As a long-time fan of both graphic novels and Fall Out Boy, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the upcoming release of “Dying Inside.” Having grown up listening to emo rock tunes that echoed the angst of characters like Ash, it’s heartening to see this genre finding its way into comic books.
In approximately four weeks, we’ll be reaching the release date for “Dying Inside”, a fresh graphic novel jointly penned by Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy and Hannah Klein, a writer-director, with artwork by Lisa Sterle of both “Witchblood” and “Squad”. This exciting piece is part of Vault’s innovative Headshell imprint, which teams up real-life musicians on a collection of graphic novels. The buzz around “Dying Inside” has been strong due to sneak peeks shown at this year’s Free Comic Book Day events.
In the novel “Dying Inside“, today marks the grand conclusion for Ash, which she refers to as a permanent departure from the stage. This sixteen-year-old girl carries an overwhelming burden of angst, surpassing that of Ian Curtis and Elliott Smith combined, her musical idols. Withdrawn and despondent, death appears to be her only means of escape. However, a humiliating demise is the last thing she wants. Unfortunately, her carefully laid plans for an untimely end are thwarted when the elegant knife she purchases online turns out to be enchanted with a protection spell. Now, Ash must locate the witch who turned her exit strategy into the most unwelcome of gifts: immortality. Interestingly enough, the culprit is another sixteen-year-old girl named Liv. The two join forces to remove the charm and fight for Ash’s desired death, even as their situation becomes increasingly complex with the emergence of a peculiar antidepressant called Somnia and Ash’s mother’s unsavory boyfriend, Greg.
Eagerly awaiting the release of “Dying Inside”, I recently had a chat with its creator, Sterle, over email about her vision for Ash’s realm, and the delightful visual aspects that gamers like me can look forward to in the complete graphic novel.
As a gamer, I found the monochromatic color scheme of Dying Inside to significantly influence my perspective on the game’s aesthetics and character outfits. The black-and-white palette added a sense of starkness and intensity that made every detail stand out, which in turn affected my choices and immersion within the game world.
As a comic enthusiast, I can relate to Lisa Sterle’s creative process. Instead of color being a significant shift for her, it felt like an organic evolution of her usual comic crafting. Being accustomed to creating comics in grayscale, she naturally thinks about design in terms of black and white. This approach extends to the layout of panels and pages, as well as character and outfit designs. Color wasn’t a consideration at the initial stages, but it found its place effortlessly once the ink work was completed.
In our earlier conversation, you mentioned growing fond of characters Ash and Liv while working on the book. What aspect of their relationship were you most looking forward to developing further as you breathed life into it?
As a comic artist, I take great pleasure in capturing the subtle, serene instances that breathe life into stories. The burgeoning friendship between Ash and Liv was brimming with these tender moments, and I found myself deeply invested in their journey. While dialogue plays an essential role in revealing our characters’ personalities, I relish the opportunity to convey the unspoken emotions through panel illustrations. A sideways glance, a gentle hand squeeze, or the subtle play of summer light casting soft shadows – these silent narratives add depth and authenticity to Ash and Liv’s feelings. My goal was to bring them to life on the page as real and richly emotional characters.
Do you have a favorite Easter egg that you added into the art?
As a lifelong fan of Elliott Smith, I find the choice of a Royal Tenenbaums poster in Ash’s room to be incredibly fitting. The film’s portrayal of a suicide attempt set to an Elliott Smith song resonates deeply with me, and I can easily imagine it being one of Ash’s favorites as well. I also appreciate the nod to Heatmiser’s Mic City Sons album, as any true fan of Elliott’s music would be familiar with that. In fact, his entire discography holds a special place in my heart, and this story instantly drew me in when I first read the script due to its strong connection to Elliott’s music.
As a writer who has poured my heart and soul into crafting the story of “Dying Inside,” I am particularly proud of several scenes and elements that resonate deeply with me due to their emotional depth and personal significance. Without giving away any specific spoilers, let me share a few examples:
On several pages, there’s an extended action sequence I meticulously planned out, much like strategizing for a professional wrestling match. For instance, should a double-storied German building be placed here? Or perhaps a powerful move like a spinebuster would fit better at this spot? Creating and sketching it was an enjoyable and engaging process.
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Dying Inside will be released wherever comics are sold on Tuesday, September 17th.
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2024-08-05 23:11