I wanted to share a little bit more about my new graphic novel series Threadworlds. The text below is from First Second’s press release, which was used in pieces over various articles yesterday. The illustrations above are really early concepts that were in my pitch, showing Nova and her little sister (who has a name, but I keep changing it, so I’ll wait to reveal that until I settle on one). I’m really excited about drawing their feet! The style of the books is moving more towards the images that were released yesterday (though that is all likely to keep evolving, along with their designs), but it’s fun to take a look at the early sketches. My author photo was shot by my talented wife, Lisa Wahlander. Here’s the series description and my quote:
Threadworlds is set on a group of five planets that share a single orbit. The Earth-like worlds are teeming with life, and each has evolved its own unique intelligent species, in staggered states of technological progress. The epic adventure follows a chain reaction of scientific discoveries as they ripple from planet to planet. The hero of the story is Nova, a budding young scientist from a kangaroo-like species on the most primitive of the Threadworlds. Stubborn and brilliant, she lives out of step with her superstitious, oppressive empire, where girls are forbidden to read and write. But nothing can quell Nova’s passionate curiosity and awe of the universe. Her scientific pursuits sweep her up in a thrilling journey that links the fates of the five planets and unites the powers of their brightest minds in a pursuit for truth and progress.
“I have dreamed of doing a graphic novel project since art school. My career took a different path for the last seventeen years, but I am finally getting around to it! Co-creating and producing Avatar and Korra was an incredible experience, but as an artist and writer I have longed to find a more intimate connection with the making of my work. The artists on our animation productions were so incredibly talented and inspiring that I got the itch to strike out on my own and test my mettle in this neighboring medium.
“Once I came up with the idea for Threadworlds and spent some time thinking about its main character, Nova, it became less of a choice and more of something I simply had to do. The things Nova wants to learn, I want to learn. I am compelled to go on this journey with her and explore these worlds together. And I am lucky to have found a wonderful home for this project in First Second Books, a unique publisher with an awe-inspiring stable of creators. My editor Mark Siegel’s enthusiasm and integrity have been great sources of motivation for me to take this plunge. Wish me luck! I have a lot of writing and drawing to do.”
–Bryan Konietzko