Eisner Award-winning artist Colleen Doran recently broke a Kickstarter record for her Good Omens graphic novel adaptation, with the project reaching its funding goal in only ten minutes, before continuing on to wildly exceed its creators’ expectations. A long-time collaborator with Neil Gaiman, Doran will reimagine the author’s 1990 novel, coauthored with the late Terry Pratchett, at the same time the book’s Amazon adaptation is earning critical acclaim.
In an interview with CBR, Doran explained that while she – along with Gaiman and the Pratchett Estate, who authorized the project – anticipated that the Kickstarter campaign to fund her adaptation would be a success, the extent of that success has been unimaginable in scope.
“We knew it would be big,” Doran marveled, “but it’s crazy big.“
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett’s Beloved 1990 Novel Expands To Another Medium
With the Kickstarter campaign complete, Colleen Doran now begins work on her graphic novel adaptation of Good Omens, which the artist promises will distinguish itself both from the original source material and the ongoing Amazon Prime Video television adaptation, starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Both of those versions are beloved in their own right, giving Doran a high bar to try to meet – or exceed – with her take on the story of angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley. Still, she will approach the project having been giving a vote of confidence by fans of the franchise with the enormous influx of Kickstarter contributions that made her adaptation a reality.
Colleen Doran’s Good Omens Graphic Novel Will Be Distinct From The TV Show
“I never dreamed it would have this kind of response,” Doran told CBR, expressing amazement at the rapid funding of the project, stating that she “never thought it would hit this level, not even after a month, certainly not within a week. And yet, here we are.” Eager to start working on her Good Omens – and wanting to let her version stand on its own – the artist “immediately stopped watching” the TV series, in the middle of Season Two. While a release date for the completed graphic novel remains a ways off, it has become one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the next few years.
In her interview with CBR, Colleen Doran acknowledged her debt to Good Omens fans for not only making her adaptation possible, but for helping it set new records for Kickstarter success. As she said, “anyone who works on licensed books knows that the fan base must be respected. If you don’t meet their expectations,” she continued, “they are not going to send the love. But the fan base likes what they see, and they sent all the love.” Girded with the love, support, and anticipation of the Good Omens fan base, Doran can now turn her attention to crafting the greatest version of an already celebrated story.
