Darwyn Cooke Takes Aim At Donald E. Westlake’s Critically Acclaimed ‘Parker’ Novels At IDW Publishing!

Writer/artist Darwyn Cooke garnered wide acclaim and multiple awards after adapting the classic Parker book series into graphic novels at IDW Publishing. Now Cooke will provide all-new illustrations to the Parker graphic novels, starting with The Hunter, in a deluxe format that promises to be a stylish tour-de-force.

Originally conceived by author Donald E. Westlake, under the pen name Richard Stark, The Hunter introduces Parker on a cold-blooded mission of revenge after being betrayed by those closest to him. Since his premiere in the '60s, Parker became one of the most influential American literary characters of the 20^th century. Actors Mel Gibson, Jason Statham, and Lee Marvin have each made a trip to Parker's crime-infested world in feature films.

Cooke and IDW rose to critical acclaim together with their graphic novel adaptations of The Hunter, The Outfit, and The Score. Previously in 2013, the adaptation of Slayground was met with high praise from critics and readers alike. Each graphic novel will contain 10 gorgeous paintings by Cooke himself, with the design and typography overseen by the renowned artist.

Cooke describes his love for the acclaimed Parker novels, ""Adapting Donald E. Westlake's novels into graphic novel form has been incredible; a dream come true. And providing paintings that illustrate this seminal crime classic...well, it scratches a completely different kind of itch, but one just as creatively fulfilling."

Editor Scott Dunbier discusses his enthusiasm for Parker: The Hunter, "I'm always amazed by Darwyn [Cooke]'s versatility as an artist. He brings something new to everything he does. His work on the Parker graphic novels is phenomenal, and so are the paintings he has created here for the prose novels, but they are also completely different from one another-which is a big part of the fun!"

Parker: The Hunter will be available in stores this June. But The Hunter's official debut will take at a special unveiling at The Toronto Comic Artists Festival, where Darwyn Cooke will be a special guest, on the weekend of May 10.