When it comes to blank opera house , most people do n’t associate the genre with Africa . Not Paul Louise - Julie . He ’s create a space opera comic called Yohancé inspired by African aesthetic , culture and design .
Paul noted that he ’s long been cheer by Star Wars , drawing strip with his brother since childhood . With parents who collect African art and a class drop in Burkina Faso , he became fascinated with the continent ’s artwork , and integrated it into his own oeuvre .
In late years , he ’s author a comic promise The Pack , a fantasy about Nubian and Egyptian werewolves . When that became a bestseller , he decided that he wanted to jump into infinite with a Modern story , Yohancé .
Yohancé , is depict as a futurist “ space opera ” inspired by ancient African finish . How do you mesh the influences of the far past tense with the far hereafter ?
Interestingly enough , they mesh very well . Aesthetically , traditional African artistic production is very stylized and streamlined -important factor in futuristic design . However , the World - building on Yohance has been quite alone . I ’ve had to create detailed alien civilizations while depart level of technological advancement – all while maintaining the design root from real African culture .
When did you first become a science fiction buff , and why did you baffle with the genre ?
As you might have guess , I ’ve been a Star Wars fan ever since I was a kid . By adolescence , that expand to science fabrication as a whole . I love Space opera house in particular because , when done right , it affect you on all fronts . You get the personal and psychological impact of history mate with the unparalleled sense of adventure – all under the umbrella of larger-than-life mythology . The great thing about science fabrication is that it happen citizenry ’s imaginations within the interruption of disbelief . That ’s why it will always be an important genre : we care to exist beyond our restriction .
What first set you down on the road to create Yohancé ? What particularly inspired you ?
I ’ve actually always wanted to do a Space Opera . Even while work on The Pack , I knew that it ’s the only thing I ’d moot doing afterwards . It was n’t until I saw the infamously racist reaction to John Boyega ’s casting in The Force Awakens that it collide with me . I recognise we demand this now . That said , this go beyond diversity . I have no interest in making a “ Black Star Wars ” . If this was to be done , the concept had to be unique . plainly having black characters does not make it so . In the end , I apply the same philosophy that I did on The Pack : draw inspiration from Ancient Africa and work at it until you have something original .
When one typically think of ‘ Space opera ’ they recall of western - derive works such as Star Wars or Star Trek . What will Yohancé work to the musical style that is presently missing ?
Yohancé will not only traverse the barrier of cultural diversity but will hopefully bring something fresh to the genre in both level and design . One of the alone things about Space Opera versus other types of Sc - Fi is the fact that spaceships and laser engagement are just a backdrop for geopolitical , mythological , and romantic composition . Ironically that ’s what makes Star Wars so fabled because it ’s not just a warfare amongst the Stars . That human element exceed generations and culture . The thing with Yohancé is that will now come from Africa . The grapheme arcs and mythology are inhale by African heroic poem such as Sundiata Keita and Shaka Zulu that coincide with major Geo - Political case in African History . By construct the characters first then let the dramatic art of Intergalactic Conflict systema skeletale and influence their decisions , you get a very intricate story .
What writer or artists should we look to when it comes to expanding our horizons when it amount to African science fabrication and fantasy ?
I ’ll be dependable , there are only a few in my sentiment that take the time to produce something unique . Grey Williamson , who ’s been in the business much longer than I have , recently launched his first self - published series , Val - Mar Prince of the Damned . I opine the first record book is stylistically perfect coupling amazing artistic production with an challenging story . candidly both him and Ashley Woods from the Niobe Series are the two main Black creative person to be looking at right now . Then of course there ’s the legendary Brian Stelfreeze over at Marvel who is going to rock the funny industriousness with the unexampled Black Panther serial in 2016 . As far as writer , I have yet to read any chronicle that captivate me but I ’m hopeful .
you may follow along with Jean and Yohancé over onFacebook . Yohancé is expected to be released in March , 2016 .
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