Brighttusk, a Graphic Novel: Traditionally Drawn, Radically Written
Abstract
Brighttusk is a handmade graphic novel telling the stories of the fictional characters Polaris Diamat and Sunny Brighttusk. Their story plays off of the tropes of fantasy races, magic, and stereotypical Dungeons and Dragons scenarios for enjoyable fantastic scenarios and to explore complex and mature themes. Inspired by media like Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead and Bojack Horseman, the shared fantastical premises create a layer of dissonance. This better communicates the heavy undertones of concepts like surviving abuse, mental health, and LGBT issues, in addition to lighthearted breaths of reprieve. Using a unique, carefully-developed style that features hatching, gray tones, contrast, and vibrance, Brighttusk tells an extraordinary narrative of the relationship between two queer women navigating trauma in a fantasy setting. Beginning in the summer of 2022 and currently comprising a whopping 79 pages, it is the hope of the writer and artist, Draconian Onyx, that this project can be used to launch a career and pathway to tell more unique stories in the future.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Art & Design
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Roger Boulay
Second Advisor/Mentor
Adrian Barr
Start Date
4-19-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
4-19-2023 3:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2b=2pm-3pm
Poster Number
28
Brighttusk, a Graphic Novel: Traditionally Drawn, Radically Written
Brighttusk is a handmade graphic novel telling the stories of the fictional characters Polaris Diamat and Sunny Brighttusk. Their story plays off of the tropes of fantasy races, magic, and stereotypical Dungeons and Dragons scenarios for enjoyable fantastic scenarios and to explore complex and mature themes. Inspired by media like Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead and Bojack Horseman, the shared fantastical premises create a layer of dissonance. This better communicates the heavy undertones of concepts like surviving abuse, mental health, and LGBT issues, in addition to lighthearted breaths of reprieve. Using a unique, carefully-developed style that features hatching, gray tones, contrast, and vibrance, Brighttusk tells an extraordinary narrative of the relationship between two queer women navigating trauma in a fantasy setting. Beginning in the summer of 2022 and currently comprising a whopping 79 pages, it is the hope of the writer and artist, Draconian Onyx, that this project can be used to launch a career and pathway to tell more unique stories in the future.
