A graphic novel written by a Singaporean writer has caught the eye of an American publisher ahead of its launch tomorrow.
The 160-page fantasy graphic novel Flesh & Steel is local writer Shaun Kang’s first work.
Supported by the Association of Comic Artists (Singapore) (ACAS) and the National Arts Council (NAC), the novel follows the battles of Golem, a humanoid living weapon forged from steel, as he struggles to find acceptance among men in a fantasy land torn apart by knights and cavaliers armed with rifles and shotguns.
Published by Nice One Entertainment, the black and white single volume work is illustrated by concept designer and main artist Ernani Faraon, Madougar and HMT Studios.
The book is now available for $18.95 at the Digital and Arts Den at Funan DigitaLife Mall, a collaborative arts store by ACAS and the mall.
It will be rolled out to Kinokuniya and other leading book stores later this month.
The first 30 My Paper readers to present this article at the book launch – from 2pm tomorrow at the Digital and Arts Den – will get a free, exclusive A3 art print.
Speaking to My Paper, ACAS president Jerry Hinds said this graphic novel launch “absolutely” bodes well for the local industry.
“The book has just been picked up by a United States publisher for the western market, Caliber Comics, which is indeed a great sign,” he added.
“This is high fiction with big screen potential, in my opinion.”
Mr Kang, 30, who is an investment adviser in a private bank, admitted that “it’s tough for local writers to compete with the big boys from the US and Japan”.
“Many writers have done a great job with locally flavoured comics but who’s to say that we can’t create a globally acclaimed work of our own.”
He and Mr Hinds will be giving a one-hour talk on May 7 at the Kinokuniya book store at Ngee Ann City about the process of creating and marketing a graphic novel.
Acting director for sector development (literary arts) at the NAC, May Tan, said that it has seen more graphic novels being published locally.
Readers’ interest in this genre has also grown “amid an increasingly vibrant literary scene in Singapore”.
“The council is heartened by this and continues to promote our home-grown literary scene as well as to bring Singapore’s literary content to readers globally.”
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