We’ve been huge fans of writer Eric Palicki for years. From his AHOY Comics Black’s Myth graphic novels to his comic Ninja Kaidan and so many more comics, Palicki brings a grounded accessibility to even the most fantastical of tales. That’s why we’re so excited to see him team up with the monumentally talented artist Giulia Lalli (Eight Limbs) for their new AHOY Comics standalone graphic novel DRAGONPROOF, now funding on Kickstarter. We’ve all felt a sense of losing direction in our lives at one time or another, and the hero of DRAGONPROOF is no different. Twentysomething Ashleigh Cole finds herself roused from the aimlessness that has plagued her when she unexpectedly finds she’s the only thing standing between the survival of the mythical dragons of yore and a shadowy government with nefarious, exploitative plans.
I recently spoke with Eric Palicki about the idea behind DRAGONPROOF, collaborating with Giulia Lalli, the Kickstarter itself, and the most gratifying part of working on the graphic novel.
FreakSugar: Before we get into the graphic novel itself, what is the genesis of DRAGONPROOF?
Eric Palicki: Dragons! They are such a cool visual element and kind of underserved by the current comics landscape, so I knew I wanted to put dragons into a story, and needed to figure out how to fit them into my brand–can I say I have a brand?–of urban fantasy. Once those pieces fell into place, Dragonproof was born.
FS: For folks considering preordering the graphic novel, what is the idea behind DRAGONPROOF?
EP: Directionless 20-something Ashleigh Cole discovers a dying dragon while camping in the woods. This discovery sets Ash off on a broad mythological adventure to uncover secrets about the world she thought she knew, and also about herself.
FS: Giulia Lalli’s work seems perfect for this story. What is your collaboration like?
EP: “Collaboration” is the right word for this. A good collaborator brings out the best in others, and that’s Giulia. She challenged my decisions and the story is better for it. The story beats were mine, but the characters didn’t live and breathe like real people until Giulia came onboard and questioned why some of them felt like cliches borrowed from other stories.
I hope this is just the first of many chances to work with her.
FS: The press release states that this book will appeal to everyone from fans of Buffy and Gargoyles to The Fourth Wing and ACOTAR. What is the appeal for you working on this type of project and living in that world?
EP: Well, I am a fantasy reader from way back, ever since Mom put A Wrinkle In Time in my hand in the third grade (thanks, Mom!) But when it comes to the stuff you mentioned, specifically, those are stories directed at a much broader audience than most comics these days, and it’s an audience underserved by medium right now. I love Absolute Batman, but it’s not the book I’d put into the hands of a romantasy reader and say, “Here. Try this next.”
FS: Following up on that, what has been your favorite part of working on DRAGONPROOF?
EP: Oh, Giulia and Gab, one hundred percent, but as a non-artist, getting pages back that are somehow both exactly what I asked for and also more than that is always my favorite part of making comics.
If all goes to plan, I’m putting a book into the world that combines so much I love and it’ll find an audience that loves it, too.
FS: What’s been the most rewarding part of writing Ashleigh? Has she taken turns and actions that you didn’t expect when you first came up with the idea for the graphic novel?
EP: Absolutely. She’s stronger than she thinks, and the journey became as much about her realizing it as it was about showing her strength to the reader. I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a dialogue with my own character quite as much as I have with Ash. She figured herself out without my help, which was surreal and refreshing as a writer.
FS: Do you have any favorite stories featuring dragons?
EP: Hmmm. Shoutout to the ‘90s classic DRAGONHEART with Sean Connery and Dennis Quaid, with honorable mention to Matthew McConaughey’s scenery-chewing role in REIGN OF FIRE.
FS: If you had a final pitch for the comic, what would it be?
EP: It’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Pete’s Dragon, a mythological adventure full of sardonic wit and a helluva cast, brought to life by unsung artistic talents of Giulia Lalli and Gab Contreras.
The Kickstarter for DRAGONPROOF has been fully funded with 15 days left! Lovers of tales of dragons, tail-kickin’ protagonists, and coming-of-age epics need this in your life!
