Veilchen
| Veilchen | |
|---|---|
|
Μυρτισα II Anthology Cover: Limited Edition featuring first Volume of Veilchen Graphic Novel | |
| Author(s) | Bissan Rafe |
| Website | http://www.nohra-studio.com/english/comics |
| Current status / schedule | On Hiatus |
| Launch date | December 29, 2007 |
| End date | --- |
| Publisher(s) | Print: Arabesque Ink/Nohra Studio, Amazon Books |
| Genre(s) | Historical, Melodrama, Action, Romance |
| Preceded by | Grandlazar |
| Followed by | Verlassen |
Veilchen is a webcomic and graphic novel version created by Bissan Rafe based on the second novel installment of Μυρτισα II: The Perfect Work (a 4 volume anthology which includes four semi-illustrated novels in chronological order: Grandlazar, Veilchen, Verlassen and Repressalie). The webcomic version was launched on December 29, 2007 and is currently on hiatus. The first volume of the comic was published in a limited edition by Nohra-Studio/Arabesque Ink Press and Amazon Books. The comic has been critically acclaimed and received positive reviews for its artwork and storytelling.
Synopsis
Veilchen is a coming of age story about a young girl named Veilchen who is accused of being a witch. The time frame of the novel is set in the 18th century. The story takes place over a span of ten years beginning in 1777 in an alternate new universe complete with new geography and myths. To be exact, the story starts in the Osmanthus Fortunei Region, in Bellis Village. The events follows through the encounter of Veilchen and Estiban, an imprisoned royalty banished in the Rummondi Forest near the village, and the adventures they go through to clear his name.
Format
Veilchen webcomic is told in 4 Volumes composed of several Acts such that each, while forming part of the overall storyline, also functions individually as a stand-alone plot arc. Many characters and references in Veilchen are made pertaining to the other novels in the Μυρτισα II anthology. The reader can easily make the connection and relation between the characters in Veilchen and how they evolve in connection to different characters in Μυρτισα II.
Influences
Bissan has stated in an interview that she enjoyed reading The Incredible Tide and watching its animation adaptation by Miyazaki, Future Boy Conan as a child, and that it has heavily influenced the literary style of Μυρτισα II and subsequently Veilchen. Her artistic style is a unique mix between surrealism and cartoon with a much more detailed and elaborate environment settings and fashion. She stats that "whenever I create fantasy work, I would like to create what I like to call a 'believable-fantasy scenario', not the unbelievable farfetched kind"
One notable feature of the comic is the blending of fantasy elements from many different cultural traditions, especially from the Phoenician, Chinese and indigenous peoples of the Americas, while keeping close to reality. Veilchen in particular, there is a strong reference famous folktales based on Old French folklore, such as Little Red Riding Hood
Setting
Veilchen takes place in a complete set of imaginative world set in a rich parallel universe of the 18th century. Rafe created a new self-sufficient world for Μυρτισα II anthology, complete with maps, history, fashion and folklore. Artwork and detailed supplemental information of the Μυρτισα World pertaining to history and creation of they can be found in the appendixes of Μυρτισα II Anthology. The world of Μυρτισα is made up of 5 contents designated as regions and Veilchen takes place in a region called Osmanthus Fortunei: Thymes Area, Bellis Village.
Main characters
| Veilchen | (Age 12-22) Veilchen is a young girl who lives in Bellis Village in the Thymes, region of Osmanthus Fortunei. She is neglected and abused by the village locals on account of her being a witch due to her birth defect left eye. Her mother, Marriate Stieg, is not particularly motherly toward her, and her stepfather, a local shoemaker, is desperately trying to find a way to sell her since he blames his misfortune on her. She first meets Estiban in Rummondi Forest after following some locals who were trying to steal the duke's rumored treasure |
| Estiban | (19-29) Estiban is the son of the late duke in blood relation to the ruling family of Osmanthus Forunei. He is imprisoned in the Rummondi Forest (Devil's Forest) on allegations of him murdering his father when he was only 9 years old. He meets Veilchen in 1777 after being incarcerated for 9 years. |
| Nuah | (Age 27-37) Nuah is a traveling doctor of unknown origin staying at an inn in Bellis Village. He worked before in the royal court of Hydrangea region as a healer, but was imprisoned by the late kind, Oxalis of Hydrae. He was released after 8 years by the new queen of Hydrangea, Iris Oxalis of Hydrae who gave him a pardon. |
| Marriate | (Age 24-34) Marriate is Veilchen's young mother and is considered one of the most beautiful women in the Thymes area. She was banished 8 years ago from the Hydrangea region and currently lives in Bellis Village. Not much else is known about her. |
| Malic | (Age 17-27) Malic is an eccentric young man who ran away from his family when he was 12 years old. Ever since, he has been traveling the Osmanthus region performing on the streets of Thymes and other major cities to make a living. Malic is a skilled Odette player, a type of string instrument. |
References
- Cao, Federico (2012). "Palestinian Fairytale to Hit Asia and Europe Art Scene". The Deliberation Future Journalism. Retrieved 13 March 2012.