Clover Press has announced plans to develop a biographical graphic novel about famed Olympic champion diver and social & LGBTQ activist, Greg Louganis.
The creative team for A Champion’s Story is being finalized; Louganis will be involved in all stages of the book’s continued development and creation. A Champion’s Story is set for print and digital release by Clover Press in Winter, 2022.
The graphic novel will tell Louganis’ extraordinary life story, from his childhood and early diving career to achieving Olympic greatness and facing many challenges and triumphs in his personal life.
A Champion’s Story will be helmed by Clover Press’ Hank Kanalz and Matt Ruzicka. Ruzicka, a former executive at IDW Publishing, along with IDW Publishing co-founders, Ted Adams, and Robbie Robbins, each played a key role in bringing to life the bestselling graphic novel biographies of George Takei, They Called Us Enemy, and March, about civil rights leader and U.S. congressman, John Lewis.
Greg Louganis was raised by his adoptive parents, Frances and Peter Louganis. At the age of 9, he began diving lessons after the family built a swimming pool. He started training with Chuck Ruzicka, his first diving coach. He went on to catch the attention of Dr. Sammy Lee and coach Ron O’Brien and trained for the Olympics, where he won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.
But his story doesn’t stop there. Louganis went on to experience many personal and career highs and lows. A Champion’s Story recounts them in a compelling graphic novel format, including his life as an adopted bi-racial child in Southern California, his reconnection with his biological family, and his health challenges. Louganis came out publicly as HIV-positive in 1995 and has been a prominent LGBTQ activist. He also has worked frequently with the Human
Rights Campaign to defend the civil liberties of the LGBT community and people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Related
Source: Graphic Policy
