Making a Graphic Novel.

'Billy Nomates' Valentine.

2007-02-08T02:23:00.000-08:00

Valentine, originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

2006-09-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

In times of diabolic societal crisis I find the natural aroma of home baking a real pick me up.

Mrs Ronsworth Yellow Cake recipe...2

2006-09-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ronsworth Yellow Cake (back), originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

Mrs Ronsworth's Yellow Cake recipe 1

2006-09-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Mrs Ronsworth's Yellow Cake recipe Pt 1, originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

2006-09-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

I should add that despite her physical abnormalities Mrs Rhona Ronsworth happens to be famous in Grainville for her home cooking. Having mentioned her previously I thought it might be a good opportunity to share her excellent Yellow Cake recipe. Not being naturally gifted in the kitchen I kept her original note on the inside of my cupboard door. Here it is...

Mrs Ronsworth at number 12.

2006-09-20T01:44:00.000-07:00

Mrs Ronsworth at number 12., originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

"She uses only the very finest ingredients"

2006-09-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

I bought my stove, I boiled my egg and I have been transformed. But not in a positive way like a chrysalis revealing a butterfly. No, very much the opposite my friends, I am but a maggot.

Actually Mrs Ronsworth at number 12 looks a lot like a maggot, she's one strange neighbor, I'm a lot more like a monkey really, I have been lucky, I've seen truly unfortunate 'devolutions' in Grainville recently. Judge Pierce for instance, lord only knows what's happening to him - it's unspeakable.

Never the less I am reduced from man to animal, like the egg from possible chicken to definite boiled egg. A one way path, my fate is sealed, no yoke.

2006-09-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

To what extent am I a boiled egg? I pay my taxes just as I paid for my stove but I did not choose Zebill and his coterie, I had no say in his 'Statute of Eliminations'.

2006-09-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

If this egg were heated gently, by the feathered bottom of a mother hen, it would become a chicken, a chicken with choices. But my stove, it's fires are cruel and as a result this egg would boil.
Boiled eggs have no choices.

2006-09-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

My egg was transforming although I couldn't see under it's shell, I knew it was changing from a fluid to a solid forged by the fire of my stove. A stove I paid for.

2006-09-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

I was cooking when it came to me, a thought recalled from long ago when I was...a man. I placed an egg in a pan and waited as it boiled. I thought about the open pathways we have before us in youth. I thought of the joy of new life and the expectation a parent has for a child. I thought this as I stared into the bubbles at my egg in it's pan, my expectation in this case it's taste.

Marrion-Colcotte

2006-07-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

Marrion-C-flat, originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

Pin-hole image of Marion Colcotte - originally for The Grainville Horn (Unpublished)

2006-06-30T02:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a coach to the Iraquois 'nation station', I was to interview a young lady by the name of Marion Colcotte. Two weeks ago her parents vanished and she is now the sole operator of the station. It is a demanding job at the best of times without the fear of kidnap or murder hanging over you. Marion is 13 years old, yet she has risen to the challenge as well as any adult might.

The station distributes medical supplies and food to the least fortunate of native families. It is hoped that volunteers will come forward to help Ms Colcotte until a replacement operator can be found or until her parents safe return, as increasingly unlikely as that is.

2006-06-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

Did I mention previously that my memory is not what it was?
I am so wound into this working life that I forget there is a world beyond this place.

In recent months my workload at the paper (The Grainville Horn) has increased dramatically, it is simply exhausting. To make matters worse Grainville now suffers frequent power outages and this further inhibits my ability to communicate via this web log. I sit in the dark and wonder at recent events. It is as well I keep a journal or I fear I would be quite unable to piece together the puzzle that is recent history in this small town.

I feel particularly bad for those who have followed this blog, the thought that you are reading my communiques brings light in even the darkest night. Please accept my recriminations for leaving you in the dark.

I will endeavor to increase the frequency of my dispatches.

2005-11-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

Of course his avuncular interpretation of himself compared to the embittered and infant-like portrayal of my features is clearly the work of a bloated ego.

'Ebu' by Morta

2005-11-14T16:32:00.001-08:00

'Ebu' by Morta, originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

Morta by Morta

2005-11-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

Morta by Morta, originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

2005-11-14T16:10:00.000-08:00

I think the following sketches demonstrate that Morta's idea of 'human' has devolved in exactly the same way as his physical body. In other words Morta does not question his appearance because it matches his expectation of himself. The sketch he made of me shows that his concept of 'human' is not fixed on his own particular affliction and morphs to accept the breadth of deformity we see in the population of Grainville. This experiment is a clear success, I am one step closer to understanding what happened here.

2005-11-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

He dashed off the sketches quickly and seemed pleased with the results. After studying them I asked him ' What do you think you look most like?' and he replied 'My uncle Harry, but I look a little like my mom too.'

2005-11-14T15:57:00.000-08:00

I then told him that I would like also to have him produce a sketch of himself for publicity purposes.

2005-11-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

I explained to Morta that the comic will be auto-biographical and I would therefore need a sketch of myself to begin with. I said 'I want you to show the humanity of the man that I am.' I told him also that it should be as true to life as possible.

2005-11-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

After taking the commemorative photo I asked Morta to stick around and work out some character sketches.

2005-11-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

I began to wonder if his image of himself was still human or if it had been adapted to match his now more monstrous appearance. To solve this question I devised a simple experiment that would reveal to me the truth of what Morta considers 'human' to be.

2005-11-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

I said 'Do you think I've changed Curt?' and he said 'You've gained some pounds since we met, but it suits you.' Morta didn't get it, he just didn't get it.

2005-11-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

The point is I began to openly speak of the beastial changes I had observed in people...or thought I had observed.

2005-11-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back, when I was still feeing a little off, I bumped into Morta at the water cooler. My office is on the 2nd floor and so it was unusual to see anyone from the print dept upstairs. I hoped I might find in him a kindred spirit and so began to open up about my book. It was really rather reckless as Mr Fields was just next door and he is, I suspect, a lackey of Muppert, Mandarin of the chief Clowncillor. Forgive me, I'm digressing again, I will explain about Fields later.

2005-11-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

Morta agreed to a photograph to commemorate our alliance. He is a committed young man...but I find his perky, youthful outlook objectionable. That aside I believe we will work well together.

2005-11-14T05:22:00.000-08:00

Incidentally Morta is holding the first page of his 'The Burton Boy Pirates (of the Good Ship Meltdown).' for the Grainville Horn.
This increases considerably the historic value of this photographic document. This is a grass roots operation and your support will never ever be forgotten who ever you are.
making

Morta and Gogol commemorative photograph.

2005-11-14T05:16:00.000-08:00

Morta and Gogol commemorative photograph., originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

Copies of this historic photographic document signed by both Morta and Gogol are available and limited to 1000 copies. $10 dollars plus postage and packing.

Your financial support will be used to publish this volume and get the truth out there.

Thank you kindly.

~ Ebu

2005-11-14T05:04:00.000-08:00

I am delighted to report that Morta has accepted my offer and will provide illustrations for my story 'Eater of the Dead'. His inimitable style will make this a very special collection.

We met today at Delia's, the diner at the intersection between Heloise and Abelard. Over coffee and donuts I outlined my plan for a book, a book with pictures, a project I have come to consider my great Armorican novel in the making. Perhaps, now that we are a team, I should speak only in trendy marketing parlance and refer to my 'graphic novel' in future blogs.

Excellent news for me, of course, but I remain troubled. I lack the rudimentary draftsmanship necessary to illustrate the rumors that will become the greater part of my book. My pinhole photography can only help in documenting the present state of Grainville and Grainvillains. So I must work with an artist to fully realise Eater of the Dead, but to do this will mean endangering his safety and the secrecy of my project. Last night I decided I would not tell the story to Morta and simply provide him with picture descriptions. I will personally add the text before handing it over to my publisher at a later date.

Of course I have no publisher.

The funnies...

2005-11-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

The funnies..., originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

2005-11-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Horn has started advertising the up and coming sunday funnies. The cartoon shown is from the main strip 'The Burton Boy Pirates' and illustrated by Morta.
~ Ebu

2005-11-09T03:06:00.000-08:00

I spoke with Morta on friday afternoon. He is the most popular cartoonist on The Grainville Horn. His real name is Curtis Langley but he works under the pen name of 'Morta'. He doesn't make much money so when he's not Morta he's 'Curt the ad guy', he lays out small ads and personals for the Horn, he calls it 'Boiler work'.
When asked what that meant he said 'It keeps my pots boiling, baby'.

I may have said this already but he is now working on a cartoon supplement for the sunday edition called 'Funny Pages' or maybe it's 'Funny Papers' I'm not quite sure.
I think Morta and I hit it off when we first met a few years ago but I'm not sure I can trust him. To work with him would mean exposing my observations to another prior to publication. I now suspect I could be killed for doing this work and therefore have to think very carefully about who I open up to. Of course to reveal what I know to Morta will also mean his life will also be in danger.

2005-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

I must apologize for my absence. It's not always possible to find time to issue a note on the comings and goings in Grainville.
And sudden illness makes it even more difficult. About 10 days ago I collapsed at work. It was quite unexpected and my colleagues were in quite a flap about it. I was soon revived and apart from a bump on the head I am fine. My quack says I'm showing signs of stress however and my superiors insisted I take a few days off work.

I was off 6 days and slept most of the time.

'Lloyd' - The New Guy.

2005-08-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

'Lloyd' - The New Guy., originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

I could just tell he wasn't from around here.

2005-08-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

I said 'You got me, Lloyd.' That's what I said...after a long silence, long even for me. I mean it was a good minute or two. I don't like to answer too quickly if I can help it.

2005-08-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

A man stopped me today as I walked to work, he asked for directions to the post office. But I knew before he opened his mouth that he was a stranger to these parts and told him as much. He seemed surprised and introduced himself as Lloyd. It seems Lloyd has a job here in Mordgens Bank and today was his first day. He was transferred from the office in Boneville.

He asked me if I thought Grainville a good place to raise a family. He asked me in a way that told me he had already made up his mind that it was...is. I looked at Lloyd in a way that I hope told him he was wrong.

Compare and Contrast.

2005-08-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

Compare and Contrast., originally uploaded by Ebu Gogol.

2005-08-24T02:22:00.000-07:00

That shot, the portrait of myself...I took another. I think it's clear my books have been re-arranged. You can see a clear difference in the binding of the books. Compare and contrast the tones of my...tomes. You will see.

2005-08-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

Ike shouted something as I crossed the street. It sounded like 'We got root-beer!'. But that can't be right...I didn't look back, went straight home.

2005-08-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

I take my pinhole with me everywhere...here is a picture of Ike, taken this morning, the others were over exposed. I take these pictures in secret as a record, I took this one as I was leaving.

2005-08-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

'Maps?' Ike said 'What maps?'. Jessica stood at the door to the storeroom, looking at me, arms folded, like...with a look of disgust. I've known these people all my life, what is happening to them...to all of us?

2005-08-08T03:24:00.000-07:00

I went over to Ike's this morning, he had opened early, unusual for him...said he had a delivery coming. I went to the back of the store where he keeps...the literature. Past tense - there was none. I figured he'd re-arranged the store but he didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Like he never stocked any literature.

Ike had a great collection of maps...maps of the world, encyclopedia, histories...I feel like I am going mad...did I imagine this?

2005-08-08T03:10:00.000-07:00

I don't believe they know...if they did I'd have been lynched by now. But ...
I will make a bigger print of my bookcase tonight...but even looking at the photo (posted Aug 5th) the shelves have clearly been re-arranged. That's how it looks to me. You can compare this yourself tonight when I post the enlargements. So someone has been in here...and going through my books...but I don't know who or why.

2005-08-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Mr Fields says the Englishmen is coming...I learned this at work today, no doubt there will be a town meeting organised so that Zebill can parade his finest marrionette.

I will attend that meeting and report my findings here.

2005-08-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

That's it my photograph!...the picture I shot of myself on august 4th, the book shelves are in the picture. I will study it in detail...and perhaps it will prove if I have imaginined things or if I am the victim of an unknown intruder.

2005-08-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Looking again at my shelves...there are other titles missing. Also my books seem to be in alphabetical order...and I'm never that organised. I wonder...is it possible that someone has been in my house?

Has someone broken in and stolen my books...re-arranged my shelves? Wait...I took a book from the shelf earlier this evening 'Beowolf'...put it back. Yes it's here and now in alphabetical order.

So my shelves have been arranged this evening...is there someone in my house now?

2005-08-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

On monday I'll head over to Ike's and pick up a map. I am feeling less paranoid now about getting caught and think maybe it is possible to publish a few of the names and places. I do want to share this story with you as best I can and the map with be a bonus. Anyway I looked everywhere on my shelves for a map but with no luck. I could have sworn I had a fold-out map...and God knows I certainly had an atlas. I am perplexed by their disappearance. I don't recall lending them...

Ridiculous, who in this county could make use of an Atlas?

Perhaps it's due to some kind of memory loss...oh dear, as if things aren't bad enough.

2005-08-05T18:46:00.001-07:00

Somehow I always shoot myself in the foot. I have noticed a marked increase in the way I jumble words. In the last weeks I seem to have become somewhat dyslexic and have had to be especially carful with my posts. On my picture, the one I just posted (and of which I was so proud!) I have written indelably the following - 'Myself - at working on my book'.

I have to admit to feeling a flush of embarrasment at this latest public blunder.

2005-08-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Damn and blast!

2005-08-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

2005-08-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Seeing as how I won't be working on my book I might as well offer something...and correct one thing that has been bothering me. The first picture I posted of myself is less than flattering so here is something a little more official looking. The kind of picture I might like reproduced at the back of my book...the author at his desk.

I took it yesterday with the pinhole...developed it in the kitchen sink.

2005-08-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I have named a few people, i'm beginning to relax a little...I don't think anyone in this town has an internet connection...so it's unlikely I will be found out. Besides, this blog is so obscure who will notice?...I think no one.

2005-08-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

After the burning of Desire all men over 14 yrs were expected to give at least one evening a month to fire-house duty. It is one of the few things the 'new municipality' has insisted upon that I agree with. I give 4 evenings a month voluntary.

We lost all our real firemen to Desire, so many brave hearts. I'll give a full account of that awful night another time.

2005-08-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

I won't be working on my book tonight either, I am beat. I usually have fire duty on a thursday, but Pete Cobb is unwell and I was asked to take his place this evening. We seem to be running up and down stairs a lot carrying hoses...maybe they don't have much for us to do.

2005-08-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

So it seems I will be busy this weekend after all. I had hoped to begin the layout of my book but alas my employer, Mr Fields, has insisted I work on 'Let the Mighty Pheonix Soar - The New Iraqois Nation', a special report for our weekend edition. As you can probably guess this feature will show the success of our campaign to foster 'civilisation' among our aboriginal nieghbours - the Iraqois reservation.

Ours is an agrarian policy, we burn them in the fields to enrich their soil...to ensure they grow back even stronger in the new year. Somehow, I'm not sure how exactly, this ' Saturday Night Special' will justify our treating these people like crop.

2005-08-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

I feel compelled to apologise for my posting of August 2nd. I was under the influence...and should not have posted anything. I have been drinking more heavily of late and can feel pretty sorry for myself. It was a miserable thing to share with you. This record is about the book I am working on and should not be used as a means for me to complain about my woes. I'll try and stick to the project at hand in future and no more self-indulgence.

2005-08-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

'I am no longer human'. Reading my last post sent a chill through me, I have never...12 months and it has not yet sunk in. If I am not human then what am I? What in Gods name have I become?

2005-08-04T05:28:00.000-07:00

In the light of day the answer to my own ludicrous question is clear. I am not a writer and therefore cannot have been reduced as one. I am, or was, a human being reduced by compromise.

I am not a writer and yet I write. I am no longer human and yet I feel compassion for the people here.

2005-08-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Am I a writer reduced by circumstances? I have cause to wonder. I've heard it said that one can more successfully boil a frog in a pan of water if the water temperature is raised incrementally. A frog thrown into boiling water however has every reason to escape....but do it gradually and the tiny amphibian will adjust and stay put until it is boiled alive.

'Ribbet'.

2005-08-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

I cannot name the county or those involved...I will change the names in this story to protect the guilty.
I will not name this town, lets just say it's a typical mid-western place.

2005-08-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Eater of the Dead (EOTD), as an idea, came to mind 2 or so years ago. It seemed clear then that we were living through evil times, a festival of 'gentile beastiality' seemed to be en vogue and many who live in this county were seemingly oblivious or perhaps too deeply ensconced in their reveries to care about the harm they were doing.

Either way I became aware and felt drawn to put it down in my journal. I began planning a book (an expose!) in secret but never really had time to begin in earnest. Late last year I took a weeks holiday and did a layout, I made 8 pages intended as a submission sample, but was unhappy with the result. I then ran out of time and again shelved the project. I know I have strong scenes but I am not sure at this stage if I have a story. No, that's not right, there is certainly a story...I'm just not sure I am the one to tell it. Tonight I will begin to try and lock the scenes together and see if they add up to the horror that I know to be commonplace in this little town of ours.

I would like to keep the book to 150 pages or so ...but we'll see how I do. I am considering releasing it as a comic in 4 to 6 issues. In this way I might build interest for a bound volume...or graphic novel. Publishing of course is another obstacle but one I will tackle when and if I complete this book.

The following picture is a self portrait, an accident if truth be told, the flash went off while I was setting up a scene in the Corbin Barn. It's an embarrasing admition but I no longer have opposable thumbs and Hasselblad do not seem interested in designing a digital camera for the lesser known 'hirsuit hominid'.

2005-07-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

I have long had a love for comics, since I was very small...quark small. I'm not sure if comics alone initiated my interest in art but they certainly sustained it.

I'll share my efforts here to develop an illustrated book, or 'graphic novel' entitled 'The Eater of the Dead'. From initial writing and sketching to marketing and publication. I do not have a publisher (...other than Blogger!) nor any financial backing. But maybe here I'll find a reader, and maybe one reader is all I need...to begin with. Your interest and feedback will drive this project.

Incidentally I am neither independently wealthy or insane...but either one would certainly help - comics that pay are rare. So this will be a labour of love, a project that is not commercially driven and therefore free to be as unique and bizarre as I can possibly make it...and that won't be difficult, I live in the strangest town in the world.

Although I will aim to post twice a week this may be an infrequent blog at times (it is a midnight project and I may not be able to work on it as often as I would like...) so please use the sitefeed below to keep up with developments.

http://graphic-novel.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Time to begin...

~ Ebu Gogol - Thursday, July 28th, 2005.