Now that the 2022 ShortBox Comics Fair is days away from finishing, it’s time to reminisce. The digital fair, which runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 annually, serves as a unique event in the field of comic-creation. It is entirely online, and allows 100 different independent artists the chance to sell their exclusive new works digitally – and for low prices! Having heard of the event from various artists throughout the years, I decided to throw my hat into the ring and purchased 10 of them, some whose authors I knew and some who I’d never even heard of.
J’arrive! — Mathilde Laillet
Taking place in the French seaside town of Brittany, this autobiographical piece follows its author as she reminisces over her nostalgic summer memories, the places she always returns to, and the person she’s become.
I’ve been a fan of Laillet ever since her watercolour artwork caught my eye on Instagram a few months ago, and needless to say her latest work did not disappoint. Her style and colour choices are simply captivating, and I loved the creative way she depicted her flashbacks. Plus, this comic comes with a French version, which I appreciate.
I Like Food — Manda Conti
Food: What does it mean to you? Manda Conti’s latest, a scrapbook-style amalgamation of all the ways in which food is meaningful to us all, sets out to answer this exact question.
This one’s definitely the most inventive of all the comics I read. Not only is it filled with quirky food-related stories, but it also features the artist’s own photographs, anecdotes, and even several family recipes for readers to try out. I Like Food is a labour of love, and it shows.
Between Sand and Sea — C.A.P Ward
To remain where you are, or to seek a place elsewhere: this philosophical question lies at the heart of Ward’s latest piece. The adolescent protagonist of Between Sand and Sea struggles to make an exact choice of where they truly belong, and must ultimately discover their true calling.
Given its relatively short length, this fascinating tale is well-depicted in terms of both art and writing. The fantasy world here is lush and imaginative, and Ward’s ability to panel and draw such a world works wonders with the comic’s choice of limited colour palette.
I Am of Two Hearts — Val Wise
Set during a moment of peace amongst political turmoil, this story charts the path of Emissary Thresa (in a world that clearly takes inspiration from Ursula K. LeGuin’s Hainish Cycle novels) as he visits the temple of his birth one last time. The reason? He is due to be executed immediately upon his return to the King.
At almost 100 pages, I Am of Two Hearts is a doorstopper of a comic in both its scope and emotional effect. Its themes on love and loyalty are compelling, and its protagonist as much as a complex individual that could possibly be built up in a one-shot comic. I admire Wise as an artist, and I now admire him as a storyteller too.
Duende — Elle Shivers
A strained mother-daughter relationship takes centre stage in Elle Shivers’ Duende. When a young woman returns to the Philippines to attend her mother’s third marriage ceremony, she slips away during the festivities and comes into contact with a vampire – an encounter that changes everything.
I’m always a sucker for dysfunctional family themes, and this comic has a particularly unique take on it. Shivers’ choice to combine the crushing reality of familial relationships with the supernatural proves to create a strange, but ultimately very effective, impact.
A Woman Appeared to Me — Mikoto
In another horror-themed comic, A Woman Appeared to Me follows Zaina, a woman feeling unloved and neglected by her husband. After being given the counsel of an elder, she seeks out a mysterious priestess who’s said to be able to grant any wish… and is engulfed in a world of temptation.
Mikoto is an artist who’s new to me, and I love the way they’ve incorporated traditional Moroccan culture into this work using a gorgeous artstyle. The horror and unease lurks throughout, and culminates in a grand crescendo at the end that definitely left an impression on me.
Why Don’t You Like Me? — Gaia Papoila
Proserpina lives a seemingly ordinary life at her all-girls college. There’s only one problem: Miss Rosaria, who sits across from her at mealtime, is a toad. Proserpina appears to be the only one who takes notice. Or is she? And why, exactly, is one of her classmates a toad?
I was drawn to this comic due to its rather offbeat plot and charming artstyle, but it turned out to be so much more – offering both a rather unconventional love story and a biting commentary on the nature of bullying (particularly the sort done by teenage girls), all wrapped up in “toad princess” fairytale trappings!
Give Her Back to Me — Hana Chatani
In a story that spans generations of the same family, Give Her Back to Me begins when a young mother, Kyoko, sees her child come into contact with a cursed object: an antique dresser embedded with a mirror, a relic from her grandmother. Yet, can she really bring herself to get rid of it?
I was pleasantly surprised about this one – having known Chatani for her airy, beautiful artwork, I was taken aback at her ability to craft a story so dark and with such twists. The psychological element of horror is at full force here; it’s a comic that’ll leave one thinking about it for days.
Ear Rice — Summer Kim
The official description of Summer Kim’s Ear Rice on the ShortBox website keeps it simple: “About one’s absence and those who are left behind.” Needless to say, this is the one comic that I won’t be able to say much about – not just because it’s the shortest one I bought at 17 pages, but because I feel that stating its theme directly would ruin the atmosphere.
Despite its short length, Ear Rice is a perfect definition of the phrase “simple, yet effective.” Don’t let the deceptively sweet art style fool you – it packs a heavy punch and will certainly resonate with many.
In A Plum — Peony Gent
Peony Gent’s In A Plum is difficult to properly describe: lacking the usual plot or story elements, it is instead a selection of thoughts and ruminations regarding the role of poetry. Interspersed throughout include the author’s own poems, various scribblings, and quotes from other authors.
Although I initially found it difficult to keep up with, I grew to appreciate Gent’s stream-of-consciousness approach to comic writing. This is honestly one that may take a couple of re-reads for me to fully understand, but I appreciate any piece of work that makes me examine it again.
The Art Archive 