Anne Rice's 'Christ the Lord' to be adapted as graphic novel

Anne Rice's Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana is to be adapted as a graphic novel.

Sea Lion Books has acquired the rights to the novel, and hired writer Anne Elizabeth and artist Siya Oum to help the adaptation.

The Road to Cana is the second book in Rice's series documenting the life of Christ. It is based on the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Rice said: "Today this work is being reinterpreted through the marvellous medium of graphic novels. The visual imagery will give my characters a new dimension that cannot be captured in words alone.

"Sea Lion Books will translate The Road to Cana into a format that will do as I have done - recreate first century Palestine with the women and men who changed the course of human history. The characters you know will be there - Jesus, Mary, Joseph - in the rich colours and beautiful forms that only artists can draw.

"This is going to be a thrilling adventure for my characters, for me, and I think for you readers and viewers as well."

Rice's work has previously been adapted for comics and graphic novels. IDW Publishing announced a miniseries based on her 1996 book Servant of the Bones, and Yen Press is to release an Interview with the Vampire graphic novel.

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana is scheduled for Easter 2012.