Haunting Adeline graphic novel is coming after film backlash
H.D. Carlton’s dark romance will launch as adult comics in 2027 before collected graphic novel editions arrive for bookstores.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
The Haunting Adeline graphic novel is officially on the way, with H.D. Carlton’s bestselling dark romance being turned into adult comics and collected editions, Variety reported.
Deviant Ink Publishing, which focuses on romance and dark romance illustrated projects, is developing and publishing the adaptation. The first step is a comic book series planned for early 2027 in comic shops across the U.S., followed by graphic novel collections aimed at the broader bookstore market.
Blackstone Publishing will distribute both the comic book issues and the collected graphic novel editions. The announcement lands as Blackstone is at San Diego Comic-Con, according to Variety.
When is the Haunting Adeline graphic novel coming out?
The comic book version of Haunting Adeline is scheduled to begin in early 2027. Collected graphic novel editions are set to follow, though Variety reported that specific dates, covers, preorder information and retailer details are still to come.
The companies said the project will be the first official sequential-art version of Zade and Addie’s world. Sequential art is the storytelling format used in comics and graphic novels, where images and panels carry the narrative alongside text.
Carlton told Variety in a statement that seeing Haunting Adeline come to San Diego Comic-Con was something she had not imagined, but said it felt fitting for the characters and their readers. She said she was excited for fans to experience the story in a new format.
Amazon’s description of Carlton’s self-published novel centers on Adeline Reilly, an author who returns to Seattle after inheriting her late grandmother’s gothic mansion. The listing says Adeline faces break-ins, roses, threatening messages and a stalker, while journals left by her great-grandmother connect the danger to a family history of obsession and murder.
Why is Haunting Adeline causing debate?
The graphic novel news arrives while Haunting Adeline is already under heavy discussion on BookTok. Variety reported that Carlton announced on July 14 that a film adaptation is in development, setting off arguments among readers about whether the book’s stalker-romance premise and sexual abuse plot points should be adapted for the screen.
Carlton posted a video to Instagram on Friday apologizing to people who support what she described as the book and movie’s right to exist and who have received backlash for that support. Variety reported that Carlton said the movie remains on track.
No further information about the film adaptation is available at this time, Variety reported.
The graphic novel deal was arranged by Kimberly Whalen of The Whalen Agency, according to Variety.
Deviant Ink Publishing publisher Eduardo Alpuente said the project reflects the strength of dark romance readers and gives the publisher a chance to translate the novel’s atmosphere and intensity into a visual format. Blackstone Publishing CEO Josh Stanton said fans had already been making art, edits, mood boards and merchandise around the book, calling comics and graphic novels a logical next step for that audience.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.