Skeleton Key, The Graphic Novel

You are standing in But I regret I cannot stay with the Nuclear Submarine you any longer. Repair Shipyard of Murmansk. Ground Zero of my new world. You will be vaporised instantly, before your brain even understands what is happening. Conrad will Conrad is very position the bomb on disappointed. He still wanted the submarine, directly to kill you himself. over the nuclear reactor. Why couldn’t you see what I was offering I, of course, you? You could have been must make my way to my son… But you chose Moscow. Alone. to be my enemy. in the end, you were more stupid than I thought. I should have expected it. A Western child, educated in England… Goodbye, Alex.

I have a jobbb to do… But then I thinnk yoo annd I willl have shome time toogether. Annd yooo will shhuffer. Just talking to you makes me suffer, Frankenstein. The crane’s a huge electromagnet. That’s how he’s going to position the bomb! Now or never, Alex, because this would be a rubbish place to die…

if Sarov could “Typical see this… Facing Western kid”! death, and I’m chewing gum. Chew the gum for thirty seconds, that’s what Smithers said… Yuck. Need to work on that flavour, Smithers… …Let’s hope the other part of the formula works better.

Oww! Time forrr that Hheyyy! shuffering!

Mmmf! Tooo shloww. Ffoolishh boy! Yooo thought… …What?

An attaaack? But how— is that aaall yooo’ve got?

ukk.

What’s that…? Can’t… Breathe… Blacking out… Wait… The disc… Sarov said… All… over… Mmmf! Metal pins… Conrad’s body… Took me byy surrrprise… Won’t doo that againnn! Wha…? I don’t need to.

Whaaat…?

What an The controls attractive seem pretty sight. simple… Feels like I’ve gone ten rounds with a heavyweight. But I’ll feel worse if that bomb goes off… Got it!

Now I need to ditch this excess weight! Woah! Thanks, helicopter guy!

Got it. Now to lower it slowly… carefully… Can’t this thing go any faster…?!

Phew! Just a There’s the grenade going off. card! I thought I was a goner…! I did it! The countdown’s stopped. I did it! Put it back.

it’s over, I can still detonate the General. bomb with an override. I will die with you, but the result will be the same. Conrad’s dead, and What? your the Russian army’s “better world”? here. Someone must have tipped them off. it’s all I ever wanted, Alex. I was only doing what I believed in. Now give me the card, or I will shoot you. Guess you’d better shoot me. But why…?

Because I’d rather be dead than have a father like you. So be it. Goodbye, Alex. Forever.

london We’ve lost Alex Rider. Sorry, Alan. Mmm. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but that’s the end of it. He did very well. it wouldn’t surprise me if the CIA started training their own teenage spy now. They’re always copying our ideas. When we’re not copying theirs. Oh, yes. I had an I’ve read the file, email from Joe Byrne but perhaps you can at the CIA. He was upset fill me in on the details. about the loss of his How exactly did the Russians find out about own agents, but he was full of praise Sarov in time? for Alex. He definitely owes us a favour.

Because of what Alex actually told him the happened at Edinburgh airport. Alex escaped truth about himself, about from Sarov’s plane and ran us, everything. But the into a security guard. guard didn’t believe it. “Sarov caught up “…But luckily for with them and shot us, the guard’s radio the guard. Alex must have was activated the whole thought that was time. His office heard the end of it… everything.” They didn’t believe it either, of course… Until they found him with a bullet in his head. Then they called us. I contacted Murmansk, and the Russians stormed the yard with a naval force and gunships. What happened to the nuclear bomb?

Mmm. Where is They found him the President? locked up on Skeleton Key, shouting his head off and blaming everyone except himself. He’s back in Moscow now. The Russians have it. And what do the Apparently it was powerful Cubans have to say enough to kill everyone for themselves? on the Kola Peninsula and contaminate most of Europe. it really would have They’ve disowned Sarov. forced Kiriyenko out of Nothing to do with them, power. Nobody likes they had no idea what he was him much anyway. planning, blah blah. Right, and I’m the Prime Minister. Still, if not for Alex… …Who knows what might have happened. Where is Alex now?

Please, Alex, I think you at least try to eat. should go see a You’ve hardly touched doctor. it’s obvious anything since you you’re not well. got back. No. ChElsEa, I’m fine. london No. Thanks, Jack, Well then, what really. But I’m fine do you want to do today? You want to on my own. go catch a movie? I think I’ll just go for a walk. All right. I’ll come with you.

So be it. Goodbye, Alex. Forever.

Alex! Are you all right? I was so worried, they wouldn’t tell me where they took you… What happened? I can’t tell Well, if you You’re covered You, Sab. You don’t want to know that. talk about it, why in bruises. did you text me? I watched a man kill I… I just wanted himself last week. He… to see you. He just shot himself, And… it was my fault. right in front of me.

I don’t But it’s true. But this was believe that. it was all so the last time. unreal… Oh, you always say that. I just want a I mean it. normal life, Sab. As normal as mine Do you fancy coming to France, then? can be, anyway. What? Well, Cornwall was ruined, wasn’t it? But my parents are taking me to the South of France next month, so I want you to come with us.

Don’t your You do look like you parents mind? need a rest, Alex. Come with us and get away from all… this. They like you, Alex. A real family We’re just going to holiday… borrow a friend’s house, it’s nothing That’s the best idea I’ve heard in weeks. fancy. Well, apart from the swimming pool. And the marina. And the stables… Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’m starving. thE End

Collect all the Alex Rider books 1-84428-092-6 1-84428-093-4 1-84428-094-2 1-84428-095-0 0-7445-7051-4 0-7445-8324-1 ™ Also available on CD, from all good bookshops. Check out www.alexrider.com! 978-1-4063-1039-9

 Anthony horowitz (BA/Nielsen Author of the Year 2007) is one of the most popular children’s writers working today. His hugely successful Alex Rider series has sold over ten million copies worldwide and won numerous awards, including the Children’s Book of the Year Award for ARK ANGEL at the 2006 British Book Awards and the Red House Children’s Book Award for SKELETON KEY. He scripted the blockbuster movie STORMBREAKER from his own novel, and also writes extensively for TV, with programmes including MIDSOMER MURDERS, POIROT and FOYLE’S WAR. He is married to television producer Jill Green and lives in London with his two sons, Nicholas and Cassian, and their dog, Loser. www.anthonyhorowitz.com  ANTONY JOHNSTON, who wrote the script for this book, has written more than fifteen other graphic novels, including WOLVERINE: PRODIGAL SON, THE LONG HAUL and THREE DAYS IN EUROPE. He also writes a monthly comic series, WASTELAND, and has written more miniseries and short stories than he can remember. In addition to his comics work he writes novels, such as FRIGHTENING CURVES (which won the 2002 IPPY award for Best Horror) and STEALING LIFE, and has also written videogames, such as 2008’s DEAD SPACE. Antony lives in north-west England with his partner Marcia, his dogs Connor and Rosie, and far too many Macs and iPods. www.antonyjohnston.com  The artwork in this graphic novel is the work of two artists, KANAKO DAMERUM and YUZURU TAKASAKI, who collaborate on every illustration. Although living on opposite sides of the globe, these Japanese sisters work seamlessly together via the Internet. Living and working in Tokyo, YUZURU produced all the line work for these illustrations using traditional means. The quality of her draughtsmanship comes from years of honing her skills in the highly competitive world of manga. KANAKO lives and works out of her studio in London. She managed and directed the project as well as colouring and rendering the artwork digitally using her wealth of knowledge in g­ raphic design. www.manga-media.com www.thorogood.net

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously. All statements, activities, stunts, descriptions, information and material of any other kind contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in injury. First published 2009 by Walker Books Ltd 87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ 2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1 Text and illustrations © 2009 Walker Books Ltd Based on the original novel Skeleton Key © 2002 Anthony Horowitz Anthony Horowitz has asserted his moral rights. Trademarks 2009 Stormbreaker Productions Ltd Alex Rider™, Boy with torch Logo™, AR Logo™ This book has been typeset in Wild Words and Serpentine Bold Printed in Italy All rights reserved British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data: a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-4063-1348-2 ™ www.walker.co.uk