Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray has co-written the graphic novel "Everlast." Reuters

Celebrities often put out books to expand their brand, but it appears that Chad Michael Murray has bucked the trend somewhat by releasing a graphic novel instead.

Everlast is a pre-apocalyptic tale about a man named Derek Everlast whose destiny in life is guiding others to a place of rebirth for mankind called Haven, according to publisher Archaia Entertainment's Web site.

Murray worked on the book with graphic novel veteran Danijel Zezelj, who has done mainly pen and ink work but has also dabbled in writing.

Murray rose to fame via The WB, a former television network that hosted popular teen shows. Murray worked on Gilmore Girls and Dawson's Creek before landing a lead role on the show One Tree Hill, playing the role of Lucas Scott from 2003 through 2009. His character was a big reader and writer. Murray will reportedly appear in the show's last season.

I've been writing for years but this was the first thing I ever followed through with, Murray told Reuters in an interview.

Murray posted Everlast art on his Web site.

For the last eight years I've loved and grown with this story, Murray wrote on his Web site. It came to me after meeting a man who showed up on my doorstep in Wilmington, NC.

That man, he told Reuters, came to his door to preach and talked about the end of time.

The man said 144,000 people would be left to survive the end of days and it spurred a lot of ideas, Murray told Reuters. What if that was true? How would you choose these people?

Murray has been tweeting a great deal about the graphic novel lately.

He tweeted the following on Thursday: Readying my self 4 an Everlast sign-athon... Ha. Next wk I'll b signing all books ordered through Derekeverlast.com & then shipping em out!