Two stars of the belovedCarmen Sandiegofranchise are uniting in an exciting new project that puts a delightful twist on their most recognizable roles. In the new graphic novelHOST MORTEM,Where In Time Is Carmen San Diego? host Kevin Shinick andWhere In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?host Greg Lee find themselves at the center of a classic noir Hollywood mystery after being transported back to 1947.
Screen Rant is honored to sharethe Kickstarter link for the project, along withan exclusive first look of the cover forHOST MORTEM– written by Kevin Shinick, with art by Damien Torres – which appears set to be a playfully meta take on Hollywood history.
1990s kids nostalgic forCarmen Sandiegowill find this to be an exciting alternative to a reboot of the children’s series, as the series seems designed to evoke thespirit of the fan-favorite franchise, while carving out its own mix of slapstick humor and noir style. A brilliant new project from Clover Press, the publisher behind countless acclaimed graphic novels and art books including Chanan Beizer and Vanessa Cardinali’sThe Golem of Venice Beach,Spawn Till You Die: The Fin Art of Ray Troll, and Craig Yoe’sWoman & Man+.
“Carmen Sandiego” Hosts Kevin Shinick & Greg Lee Unite On The Comic Book Page For A New Time Travel Mystery Tale
HOST MORTEM– Written By Kevin Shinick; Art By Damien Torres; Color By Pippa Bowland; Lettering By Taylor Esposito
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?and its successor,Where In Time Is Carmen San Diego? were staples of ’90s kids' TV diet, and as a result, many readers will get a jolt of nostalgia just from learning the hosts of the shows are set to go on a new adventure together.By funding the Kickstarter forHOST MORTEM, fans can help make the series an immediate hit, as well as gain access to exclusive rewards for backers,including “personalized video messages from Kevin Shinick and Greg Lee,” and a choice of covers for their edition of the book.
Live-Action Carmen Sandiego Movie Will Reveal Character’s Backstory
Gina Rodriguez, who will play Carmen Sandiego in the upcoming Netflix movie of the same name, confirms the film will explore the thief’s backstory.
What is especially exciting about the project is that it offers a unique circumstance in which the pair can revisit their most legendary roles. As the synopsis for the graphic novel reveals:
HOST MORTEMfollows TV hosts, Kevin Shinick (Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego?) and Greg Lee (Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?) who are transported to the year 1947 by a time portal at Comic Con. They soon find themselves enmeshed in a murder mystery involving Humphrey Bogart’s legendary noir film The Big Sleep. When one of the stars winds up dead, Kevin and Greg’s knowledge of random trivia might be the key to solving this Hollywood caper.
This set up allows author Kevin Shinick to craft a love letter to Hollywood, and the noir genre, through a premise that acts as a love letter to his and co-star Greg Lee’s formative roles onCarmen Sandiego. With that in mind, readers can expect a series that is as funny as it is suspenseful, one that digs deep into Hollywood history.
Kevin Shinick’s “HOST MORTEM” Seeks To Put Him & Co-Star Greg Lee To The Ultimate Test
HOST MORTEM– Main Cover By Damien Torres; Variant Covers By Timothy Anderson & Tony Foti Available To Kickstarter Backers
Both Kevin Shinick and Greg Lee have had enduring careers in the film and TV industry in the decades since their turns onCarmen Sandiego, and according to Shinick, that was part of the genesis of the idea forHOST MORTEM. As he explained:
Between the two of us, Greg and I have hosted a number of game shows. As a result, we have a lot of random trivia floating around in our heads, and I always wished I could put that knowledge to better use other than just, ‘Hey, did you know the singular of spaghetti it spaghetto?’ And since we both played fake detectives on Carmen Sandiego (me a time traveling detective, and Greg a classic gumshoe detective) I got to wondering how we might fare with an actual murder? The ultimate question being, ‘Are hosts really smart? Or do they just have the answers?’
In a way, this makesHOST MORTEMa kind of ultimate “fish out of water” story;not only are Shinick and Lee out of place in time, but as “fake detectives,” they are totally unprepared to investigate a real murder – which will make it all the more hilarious and exciting to watch them try.
As hinted at by Greg Lee, there is no guarantee – even armed with decades of industry experience and “random trivia” – that they will succeed at solving the book’s central mystery. Lee gave his own insight into the concept and the creation of the book, noting:
The premise of two fake detective game show hosts from the 1990’s having to solve a series of real murders in the 1940’s seemed like a novel idea so we thought we might be onto something. Now, thanks to Kevin’s amazing talent writing comic books and our combined experience with game show shenanigans, I get to star alongside my pal in Host Mortem! Which involves time travel, film noir, game show trivia and lots of comedy because, spoiler alert, we’re not as good at solving murders as we think.
For fans of any, or all, of those categories,HOST MORTEMhas become an instant must-read, anda must-back on Kickstarter, which has become a go-tofor some of the most exciting comic book projects of the last several years.
HOST MORTEM Offers Readers More Than Just 1990s Franchise Nostalgia
A Fresh New Take On Classic Ideas
As if fans needed any more convincing to backHOST MORTEMon Kickstarter, the book’s creators offered endorsements from several of Kevin Shinick and Greg Lee’s TV host contemporaries, with more names ’90s kids will recall fondly:
TV hosts are already raving about HOST MORTEM:
“Believe in this book! It’s L.A. Confidential meets The In-Laws” – TV Host Donovan Patton of Blues Clues
“I double dare you to back this hysterical, historical and homicidal tale!” – TV Host Marc Summers of Double Dare
Still, it is important to note that what makesHOST MORTEMso intriguing is how it pushes beyond just a fix of nostalgia, and promises an engaging new story, one that promises to be one of the stand-out graphic novels of next year.
HOST MORTEMis set to be the perfect extension of the legacy ofCarmen Sandiego’siconic hosts, and fans of the classic ’90s series won’t want to miss out on it.
Further details aboutHOST MORTEMwill be revealed in time; with the launch of the Kickstarter for the book, it can be expected that the project will swiftly reach its funding goals. With more exclusives for backers still to be announced, fans shouldn’t wait on the opportunity to contribute.HOST MORTEMis set to be the perfect extension of the legacy ofCarmen Sandiego’siconic hosts, and fans of the classic ’90s series won’t want to miss out on it.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Cast
This educational game show challenges contestants to locate the elusive Carmen Sandiego, inspired by the popular computer game series. Through geographical knowledge and problem-solving skills, participants track international clues to capture the notorious globe-trotting mastermind.
