NEED TO KNOW

  • David Dastmalchian will publish a new graphic novel entitled Through, out next year through publisher Z2
  • The Late Night with the Devil actor says in a statement that the book was inspired by a conversation he had with a friend while living in Chicago
  • “While fighting for my life, Through became the book I needed to write and the most important tale I’ve ever attempted to tell,” the author says

David Dastmalchian is returning to the graphic novel world.

PEOPLE can exclusively announce that the actor, 49, will publish a new graphic novel entitled Through through publisher Z2. The book features illustrations by artist Catt Staggs, colors by DC Alonso and a cover designed by David Mack.

Through tells the story of Alix, a young woman “driven by a compulsive need to control the world around her,” per the book’s synopsis. Following a near-death experience, Alix is thrown into a mysterious, shadow-cloaked realm that’s home to fantastical creatures.

The cover of ‘Through’ by David Dastmalchian.

Z2

Alix is shocked to discover that the strange universe was created specifically for her — and as new dangers arise, she must decide whether it was intended to be a kingdom or a prison.

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Dastmalchian, who currently stars in the Apple TV+ series Murderbot, is already an established author. In 2019, he debuted his Count Crowley series with Dark Horse Comics, and has also appeared in many screen adaptations of comic books, including The Suicide Squad, Ant-Man and the Wasp and The Flash.

His latest project, however, holds a personal meaning for the Late Night with the Devil star.

“Through is a story inspired by an idea that a dear friend and I hatched when I was living in Chicago and fascinated by outsider artists like Henry Darger,” Dastmalchian says in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“Over the years, the story evolved into a labyrinthine mystery that overlapped with my own ongoing struggle for mental wellness.”

David Dastmalchian.

Isaac Sterling

“As I dove into the challenging but healing therapeutic work of understanding the myriad parts of myself, this story began to flourish,” he continues. “While fighting for my life, Through became the book I needed to write and the most important tale I’ve ever attempted to tell.” 

Staggs also notes that “David’s wonderful story makes this journey even more exciting, and I look forward to everyone reading it.”

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On the appeal of Through, Z2 editor-in-chief Rantz Hoseley says that “there’s a reason” for publishing the actor’s story today.

“From the first time David and I talked about Through, it really struck me how badly we need a tale like this in the times we find ourselves in,” Hoseley explains. “A story that helps you examine the hurt you’ve experienced and assure you that it is not an act of weakness to reach out to other people for help. I feel so blessed to be able to help David and Cat bring this powerful fable to life on the comic page.”

Through is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.