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Alex Delaware graphic novels
Monster
A labyrinth of secrets, revenge, sex, and manipulation come to life in this graphic novel adaptation.
Two separate murders, strikingly similar in their grisly particulars, bring psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD detective Milo Sturgis together once again to pool their crime-solving skills in the hunt for a homicidal maniac. But they’re shocked to discover that another deranged murderer may be their best chance of cracking the case. Ardis Peake has been locked away in an asylum for the criminally insane for the last sixteen years, ever since he committed the horrifying massacre as a teenager that made him infamous—and earned him the nickname “Monster.” A pariah even among his fellow inmates, Peake is a lost cause to most of his doctors, and only staff psychologist Claire Argent took a keen interest in treating the caged killer—until she turned up brutally slain in the trunk of her car. It is a death made all the more disturbing by the fact that it was seemingly predicted by Monster.
While Milo searches for a connection between the killing of a struggling actor and Dr. Argent’s nearly identical murder, Alex wonders what spurred the reportedly shy psychologist’s intense fascination with the dangerously insane. But Claire Argent’s personal life proves as barren as the empty home she left behind, and neither her ex-husband nor her colleagues can fill in the cryptic blanks. Only Ardis Peake, whose barely functioning mind lies buried deep in psychosis, seems somehow inexplicably linked to the world from which he’s sealed off. And when he foresees another violent double slaying, Alex and Milo fear that their only hope of finding the truth—and stopping the bloodshed—may be to follow a strange and menacing path into the dark heart and twisted psyche of a madman.
Two separate murders, strikingly similar in their grisly particulars, bring psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD detective Milo Sturgis together once again to pool their crime-solving skills in the hunt for a homicidal maniac. But they’re shocked to discover that another deranged murderer may be their best chance of cracking the case. Ardis Peake has been locked away in an asylum for the criminally insane for the last sixteen years, ever since he committed the horrifying massacre as a teenager that made him infamous—and earned him the nickname “Monster.” A pariah even among his fellow inmates, Peake is a lost cause to most of his doctors, and only staff psychologist Claire Argent took a keen interest in treating the caged killer—until she turned up brutally slain in the trunk of her car. It is a death made all the more disturbing by the fact that it was seemingly predicted by Monster.
While Milo searches for a connection between the killing of a struggling actor and Dr. Argent’s nearly identical murder, Alex wonders what spurred the reportedly shy psychologist’s intense fascination with the dangerously insane. But Claire Argent’s personal life proves as barren as the empty home she left behind, and neither her ex-husband nor her colleagues can fill in the cryptic blanks. Only Ardis Peake, whose barely functioning mind lies buried deep in psychosis, seems somehow inexplicably linked to the world from which he’s sealed off. And when he foresees another violent double slaying, Alex and Milo fear that their only hope of finding the truth—and stopping the bloodshed—may be to follow a strange and menacing path into the dark heart and twisted psyche of a madman.
- GenresGraphic Novels
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2017
88 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Ande Parks
424 books21 followersAnde Parks has worked on several projects with Phil Hester, including Nightbreed (Marvel), Rust (Malibu), Fringe (Caliber), and Freaks Amour (Dark Horse). Currently he inks Anima, Steel and Superboy, all for DC.
Ande Parks (born October 1, 1964) is a professional American comic book artist, known for his work as an inker and writer in the industry. His greatest notoriety has come from his stint with fellow artist Phil Hester on DC Comics' Green Arrow series from 2001 to 2004 and writing the graphic novels Union Station and Capote in Kansas by Oni Press. He grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and currently lives in Baldwin City, Kansas with his wife and two children.
Parks began his professional career as an inker in comic books with Dark Horse Comics. He has inked the penciled artwork of such titles as Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Superman, Daredevil and Spider-Man. His artistic style has won him praise in the comic books industry, including an industry Harvey nomination as best inker. His idols and influences include Neal Adams, Klaus Janson, Jack Kirby, Dick Giordano, and Mike Grell. Parks has stated in at least one on-line interview that he inks with Hunt 102 and Brause 511 pens and a Raphael #3 brush. For characters from the comic books, Parks has acknowledged he has most enjoyed Batman and Captain America as his favorite characters.
He is probably best known for his work on the relaunched Green Arrow comic book series beginning in 2001, which he inked over his frequent collaborator Phil Hester. On Green Arrow, Hester and Parks worked with writers Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer, and Judd Winick over their approximate 40-issue run. The book has been collected into several volumes. The American Library Association called it one of the best books for young adults. Parks and Hester have also done work on DC Comics' Nightwing with writer Devin Grayson, allowing Parks to work within the Batman family of characters, and the new revamped Ant-Man comic book for Marvel Comics in 2006-2007.
Although better known for his artwork, Parks considers himself to be more of a writer than artist. He has contributed several articles in comic book trade magazines, such as Draw!, geared towards critiques of artwork and professional tips for inkers. Parks' combined his inking style with his fondness for writing when he created the superhero spoof Uncle Slam & Fire Dog for Action Planet Comics, based to a certain extent on his love of Marvel Comics' Captain America. Uncle Slam appeared in three issues of the Action Planet anthology book series, and in two issues of his own book in the early- to mid-1990s. The character also appeared in a completely on-line comic book for Komicwerks. A new Uncle Slam book, "Uncle Slam Fights Back", was released in the summer of 2008.
For graphic novels, he has often turned to his neighboring region in the Midwest as source material for his writing projects. To date Parks has steered towards writing what is best classified as historical fiction. He has credited Alan Moore's From Hell as being a large influence in his decision to pursue writing in the historical fiction genre. In 2004, Oni Press published Park's first original graphic novel, Union Station. The book dealt with the events surrounding the Kansas City massacre, which took place in 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, and helped J. Edgar Hoover make the F.B.I. a powerful organization in law enforcement and government for decades to come. Eduardo Barreto provided the artwork, done in black-&-white to give the piece more of a Depression-era period look.
In 2005 Parks returned to the genre of historical fiction with Capote In Kansas, drawn by Chris Samnee. The book details the time Truman Capote spent in Kansas while he worked on his literary masterpiece, In Cold Blood.
Continuing on with the Marvel Universe of characters, Parks co-plotted with Ed Brubaker and wrote "Blood of the Tarantula" fo
Ande Parks (born October 1, 1964) is a professional American comic book artist, known for his work as an inker and writer in the industry. His greatest notoriety has come from his stint with fellow artist Phil Hester on DC Comics' Green Arrow series from 2001 to 2004 and writing the graphic novels Union Station and Capote in Kansas by Oni Press. He grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and currently lives in Baldwin City, Kansas with his wife and two children.
Parks began his professional career as an inker in comic books with Dark Horse Comics. He has inked the penciled artwork of such titles as Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Superman, Daredevil and Spider-Man. His artistic style has won him praise in the comic books industry, including an industry Harvey nomination as best inker. His idols and influences include Neal Adams, Klaus Janson, Jack Kirby, Dick Giordano, and Mike Grell. Parks has stated in at least one on-line interview that he inks with Hunt 102 and Brause 511 pens and a Raphael #3 brush. For characters from the comic books, Parks has acknowledged he has most enjoyed Batman and Captain America as his favorite characters.
He is probably best known for his work on the relaunched Green Arrow comic book series beginning in 2001, which he inked over his frequent collaborator Phil Hester. On Green Arrow, Hester and Parks worked with writers Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer, and Judd Winick over their approximate 40-issue run. The book has been collected into several volumes. The American Library Association called it one of the best books for young adults. Parks and Hester have also done work on DC Comics' Nightwing with writer Devin Grayson, allowing Parks to work within the Batman family of characters, and the new revamped Ant-Man comic book for Marvel Comics in 2006-2007.
Although better known for his artwork, Parks considers himself to be more of a writer than artist. He has contributed several articles in comic book trade magazines, such as Draw!, geared towards critiques of artwork and professional tips for inkers. Parks' combined his inking style with his fondness for writing when he created the superhero spoof Uncle Slam & Fire Dog for Action Planet Comics, based to a certain extent on his love of Marvel Comics' Captain America. Uncle Slam appeared in three issues of the Action Planet anthology book series, and in two issues of his own book in the early- to mid-1990s. The character also appeared in a completely on-line comic book for Komicwerks. A new Uncle Slam book, "Uncle Slam Fights Back", was released in the summer of 2008.
For graphic novels, he has often turned to his neighboring region in the Midwest as source material for his writing projects. To date Parks has steered towards writing what is best classified as historical fiction. He has credited Alan Moore's From Hell as being a large influence in his decision to pursue writing in the historical fiction genre. In 2004, Oni Press published Park's first original graphic novel, Union Station. The book dealt with the events surrounding the Kansas City massacre, which took place in 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, and helped J. Edgar Hoover make the F.B.I. a powerful organization in law enforcement and government for decades to come. Eduardo Barreto provided the artwork, done in black-&-white to give the piece more of a Depression-era period look.
In 2005 Parks returned to the genre of historical fiction with Capote In Kansas, drawn by Chris Samnee. The book details the time Truman Capote spent in Kansas while he worked on his literary masterpiece, In Cold Blood.
Continuing on with the Marvel Universe of characters, Parks co-plotted with Ed Brubaker and wrote "Blood of the Tarantula" fo
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 2, 2023
Two similar murders lead Alex and Milo to a mental institution where an inmate who was locked up during the murders seems to have some intel on the possibility of future murders. Secrets and manipulations of vulnerable people are discovered, in this lackluster thriller.
Since I am a completist, after taking a long break after reading the first two graphic novels, I decided to go ahead and read the third and final adaptation. What can I say- the same issues that plagued the first two, are also issues in this one. Alex is supposed to be in his late 30s as he took very early retirement after getting burnt out in hospitals and now works freelance helping Milo, but he looks like a fresh-faced new college graduate in all these books. Gaydos is an excellent artist with a distinctive photorealism style, and while it thematically fits the stories, the dark-hued busy panels can be challenging to read. I also believe that Parks did his best in adapting these three stories, but could only do so much with the extremely labyrinthine storylines.
I have to assume that Kellerman wanted to reach out to a new audience with these graphic novels, but it was not successful at all. That only three of his many thrillers were adapted, makes me think the publisher had a three-book contract, and once complete, all walked away happy to be done with a failed experiment.
Since I am a completist, after taking a long break after reading the first two graphic novels, I decided to go ahead and read the third and final adaptation. What can I say- the same issues that plagued the first two, are also issues in this one. Alex is supposed to be in his late 30s as he took very early retirement after getting burnt out in hospitals and now works freelance helping Milo, but he looks like a fresh-faced new college graduate in all these books. Gaydos is an excellent artist with a distinctive photorealism style, and while it thematically fits the stories, the dark-hued busy panels can be challenging to read. I also believe that Parks did his best in adapting these three stories, but could only do so much with the extremely labyrinthine storylines.
I have to assume that Kellerman wanted to reach out to a new audience with these graphic novels, but it was not successful at all. That only three of his many thrillers were adapted, makes me think the publisher had a three-book contract, and once complete, all walked away happy to be done with a failed experiment.
June 30, 2018
I almost put this down after the first 2 chapters. I should have.
I was so disappointed. I kept telling myself it would get better. It didn't.
The premise was great. the delivery was terrible.
Long winded, filled with unnecessary fluff, and completely disappointing.
Don't waste your time.
Next time a book makes me feel like this 4 chapters in, I'll cut my losses and put it back on the library shelf.
PS.. this is the very first time I've rated a book a "1" out of "5".
I was so disappointed. I kept telling myself it would get better. It didn't.
The premise was great. the delivery was terrible.
Long winded, filled with unnecessary fluff, and completely disappointing.
Don't waste your time.
Next time a book makes me feel like this 4 chapters in, I'll cut my losses and put it back on the library shelf.
PS.. this is the very first time I've rated a book a "1" out of "5".
January 6, 2018
Couldn't even finish it. I don't mind black and white graphic novels, but this was a little too gritty with the images which made it difficult to follow along. Wasn't a fan and was really looking forward to finish it.
July 10, 2023
Psychologist Alex Delaware helps his police detective buddy investigate a couple of murders revolving around an insane asylum. I thought this was a solid adaptation. Some of the black and white art though was really dark. Almost like some of the panels were bad photocopies.
July 25, 2019
This was a very interesting version of this Jonathan Kellerman book. I enjoyed it in this format.
December 24, 2019
Not really my thing, It was like a private investigator, film noir kinda thing.
November 9, 2022
Having not read a graphic novel in a while, I was pleasantly surprised. Good plot. Reasonably strong characters.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews