Crowdfinders 40: Koren Shadmi

Such a treat to talk to Koren Shadmi about his new graphic novel The Abaddon, and maybe to get a little philosophical, even a little existential in the process.

Be sure to shout out to Koren on the twitter @KorenShadmi and tell him how much you loved hearing him on Crowwdfinders (and I suppose, by extension, how much you love Crowdfinders, thanks!!!)

More on Koren and The Abaddon (from the good folks who do his publicity)

From award-winning illustrator Koren Shadmi comes THE ABADDON, a strikingly cinematic graphic novel loosely based on Jean-Paul Sartre’s play NO EXIT, due out November 12th online and in bookstores, from Z2 Comics. Originally created as a webcomic, THE ABADDON tells the story of a young man, Ter, who finds himself trapped in an otherworldly apartment with a group of dysfunctional, ill-matched roommates. Ter is aghast to discover that his new, grotesque reality is not governed by the laws of nature, and that his roommates are missing critical chunks of their memories and identities -- as is he.

Creator Koren Shadmi’s work was first published in his native Israel when he was a teenager. His haunting, alluring characters pull readers straight into Ter’s David Lynch-esque reality. On his captivating and, at times, horrifying quest for clarity and control, Ter remembers that he was once a soldier, and is forced to face the aftermath of his time on the frontlines -- a journey that echoes Shadmi’s own three year-stint in the Israeli Army.

Shadmi is already a well-known creator in Israel and Europe, and this fall’s publication of THE ABADDON promises to substantially elevate his U.S. profile. Through THE ABADDON, U.S. readers and critics alike will discover Shadmi’s intense combination of dark humor and drama; will feel a rare, visceral connection to characters that embody all of our deepest, darkest thoughts.

Koren Shadmi is an Israeli born, Brooklyn based graphic novelist and illustrator. His books have been published internationally and include: IN THE FLESH, THE ABADDON, and most recently: MIKE’s PLACE: A TRUE STORY OF LOVE, BLUES AND TERROR IN TEL AVIV.

Koren’s illustration and comics have appeared in publications such as: The Wall Street Journal, Wired, BusinessWeek, the Village Voice, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Mother Jones, Playboy, and many others. His illustration work has won several awards at the Society of Illustrators.