Artist Abigail Jill Harding makes her longform writing debut with the limited comic book series Parliament of Rooks, “a gothic love story told in 5 chapters over the course of the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—and culminating in an epic conclusion.” The first issue of Parliament of Rooks debuts on November 14th from Amazon’s Comixology Originals, and we have all the details, along with an exclusive preview you can read right now!
Parliament of Rooks is a tale of dark fantasy, forbidden romance, menacing forces, and enchanting characters, inspired by the striking, gregarious, black-feathered bird, known as a rook.
“Parliament of Rooks is my homage to stories I grew up loving by fellow Brits like Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights,” says Abigail Jill Harding. “This is the first series I’ve written and drawn myself. It’s very ambitious and I’m excited for people to read it.”
Influenced by such artists as Salvador Dali, Yoshitaka Amano, Gustav Klimt, Toppi, Mike Mignola and H.R Giger, Harding (Ask For Mercy) continues to push herself to new heights. Combining her passion for art and storytelling, in Parliament of Rooks she weaves a rich tapestry of gothic lore, witchcraft, and doomed love which she deftly illustrates with stunning black and white art with moments of horror highlighted with red spot color.
Look for Harding’s other Comixology Originals here:
Harding will also be attending Thought Bubble this weekend, so if you’re planning on attending, make sure to check out the following events:
Saturday, November 11
12:15pm-1:15pm – Panel Room 1 Queen’s Suite
From Pitch to the Page
“Join bestselling cookbook author Kim-Joy (Turtle Bread, Bake Me a Cat), up-and-coming artist Abigail Jill Harding (Parliament of Rooks, Ask For Mercy), renowned writer and letterer Richard Starkings (Elephantmen, Barnstormers, Ask For Mercy), Eisner Award-Winning and Harvey Award-Nominated artist Tula Lotay (Barnstormers), debut writer Scott Hoffman co-founder of the multi-platinum selling rock/disco/glam/pop band Scissor Sisters (Wag, Nostalgia), and superstar artist Jock (Book of Evil, Snow Angels) as they discuss inspiration, the creative process, and their most recent collaborations.”
Moderated by Graeme McMillan, PopVerse
4:00-5:30pm–Comixology Originals Signing in the Signing Area, The Fourth Hall
- Abigail Jill Harding and Richard Starkings–Parliament of Rooks
- Kim-Joy–Turtle Bread
- Scott Hoffman–Nostalgia/Wag
- Tula Lotay–Barnstormers
Sunday, November 12
12:30 – 2:00pm–Comixology Originals Signing in the Signing Area, The Fourth Hall
- Abigail Jill Harding and Richard Starkings–Parliament of Rooks
- Kim-Joy–Turtle Bread
- Scott Hoffman–Nostalgia/Wag
- Jock–Book of Evil
- Tula Lotay–Barnstormers
For more information on Thought Bubble, visit: https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com/conventionprogramme
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PARLIAMENT OF ROOKS: Chapter One:
“On the first day of Spring, architect Darius Ravenscar wakes from a strange and troubling dream. He dismisses it and attends a masquerade ball in the city of Eborvik thrown by Princess Seraphina, the daughter of King Sitric, Lord of the Four Vales. While there, it becomes clear that something is terribly wrong and Ravenscar finds himself in a precarious predicament that will threaten his long-standing affection for the Princess. As Ravenscar becomes more tormented he searches for the truth, confronting ghosts from the past that haunt him and unraveling the mystery of his family, ultimately becoming torn between two worlds and two minds.”
“Parliament of Rooks is a beautifully realized gothic fantasy, and evidence that Abigail’s ability as a writer is every bit as phenomenal as her unique talent as an illustrator.”
–Martin Simmonds, artist The Department of Truth
“I’ve been anxiously waiting to read Parliament of Rooks ever since it was first teased, and it was well worth the wait! It’s dripping with gothic romance, creeping horror in the shadows, and of course features a tormented brooding hero who we can’t help but immediately fall in love with – and all expertly brought to life by Abigail’s gorgeous inkwork. I read it once to let the story sink in, then immediately read it again to admire every detail in each panel. It’s a dark delicious treat for any lover of gothic fantasy.”
–Abigail Larson, artist The Dark Wood Tarot, Sandman: The Dreaming
“Abigail Harding is the Queen of the gothic in modern comics. She opens her Parliament of Rooks, and every panel will make you pay homage.”
–Kieron Gillen, writer The Wicked + the Divine
“This book is so gothic and dreamlike, the interiors so rich. Abigail’s work is simply stunning.”
–Tula Lotay, Eisner Award-Winning artist of Barnstormers
“Abigail Harding’s amazing work always captivates with dark, ethereal sensibility and utterly unique visual form.”
–Scott Derrickson, Producer/Director Doctor Strange, Deliver Us from Evil, Sinister, The Black Phone
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