''Tumor'' is an

original graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

created by writer

Joshua Hale Fialkov Joshua Hale Fialkov (born August 19, 1979) is an American comic book writer who primarily works in the horror genre. He is best known for '' Echoes'', '' The Bunker'', '' Elk's Run'', '' I, Vampire'', and the 2008 film '' Infected''. He has b ...

and artist Noel Tuazon.

Archaia Entertainment Archaia Entertainment, LLC, commonly known as Archaia (formerly known as Archaia Studios Press), is an imprint of American comic book and graphic novel publisher Boom! Studios. Archaia Entertainment, LLC was originally an American comic book pu ...

first printed the comic in hardcover in February

2010 File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...

after an earlier Kindle release in

2009 File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; 2009 Iran ...

. The first edition included an introduction by

Duane Swierczynski Duane Louis Swierczynski (born February 22, 1972) is an American crime writer known for his work in non-fiction books, novels and comic books. Early life Duane Swierczynski was born and raised in Frankford, a neighborhood in lower Northeast Phi ...

and a short

prose Prose is a form of written or spoken language that follows the natural flow of speech, uses a language's ordinary grammatical structures, or follows the conventions of formal academic writing. It differs from most traditional poetry, where the f ...

story by Fialkov featuring the main character. ''Tumor'' was nominated for an

Eisner Award The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the comics industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards. They are named in ...

2011 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

.Nominees Announced for 2011 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards
comicbookresources.com ''Tumor'' is about Frank Armstrong, a

private investigator A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI and informally called a private eye), a private detective, or inquiry agent is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigators of ...

who works to solve one last case and atone for past mistakes before succumbing to his

brain tumor A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. These can be further classified as primary tumors, which start within the brain, and seconda ...

Plot

After being diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor, private investigator Frank Armstrong is hired by local crime lord Gibson to locate his missing daughter, Evelyn. Frank accepts, but his search is complicated by the

seizures An epileptic seizure, informally known as a seizure, is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or neural oscillation, synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Outward effects vary from uncontrolled shaking movements involving much o ...

, pain, and disorientation caused by his condition. With some help from Jimmy, a police detective and friend, Frank finds Evelyn. Her boyfriend has been killed, and she murders one of Gibson's henchman who had been following Frank. Frank persuades Evelyn to let him protect her from her father. Because of his illness, Frank sometimes confuses Evelyn for his dead wife, who she resembles. The two go to Jimmy for help, only to learn Jimmy works for Gibson, and is partly responsible for the death of Frank's wife. Jimmy apologizes, and explains the help he has given Frank over the years was partly out of guilt. Evelyn reveals Gibson is looking for her because she stole money from him, and she killed her own boyfriend. Frank contacts friends from the

FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and its principal Federal law enforcement in the United States, federal law enforcement age ...

, and arranges a meeting with Gibson to finish his contract. At the meeting, Gibson and Frank are fatally shot, and Jimmy is wounded. Before he dies, Frank falsely explains the situation to the FBI, who had not yet arrived. Jimmy's misdeeds are not revealed and he appears to be the hero. Evelyn's theft is also concealed, and she is allowed to leave with the money and begin a new life.

Critical reception

''Tumor'' debuted to mostly positive reviews. The story was nominated for a 2011

Film adaptation

''Tumor'' is being adapted into a film and will be directed by

Samuel Bayer Samuel David Bayer (born February 17, 1962) is an American Visual arts, visual artist, cinematographer, and commercial, music video and film director. Bayer was born in Syracuse, New York. He graduated from New York City's School of Visual Arts ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official website
Crime graphic novels Archaia Studios Press titles 2009 comics debuts 2009 graphic novels Diseases and disorders in comics Neo-noir comics