Over ten years after its initial release, Brian Talbot's epic tale of overcoming child abuse, The Tale of One Bad Rat, remains the second most requested graphic novel in US libraries. The book has won numerous awards including the prestigious Eisner Award, the Comic Creator's Guild, two UK Comic awards, and the American Parent's Choice award. In 1998 it made the New York Times annual list of recommended reading. It is found as a set text for schools, universities, and in several children's counseling centers in Britain, Finland, France, Germany and North America. Due to this overwhelming popularity and praise, the book returns in a fourth printing from Dark Horse.

The Tale of One Bad Rat tells the story of Helen Potter, a young girl running away from an abusive father. She's in search of a life of normalcy and happiness, but it seems no matter how far she goes, she can't outrun her own nightmares. The Tale of One Bad Rat writer/artist Bryan Talbot felt it important to tell this story from the victim's point of view to illustrate the recurring horrors with which the abuse victim lives. He worked three years on this project, thoroughly researching the subject to ensure accuracy.

"Sexual abuse is a problem of dramatic size and proportion in regards to both the short-and long-term effects on the victims involved," stated Talbot. "The Tale of One Bad Rat looks in on the life of these victims, a young girl at the end of her rope as a result of having been abused. The series explores the significance of a single strong relationship in helping an abuse victim through a trying time; in Helen's case, that relationship is with her pet rat."

The Tale of One Bad Rat features art and story by Brian Talbot. The book is in its fourth printing and retails for $14.95, ISBN: 1-56971-077-5.

Brian's new book, Alice In Sunderland, $29.95, ISBN: 1-59307-673-8, will be available in April, 2007. For details go to www.darkhorse.com.

Dark Horse Books are available from Diamond, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Brodart, BWI, Follett, Partners West and other distributors