Kevin Shinick used to have all the answers. Before he was an acclaimed comic writer on titles like W.E.B. of Spider-Man and The Flash, before he was an Emmy Award-winning writer on Robot Chicken, before he was a bestselling novelist (Star Wars: Force Collector), before he was an Annie award-winning producer (MAD), Kevin Shinick had all the answers — as the TV gameshow host of Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego? Now Shinick is writing Host Mortem, an all-new tongue-in-cheek, time travel metafiction mystery in which he appears (as himself!), along with Greg Lee (the host of Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?). When the two former gameshow hosts are transported to the year 1947 by a time portal at Comic-Con, they find themselves enmeshed in a murder mystery involving Humphrey Bogart’s legendary noir film The Big Sleep. When one of the stars winds up dead, Kevin and Greg’s knowledge of random trivia might be the key to solving this Hollywood caper. The graphic novel is coming soon to Kickstarter and you can sign up now for the prelaunch page.

After honing my craft as a writer on comics for Marvel and DC, I am super excited to present Host Mortem! My one-of-a-kind, years-in-the-making graphic novel that combines the best of my talents, the depths of my interests and the quirkiness of my career as a television game show host. No where else will you find a more unique and meta murder mystery than at the crossroads of hosting, humor and homicide. And with a creative team as incredible as Damien Torres, Andrea Schiavone, Pippa Bowland and Taylor Esposito, I expect the real mystery will be how did we not do this sooner? Fans can finally find out for themselves whether hosts are actually smart, or if they simply just have the answers. Will readers solve the mystery before fellow host Greg Lee and I? I’m excited to see them try, because the story will keep you guessing, the art will keep you gasping and the random trivia will leave you in stitches. Providing the coroner doesn’t do it first.

— Kevin Shinick

This one-of-a-kind thriller is illustrated by Damien Torres (Marvel Crisis Protocol) and Andrea Schiavone (Gangsters Versus Monsters), colored by Pippa Bowland (Judge Dredd, Project Cryptid), and lettered by Taylor Esposito (Red Hood and The Outlaws). The 180-page graphic novel will be told in four chapters from four different characters’ point of view. Kevin Shinick, Greg Lee, their fast-talking receptionist, and a surprise mystery narrator will guide readers through the epic, time travel adventure. Each chapter will have a distinct look and will be available collected in a gorgeous slipcase drawn by Jesse Larson (Hades Speaks!). Host Mortem is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter and will be released by Clover Press.

Kickstarter tiers include original art from the book, critical evaluation of work-in-progress comic books, offers of voice over narration on your next animated project, and striking covers by Tony Foti, Timothy Anderson, and Damien Torres. 

Fans can sign up to the HOST MORTEM prelaunch page to be notified when the campaign launches and get an exclusive fist look at the covers below.