Ladies And Gentlemen, We Have A Cover

Here's a story for ya.

So I got this book, right? CITY OF THE LOST. And my editor, Betsy Wollheim over at DAW, says she wants to get a comic artist to do the cover. Maybe some illustrations, too. She asks me if I can think of anybody who might fit the tone of the book. It's noir-ish, hardboiled, violent. Sure, it's urban fantasy, but it's a crime novel.

I say, thinking it'll never happen because, you know, it's me, I'd like this Sean Phillips guy. Amazing artist. He's worked on a shit ton of titles like Wonder Woman, Batman, Marvel Zombies, Sleeper. The list goes on.

Lately he's been doing the Criminal comics with Ed Brubaker. Recently he did a thing with Don Winslow for the L.A. Times called SUNSET ON SUNSET that is fucking phenomenal. I mean Winslow's good, but Phillips hits the artwork out of the park.

The man knows how to draw L.A.

I mean, seriously, what are the odds I'm gonna get Sean Fucking Phillips to do my cover. That's like getting an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas. And a blowjob.

So then I get an email with the subject:

Sean Phillips is on board.

I nearly creamed my jeans right then.

So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, the cover to CITY OF THE LOST.

Oddly enough, that hole's the least of his problems.