Rumor Has It: Illustrated Edition of The Handle & More On The Way

Back in 2016, IDW Publishing and Darwyn Cooke released a hardcover, gorgeously illustrated edition of The Hunter as the first of what was supposed to be a series of illustrated Stark novels. Unfortunately, the project never did get completed but luckily for Parker fans everywhere, it looks like the creative team behind the brilliant new French graphic novel Parker 1969 - La Proie is picking up where Cooke left off once again — this time with an illustrated edition of The Handle (1966) and a graphic novel adaptation of Deadly Edge (1970)!

We spoke to writer/translator Doug Headline and artist Kieran early last year just before the release of their first Parker graphic novel, and although no illustrated novels had been announced at the time, Tough Business has the insider scoop on what little information is currently available about this upcoming edition of The Handle. With no official announcement out yet, we reached out to Kieran regarding the previews he's been posting on social media and he kindly shared a couple tidbits about the illustrated Handle.

• Entitled Coup de Pression, the book is being published by Rivages under their crime fiction imprint Rivages-Noir and may only be available in France.
• It will be hardcover, 250 pages, with a Fall 2026 planned release.
• There will be full-page illustrations for the novel's four parts, and about 30 small illustrations ("cul-de-lamps") for the chapters.

Kieran also confirmed he will be illustrating the covers for other Richard Stark novels being published in France.

Back in our 2025 interview, Doug Headline and Kieran mentioned wanting to do at least five Parker graphic novels, and their next one is already on the way. Headline and Kieran are currently working on the second Parker graphic novel published by Dupuis under their Aire Noire imprint, which also includes an adaptation of the Dortmunder novel Bank Shot and adaptations of two Jean-Patrick Manchette novels. The new graphic novel, titled La Captive, adapts Deadly Edge and will be released Spring 2027.

Tough Business will continue reporting on these two exciting new releases as more details are announced.