~ Auto Buzz ~: BMW Announces Riders of the Storm Graphic Novel

Saturday 25 June 2016

BMW Announces Riders of the Storm Graphic Novel

BMW is teaming up with comic book publisher Panini Verlags to create a graphic novel titled “Riders in the Storm.” The book will be previewed at Comic Con Germany, June 25-26 alongside a specially designed G310R and is slated to begin publishing in October.

The graphic novel will be written by the Eisner Award nominated Darko Macan and illustrated by Riccardo Burchielli. Known for illustrating the DC comic DMZ, Burchielli is a GS rider and motorcycle enthusiast, and from the sample page and behind the scenes production photos provided, he seems to be doing a good job rendering a G310R and R1200GS in ink.

“Many of us have been familiar with comics since childhood, and we have seen superheroes and fantasy worlds adapted for the big screen, too,” says Dr. Ralf Rodepeter, BMW Motorrad’s head of marketing and product management. “The people behind these stories are equally fascinating. Riccardo Burchielli is a motorcycling enthusiast himself and through him we are able to provide insights into how a comic story comes into being. And of course we ensure his heroes are equipped with suitable bikes.”

The plot is centered around a police officer named Makani (a character based on tattoo model Makani Terror), her wolf companion, motorcycle racer Eve and street artist Nikki Animah as they face a mysterious group known as the Black Riders.

“This is a very special project for us, and it’s a great honour and pleasure to be able to collaborate with BMW Motorrad,” says Hermann Paul, managing director of Panini Verlags GmbH. “The author and illustrator are having enormous fun, and we very much look forward to overseeing this extravagant and stylish blend of fantasy, adventure and mystery. The comic is conceived as a limited edition, so it will be a really great item for collectors worldwide.”