EASTHAMPTON -- In what he calls "a bit of midnight inspiration," Nathan Graham Davis came up with a concept that excited him so much he rushed out of bed to begin writing it: a graphic novel about a twisted Christmas.
In following weeks, Davis - a writer who primarily focuses on scripts for television and movies - wrote a script treatment and sent it to his manager and a few friends in Hollywood.
The idea didn't go over too well. It's too dark. It's too different. No one wants to mess with the traditional ideas of Christmas, the Easthampton native said, describing responses to his pitch. One response convinced him to table the project, “No one in Hollywood will ever touch this. Ever.”
Two years later, Davis is attempting to revive the idea and bring it to life through a different medium - a graphic novel.
Over drinks at the Brass Cat with another Easthampton artist, Jack Purcell, he pitched the concept suggesting they produce and self-publish it.
"I thought it was great," said Purcell. "You can get a little twisted in comics."
Purcell has worked as an artist and inker in the comic book industry for a decade. Soon after beginning to work with DC Comics, Purcell said he told everyone that he wanted to fulfill his dream of working on Batman. Within a few years he fulfilled that dream, working as an inker on several issues; Batman #690, Batman Annual #2 and Batman 80-page giant 2011 #1. He has also worked on Gotham Underground, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Titans and Teen Titans.
The forthcoming graphic novel "Malice and Mistletoe" is described by the pair as "a rollicking fun Christmas tale of bloodshed and treachery." The plot will follow the travels of an assassin hired by Santa Claus to kill the horrible holiday devil Krampus.
While the concept is dark - Purcell said he wouldn't let his seven-year-old son read it at his age - he believes it's one that will appeal to many.
He compared the style of visuals he's producing to a "festive Sin City," with interior pages drawn in black and white with splashes of red and green.
Instead of toning down the concept for a corporate backer, Davis and Purcell chose to crowdfund the venture on Kickstarter.
They seek to raise at least $9,500 by Sept. 6. With 10 days to go, 52 backers have contributed $3,166 so far.
Backers can receive a variety of rewards at different contribution levels: ($25 or more) a numbered and signed copy of the graphic novel, ($35 or more) a Malice and Mistletoe t-shirt, ($75 or more) a set of custom 12 oz. whiskey glasses, ($100 or more) an original, commissioned piece by Purcell and even the opportunity to be written into the book at the $300 level. "A character might talk about you. It might be something else. But whatever it is, it'll be awesome," states the Kickstarter page.
With 10 days left, the pair say it is "make it or break it" time for the project. In hopes of inspiring more backers, the pair are offering additional rewards on their Facebook page. The pair wrote in a recent post, "We need your help to turn this book into a reality."