Well, it's official. A Game of Thrones author, George R.R. Martin, has done it again. Cinemax has optioned Martin's gory werewolf crime-noir, "Skin Trade," to be produced as a premium TV series. Word has it, Once Upon A Time's Kalinda Vazquez has signed on to both write and executive produce the series for Cinemax.
"Skin Trade" centers on a Willie Flambeaux, a a short, scrawny collections agent who happens to be more than meets the eye - he's also a werewolf. Along with Randi Wade, his friend and a lady gumshoe, they try to solve the mystery involving werewolves being murdered for their coats. This is not your run-of-the-mill werewolf story, in fact, Martin turned werewolf stories on their ears with this one. It's acknowledged as one of the best pieces of werewolf fiction ever written and it won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 1989. In 2013, Avatar Press adapted the novella into a four issue comic book series written by George R.R. Martin and Daniel Abraham, with artwork by Mike Wolfer (no pun intended). It was probably the comic book series that led to the re-emergence of the popularity of the property and the interest and subsequent optioning by Cinemax.
As a result, certain issues of Avatar's adaptation have climbed steeply in value, while others that have not had such a big price bump are steadily selling well with prices that reflect a heightened demand. Copies signed by George R.R. Martin himself are in highest demand, of course. Night Visions 5, the book in which "Skin Trade" made it's first print appearance has also climbed in value, with signed copies in highest demand.
Happily, ol' TEX is already in on the fun, and I figured I'd take a bit of time to display a little of my own George R.R. Martin memorabilia. Take a look:
This is my personal copy of Night Visions 5, an anthology containing stories by Stephen King, Dan Simmons and it is the first time George R.R. Martin's "Skin Trade" was ever printed. This is a first printing signed by Martin and editor, Doug Winters. And...
This is my copy of Skin Trade #1 from Avatar Press. It is a rare Iconic Edition, limited to only 350 copies. It is signed by George R.R. Martin - CGC Signature Series graded 9.8.
I'm really looking forward to the Skin Trade TV series from Cinemax, and I hope you all are too. Expect a gory series, that like the novella, is not your pedestrian werewolf story. Why not grab Night Visions 5, or Avatar Press' adaptation to get familiar with the story before it hits the small screen?
You won't be sorry.
ENJOY!!
-TEX
Must admit Tex, I've never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteYou are the awesome for knowing about though, I would not expect any less from you Lol.
Thanks, brother.
DeleteI try to keep up with comics news.
If you're looking to scoop one up, be aware that there is a signed SDCC-exlusive TPB that is easily mistaken to be a first issue. Here are some examples:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SDCC-2014-EXCLUSIVE-SKIN-TRADE-SIGNED-BY-GEORGE-R-R-MARTIN-/301732920463?hash=item4640aefc8f:g:K0cAAOSw7ThUd6ir
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGNED-George-R-R-Martin-Skin-Trade-Graphic-Novel-SDCC-Exclusive-PB-Pic-/400819546720?hash=item5d52b4ea60:g:~l4AAOSw7ThUgRfE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Skin-Trade-TPB-2014-Avatar-By-George-R-R-Martin-1CGC-1ST-NM-/131663063786?hash=item1ea7baeaea:g:qlsAAOSwcBhWWfbf
These are TPB's not first issues. They have seen quite a bump in value as well.
What a strange, fun idea :)
ReplyDeleteRobbie!!
DeleteHow are you, my brother? I hope you're doing well.
Yep, this series will be...quirky, to say the least. If they stay true to the story, there will be LOTS os twists and turns that you'll never see coming. I have a feeling that they'll be leaving the realm of the story though - if it is going to be a TV series, there's just not enough in the book to keep it alive past one or two seasons, I think.
Nice!!
ReplyDeleteIdk why it says i did a triple post.
Ps we need a post your back issue/latest haul section 😢
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same, BC! Coming soon!
DeleteAWESOME!!!!
Deleteback on topic, maybe you can review this series as a whole? Sounds interesting.
I gave the series away in 2014, BC.
DeleteI enjoyed it, but I already had the original story in a signed book. I bought the CGC'ed comic above because I wanted a comic with Martin's signature on it - and it was only $99 at the time. :)
I remember enjoying the story but it was nowhere as good as the novella, and it was toned down quite a bit. The artwork was a bit heinous at times, but the greatly developed characters made it fun to read.
I'd give it a 7 out of 10.