Dark Horse Comics has teamed with 12-Gauge Comics for a new tale of bloody revenge set during the American Civil War. Kill Whitey Donovan is a five-issue miniseries set to debut in December. The series is written by novelist Sydney Duncan, and marks her comics-writing debut. Artist Natalie Barahona will provide the visuals for the series, her first credit as primary artist on a series. Artist Brian Stelfreeze, art director for 12-Gauge Comics, is serving as a consultant and editor on the series.
The series tells the story of a woman out for revenge against the man who drove her sister to suicide, and the slave who agrees to help her:
after Anna Hoyt’s sister commits suicide, she sets off for Atlanta to kill the man responsible for destroying her family—her fiancé, Jim “Whitey” Donovan. But Anna, a spirited though pampered daughter of a prominent doctor, can’t do it alone. To get through the hell that lay between her Alabama home and Atlanta, she makes a deal with one of the Donovan slaves, Hattie Virgil, who has an agenda of her own. In exchange for a chance at freedom, Hattie, a survivor, will lead this unlikely pair on a quest that will change them both forever.
The new miniseries is the first 12-Gauge Comics production to be published by Dark Horse. Previous 12-Gauge titles include The Ride and Plastic, published by Image Comics, and Matador, originally a Wildstorm title that was recently rereleased by Image.
We’ve seen revenge tales set during the Civil War before in movies like Django Unchained, but the all-female creative team for Kill Whitey Donovan should give this story an interesting perspective.
Check out the cover by artist Jason Pearson for the first issue, as well as the full text of Dark Horse’s announcement, below. The first issue of the five-issue miniseries is due out digitally and in stores on December 4th.
MILWAUKIE, Ore. (September 16, 2019) – In association with 12-Gauge Comics, Dark Horse Comics is excited to announce the comic book debut of critically-acclaimed writer Sydney Duncan (The Revelation of Gabriel Adam, The Salvation of Gabriel Adam, and The Evolution of Gabriel Adam) and artist Natalie Barahona with Kill Whitey Donovan! 12-Gauge Comics Art Director, Brian Stelfreeze, acted as a historical consultant and editor. Kill Whitey Donovan is the first installment in an epic tale of female empowerment and friendship.“I’d written Kill Whitey Donovan as a book about ten years ago in between Gabriel Adam books, fascinated by this notion of how external and internal expectations guide identity. Hattie represented the external struggle and Anna the internal,” said writer Sydney Duncan. “I wanted to explore those ideas on this Inferno-esque journey during the Civil War, which was basically this war for identity and, I thought, the perfect backdrop for the story.”
In Kill Whitey Donovan, after Anna Hoyt’s sister commits suicide, she sets off for Atlanta to kill the man responsible for destroying her family—her fiancé, Jim “Whitey” Donovan. But Anna, a spirited though pampered daughter of a prominent doctor, can’t do it alone. To get through the hell that lay between her Alabama home and Atlanta, she makes a deal with one of the Donovan slaves, Hattie Virgil, who has an agenda of her own. In exchange for a chance at freedom, Hattie, a survivor, will lead this unlikely pair on a quest that will change them both forever.
Don’t miss this exciting and unapologetic adventure story, starring two powerful women who will stop at nothing to get the justice they seek, set during a time when America was at war for its own soul. Kill Whitey Donovan #1 goes on sale December 4, 2019.
Praise for Kill Whitey Donovan:
“Kill Whitey Donovan is a great, bad-ass adventure. Full stop. READ THIS BOOK!” – Sigrid Gilmer, writer (Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events), Co-Producer/writer (TNT’s Claws), and a Humanitas Play LA award-winning playwright.
“Great premise with plenty of action. My kind of book!”– Reggie Hudlin, Academy Award-nominated producer (Django Unchained), director (Marshall), and writer (Black Panther).
“Surprisingly good storytelling that pulls the reader in and won’t let go. Two great protagonists that make you follow them on their incredible journey.” – Eriq La Salle, Author, producer, director, and a three-time winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor In a Drama Series.
“Tackling hard issues unapologetically, Kill Whitey Donovan puts female power on center stage and illuminates it with amazing art.” – Mindy McGinnis, Edgar Award-winning novelist of A Madness So Discreet.
“A thrilling adventure with two strong female characters — a must read!” – Dexter Vines, Inkwell Award-winning artist; inker of Old Man Logan, Civil War, and Batman/Superman.