Derek Kirk Kim To Bring South Korean Crime Caper Graphic Novel “Royals” To Shelves In April 2025

Eisner Award winning writer Derek Kirk Kim (The Last Mermaid, Same Difference) and rising star artist Jacob Perez (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) team up for an all-new, mind-bending crime caper in the upcoming hardcover Royals. This standalone, original graphic novel is slated to hit shelves in April 2025 from Image Comics.

Set in the shadowy back alleys of Seoul, South Korea, Royals follows twin brothers Paul and Castor who have crafted the perfect poker hustle using their uncanny telepathic connection. Perfect, that is, until they’re caught red-handed by the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Seoul. To pay them back, the brothers must pull off a daring heist and use their gift for something bigger than themselves for the first time in their lives…but only if they don’t wind up killing each other first!

“As a lifelong fan of crime capers and Jackie Chan films, this is a dream project come true for me,” said Kim. “And having it brought to glorious life by Jacob Perez with his vivid, dynamic art is an absolute honor!”

Perez added: “Royals has been such a fun and wild ride as my first journey into the world of graphic novels. Derek Kim’s script carries this book from beginning to end!”

The Royals hardcover will be available on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.