Keanu Reeves publishing first novel, expanding on his comic book ...

Keanu Reeves has set down his guns and picked up a pen as co-author of his debut novel.

The John Wick action star announced he will expand the universe of his BRZRKR comic book series with The Book of Elsewhere, written with British author China Miéville.

The novel builds on the story of Berzerker, a half-mortal, half-god character who's on a quest to find the key to his mortality, and perhaps free himself from it.

The Book of Elsewhere will be released in hardcover, digital and audiobook formats on July 23, 2024 by Penguin Random House's label Del Rey Books.

In a video on Good Morning America, Reeves says he decided on a novel after considering ways to further explore the character he helped create with the 2021 comic book series.

WATCH | Keanu Reeves announces his new novel on Good Morning America: 

The comics, a 12-issue original series, were co-written with Matt Kindt and illustrated by Ron Garney and published by Boom! Studios.

Reeves intends to grow the BRZRKR series further by starring in a live-action film for Netflix and tying his name to an animated spin-off series at the streaming company as well.

The novel is the latest in a series of several literary projects for Reeves. He is also a publisher for Los Angeles-based indie press X Artist's Books, focusing on interdisciplinary artists' books and collaborations, alongside artist Alexandra Grant, designer Jessica Fleischmann and editor Florence Grant. 

Reeves co-authored the art book Shadows with Grant. Shadows features Grant's photographs depicting Reeves' shadow and his poems.

The actor and musician also recently reunited with his grunge band, Dogstar, for their first album and tour in more than 20 years.

The album, Somewhere Between the Palm Trees and Power Lines, was released on Oct. 6, 2023. Dogstar toured over 25 dates this fall with one Canadian show in Toronto in December.

Dogstar originally formed in 1994, with Reeves playing bass, Bret Domrose as the guitarist-vocalist and Rob Mailhouse on drums. They released an album, Happy Endings, in 2000, before splitting up in 2002.

With files from CBC Music and CBC Books