Scott McCloud, award-winning cartoonist and author of "Making Comics," "Understanding Comics" and "Reinventing Comics," is set for a return to the medium on February 3, 2015 for "The Sculptor," a fictional graphic novel published by First Second. Announced by The New York Times, "The Sculptor" centers around artist David Smith -- who shares his name with the famous modern artist, known for abstract geometrical art -- an artist at the end of his rope creatively. However, after making a deal with the devil, Smith finds himself with the ability to "sculpt anything with his bare hands" and 200 days to make his artistic mark on the world.

"I've wanted to tell the story of "The Sculptor" since before writing "Understanding Comics," and the book's creation has turned into an incredible learning experience for me and, I hope, an exciting reading experience for comics-lovers. It took me five years to write and draw, and I promise I used every single minute to make it the best book I can," McCloud said via press release.

"The Sculptor" is McCloud's first major published fiction piece in many years -- his science fiction/superhero series "Zot!" wrapped in 1990, and his Image Comics graphic novel "The New Adventures of Abraham Lincoln" was published in 1998. McCloud's last major published work, "Making Comics," hit stores in 2006. He also served as editor for About Comics' "24 Hour Comics" in 2004.

"The Sculptor" hits stores February 3, 2015