My latest graphic novel translation for Archaia Studios’ BOOM! Imprint is an
adaptation of the Greek myth of Demeter and her daughter Persephone, in an exciting universe that blends high fantasy adventure with visuals reminiscent of Japanese anime and 1950s American-style comics.
Persephone is an ordinary girl, which is exactly what is bothering her. She may be the adopted daughter of the famous magician Demeter, but Persephone struggles to find her place alongside such a force of nature. Driven by recurring nightmares as well as a budding curiosity, Persephone decides to explore the secrets of her birth, which everyone seems rather intent on keeping from her. With or without help, Persephone will embark on an epic adventure deep into the Underworld where she’ll discover far more than she bargained for.
Storyteller Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky weaves a story of magic and intrigue in this stunningly rendered modern retelling of the Greek myth of Goddess Demeter and her daughter, Persephone.
There was a lot of excitement for this comic when it was first announced last December. There are preview pages at BOOM! Studios’ site, and for more depth, check out the interview with the creator there as well. At Paste, Caitlin Rosberg notes that
Though many American readers haven’t yet discovered the wealth of talent that exists in the French comics industry, a handful of publishers are doing their best to change that… Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky, who both wrote and drew the graphic novel, was born in France and has since moved to Japan, which shows in his style. Shapes are soft and character designs focus on evoking an emotion rather than necessarily giving them a lot of detail. Fans of Miyazaki movies and titles like Amelie Flechais’s The Little Red Wolf will find familiar elements in Persephone, and with the focus on questions of family and identity, it should fit right in with some of the most popular YA and all-ages graphic novels like Raina Telgemeier’s Smile.