by Rachel
Legendary Comics has announced a new original graphic novel The Science of Ghosts, which will be available online and in stores summer 2021. The graphic novel is written by Lilah Sturges and will feature art by comic book veteran Alitha E. Martinez. The story will center around a transgender parapsychologist named Joy Ravenna.
Having been a fan of Lilah and Alitha for so long, I am honored to be able to work with them on ‘The Science of Ghosts’. Watching this come to life has been amazing and I am very proud of this book. Authentic representation is important and the world needs more characters like Joy and Cat.
– Jann Jones, Graphic Novel Editor for Legendary Comics
Lilah Sturges is a an Eisner and GLAAD Award-nominated writer with numerous other titles under her belt such as The Magicians, Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass as well as many other titles from Marvel and DC Comics.
‘The Science of Ghosts’ brings together so many things that fascinate me: psychology, dream logic, the symbolism of ghost narratives and … queer love stories. It is certainly a horror story: it’s chock-a-block with dark basements, abandoned hotels and ghosts a plenty. And it’s also a murder mystery: twists and turns and clues and secrets abound. But to my mind, it’s the romance that makes it special and it’s of a kind that we rarely get to see in mainstream comics: two queer women who adore each other and whose existences are not a jumping-off point for tragedy. Getting to write a trans woman protagonist who loves and is loved. who is defined by what she strives for and how she loves rather than the fact of her transness, has been one of the great joys of my career. She is informed by being trans but she isn’t defined by it. And did i mention the ghosts? And the Murder? And the Romance?
– Lilah Sturges
Alitha E. Martinez began her career in 1999 working for Marvel Entertainment and has worked on a long list of comics and graphic novels for several different companies. Those include X-Men: Black Sun, Marvel Age Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Black Panther: World of Wakanda, New 52 Bat Girl, Archie Comic’s New Crusaders, Barbie, WWE Slam City, Vampire: My Boyfriend Bites, Quest for Dragon Mountain. Aliltha is an Einser and GLAAD award-winning artist for her work on the series Black Panther: World of Wakanda and in her spare time she works on her creator-owned titles, Yume and Ever and Foreign, which are published through her company Ariotstorm Productions, LCC.
I’m very much enjoying the worldbuilding and getting to know the characters that Lilah created. Illustrating new books provide their own unique challenges and I love a challenge.
– Aliltha E. Martinez
For the latest news and updates from Legendary Comics follow them on Facebook here. Now keep reading below for the official synopsis of The Science of Ghosts.
While on the verge of losing a research grant that would jeopardize her academic life work, Joy Ravenna is approached by a wealthy young heiress who claims to have encountered malevolent paranormal activity at the family’s estate. As Joy, who is accustom to navigating the mysteries of the afterlife, dives deeper and deeper into the investigation, she comes face-to-face with the very real challenges of her own past and present. Her first post-transition relationship with new girlfriend Cat, a hostile ex-wife, and clues to a murder long forgotten, that will test her at every twist and turn. For Joy, working with ghosts is way easier than dealing with the living.
Stay tuned for more info!
