Good Omens Rescheduled

Relieved Artist

A couple of weeks ago, Neil Gaiman gave me a call to let me know he was not worried about me flaming out on Good Omens despite my truly awful 2023, and if I needed more time or some help to please take it. Shortly before that, the folks at Dunmanifestin, the publishing arm of the Terry Pratchett Estate, dropped me a line to say the same.

I was very much hoping I’d spring back to normal life after my cancer treatment was finished, but no. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. My mental and physical energy comes and goes. I told Neil I need to be working ten hour days but have trouble managing six.

Anyway, I nervously requested the dreaded deadline extension and got it. Frankly should have asked for a big(ger) one months ago, but having never had this kind of health issue before, I didn’t know what to expect re: recovery. Some people spring back quickly, and some don’t. I figure I’m fair to middlin’.

So, the Good Omens release date is set for spring next year, and here’s a big fat exerpt of the update at the Kickstarter page.

We’ve been working hard to get merchandise manufactured, prints finalised and shipping planned, and no one is working harder than Colleen Doran, our artist, illustrator and colourist. Despite health issues she revealed last year – which she discusses candidly over on her Substack – she has continued working on the graphic novel throughout her diagnosis and treatment. We’re delighted that she is continuing to recover well into 2024 and is once again setting the drawing board on fire.

The Good Omens graphic novel is by all accounts a colossal project even without these circumstances. Above everything, Colleen and her wellbeing is our priority, and we have made the decision to give her the support to work in a healthy environment to get the graphic novel over that ineffable finish line.

Therefore, we have re-evaluated our timelines and this is the new projected schedule:

2024: PledgeManager launch (April), Good Omens HQ store launches (Autumn)
2025: Good Omens graphic novel publishes (Spring)

We understand this will be disappointing, but know you will understand the necessity of this, and will all join us in wishing Colleen well – especially as there is no one more keen to see the book completed than her. If timelines are accelerated, we will certainly pull everything forward as far as we can, but crucially this feels like a timeline that will be healthy for Colleen and will produce the very best graphic novel for you, and give a realistic timeline for our production partners to facilitate this change in their calendars.

A message from Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins

As a team, we collectively support Colleen and the time and space needed to finish the graphic novel after the past year she has been powering on through, and have a quick note from both Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins, the manager of the Terry Pratchett Estate:

Neil: "I've been amazed and impressed by how much Colleen has done so far, despite dealing with health issues. We are proud of her and her dedication to adapting Good Omens with such care, and look forward to holding the finished books in our hands."

Rob: “Colleen is doing a fantastic job bringing the graphic novel to life. We’re absolutely delighted with each and every page and it is essential she can work comfortably whilst giving the book the time it deserves. She has our full support and we can’t wait for you to see the results.”

In general, the publishing industry is not very forgiving when cartoonists stumble, so you may imagine my relief.

That said, I’ve been squirrely and unwell on several projects I’ve worked on with Neil at Dark Horse, and my very kind editors Daniel Chabon and Diana Schutz always made sure to give the support I needed.

My appreciation for that supportive environment shows in the final works.

I am giving my all to Good Omens as well, and have brought in Dee Cunniffe to help with the colors. I’d already hired him to help with flatting. I’ll be going over every page with Dee to make sure the color style is integrated so there are no anomalies in the final work.

If you missed the original Kickstarter campaign, good news: you can now preorder the book at Pledge Manager:

The Terry Pratchett Estate and Neil Gaiman are once again joining forces, this time to bring one of the most well-loved writing collaborations in history to life in graphic novel form. We are working with the inimitable Colleen Doran on Good Omens: The Official (and Ineffable) Graphic Novel.

The hardback edition of Good Omens: the Official (and Ineffable) Graphic Novel is available in every tier. As we climb up the tiers, the spectrum of Good Omens widens, bringing in new artists, loot packs, treats and progressively rarer gifts.

Each tier is cumulative (bar a few at the higher end - check those carefully for details!), meaning you get everything in the tiers below – and then some! We also have additional copies of the graphic novel and a new Good Omens mug available as an add-on when you pledge.

And for our beloved independent booksellers out there, we also have two tiers specifically for you! (See The Bookshop Tier below, and the newly added Small Bookshop Tier.) So read on and join us. 

You can find the PLEDGE MANAGER HERE.

You can read the entire update HERE.

After I got the deadline extension, I slept soundly for the first time in awhile.

I started going back to the gym. I was able to walk a mile on the treadmill four days this week, and did not have rebound fatigue later.

I got more art completed this week than I did last week.

Unfortunately, I started breaking out a few weeks ago which is ridiculous at my age. I assume it was from nerves and expect a clearer complexion soon.

Thanks.