LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH Pre-Order Store

The world is a vampire...
4 months ago – Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 02:43:20 PM

Hello friends!

I know that the holiday season is upon us, and that some of you have gotten this news through other means already, so I'm going to keep this quick note to all of you short and snappy!

My newest graphic novel TALES OF MR. RHEE Volume 6: "Blood for Blood" is now on Kickstarter with a limited edition KS Exclusive Hardcover Edition, possibly my favorite shirt we've created to date, and more... and you can check it all out at www.TalesOfMrRhee.comright now!

If you've yet to dive into the world of TALES OF MR. RHEE (which, for the record, is my favorite comic series I write), fear not! This new volume (which pits street-level magician Mr. Rhee against the Vampire Queen and her brood) is an instantly accessible jumping-in point (you'll know everything you need to know within the first few pages -- as should be the case with any book, be it a graphic novel or otherwise), and if you're a completist there's also a special "I'm New Here" pledge level that will get you the whole series to date at a special discounted bundled price, all with FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

TALES OF MR. RHEE -- and especially this volume -- is a book that weaves horror, humor, and heartbreak (sound familiar?) with gorgeous artwork by Austin McKinley(who illustrated the story "Nothing Else Matters" in LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH) and we would *love*it if you'd join us in this new campaign!

We're already fully funded and on the verge of starting the Round Two Stretch Goals which will unlock even more comic content, because, as you all know, my goal with these campaigns is paying it forward to all of you making the books possible.

OK? OK! I promised this would be quick... so that's that! Thanks all! Here's the LINK for you to join the Stretch Goal Party! I look forward to seeing you all there!

Your friend in horror comics,
Dirk Manning

An even fancier graphic novel for you? BELIEVE IT!
12 months ago – Tue, Apr 08, 2025 at 06:08:32 PM

I HEARD YOU LIKE YOUR BOOKS FANCY AND SPOOKY, SO...

Hello friends!

I hope this update finds you well and enjoying that nice and fancy edition of LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH.

In case you haven’t seen the news, my newest graphic novel is now running on Kickstarter – and it’s possibly even fancier than LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH is if you can believe such a thing, as the campaign is offering a Kickstarter Exclusive Lenticular Hardcover Edition that will be made print to order for the campaign!

If that’s all you need to know, click HERE to get your copy!

RSVP: E.S.P. is a para-psychological 120-page horror story written by me and adapted from a previously unpublished story by New York Times bestselling author (and one of my favorite voices in the world of prose and film horror) Josh Malerman, whose works include BIRD BOX, UNBURY CAROL, and most recently INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE (which is also now being adapted into a feature film)!

My frequent collaborators Joshua Ross (illustrator), Colin Johnson (colorist), Dave Lentz (letterer) and Drena Jo (editor) are joining us on this story about two omega level psychic preteens who each have a very different agenda in regards to the friendly scientist who’s trying to determine if their psychic powers are real.

RSVP: E.S.P. is a mind-bending story that combines my favorite things about Edgar Allan Poe, Junji Ito, and David Cronenberg in one long-form story that explores, stretches, and then may very well possibly destroy your perception of reality!

I am very, very excited about this book (which is already funded and unlocking Stretch Goals), and most sincerely hope you’ll join me – and us – in pledging for a copy of the KS Exclusive Lenticular Hardcover (and any other add-ons you want) at www.RSVP-ESP.com to help us unlock as many Stretch Goal upgrades and add-ons as possible!

This one is going to quickly become a collector's edition. Thanks, all… and happy pledging!

Your friend in horror comics,
Dirk Manning

The books have arrived... and all packages have shipped!
about 1 year ago – Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 08:00:14 PM

My lovely friends...

FIRST, A SHIPPING UPDATE...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so...

Late last week LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH arrived at the Whalebacker warehouse... and as I'm typing this I've been told all of the packages they have addresses for have been shipped!

If you have any questions about the status of your shipment please send an email to [email protected]and they can help you out!

(You are of course welcome to CC me on any such inquiries at [email protected], but please be aware that Whalebacker handles the shipping and logistics, so they'll be the one able to give you the most answers. I will monitor any situations regarding delayed packages, etc, and offer appropriate support to make sure you are all taken care of, as always!)

SECOND, A MINOR CONFESSION...

I hope at least one, if not several, of the stories in LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH evoke especially visceral emotional reactions from you... and ideally tears.

Despite being an unabashed horror guy, I'm also a big ol' crier under certain circumstances (as those of you who've seen some of my Facebook Live videos know), and I'm not at all ashamed to say it, as I believe in the cleansing and cathartic power of a good cry sometimes.

Have some tissues handy when you read this one, friends. Just in case.

FINALLY, A THANK YOU.

As I discussed in the afterword of LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH (titled "True Love Stories Never Die" -- which I hope you'll also read, too), this book has has a long journey to get to this edition, which represents its final form.

I never take for granted the support and enthusiasm so many of you show for my books -- especially on Kickstarter, and that's why I do so much to pay it forward to you all as much as possible... this time with the option to get a limited edition red leatherbound  hardcover with red gilded pages and a red ribbon bookmark.

I'm so thankful to you all, it's my honor to pay it forward to you, and I most sincerely look forward to having the opportunity to doing so again soon.

My next book launch on Kickstarter will be RSVP: E.S.P., a cerebral horror thriller I'm bringing to life based on a previously unpublished story by the modern horror maestro Josh Malerman (writer of modern horror classics such as BIRD BOX, UNBURY CAROL, and most recently INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE) and illustrated by Joshua Ross (NIGHTMARE WORLD, TALES OF MR. RHEE) with colorist Colin Johnson (HOMESTEAD, LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH).

We'll be launching this one on Kickstarter Tuesday, April 1st (no foolin'!), and I'll send you all a note about it around then.

In the meantime, one last time, thank you for helping me give LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH life, friends. I remain in your debt, hope you enjoy the book, and look forward to seeing you April Fool's Day for the next one -- as it's another one I'm very, very excited about!

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning

The books have arrived... and shipping has begun!
about 1 year ago – Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 07:40:13 PM

EXCITING NEWS!

Hello all!

I received word today that LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH arrived at Whalebacker yesterday... and that packing and shipping has already begun! w00t!

The books will be shipping from Whalebacker in Saginaw, Michigan... so keep your eyes peeled!

I haven't even seen them yet, but I will send photos and we'll do a proper postmortem (ha-ha!) on this campaign -- including what's next -- soon!

Thanks all! I am so excited for you to all get your books -- and to see them myself!

THANK YOU for making this possible! Talk soon!

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning

LOVE STORIES is almost here! Have you completed your BackerKit?
about 1 year ago – Sat, Feb 08, 2025 at 08:15:21 AM

Hello friends!

I've been in touch with our fulfillment partner Whalebacker, and it looks like the books are set to arrive in about ONE WEEK... right around Valentine's Day!

How on-brand, eh?  ;)

That being said... please... pretty please... with sugar on top...

MAKE SURE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR BACKERKIT WITH YOUR CURRENT SHIPPING ADDRESS, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET YOU YOUR BOOKS!

You can make sure everything is current and final in your BackerKit -- and make any last second add-ons if you feel like treating yourself (or a loved one) on Valentine's Day -- HERE.

I am so, so, so very excited to get this book into your hands, friends, especially because once this one is delivered, we'll be launching my next campaign, which just so happens to be an 120-page original graphic novel I'm adapting based on a previously unpublished short story by New York Times #1 Best-Selling horror author Josh Malerman and illustrated by Joshua Ross, who illustrated the double-signed bookplate that accompanies every LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH hardcover.

Here's an exclusive sneak peek at the final design of TPB cover of the book, just for all of you:

I'll keep you all posted when the pre-launch page for this one goes live so you can get "first dibs"... but for now make sure your BackerKit is complete for LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH, friends! 

Thanks again!

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning