King tale 'N.' adapted as online comic

NEW YORK, July 28 (UPI) -- A previously unpublished Stephen King story is being released as a series of 25 original online video episodes, Simon & Schuster, Inc. said Monday.

Publisher Scribner and Simon & Schuster Digital have teamed up with Marvel Entertainment and CBS Mobile to deliver the story "N." in a digital format that can be seen via computer and mobile phone.

This is believed to be the first comic-style book adaptation specifically developed and produced for viewing on popular small-screen platforms.

Starting Monday, viewers can go to www.NisHere.com or www.simonsays.com to see a preview of the 2-minute-long episodes.

The series will also be available for purchase at major online digital content retailers.

The tale of a psychiatrist, who becomes the victim of the same mysterious and deadly obsession as his patient, will be included in King's collection of short stories, "Just After Sunset," to be released Nov. 11. It will also be published as a comic book miniseries by Marvel beginning in 2009.

The episodes are presented in a "pan and scan" format with comic book-style graphics, an original score, sound effects and a full cast of voice-over actors, led by Ben Shenkman.

"I'm always interested in new delivery systems for stories and always curious about how those systems work with the old storytelling verities. This one, it seems to me, works extraordinarily well," King said in a statement.