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First Lesbian Detective Classic Is Becoming a Graphic Novel!

First Lesbian Detective Classic Is Becoming a Graphic Novel!

First Lesbian Detective Classic Is Becoming a Graphic Novel!

Eve Zaremba's Work for a Million is getting a new life of its own!

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Work for a Million, Eve Zaremba's beloved 1986 pulp novel featuring the world's first openly lesbian private eye, is being adapted into a graphic novel!

Adapted by writer Amanda Deibert and artist Selena Goulding, Bedside Press is giving the character of Helen Keremos new life.

The graphic novel's description reads:

"Witty, sly, and incredibly skilled at her job, Helen Keremos is tired of the busy Toronto life and just wants to truck back to Vancouver and peace. But before she goes, she's hired for one last job, to protect the newly wealthy struggling songbird Sonia Deerfield, who's been receiving death threats and attempts on her life. With predatory "friends" all around Sonia, it's hard to tell who Helen can trust. As the danger increases around them, Helen and Sonia find themselves drawn to each other for more than just protection. Soon, Helen realizes that Sonia isn't the only one with a target on her back, as the mysterious blackmailer turns their attention to her too..."

Bedside Press, who have reinvigorated a number of Margaret Atwood novels into comic books, is also reprinting Zaremba's original novel.

While the creators have finished character designs, plot outline, dramatis personae, page breakdown, and drawn & lettered the first 10 pages of the book, they've started a Kickstarter to fund the rest of the production for this groundbreaking endeavor. 

"Crime novels are a genre where LGBT representation is overall pretty low, nonexistent, or insulting," publisher Hope Nicholson told The Hollywood Reporter. "To have a novel that doesn’t focus on a lesbian character’s tragedy, but showcases her strength, charisma, and smarts, is incredibly unusual, let alone to have a romance in it too!"

She continued:

“This book, both in its original prose, and in this new graphic novel (both of which are part of the Kickstarter), is an important part of crime fiction history, LGBT history, feminist literature history, and Canadian literature history. And yet, even though it’s set decades in the past, the energy sparkling between our leads feels very fresh and exciting. This is the perfect gift for those who love pulp and crime comics, with a Bogart-esque tough PI lead who still has a soft spot for vulnerable people to protect.”

The Work for a Million graphic novel is expected in January 2020. Donate to their Kickstarter here. 

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Taylor Henderson

Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one! 

Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!