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Anafae
Review:
Anafae Book One
By Monica Richards and James Neely
The illustrations drew me to Anafae. Perusing the creative works of fellow
authors on MySpace, I was halted in my cybertracks by a mysterious visage
illustrated in a unique way. Anafae, Mother Nature Incarnate, stared back at me
in vivid color, her face half-formed of vegetation and her gaze both striking
and benevolent. I had to find out more. Who was this unusual, beautiful woman?
What in the world was her story about? After I gawked at the art, the premise of
the story pulled me in further: If Mother Nature walked the earth... What would
she see? What would she do?
Indeed, I was intrigued. Being a lover of fantasy and myth, I wanted to know
more. I ordered my copy and waited anxiously for it to arrive. After reading it
twice I have to say I cannot wait for the next issue.
Anafae is set in the not too distant future of Earth. Humankind has used up the
land and changed all living things so much that a plague has swept over the
world and there is no cure. A healthy mix of myth and science fiction, this
fantastically illustrated graphic novel feels like a step above a comic book.
The world is dying and Anafae awakes from a long slumber to walk upon the planet
and learn what went wrong. She ventures through cities barren of life and
happens upon a robotic cat. The cat leads her to its “brother” a dead man whose
origins are not of Mother Nature’s womb.
Intriguing and delivering its message in a subtle way, Anafae’s journey is one
sure to be interesting to follow. The book felt like the tip of the iceberg to
me, the beginning of an adventure and a healing of impossible proportions. I
want to know what happens to these characters.
***** by Anastasia Rabiyah
Interview by Anatasia
Rabiyah of the authors:
ANAFAE Book I
By: Monica Richards and James Neely
Genre: Science Fiction/Myth
Graphic Novel
Available at:
www.mercyground.com
1. Tell us about you and your background.
MR: I'm an underground artist... I'm best known as half of Faith and
the Muse, but I'm also a writer and multimedia/graphic artist. I
started out in the early 80's punk scene, and I've pretty much done my own thing
ever since. I'm Vegan, I work in animal rescue as well as permaculture, and my
husband and I have started an Eco-Sanctuary called Ars Terra. You can find out
more about me at www.monicarichards.com.
JN: I am a visual artist working in many types of media, from digital and 3D, to
pencil, ink, airbrush and acrylic painting. My profession is graphic art for
screen printing on garments, but I have been involved with printing in one
manner or another since the late 80’s.
Thematically, I am drawn toward the Mythic and Megalithic as well as The
Feminine Mysteries and Fantasy genres. My web site shows a fair amount of my
work spanning the last 18 years or so-
www.ddraiggraphics.com.
2. What inspired the creation of ANAFAE?
MR: "Anafae" is something I've been wanting to do for years, but didn't
know where to start. I had written a short story about 'Spring' not
returning to the land because the season manifested into a woman and began to
walk the earth while all people, animals, crops died
mysteriously. But as I began to research further, I saw that that this
notion was already happening from Man's Industrialization and the
destruction of lands for wealth, and it became a different sort of
story - now 'Spring' walks the land to see what man has done to her
realm. I started collaborating with artist, Jim Neely, and it all came
together.
JN: Monica had developed the main character visually and a basis through a short
story before I came along. When I saw what she was doing and the message being
conveyed, I fell in love with ANAFAE instantly and hoped to contribute whatever
I could. Inspiration for me is self perpetuating after that.
3. How did the collaboration for this book come about?
MR: Jim contacted me about helping me with Anafae, after he read in my Musings
on my site that I was struggling to put the idea and the drawings together. He
mentioned he was an artist and worked also in 3D models, if I needed help with
perspective shots. Once he sent me some ideas, that was it - we were working
together!
JN: Part of what I do is to enable myself artistically as an extension of
someone else if I can, crystallizing ideas into images. Monica is brilliant and
she also allows me creative freedom and input. So it is rather easy to work
together. A common vision solidifies the rest.
4. Who do you hope to reach or inspire with your work?
MR: Anyone and everyone.
JN: Indeed, all. We have no particular target audience, this is for the World as
a whole people.
5. What role do you see graphic novels having in the political debate over the
global environmental crisis?
MR: It's a strange thing, I think GNs mainly deal with fantasy and
readers often don't like real life horrors integrated. My dream would
be to have Anafae printed on 100% recycled paper and have tools for people to
make changes in their own lives. My philosophy is to provide solutions, such as
Permaculture, which is a new way to live basing human systems on Nature. I would
prefer to use my voice to educate and give hope to those who feel hopeless.
JN: Monica’s words are my thoughts on the matter as well. I would add only that
an educational role, one that gets people to think about what they are doing in
their own microcosmic level of life and how that can radiate out to others would
be a good, productive aspect to graphic novels pertaining to this day and age
and what is left for future generations of people.
6. ANAFAE has clear motives of reaching people about the value of living
holistically and in balance with the Earth. Do you hope to reach a new audience
for this cause by mixing myth with science as well as graphic art?
MR: Yes, and I think that was the whole idea. Fans of my music who know what I'm
about, but I wanted to move my ideas into a GN, possibly to reach those who
would not know what is really going on, or to empower those who feel helpless to
be able to do something in their own lives to affect change...
JN: I agree completely. The feedback we have gotten so far has been from those
in tune with current affairs and concerns with the way things are going, but we
have also had many others tell us how the artwork has drawn them closer to the
story, how they are amazed at the work overall and have decided to look at
things differently in their own lives. In that regard, we are more than pleased!
What storytelling throughout history has afforded us as humans is a series of
lessons to learn from, no matter what our knowledge base consists of. Basic
understandings register on many levels visually, and the rest is for the
individual to wrap themselves into and take from it what they are able.
7. How many installments do you foresee in this series, and what is the future
of ANAFAE publishing-wise?
MR: There will be all sorts of issues coming over the next few years.
Book One is actually being redone in color, and the plot is quite a bit more
detailed. We're working with Praxis Comics, out of the UK right now!
JN: All I know is that I found something I believe in and love deeply. I will
remain with this as long as it goes. To put a limit on it might be a mistake.
And after all, ANAFAE is boundless, timeless and Goddess.
On the web:
http://www.monicarichards.com/anafae
http://www.comicspace.com/anafae
http://anafae1.livejournal.com
http://www.praxiscomics.com
http://www.monicarichards.com
http://www.myspace.com/monicarichardsmusic
http://www.mercyground.com
http://www.arsterra.org
http://www.ddraiggraphics.com
http://www.myspace.com/ddraig
http://www.comicspace.com/ddraiggraphics
--
James Neely
Ddraig Graphics
3208-106 Holland Rd.
PMB#255
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
http://www.ddraiggraphics.com
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