Cradle Of Filth announced they were preparing some special things for the 20th anniversary of their debut album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh including a comic book and here it is. The British metallers will publish the 72-page "adult graphic novel" called The Curse Of Venus Aversa which features a story by singer Dani Filth and New Orleans cult comic book author Kurt Amacker (Dead Souls, The 69 Eyes: Helsinki Vampires), who wrote the final script. It tells the story of a "salacious Victorian poet who faces down authorities, hoards of vampires, an ancient goddess, and his own demons ? all that, after the suicide of his lover Gabrielle."

The band refers to the ongoing adventures of KISS at IDW to Neil Gaiman's collaboration with Alice Cooper in The Last Temptation as previous examples of these kind of endeavours.

The graphic novel is inspired by key selections from Cradle Of Filth's discography and authors of the Victorian era, including Lewis Carroll, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde, who appears as a supporting character and friend to the book's poet. Montgomery Borror (Quarantine) provides black and white art for the book's interior, with a cover by Devilment album artist Jamie Huntley.

Fans of both music and horror comics can support the project at Kickstarter at this location, and pledge for a variety of exclusive and limited collectibles. While the book will be available following the campaign, early pledgers will receive an exclusive cover printed only for the first edition, along with a limited edition print, t-shirt, and Dani Filth voodoo doll from Quarter Kids Handmade Dolls. Here you can also check the graphic novel's first pages.




The graphic novel's title is a play on the Cradle Of Filth track "The Cult Of Venus Aversa", and it reflects the story's use of the band's songs as a starting point ? but not as a script to follow to the letter. Singer Dani Filth stated: "Early on, we played with the idea of following a few songs beat by beat, but this initial idea didn't flow particularly well. We then decided to just play in a world inspired by the lyrics, but not wholly derivative of them. What we've got now is an exploration of a Victorian horrorverse where all the songs are true!"

Amacker says: "Cradle Of Filth literally inspired me to write about ten years ago. I love music as much as comics, and they're one of the few bands that has truly influenced me. This is a dream project. I'm not a musician, so it's an honor to contribute something to their legacy."

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Cradle Of Filth