the time before Odd Thomas and takes place in Pico Mundo. The book will be edited by Del Rey editor-in-chief Betsy Mitchell.
Dean Koontz told SFcrowsnest, "I'm delighted that Odd Thomas will come to life in manga, that the enormously talented Queenie Chan's beautiful art will define his world and the desert town of Pico Mundo, and that the project is being guided by such capable hands as those at Del Rey."
Queenie Chan added, "It's an honor to work with Dean on this project, and I'm glad he's chosen me for this new story of Odd Thomas. I read his novels when I was in high school, and never did I imagine that I would have the chance to work with such a well-known and established author today."
Dean Koontz lives with his wife, Gerda, and their dog, Trixie, in Southern California.
Queenie Chan was born in 1980 in Hong Kong, and migrated to Australia when she was six years old. She began drawing at the age of 18, and in 2004 began drawing a mystery-horror series called The Dreaming for Los Angeles-based manga publisher Tokyopop.
Since then, the series has been translated into four languages, with the third and final installment arriving in November 2007. Apart from her professional work, she also draws a number of online manga strips on her personal site: www.queeniechan.com
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