I never thought I would say this, but folks…
I’ve written a superhero novel.
Don’t ask me how all of it came about because it’s really pretty insane, but the end result is that I sacrificed a good deal of sleep this summer to pen my first-ever non-horror novel. Its name?
And the cover:
I’ve been sitting on this news since June, and I’ve gotta tell you, it’s been tough not talking about it outside of my house. I mean, my two-year-old is a great listener and all, but I kept having to stop and explain what terms like “ultra-violence” and “nanite-infused blood” meant.
A little bit about the Kindle Worlds program. It’s essentially fan fiction set in the worlds with whom Amazon has partnered (Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, the works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Gossip Girls, and Valiant Comics, etc.). To get the program off to a good start, Amazon worked with agents, who in turn talked to their clients, to commission some stories to help launch Kindle Worlds. Or at least that’s how I got involved with it (Thank you, Louise Fury!). Among the authors you all might recognize are F. Paul Wilson, John Everson, Scott Nicholson, John Locke, Brett Battles, and W.D. Gagliani. And now, of course, me.
So at this point I guess I’m addressing two groups of people: one group has heard of Bloodshot; the other group thinks I’m talking about a new hangover medicine. Since I believe both groups will love this novel—have I mentioned I’m really, really proud of it?—I’ll provide a brief summary of the tale:
(But before I do…Did you know that the first Bloodshot comic book created by Valiant Comics sold nearly a million copies?)
The Synopsis:
Bloodshot, the super-lethal hero of the Valiant Universe, is back battling underworld mobsters and supernatural heroes above and below New York City.
Everyone’s favorite cyborg is informed by old pal Malcolm that Neville Alcott, Bloodshot’s partner and boss, not to mention father of the woman he loves, is about to be killed at New York’s famed Guggenheim. The assassination is to take place before Alcott unveils a revolutionary counterterrorism program. Bloodshot gets there in time to save the old man, although with all the killing and carnage, the Guggenheim is a little worse for wear. The hit was arranged by Benito Carboni, crime kingpin and Bloodshot’s arch-enemy. But before Bloodshot can relax, he learns Carboni has kidnapped Neville’s daughter, Jillian. Worse still, her kidnapper turns out to be a vampire who knows the tunnels of New York harbor, a macabre and decadent underground that makes above-ground Manhattan look and feel like Dayton, Ohio.
Spectacularly imagined and flush with heart-pounding action, Jonathan Janz’s Bloodshot: Kingdom of Shadows is sure to excite Bloodshot’s loyal following.
And…cut!
It’s a short novel—easily my shortest at around 57,000 words; for a point of comparison, Savage Species is 113,000 words—but it contains every element those of you who enjoy my work have come to expect. BLOODSHOT: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS is also only $3.99, so the price isn’t nearly as fearsome as the story.
So who should read this story? Here’s a brief list:
1. Anyone who likes my work.
2. Bloodshot fans.
3. Fans of superheroes, comic books, and superhero movies.
4. People who like action, suspense, mystery, crime fiction, humor, adventure, horror, and romance.
5. Folks who like good stories.
As you can see, I want just about everyone to read this novel. I had an incredible time writing it, and I’m dying to hear what people think of it. Unless of course they hate it, in which case I’m only marginally interested in hearing what people think.
And there you have it. BLOODSHOT: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS is available now. At the moment, it’s only available via the Kindle, but it’s possible it will become available in other forms eventually.
Thanks, folks, for your time, and have a great night!
Jonathan Janz 
Great news!
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Thanks, Tristan. By the way, you make a cameo in the novel as an NYC cop. 🙂
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AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, WHOOOOOO asked you a few years ago what comics you liked??? bahaha….comic DO rule!! 🙂 I love comics. Tim will be so stoked for you!! He’s a comic hoarder. We are all about the comics, Bloodshot is awesome, you’re awesome and I am so happy for you!!!!! (AND DAMN MAD YOU DIDN’T ME!!!) 😉
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Erin, it was so hard not telling you (or anybody else, for that matter). But I had a non-disclosure agreement to honor, so there ya go. But I’m SO pumped for you and Tim to read it. I really think, being the comic book aficionados you are, that you two will love this story. And thanks so much for your enthusiasm and support! 🙂
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Well, I am not just anyone, so there back at ya. 😛 But anyway, was just teasing…. I’ll spread the word as soon as I can! 🙂
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Well of COURSE you’re not just anyone! And I know you were teasing me. And I’d love it if you spread the word! 🙂
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Oh and Kindle Worlds is great too, Bill (W.D. Gagliani) did one for Vampire Diaries that I loved alot this summer. He had fun with it too, great short stories for fans or should be fans or soon to be fans. I love the concept and you should feel very proud to have been chosen!
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W.D. is one heck of a writer. I’ve not checked out his (nor have I checked out John Everson’s story), but I certainly will at some point. And thank you!
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Congratulations, man. Never heard of Valiant before. Not sure what to think of the Kindle Worlds thing yet, but it should help to introduce some great writers to a broader audience. Best if luck with it!
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Thanks, Glenn! I wasn’t sure what to make of Kindle Worlds either, but when I started thinking about a Bloodshot book, I really fell in love with the character.
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HUGE congrats, my friend! I cannot wait to check this out!
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Thank you, Chris! I really appreciate that! 🙂
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So excited can’t wait to read
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Thank you so much, Wanda. I really think you’ll enjoy this one. 🙂
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Jonathan, I just bought this tonight and my Kindle app is already heating up my iPad. I will make sure to review your book at my earliest opportunity. I read plenty of comics and books but this is my first ever superhero book. Thanks for the time you took making Bloodshot come alive.
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Wow, that’s wonderful, Knightt! Thank you so much for checking it out!
I’m honestly just grateful to have been given the opportunity to write a story in such an awesome universe. Bloodshot is an incredible character, and I hope very much that I did him justice. I’d love to write a sequel to Bloodshot: Kingdom of Shadows, but I won’t get too far ahead of myself. 🙂
Thanks again!
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There’s no mistaking how excited you are by this development, and that’s really fun to see. Congratulations, Jonathan. You deserve it. (Good Lord, you work hard.)
PS: I really did mean to come back on Tuesday to learn the news, but I got just a little caught up in Halloween stuff.
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Thanks, Renae! I’m indeed very excited. And thank you for saying I work hard.
Don’t worry about not being here on Tuesday. Halloween is kind of like your Super Bowl! 🙂
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Now that is awesome news! I’m so proud of you, brother. As a comic book fan, I’m envious. I’m still holding out for Marvel to pound on my door to write for Captain America. 😉 The artwork is pretty damn cool. Can’t wait to read it. All hail the Janz Man! Excelsior.
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Sorry about the delayed response, Hunter. How did I miss this?! Anyway…thank you. And if you wrote a Captain America novel, I’d break into your house and steal it from your computer so I could read it before anybody else. 🙂
Thanks again, brother!
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