Thomas Nelson, Zondervan collaborate on new graphic novel imprint that aims to meet growing demand

Thomas Nelson announced the launch of Vital Shift, a publishing initiative that focuses on titles for consumers 18-34 years old, at New York Comic Con. Launched in October at the pop culture extravaganza, Vital Shift debuted with forthcoming announcements of seven graphic-novel series releasing between now and 2019.

The creative team lead by Chip Brown, senior vice president and publisher at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, tested the waters with 2012’s The Book of Revelation, which sold 20,000 units in its first six weeks of release, immediately outselling every other graphic novel on Amazon except Image Comics’ The Walking Dead. 

“Four out of five Americans and one of every three people on Earth are self-described Christians, all of whom have an inherent thirst for the Bible and biblical stories,” Brown said. “The market’s recent and forthcoming print products, Bible feature films, television miniseries and even game shows are all aiming to quench that thirst. We want writers, artists and filmmakers to know they have a place to come collaborate with likeminded people at the industry’s leading publishing house, to develop innovative ways that help more people engage the Bible.”

In October, Vital Shift released Messiah: Origin, the foundational account of the man who changed the world forever. Translated by Mark Arey from ancient Greek, Messiah: Origin weaves the gospels into one story. Arey’s biblical study and training paired with the 288 illustrations of Lucasfilm Prize-winning artist Kai Carpenter create a detailed telling of the Savior’s birth and early life up to the start of his ministry. Adapted and edited into graphic-novel form by Matt Dorff (The Book of Revelation) with letters and title design by Carlton Riffel, Origin creates a journey into the history told in the Scriptures.

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