Calling all fans of “Die Hard,” “Die Hard 2,” “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,” “Commando,” and the original “The Running Man,” GUNGNIR Books announced today that screenwriter Steven E. de Souza, the mastermind behind the aforementioned titles, has inked a deal with the publishing house to produce three graphic novels.
The deal reaffirms and continues de Souza’s link to “Sheena,” following the hit reboot he developed with Galaxy Publishing for Dynamite Entertainment. The new deal is exciting as it brings a new installment to the “Sheena” franchise, as well as two original stories.
“What GUNGNIR is building,” says de Souza, “reminds me of the heyday of Hollywood’s Golden Age, when storytellers were encouraged to bring fresh ideas in every genre to the table. Matthew and his team at GUNGNIR have created an environment that’s essentially an incubator where ideas are not just protected, but unleashed. They are giving us the freedom to experiment, collaborate, and execute stories with unlimited horizons — not to mention unlimited budgets: In the pages of a graphic novel, anything that can be imagined can be realized — a dream scenario for a writer!”
What Are The Stories?
“Sheena: Frostline”
“Sheena: Queen of the Jungle” is a Golden Age classic, but de Souza is taking this “O.G. jungle girl” out of her comfort zone. Way out. “Frostline” drops Sheena into a brutal, frozen winter landscape. We’re expecting daunting sub-zero survival, terrifying monsters, and a side of Sheena we’ve never seen before.
“Earth Patrol Tonight!”
Imagine Earth’s first intergalactic conflict goes horribly, hilariously wrong. Described as “a Gen Z ‘The Martian‘ mixing action and ribald humor,” instead of highly-trained astronauts with The Right Stuff, the universe is left with a squad that couldn’t be more wrong. Stranded on the bizarre planet Vega Prime, their every embarrassing misstep is broadcast by an embedded reporter and the troops’ own social media accounts. This ain’t your dad’s “Star Wars.”
“Gulliver” (Working Title)
De Souza is bringing Jonathan Swift’s classic “Gulliver’s Travels” into the modern era, fully leaning into the dark fantasy, sci-fi, and horror elements that previous adaptations completely ignored.
A Match Made in Heaven
De Souza is no stranger to the comic world as he previously adapted “Judge Dredd,” “Cadillacs & Dinosaurs,” and “Tales From the Crypt.” Time Magazine has previously called him “Hollywood’s Number #1 script doctor” because his adaptations are trusted by movie studios and publishers alike.
GUNGNIR’s Founder Matthew Medney and Galaxy Publishing CEO Gabriella Aratow are equally thrilled, calling de Souza’s upcoming slate “bold, high-concept storytelling” and a “rare, welcome collaboration.”
There’s no official release date yet, but you can keep an eye out for updates at www.gungnirbooks.com. In the meantime, de Souza fans can look out for his retro-noir screenplay, “Rex Venice,” coming this summer via Sticking Place Books.
I am a published writer, full-time editor, an events and entertainment reporter and mother of one. Comic books, drag queens, women’s basketball, queer films and TV shows are my bread and butter.
