Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx to debut graphic novel at Comic-Con

Is Comic-Con ready for a graphic novel version of Mötley Crüe co-founder Nikki Sixx’s 2007 autobiography, “The Heroin Diaries?”

The 150-page graphic novel is a collaboration between Sixx (real name: Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, Jr.) and HEAVY METAL, the 40-year-old publishing company that specializes in dark fantasy/science fiction and erotica.

“The Heroin Diaries” will be the first release to come out in HEAVY METAL’s new, album-size 12x12 imprint, which will showcase “music-themed art books and graphic novels that will explore the songs and experiences of the most exciting musical artists.” Sixx’s graphic novel will be published in multiple “collector’s editions.”

Comic-Con attendees can get a preview of the interior pages of “The Heroin Diaries” at the HEAVY METAL booth No. 1529, starting at today’s Preview Night and continuing through Sunday.

Sixx, 58, was scheduled to appear at Comic-Con, according to a spokesperson, but those plans fell through. His last San Diego performance with Mötley Crüe was in 2014 on the band’s farewell tour.

If memory serves, Sixx’s proudly debauched autobiography was pretty graphic all by itself.

How well his near-fatal drug exploits transfer to a graphic novel format remains to be seen. Then again, he is also now at work on a theatrical adaptation of his book and a soundtrack album by his band, Sixx:A.M., so “The Heroin Diaries” could thrive in several new different manifestations.

In a statement released Wednesday, Sixx singled out for praise Jeff Krelitz, the CEO of HEAVY METAL, along with Rantz Hoseley, whose credits include working with Tori Amos on the graphic novel “Comic Book Tattoo.”

“ ‘The Heroin Diaries’ has always been deeply personal to me,” Sixx said. “So when the idea came up for a graphic novel based on the story, who better to partner with than the iconic HEAVY METAL brand? I grew up reading their magazine as a kid. This is really a passion project and I’ve been intimately involved in every step along the way, from the storyline to the look and feel of the art.

“Working with Jeff, Rantz and their team has been an inspiring experience and I think we came up with a really unique spin on ‘The Heroin Diaries’ that tells the story from a different angle. It is meant to be a treat for fans of ‘The Heroin Diaries,’ old and new and I hope everyone will enjoy the graphic novel as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you.”

Krelitz sounded similarly enthusiastic, saying: “”I’ve been the biggest fan of Mötley Crüe since the release of (the band’s 1981 debut album) ‘Too Fast for Love,’ and have nothing but the greatest respect for Nikki and his songwriting. So for us to be able to collaborate with him on bringing this tragedy-to-triumph to a new audience in a powerful way is a dream come true.”

The announcement of “The Heroin Diaries” graphic novel comes less than a month after HEAVY METAL disclosed plans to publish “Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast.” The upcoming comic series is inspired by the veteran English heavy metal band Iron Maiden’s album catalog and the band’s monster-ish mascot, Eddie.