NEW YORK—May 17, 2022—The first book developed by Oscar Isaac, a neo-noir graphic novel titled Head Wounds: Sparrow from Legendary Comics, will be the focus of the actor’s appearance at the U.S. Book Show on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The virtual trade book show will feature Isaac (Marvel’s Moon Knight; Legendary’s Dune) in a one-on-one interview with Heidi MacDonald, editor of the Eisner-nominated The Beat and co-host of PW Comics World: More to Come podcast. Due out in August 2022, Head Wounds: Sparrow is Isaac’s first book, presented in conjunction with creator Robert Johnson with story by John Alvey, developed by Isaac and Jason Spire and written by New York Times‘ best-selling writer Brian Buccellato with art by Eisner winner Christian Ward. Legendary Comics will host writer Brian Buccellato live at 2:00 p.m. ET, in its virtual exhibit booth at the U.S. Book Show, which runs May 23–26, 2022.
“As the world of graphic novels expands, it’s great to see everyone getting a chance to bring their visions to life, including Oscar Isaac, who brings his own unique viewpoint to this supernatural tale,” said MacDonald. “Oscar’s fans are going to dive right in to his first comics presentation, the story of Leo Guidry, a troubled cop who battles both demons and angels.”
Head Wounds: Sparrow unfolds over a battle of good and evil, with Guidry, a crooked Louisiana detective with a higher purpose, at its center. Guidry must psychically suffer the wounds of those he’s sworn to protect until he brings their assailants to justice. When his best friend is shot in front of him, he wakes up with a hole in his own head that only he can see, and a host of mysterious strangers calling on him for action.
“I think there is something about this particular medium that allows such incredible world building and allows you to really express and juxtapose ideas that you can’t in other mediums,” said Isaac. “Marrying my love of comics with this specific form of storytelling, I am excited to bring Head Wounds: Sparrow to fans.’
Oscar Isaac is a critically acclaimed and award-winning actor, producer and musician. In 2016, he earned a Golden Globe for his role on the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero in the Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film category, as well as a Critics’ Choice nomination for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries. Two years prior, he scored an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of the title character in the Coen Brothers’ film Inside Llewyn Davis.
Publishers Weekly, with its long-running podcast PW Comics World: More to Come and newsletter The Fanatic, is a leader in coverage of comics and graphic novels for librarians, booksellers and publishers. For the U.S. Book Show, PW has devoted several curated panels and author talks to the genre on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, the first full day of the virtual show.
Comics and Graphic Novels: 2 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Eric Reynolds, Vice-President / Associate Publisher, Fantagraphics Books, discussing Men I Trust by Tommi Parish
Kelly Lonesome, Senior Editor, Tor Nightfire, discussing Where Black Stars Rise by Nadia Shammas
Peggy Burns, Publisher, Drawn & Quarterly, discussing Ducks by Kate Beaton
Jill Schwartzman, V-P, Executive Editor, Dutton and Editorial Director, Plume, discussing A Career in Books: A Novel about Friends, Money, and the Occasional Duck Bun by Kate Gavino
Tracy Mack, Vice-President and Publisher, Scholastic, discussing The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Maggie Lehrman, Editorial Director, Fiction, ABRAMS Children’s Books, discussing Adventuregame: Leviathon by Jason Shiga
Kiara Valdez, Editor, First Second, discussing Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra
Susan Van Metre, Executive Editorial Director, Walker Books US/Candlewick Press, discussing Two-Headed Chicken by Tom Angleberger
Comics and Graphic Novels: 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Joris Bas Backer, Kisses for Jet: A Coming of Gender Story (Nobrow)
Mickey George, Enola Holmes: Mycroft’s Dangerous Game (Legendary Comics)
Roye Okupe, Iyanu: Child of Wonder (Dark Horse)
Branden Boyer-White (author) and Shannon Watters (illustrator), Hollow (Boom!)
All presentations and panels are virtual. The full schedule may be viewed at https://usbookshow.com.
Booksellers and librarians are invited to attend the virtual trade show for free.
Members of the media, including book reviewers, may apply for virtual press passes on the Media Accreditation tab on the show’s press page.
High-res author headshot, covers and logos are available under the Images and Logos tab at https://usbookshow.com/press/
For more information, contact Christi Cassidy, +1-917-217-4269, ccassidy@publishersweekly.com.
About Publishers Weekly
Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of the book publishing industry. Founded in 1872 and published weekly since then, the magazine boasts 1.23 million social media followers; publishes 10 e-newsletters, BookLife (a website and monthly supplement), Publishers Weekly en Español (in partnership with Lantia), an Arabic edition, two blogs, podcasts, a mobile edition, digital editions, and apps; and features a thriving website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually.
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