How To Draw Beowulf For Kids

Mirembe Mubanda, one of our young bloggers, recently got the chance to read Alexis E. Fajardo's graphic novel Child Beowulf: The Rising of El Cid, and then talk to the author about his inspirations, his process, and writing multiple storylines.

Read the interview below!

Mirembe Mubanda: Every bit a child, what were some of your favorite stories? Did they play a part in your inspiration to write Kid Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid?

Alexis Fajardo: I've ever loved mythology, in item the Greek and Norse myths. One of my favorite books growing upwardly was the D'Aulaire'due south editions of Greek and Norse mythology; they were wonderfully written and illustrated. Equally a young reader I was specially fatigued to the Norse myths because they were always a little bloodier than the more refined Greek myths. Those stories were a gateway to epics like Beowulf and El Cid.

MM: If you lot were to host a dinner party where yous invited characters from different comics and graphic novels, whom would you lot invite, and why would you invite them?

AF: This is a hard question! Hmm…I suppose get-go off we would need someone to cook the repast, and I think Phoney Os (from the graphic novel Bone) is a pretty proficient cook. Then of course we need some good conversation, so I would invite Delilah Dirk (from the graphic novel series, Delilah Dirk), Tintin, and Asterix to tell me about all their adventures (and nosotros'll need plenty of food if Obelix and Captain Haddock come along too). Finally, I don't want to do any dishes so I recall we'll probably need Smiley Bone in the kitchen to help Phoney make clean up.

MM: What was it like when the idea of writing The Ascension of El Cid came to mind?

AF: When I started the Kid Beowulf series I knew I wanted Beowulf and Grendel to interact with epic heroes from other countries, Espana was ever on the list because of El Cid. I was also looking forrad to writing The Ascension of El Cid because part of my family is from Spain, so to weave in some of that history was important to me. Ane of my favorite parts of creating new stories is doing all the research. I dear reading the source material (in this case, the epic poem El Cid) as well as histories and other stories related to the topic. The enquiry is fun considering information technology means all ideas are on the tabular array. Eventually, the hard part of writing begins when I accept to whittle away at the story until the story takes shape. I knew for the Rise of El Cid, I wanted to tell the story of how a Rodrigo Díaz becomes the groovy knight known every bit "El Cid" but must stay truthful to himself to achieve that title.

MM: While creating Kid Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid, did yous have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

AF: There are a lot of fun characters in this book merely 1 of my favorites is Rodrigo's friend Pedro the mute. He is modest, feisty, only never says a word! He has a slate board that he communicates with by drawing pictures on it; information technology was fun to come with the different things he would have to say. I am also fond of Rodrigo's horse, Babieca and particularly enjoyed creating the part of the story where the two first see. Horses are very hard to draw though so Babieca was a challenge.

MM: On a scale of one through ten, how much is Kid Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid based on the poem El Cid? Why is it this number?

AF: In the book there is a Prologue in which I retell the original epic poem and that is a solid "10." The rest of the book is inspired past events in the epic poem, other stories most El Cid, as well equally the history of the time. My story is intended to be a prequel to the events depicted in the ballsy poem. The research is pretty detailed and thorough and the history is mostly accurate, at the same time information technology's an original story, especially the parts involving Beowulf and Grendel!

MM: Child Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid is the third graphic novel in the Child Beowulf series. Which comic volume did you enjoy writing the most?

AF: Even though they are all part of the same series and nosotros follow Beowulf and Grendel from one book to the side by side, each book is very unlike from the other. Volume one is very much a fantasy that has elements of magic in it. Book two is a swashbuckling adventure story with some comedy thrown in. And volume 3 is a more than serious adventure with some romance and political intrigue. Each one has its own challenges and when I'm creating them I am fully invested in that adventure; it's only after I'1000 finished when I can brainstorm to judge them. That said, book two, The Song of Roland has some of my favorite characters and sequences in it and I always like coming back to that setting.

MM: In Kid Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid there are three different story lines. Did you ever think of making only one?

AF: Ha! At that place are multiple storylines in all my books! I recollect that's because I try to create iii-dimensional characters who have a lives and stories of their own…which can sometimes complicate plots. Ideally all the different storylines come up together by the end of the big story; so in the case of El Cid, nosotros accept the story of Rodrigo Díaz which is very separate from what Beowulf and Grendel are doing however past the climax of the volume all their storylines intersect and (hopefully) pay off.

MM: Were any of the characters personalities based on yours or someone you know well? If then which characters and people?

AF: I accept a few friends who sometimes get the inspiration for characters. Rodrigo'due south shut friend, Martín is inspired by a skilful friend of mine – in looks, personality, and facial pilus.

MM: What was your process for writing the storyline and making the fine art?

AF: At that place are lots of unlike ways to brand comics and each cartoonist has their ain method. For me I like to write out full scripts that I and then draw out. There are several stages to creating the art: pencils, inks, color, and letters. I pencil and ink on newspaper after which I scan the artwork into the estimator and color and letter digitally. I also accept a colorist who helps me colour the volume. Comics are deceptively circuitous to make, it sort of like putting together a giant puzzle.

MM: Child Beowulf: The Rise of El Cid, has many different types of scenes, some happy, others action-packed. Which type of scene practise you similar to write the most?

AF: Every scene has its ain challenges. Action scenes and fight scenes can accept a long time because I have to choreograph the activeness and make sure it reads clearly on the page. At the aforementioned time, the slower, more emotional scenes are the glue that keeps the story interesting and so information technology's of import to make those resonate too. I beloved writing stories and the matter I want to exercise most is create a good story that keeps the reader excited, engaged, and entertained. I want my reader to race to cease a volume because they are invested and then I want them to read it all over again because they enjoyed it so much the first time.

Cheers so much to Alexis E. Fajardo for doing the interview with Stone Soup, and to Mirembe for asking great questions! Check out the Child Beowulf website to read more about the books.

Have you read whatever of these books, or do you want to ask Mirembe well-nigh the experience of being an interviewer? Go out a annotate below!