Brandon Twp.- A supernatural love story.
This is how Mark Crilley describes his latest graphic novel project, ‘Miki Falls.? The author and illustrator will talk about his 4-book series and demonstrate drawing techniques during a free program from 1-2:30 p.m., Sept. 13, at the library, 304 South St.
‘Graphic novel is a trendy term to describe comic books that aren’t the flimsy things we grew up with, but thicker books,? says Crilley, 42. ‘It’s comic style, but bound in a book.?
‘Miki Falls? is drawn in the Japanese?’manga? style, which he noted is very popular with today’s teens. This style features exaggerated eyes and illustrating techniques. Even more significant than the look, Crilley noted, is the content and way of storytelling.
‘Americans painted themselves into a corner with superheroes and the Japanese use everything in comics? golf, cooking, love stories,? he said. ‘There’s a wide variety. I think Japanese comics took off because there is something for everyone.?
Crilley came up with the idea to create a comic story while teaching English in Japan. The Novi resident’s first published work was ‘Akiko? in 1996. He describes that comic book series as ‘The Wizard of Oz meets Star Wars.?
In 2000, Random House asked him to turn the 53-issue ‘Akiko? into a chapter book series.
He later published ‘Billy Clikk? a 2-book adventure story for boys, before taking on ‘Miki Falls,? a 4-book series which features a year in the life of a Japanese high school student who meets a new boy in town with supernatural powers.
‘It starts out as a high school romance, but turns into a suspense thriller,? said Crilley, whose Japanese wife’s name is Miki.
Crilley majored in fine arts at Kalamazoo College and became interested in writing when he studied under David Small, a children’s author and winner of the Caldecott Award.
‘Comics became a natural thing, because it brought together writing and illustrating,? he said. ‘In comics, it’s equal parts in delivering the story.?
It takes Crilley longer to draw his comics, but it comes naturally to him. Writing is a little less natural for him, he said, and he has to work harder at it to do well, but between the two mediums, he said it is the writing that is more important.
‘A writer is indispensable with ideas,? he said.
‘Everyone remembers the author of Harry Potter, but not the illustrator.?
During his presentation at the library, Crilley will make his drawing pad the focus, however and tell the audience how he came up with his ideas.
Registration 248-627-1460 or visit www.brandonlibrary.org.