Press Release
A timeless story of the battle for freedom through patriotism is retold in a vibrant new form this Spring with Nevsky, an original graphic novel adaptation of Sergei Eisenstein’s classic film “Alexander Nevsky” (1938). Written by Ben McCool (Memoir, Pigs) with art by rising star Mario Guevara (Solomon Kane, Victorian Undead) and edited by Scott Dunbier, this full-length graphic novel is a stunning re-imagination of Eisenstein’s famed film.
Alexander Nevsky – decidedly the most popular figure in Russian history – is a much-loved historical leader who helped establish the Russian nation by defeating the Teutonic Knights. These invaders were the last vestiges of the Holy Roman Empire and drove out from Germany bringing oppression and religious intolerance with them. In 1242, Nevsky with an army of soldiers and citizens defeated the Teutonic Knights in a spectacular battle on the frozen Lake Peipus, an achievement celebrated in Russia to this day.
Eisenstein was a revolutionary figure who is to Russian film what Chekhov and Tolstoy are to its literature. In 1938, Eisenstein, was already celebrated for his groundbreaking films “Battleship Potemkin” (1925) and “October” (1928), brought the story of Nevsky’s battles to life in a stirring epic that featured a score by Sergei Prokofiev. The spectacular closing scene of the Battle on the Ice has been studied by filmmakers from David Lean to Steven Spielberg to Walt Disney Animation. Although caught up in the politics of the time – Eisenstein was frequently out of favor with Joseph Stalin – the film became a worldwide classic.
Now, working together with Mosfilm, Trident Media Group and IDW Publishing have partnered to create the first-ever graphic novel adaptation of this classic Eisentein epic film, bringing it to a new generation of readers and film-goers through its wholly-owned subsidiary Russ Intellectual Properties. Russ is devoted to promoting Russian cultural properties across all media. To that end, they have assembled an international team of creators for this graphic novel, including English-born Ben McCool and Mexican artist Mario Guevara.
“Nevsky was as much a leader as he was a warrior,” says McCool. “His story isn’t just a page of little known history; it’s an inspiring tale full of strategy and battles and the fight for freedom.”
“Nevsky has a compelling story by Ben McCool and breathtaking art by Mario Guevara,” says IDW Senior Editor, Special Projects Scott Dunbier. “But the big picture here is Nevsky himself, a larger than life figure from Russian history who literally reaches out from the page and pulls you headfirst into the story-if you liked 300 you’ll love this!”
“Trident has had a long involvement with Russia, its culture and its people,” said Trident Media Group Chairman Robert Gottlieb. “We are excited to be able to spotlight a great filmmaker like Eisenstein and a thrilling page from history by reimagining the story in a new medium.”
“Russia has a rich history in all the arts,” says Mosfilm Cinema Concern Deputy Director Svetlana Pyleva. “We are very impressed by Robert’s knowledge and passion for Russian history, and Ben’s efforts to bring a great Russian hero to an international audience. Nevsky is a great hero to Russians, and this story does full justice to his story.”
This classic story is now told for a new generation in a graphic novel, which brings the heroes and villains of 13th century Russia into the 21st century with an exciting story of battles, heroes, and fierce warrior women: Nevsky, already battle weary from a campaign against the Mongols, who must defend his nation against a new and savage invader; Olga, a fierce shield maiden who cannot be stopped from joining the fray; Vasili and Gavrilo, two soldiers who must overcome their own personal demons to continue the fight; and Hermann Von Bolk, the brutal Grand Knight who leads the Teutonic Knights on a path of destruction.
The making of the novel will be discussed at the New York Comic Con panel “The Comics History of the World” featuring Ben McCool on Friday, October 12th at 1:30 PM.
Nevsky is a 110 page full color graphic novel to be published by IDW in Spring 2012.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s Doctor Who; Toho’s Godzilla; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About Mosfilm
The undisputed leader in the Russian film industry, Mosfilm is proud to have its brand on virtually all Russian motion picture, television and video products. With a production capacity of over 100 films a year, Mosfilm creates, releases and sells motion pictures, television series, and videos as a full-cycle film production business handling everything from the script to the ready film copy.
About Trident Media Group
Trident Media Group (TMG) is a prominent literary agency located in New York City. TMG represents over 700 bestselling and emerging authors in a range of genres of fiction and nonfiction, many of whom have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List and have won major awards and prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the P.E.N. Faulkner Award, the P.E.N. Hemingway Award, The Booker Prize, and the L.A. Times Book Award among others. TMG is one of the world’s leading, largest and most diversified literary agencies. For six consecutive years, TMG has ranked number one for sales according to publishersmarketplace.com in North America. TMG is the only US agency to be in the top 10 in both UK fiction and UK non-fiction.
2 Comments
GREAT JOB TOVARICH
I just sang the concert version of the movie score with Russian National Symphony last spring. Whenever we got to certain parts of the score, especially the scene after Battle on the Ice, all the players would start crying. They are REALLY moved and proud of this. It makes me wish we would feel the same way about George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and FDR. There’s something to national pride.
Either way, I’m stoked to get a copy of this. Mebbe I’ll send a few copies to the Orchestra. :)