Graphic Novel
Blood Sucking Lawyers
Blood Sucking Lawyers Book Trailor
A Full-Color, 191-Page Graphic Novel with a Unique Twist
Originally written as a screenplay, Blood Sucking Lawyers is being brought to life in a fully illustrated, 191-page graphic novel using "photo illustration", an innovative technique we developed at Jank Words & Pictures. It's the only graphic novel ever created entirely with photo illustration, featuring a cast of 60+ local character models, being captured through in-studio or on-location shoots.
Some people have called us crazy for trying to create a graphic novel this way. Yeah, we’re crazy—crazy ambitious, crazy determined, and crazy enough to bring vampires and lawyers into the same courtroom!
The Story
It’s 2025 and vampires live among us - discretely, protected by the common belief that they do not exist. As in previous eras, the vampires are part of the power structure. In the Middle Ages they were princes of the Church. In the 19th Century they were military generals. Today? They are lawyers.
Blood Sucking Lawyers: The Hilarious Parody Graphic Novel You Didn't Know You Needed!
Brace yourself for Blood Sucking Lawyers, the soon to be released, latest laugh-out-loud graphic novel from the wild minds at Jank Words & Pictures.
Currently in production, this groundbreaking graphic novel is unlike anything seen before. Utilizing a new technique of photo illustration, each panel is meticulously photographed with live character models, bringing a dynamic illustrative style to life. A lively crew of sixty-character models has been assembled, featuring six main actors who pose as a parade of eccentric personalities.
Set in the chaotic present, where vampires have slithered into the power corridors and—surprise!—they’re lawyers. Meet Gore, the vampire attorney star at Meretrix Domum Associates. His latest case? Representing hemophiliac Henry Barnstable in a juicy lawsuit against Clean City Hospital for infecting him with tainted blood. But plot twist: it was Gore who slipped Henry the vampire blood, a sneaky step in the firm's scheme to transform the hospital into their private blood buffet.
Gore's plans go haywire when he meets Lisa, Henry's dowdy wife, who is the spitting image of Imogen, Gore's long-lost love from centuries past. Things get even messier as Gore breaks his vampire dad's golden rule, "Thou shalt not feed on humans," and starts draining the city's elite—bankers, corporate bigwigs, and pimps—to satisfy his mother’s ravenous drug habit: snorting powdered human blood.
As if that wasn’t enough, Gore faces more trouble. Clean City Hospital’s defense is the unbeatable legal team at Blake, Simpson, and Spector. And then there’s Dr. Landsteiner, a fellow vampire and puppet master of the hospital’s blood clinic, who is behind Gore’s mother’s addiction.
Everything hurtles toward a courtroom showdown where a righteous judge serves up his own twisted brand of justice.
Ready for a bloody good time? Blood Sucking Lawyers is the comedy graphic novel that'll have you howling with laughter and thirsting for more!
Blood Sucking Lawyers Sneak Peek Pages
COVER
PAGE 15
PAGE 44
PAGE 113
PAGE 51
PAGE 104
PAGE 20
PAGE 2
PAGE 12
PAGE 135
PAGE 66
PAGE 70
PAGE 92
The Creative Team
Frank D'Angelo
Co-writer, Creative Director & Illustrator
Co-Writer and Creative Director of Blood Sucking Lawyers graphic novel project. Frank first co-wrote the screenplay before he and Jamie decided to reimagine it as a graphic novel. The twist? Instead of traditional illustration and using character models for reference drawings, Frank chose to have them appear directly in the book. After two large casting calls, they assembled a cast of 6 main character models and 54 supporting characters.
From there, Frank developed a custom "photo illustration" technique—blending photography, digital and traditional illustration, and a range of software tools to create a cinematic graphic novel experience. He storyboarded and directed a 60+ cast on set and on location, ensuring every visual detail matched the project’s vision (and his storyboards). Blood Sucking Lawyers is the only graphic novel created entirely with photo illustration, setting a new standard for realism and depth in the medium.
A designer, creative director, and writer Frank studied in the BFA program at the University of Windsor and earned a diploma in Graphic Design and Advertising from St. Clair College, receiving the Dean’s Award. He has over 30 years of experience in the advertising industry.
Jamie Lees
Producer
Producer of the Blood Sucking Lawyers graphic novel project. Jamie keeps the chaos organized—wrangling a 60+ cast, running auditions, casting, booking photoshoots, and making sure everyone has the right wardrobe (and snacks). She preps every shoot so the director and photographer can focus on capturing the perfect shot, handling everything from locations and props to last-minute emergencies.
Beyond the set, Jamie films behind-the-scenes content, builds hype on social media, and takes care of all the legal fine print—so the vampires don’t sue. From scouting locations to writing press releases, she’s the glue that holds this wild, blood-sucking production together.
A designer, writer, and producer, Jamie attended the Graphic Design and Illustration program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and is a 30-year veteran of the communications and advertising industry.
Our Collaborators
Rodney L Denis
Photographer
Photographer with 35 years of commercial photography experience, Rodney has shot everything in his path—from medical procedures to high fashion, commercial products to classic cars and motorcycles.
For Blood Sucking Lawyers, he brought his technical skills, expertise in lighting, perspective, and continuity, ensuring every panel was captured with precision. From determining the best angles for each shot to maintaining consistent lighting between studio and on-location scenes, Rodney played a key role in visual accuracy. His ability to recall and match image perspectives, especially when transitioning from studio white screen technique to outdoor locations, was essential in keeping the photo illustration process seamless. More information can be found here.
Matt St. Amand
Co-Writer
A prolific writer with a background in technical writing, playwriting, and novels, Matthew
St. Amand is a master at crafting worlds through dialogue. As co-writer of Blood Sucking Lawyers, he and Frank D’Angelo originally developed the story as a film script, laying the foundation for the world that would later evolve into the graphic novel.
Always eager to rewrite, refine, and build stronger characters, Matthew’s creative energy fueled countless brainstorming sessions. Many afternoons were spent on the back patio with Frank, developing the wacky cast of characters, defining their outrageous Modus Operandi, and shaping the absurd yet oddly logical legal antics of the story—all while Jamie kept them fueled with asiago, capocollo, and olives under the blazing summer sun.
His latest books include The Chronicles of Mamalujo, The Kilominator, and Gas of Tank. His theatrical productions range from an adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray to original plays including Shine On You Crazy Diamond, The Uncanny Valley, Moon Over Endor, Shelter in Place, and Negatunity. More information can be found here.
Blood Sucking Lawyers How it all Began
Producer Jamie Lees, Creative Director & Co-Writer Frank D'Angelo and Photographer Rodney Denis
Jamie Lees and Frank D'Angelo, unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the casting calls for
Jank Words & Pictures hilarious parody graphic novel, Blood Sucking Lawyers. Two casting calls were organized to search for over 60 character models. The events drew in more than 100 eager participants for roles ranging from vampire lawyers and their hapless clients to human attorneys, the mayor, bartenders, doctors, nurses, and even a Jesus character.
The first casting call took place at the atmospheric Olde Walkerville Theatre, a vintage venue that perfectly set the mood. The second was at Rodney Denis Photography Studio
in South Windsor, where participants brought high energy and enthusiasm. “The creative spark and dedication of everyone involved made this process an absolute joy,” said Frank. “Some attendees even showed up in full costume!” In a stroke of serendipity, over 70% of the roles managed to be cast at the two events. The process was a blast, with headshots and brief video interviews capturing each person's unique on-camera presence.
Don't miss the behind-the-scenes excitement—watch the video now!
Our Main Characters
Joey De Marco
as GORE
Joey De Marco is an actor, model and writer who has contributed to various projects throughout Windsor, Toronto and Los Angeles, bringing with him experience, fresh ideas, enthusiasm and an honest approach.
Growing up Joey was always very active and thanks to great parents was granted different avenues of education and activity through sports and music. Later Joey branched out into acting and landed roles that allowed him to gain experience in auditioning, as well as being on set and on camera.
Through these experiences he gained insight and began believing that this path was possible. Rather than sitting waiting, (because there can be gaps of time between gigs), he took an entrepreneurial approach and expanded his portfolio.
In 2013 he began a career trading Real Estate, along with his writing and acting. This is Joey's first foray posing as a character model for Blood Sucking Lawyers, a graphic novel.
Aaron Zimmer
as HENRY BARNSTABLE
Aaron Zimmer grew up in a big Italian family in central New Jersey, USA, strutting Soprano-style Jersey Shore summers and skirting traffic jams on the highways. He studied graphic design/illustration and performed theatre and improv in university. He crossed the US in a Prius with his dog, and he lived for a time in a yurt in Washington State with a band of bellydancing urban hippies while he worked towards his masters in Environmental Education & social engagement.
For fun Aaron spends his weekends in armor fighting medieval battles, and plays Egyptian hand drums and the oud. Three years ago he gave up the Cascades, and moved to Windsor to court and marry his amazing wife Briar Jansons (Lisa Barnstable). He is now a personal trainer and small time homesteader, rides his bike to work, and can't seem to stand still. Aaron is excited to be a part of the Blood Sucking Lawyers project!
Briar Jansons
as LISA BARNSTABLE
Briar Jansons was born and bred in the Big City of Toronto, and yet has lived some country life as well. Currently coaching horseback riding at Sand Cherry Stables in Essex, she has kept and ridden horses since childhood. Whilst pursuing her degrees in England, she captained the equestrian team, climbed castles, and enjoyed all the foods the European Union had to offer - including 8 different kinds of cream at every convenience store.
Like her husband, Aaron Zimmer (Henry Barnstable), she engages in a variety of medieval and musical hobbies, and is a proud Rotarian. She is excited to add being in a graphic novel to her eclectic resume!
Mark Lefebvre
as DR. LANDSTEINER
Mark Lefebvre's notable stage roles include the title character in the world premiere of “Brebeuf’s Ghost” by Daniel David Moses, Lee in Sam Shepard’s “True West”, Gandalf in “The Hobbit”, and Frank N. Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show”. Mark has worked extensively with dance theatre choreographer Gina Lori Riley, sings with Ian Smith’s vocal group Spectrum, and has appeared in independent feature films by Gavin Booth and Otto Buj.
He produced Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, “Tooth of Crime” by Sam Shepard, George F. Walker’s “Zastrozzi”, and “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett. In 2005 he created two sculptures for the international exhibition CarTunes on Parade. Formerly a clown doctor with Fools for Health he also taught at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. Since 2004 he has delighted audiences at festivals and events as one half of the Stilt Guys, and in 2016 founded Walkerville Buskerfest.
Ed Hooft
as DRAINOV
Ed Hooft likes to call himself a mature actor, but there is nothing mature about him. He enjoys taking on new and varied projects. He has appeared in many local films, plays and commercials and has one music video to his credit... P4YL with DWW.
Ed began his acting career in 2012 when he was asked to be an extra in the film The Birder. Since then Ed has been in Stillwater and several University of Windsor film projects including Terminii which was selected for the 2016 Idyllwild International Film Festival.
In 2016 Ed made his stage debut and in 2017 was in Better Living, a play by George F Walker. The play won Best Production in the Western Ontario Drama League.
Ed looks forward to working on the Blood Sucking Lawyers project and "sinking his teeth” into character modelling as Drainov.
Noelle Morgan
as REGINA
Noelle Morgan is a locally grown creative spirit with an eclectic range of interests spanning everything from Hello Kitty to hockey. She enjoys running, retail therapy and expressing herself through her prize winning costume designs and cosplay experiences, most notably at the annual Witches Night in Windsor where she releases her inner witch.
While this is Noelle's first foray into the graphic novel realm, she is excited about the opportunity to work with Jank and is enjoying getting to know Regina. She looks forward to seeing what this talented group can create together.
Our Supporting Character Models
Ashleigh Atkinson
Kyle Atkinson
Kaley Beecroft
Shawna Beecroft
Rajesh Bejankiwar
Elisha Bencich
Dan Benson
Danielle Loft
Rose-Marie Beaudoin
Kristen Binder
Ett Bounket
Sarah Bounket
Leo Campeau
Tina Campeau
Frank D'Angelo
Rosalina D’Angelo
Mario Dibartolomeo
Rocco DiPierdomenico
Lena Donatelli
Pasquale Donatelli
Zak Dunn
Stacy Fawn
Jim Graveline
Rachel Gray
Dave Handsor
Ted Hayes
Kim Hillman
Cathy Hucker
Niko James
Jack Jobin
Mariette Jones
Michael J. Krym
Sarah Lachance
Kristy LeBlanc
Jamie Lees
Robbie Lees
Samantha Lillian
Steve McGowan
Bernie Martin
Nick Metivier
Nadine Monroe
Lisa Morgan
Tom Parent
Demitri Pindus
Michael Pindus
Stephen Richards
Aidan Robertson
Joel Robinson
Michelle Seguin
Melissa Scott
Debra Sharp
Steve Tunks
Kitu Turcas
Vinodh Venkatraman
Chris Waldron
Jim Winter
Rachette Young
Olessia Zakharko
Stephan Zmijak