Curtin University of Technology graduate Ben Templesmith’s latest graphic novel Welcome to Hoxford is set to make it to the big screen.

Ben Templesmith

And the 31-year-old horror writer promises it will be “bloody”.

From his office in San Diego, California, Mr Templesmith (formerly of Perth), said he was looking forward to Welcome to Hoxford being transformed into a Hollywood movie.

“I’ve now come full circle. I’ve already had a movie made of my work, 30 Days of Night, where I was just the guy who had drawn the visuals,” Mr Templesmith said.

“But on Welcome to Hoxford, I’ve written, drawn and developed the concept entirely.

“At last I can consider myself something of a writer!”

Mr Templesmith said Welcome to Hoxford included werewolves, a mental prison and romance.

“It’s survivalist horror. You have the nastiest of the nasty in a prison, but it turns out those running the show might just be worse,” he said.

The graphic novel begins when a deeply-disturbed and violent inmate is transferred to a privately-run mental prison called Hoxford.

His psychiatrist discovers that the worst inmates are being transferred into the facility but never come out. After trying to see her patient, the doctor finds herself trapped in the prison where she and her patient inmate must fight for survival against the werewolves that run the facility.

“Studying at Curtin introduced me to the Photoshop software and the potential of the graphic novel,” Mr Templesmith said.

“I learned a level of professionalism regarding deadlines, strategy and planning, which are good skills as I am currently working on some tight deadlines.

“I am in the right place at the right time as there is strong demand in Hollywood these days for graphic novels and not just ones dealing with superheroes.”

Mr Templesmith is the co-creator of 30 Days of Night with writer Steve Niles. The vampire cult graphic novel was made into a hit movie by Spider-Man producer Sam Raimi, starring Hollywood heart-throb Josh Hartnett and Australia’s Melissa George. His other credits include the serial Wormwood Gentleman Corpse and Singularity 7.

Curtin School of Design and Art Head Professor Donal Fitzpatrick said the University was very proud of Mr Templesmith’s achievements.

“Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Design, in 1999, Mr Templesmith is forging ahead in the graphic novel industry, and we wish him every success,” Professor Fitzpatrick said.

Graduate Ben Templesmith has hit the big time after his comic 30 Days of Night, was made into a big-budget Hollywood film.