Artist Abigail Jill Harding Makes Her Comics Writing Debut with the Gothic Love Story
Parliament of Rooks
Issue #1 is Available from Comixology Originals on November 14, 2023
“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
November 9, 2023—New York, NY—Artist Abigail Jill Harding makes her first ever longform writing debut with the limited 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. 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. The first issue of Parliament of Rooks debuts on November 14, 2023 from Amazon’s Comixology Originals exclusive digital content line.
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.
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.
Look for Harding’s other Comixology Originals here: Ask For Mercy Season One: The Key To Forever, Ask For Mercy Season Two: The Heart of the Earth, Ask For Mercy Season Three: World of Disquiet, Ask For Mercy Season Four: The Circle of Time
About the Creator:
Abigail Jill Harding is a comic book artist and illustrator based in York, UK. Tea addict and supreme hoarder of books. Drawing monsters and fantastical creatures started from a young age. Spending much of her time going through the dinosaur encyclopedias and drawing from them. Working in both digital and traditional art styles, Abigail uses and experiments with a wide range of mediums including ink, watercolours, gouache, acrylics and Photoshop. Abigail’s core style and narrative are inspired by the horror and macabre, transformation, symbolism, folklore and mythology. Her work has been in publications such as Imagine FX, 3Dtotal Publishing and Printed In Blood. Abigail has also worked with comic publishers including Image, IDW and TITAN comics. Abigail’s first comic book series Ask For Mercy was first released in 2018, teaming up with Richard Starkings in co-creating the Horror Fantasy comic under the Comixology Originals line. She had previously worked with Starkings as a guest artist for his Sci-Fi series Elephantmen. For more, visit her website here. Follow her on Instagram: @abzjharding
Richard Starkings is the publisher of Parliament of Rooks for Comixology Originals and has provided additional script, letters, design and edits for the title. Richard is also the creator of Elephantmen and co-creator of The Beef with Shaky Kane and Tyler Shainline and Ask For Mercy with Abigail Jill Harding. Richard also founded the Comicraft studio, providing design and lettering services to DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, Boom!, Legendary, Titan, Riot Games, Blizzard and Angry Birds!
About Comixology Originals:
Amazon’s Comixology Originals exclusive digital content line is available at no additional cost for members of Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and Comixology Unlimited, and for purchase at amazon.com/comixology. Prime Reading offers all Amazon Prime members a rotating selection of more than 3,000 digital books, magazines, comics, and more – all at no additional cost to their Prime membership. Kindle Unlimited gives customers access to more than 3 million digital titles, including thousands of audio books and comics, plus current magazines for just $9.99 a month with a free trial period at amazon.com/kindleunlimited. Comixology Unlimited offers over 45,000 comics, graphic novels and manga for just $5.99 a month with a free trial at amazon.com/comixologyunlimited.
