Storm King Comics has announced its first new release of 2026 with “Dead Flowers,” an original graphic novel thriller from award-winning author Duane Swierczynski (“California Bear”) and acclaimed Italian illustrator Andrea Mutti.
Launching under Storm King’s Dark & Twisted imprint, the story unearths the secrets of the real-life Aztec Hotel. Once a crown jewel of Mayan Revival architecture along Route 66, the landmark is now a decaying relic rumored to be haunted by a violent past.
“The first time I had my hair cut in a haunted hotel in Monrovia, California, I knew I’d be writing about it,” said Swierczynski. “My barber would tell me ghost stories about the former… um, residents… he encountered. But it wasn’t the supernatural that spoke to me; in fact, ‘Dead Flowers’ isn’t supernatural at all. I was inspired by the idea of supposedly ‘historical’ events that very much impact us — sometimes violently — in the present.”
The mystery begins in 1949 with a gruesome murder that shakes the small town that’s home to the notorious Aztec Hotel. Seven decades later, the Aztec Hotel’s new owners claim to have solved the famous case and promise to reveal the killer’s true identity to anyone who takes their special tour.
Laney, new to town and curious about the infamous local attraction, decides to join this once-in-a-lifetime tour but soon finds that someone—or something—will go to deadly lengths to keep the secret hidden forever, no matter the cost.
“Despite its perpetual sunshine, Los Angeles is home to some of the most haunted locations in the world, proving that even the brightest lights can cast the deepest, darkest shadows,” said Sandy King, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Storm King Comics. “That’s what makes Duane’s story so compelling, and gives us the opportunity to dive into the history and legacy of the century-old Aztec Hotel. This is a story that combines the most suspenseful elements of true crime, horror, and mystery into a singular experience that’ll leave you guessing for a long time to come, making it the perfect fit for our Dark & Twisted line.”
“Dead Flowers” will be available at comic shops, bookstores, and the Storm King Comics website on February 10, 2026.
