The Breaking Bad star has unveiled the cover of his upcoming neo-noir graphic novel, co-created with screenwriter Matt Wheeler and artist Jay Martin. The story follows a former assassin forced back into Venice’s criminal underworld after his son is kidnapped.

Giancarlo Esposito is taking his fascination with complicated criminal characters from the screen to the page.

The actor, widely recognized for playing Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has revealed the cover of his upcoming graphic novel, The Venetian.

The exclusive cover reveal was published by PEOPLE on November 11, 2026. Created alongside screenwriter Matt Wheeler and artist Jay Martin, the upcoming graphic novel promises a cinematic neo-noir thriller involving family, sacrifice, revenge, and the dangerous criminal underworld of Venice.

Published by Gallery 13, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, The Venetian is scheduled to arrive on June 29, 2027.

Here’s everything we know about the upcoming graphic novel.

What Is The Venetian About?

The Venetian follows Matteo Moro, a legendary assassin who disappeared from Venice’s criminal underworld 17 years ago.

After completing one final job, Matteo abandoned the woman he loved and their unborn son. Hoping to protect his family from the violent world that had shaped his own life, he chose exile and allowed the criminal world to believe he was dead.

But his past eventually catches up with him.

When Matteo’s son is kidnapped, he has no choice but to return to Venice and enter the criminal underworld he once left behind.

His search takes him through a dangerous world filled with old enemies, betrayals, and unfinished business. Along the way, he must confront the consequences of abandoning his family and question whether someone with a lifetime of violence behind him can ever find redemption.

The publisher describes the story as a cinematic neo-noir graphic novel exploring fathers and sons, inherited sins, sacrifice, and the consequences of coming home.

Giancarlo Esposito Reveals The Venetian Cover

The newly revealed cover offers readers their first major look at the upcoming graphic novel’s visual identity.

PEOPLE published the exclusive cover reveal on November 11, 2026, alongside an interview with Esposito about the project.

The graphic novel brings together crime storytelling and visual art, with Jay Martin contributing his experience as an artist and storyboard professional.

For Esposito, the project is more than a celebrity publishing collaboration. He has described it as a passion project that allowed him to explore his imagination and celebrate his multicultural heritage.

He also spoke about fulfilling a lifelong dream of bringing a tough animated character into a world of good and evil.

Who Created The Venetian?

The graphic novel brings together three creators with different backgrounds in entertainment and visual storytelling.

Giancarlo Esposito

Esposito is an award-winning actor and director best known for playing Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

His other notable screen appearances include The Mandalorian, The Boys, The Gentlemen, and Do the Right Thing.

With The Venetian, he takes on a different creative role, helping develop an original crime story rather than portraying a character written by someone else.

Matt Wheeler

Matt Wheeler is a screenwriter who has worked in film and television.

His credits include Hawaii Five-0 and other screenwriting and adaptation projects.

His experience with dramatic storytelling helps shape the graphic novel’s crime-thriller narrative.

Jay Martin

Jay Martin is a writer, artist, and storyboard professional.

His film storyboard credits include I Am Legend, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The Greatest Showman.

He has also worked on graphic novels including Lost Boy, Yellow, and Behemoth.

His visual storytelling experience makes him an important part of the creative team behind The Venetian.

When Will The Venetian Be Released?

Simon & Schuster’s official publisher listing confirms the following publication information:

• Title: The Venetian
• Creators: Giancarlo Esposito, Matt Wheeler, and Jay Martin
• Publisher: Gallery 13
• Publishing group: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: June 29, 2027
• Format: Hardcover graphic novel
• Length: 208 pages
• ISBN: 9781668081068

The book is available for preorder through retailers linked from the publisher’s listing.

Is The Venetian Giancarlo Esposito’s First Graphic Novel?

Yes. The Venetian marks Esposito’s first graphic novel as a co-creator.

However, the project has been in development for several years.

Esposito first announced the graphic novel in March 2024, describing it as an original story connected to his Afro-Italian heritage.

The November 2026 cover reveal is therefore an important new milestone rather than the initial announcement of the project.

It also brings the book closer to its scheduled 2027 publication.

Could The Venetian Become a Movie?

There is another interesting possibility surrounding the project.

Esposito has previously discussed his interest in developing The Venetian beyond the graphic novel format, including the possibility of a film adaptation.

However, readers should distinguish between creative ambitions and confirmed production announcements.

At present, the confirmed project is the graphic novel published by Gallery 13. No officially confirmed film release date or casting announcement accompanies the November 2026 cover reveal.

That possibility is nevertheless something worth watching as the book approaches publication.

Why Crime Thriller Fans Should Watch This Release

The premise of The Venetian combines several familiar crime-fiction elements:

• A former assassin returning from exile.
• A kidnapped child.
• A criminal underworld filled with old enemies.
• A complicated father-and-son relationship.
• Questions of redemption, sacrifice, and revenge.

Its graphic-novel format also gives the creators an opportunity to explore Venice visually, using its canals, historic buildings, and shadowy streets as part of the story’s atmosphere.

Readers who enjoy neo-noir crime fiction, revenge thrillers, and illustrated storytelling may want to add this title to their 2027 reading lists.

Final Thoughts: A New Creative Chapter for Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito has spent much of his acting career portraying memorable characters operating in complicated moral worlds.

With The Venetian, he gets an opportunity to help create one of those worlds himself.

The story of Matteo Moro combines family drama, crime, revenge, and the possibility of redemption, while the collaboration with Matt Wheeler and Jay Martin brings together screenwriting and visual storytelling experience.

The newly revealed cover gives readers their first major look at the project ahead of its June 2027 publication.

For now, crime-fiction and graphic-novel fans have a new title to keep on their radar.

Would you read a neo-noir graphic novel co-created by Giancarlo Esposito? Let us know in the comments.