A Phone Call Away: Financial Gain at the Ultimate Cost Are at the Forefront in Mad Cave Graphic Novel

A Phone Call Away: Financial Gain at the Ultimate Cost Are at the Forefront in Mad Cave Graphic Novel

Acclaimed writer Rich Douek, known for his works such as Drive Like Hell and Sea of Sorrows, has joined forces with Euro-flair artist Russell Mark Olson, the creative mind behind Gateway City, to introduce a mysterious new graphic novel, A Phone Call Away, to be published by Mad Cave Studios.

The story unfolds within the Golden Age era of comics, where a family’s heartrending tragedy leads to unexpected financial gain through the creation of a reality show and worldwide recognition.

Fourteen years ago, Emma and Andrew Walker endured a heartbreaking loss when their 6-year-old daughter, Mandy, was abducted. Tragically, her unidentifiable body was discovered a week later. The subsequent media coverage of this devastating event captivated the entire nation, thrusting the Walkers into the spotlight and evoking profound sympathy from the public.

Paradoxically, this unprecedented attention inadvertently propelled the Walker family’s businesses and careers. As the years passed, the Walkers managed to rebuild their lives and achieve success. As the founders of The Mandy Walker Foundation, they have positively impacted the lives of thousands of children worldwide.

Additionally, they have raised their new daughter, Meghan, in the public eye through a show titled Second Chances. The nation has been enthralled by glimpses of the Walkers navigating the aftermath of Mandy’s loss while witnessing the emergence of new hope as Meghan grows.

However, their world is shattered when Meghan disappears on the very day of her 6th birthday, mirroring the events of Mandy’s disappearance 14 years earlier. Emma and Andrew now face a race against time, with just one week to rescue their beloved daughter from the tragic fate that befell her sister.

Rich Douek expressed:

“As a parent, the thought of losing one of my children is the ultimate horror. No monster could compare, and with A Phone Call Away, I didn’t need to fabricate one, because the circumstances themselves were so unimaginably dreadful. To be honest, I have crafted numerous horror stories, often featuring unearthly creatures from the depths of the ocean or beyond the grave.

However, they also delve into the dark facets residing within our own hearts. Russell has remarkably captured these deeply familiar entities in a manner that is both gratifying and terrifying. The drama that he portrays on the pages intensifies every action and emotion in the script. I couldn’t have asked for a better collaborator on this harrowing journey.”

Reflecting on the project, Russell Mark Olson shared:

“I have been an avid follower of Rich’s work and newsletter for quite some time. When the opportunity to work with him presented itself, the decision was a no-brainer. A Phone Call Away is a rare gem in today’s comic landscape: a crime drama devoid of genre twists, offering a captivating mystery within a compelling human drama.

It resides within the lineage of the Golden Age of Crime Comics but embraces a distinctly contemporary backdrop. It’s a narrative that is both representative of its era and forward-looking. I have endeavored to utilize line and color to immerse the reader in darkness or illuminate the path as our detectives inch closer to the truth.”

A Phone Call Away is set to arrive at your favorite local comic shops on August 13th, 2024.