Preview of Stephen King's New Graphic Novel AMERICAN VAMPIRE

Thanks to our friends over at /Film we have our first look at Stephen King's new graphic novel series American Vampire from DC/Vertigo Comics. This is the first comic book that King has written based on original material, and it tells the origin story of America's very first vampire. It looks like it's going to be a great story!

Written by celebrated short story writer Scott Snyder and drawn by artist Rafael Albuquerque AMERICAN VAMPIRE is a new monthly comic book series with a unique contribution from New York Times bestselling novelist Stephen King. AMERICAN VAMPIRE introduces readers to a new breed of vampire—a more muscular and vicious species of vampire with distinctly American characteristics. The series’ first story arc, told over the course of five issues (now available as a New York Times bestselling hardcover collection) features two different stories, one written by Snyder, the other by King. The ongoing series will continue with Snyder and Albuquerque tracing the first American vampire’s bloodline through various decades of American history.

Here's the story synopsis:

When notorious outlaw Skinner Sweet, a bank robbing, murdering cowboy of the 1880s, is attacked by an old enemy (who happens to be a member of the undead), the first American vampire is born…. Skinner is stronger and faster than previous vampires; he has rattlesnake fangs and is powered by…. the sun?

The rules of American Vampire's:

• American Vampires don’t get burned by the sun, in fact, they tan.
• American Vampires draw power from the moon.
• American Vampires have a paralyzing venom in their snakelike fangs.
• American Vampires are stronger, faster and more vicious than any vampire that has come before.
• American Vampires DO have a reflection, it’s just twisted because of how they absorb and emit light.
• American Vampires can be DESTROYED by…Gold!

To read three more pages of the comic head on over to /Film.

Press release:

From Irish author Bram Stoker’s Dracula, to F.W. Murnau’s German classic silent film Nosferatu, to Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish cult classic film Let the Right One In, European vampire lore has been the long standing mythology in our culture. And now, you’re about to witness the birth of a brand new vampire, the AMERICAN VAMPIRE.

Written by celebrated short story writer Scott Snyder and drawn by artist Rafael Albuquerque AMERICAN VAMPIRE is a new monthly comic book series with a unique contribution from New York Times bestselling novelist Stephen King. AMERICAN VAMPIRE introduces readers to a new breed of vampire—a more muscular and vicious species of vampire with distinctly American characteristics. The series’ first story arc, told over the course of five issues (now available as a New York Times bestselling hardcover collection) features two different stories, one written by Snyder, the other by King. The ongoing series will continue with Snyder and Albuquerque tracing the first American vampire’s bloodline through various decades of American history.

Snyder’s storyline is one of decadence, deception and Jazz Age glamour. Pearl is an ambitious modern woman with starlet dreams. She frequents Hollywood’s speakeasies and dance-halls searching for her first big break, only to find something far more sinister waiting for her.

King’s story, which is the first comic book writing he’s done based on original material, provides the origin of the very first American vampire. When notorious outlaw Skinner Sweet, a bank robbing, murdering cowboy of the 1880s, is attacked by an old enemy (who happens to be a member of the undead), the first American vampire is born…. Skinner is stronger and faster than previous vampires; he has rattlesnake fangs and is powered by…. the sun?

So clear your head of all the vampire rules and mythos of yesterday and embrace the future.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE Volume 1 (Vertigo / 192 pages / color / $24.99 hardcover) written by Scott Snyder and Stephen King with art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque.

“Getting the chance to re-imagine a classic monster—to invent a whole new mythology and secret history—nothing could be more exciting for me . . . except getting the chance to do it with Stephen King at Vertigo. I honestly can’t think of any influences more crucial or enduring for me than Vertigo and Stephen King. To have them both involved in AMERICAN VAMPIRE, along with the amazing Rafael Albuquerque—this all a dream come true for me!” —Scott Snyder

“I love vampire stories, and the idea of following the dark exploits of a uniquely American vampire really lit up my imagination. The chance to do the origin story—to be “present at the creation” —was a thrill. I owe big thanks to Scott Snyder for letting me share his vision, and sip from his bucket of blood.” —Stephen King

“In a time where vampires are everywhere, Scott and Stephen seem to have done the impossible: An original, inventive and detailed new series. It’s a challenging and exciting project I’m proud to be working on.” —Rafael Albuquerque

“Publishing a series with a fresh take on the vampire mythos would be incredible enough, but adding the talents of Scott Snyder, an exciting new voice in fiction, and Stephen King, the master of horror himself, is beyond awesome. We are thrilled that Vertigo is the home for this special new work, which we’re certain will be a major addition to the timeless and popular appeal of vampire lore everywhere.” —Karen Berger, Sr. VP, Executive Editor

About the creators:

Scott Snyder is best known for his first collection of stories, Voodoo Heart (Dial Press). Stephen King picked two of the included stories—“Wreck” and “Dumpster Tuesday”—for the 2007 Best American Short Stories anthology shortlist. Snyder teaches writing at Columbia University, NYU and Sarah Lawrence College and is working on a novel called The Goodbye Suit, to be published by Dial in 2011. He lives in New York City. This is his first comic book series.

Stephen King is the bestselling author of The Stand, The Shining, The Dark Tower books and multitudes of other works, most recently Under the Dome. AMERICAN VAMPIRE marks Stephen King’s debut with Vertigo/DC Comics; it is the first comic book writing he’s done, based on original material, as opposed to existing characters.

Rafael Albuquerque is best known for his work on Superman/Batman and Crimeland (Image).