Amaranth
Amaranth is a dark fairytale about a young woman living in Bristol, who finds out she is a changeling: a fairy soul trapped in a human body. With the help of servant boy Ivy, she sets out to find her lost home, and her lost self. She soon finds the fairy-realm has thorns as well as roses, and her return is not so simple.
About the artist: Willie Hewes is a Dutch girl living in Bristol, she draws comics and illustrations. Amaranth is her first full-length graphic novel, rendered in a unique style, using charcoal and ink washes for a dark, gothic atmosphere.
I like charcoal because it makes things look moody and strange. Amaranth is a very moody story, about an inescapable fate, and love that will never be.
~Willie Hewes
What people say:
“The art manages to be both stylish and simple. The panels are built out of a minimum of detail, and uses smudges to good effect in depicting features such as eyes which are still alive with emotion and personality.” Darren Schroeder Comics Bulletin on issue 1
“The style in Amaranth has become cleaner and improved steadily since issue 1 and I’d say it was definitely Manga-like but with an individual touch of Hewes’ own. Some company like Self Made Hero should be trying to recruit this creator!!” The ever enthusiastic Terry from Comic Bits Online
“Willie has a very distinct art style – a mixture of oversized managa style heads, charcoal fine art smudgings and goth subjects. It works to provide a somewhat dreamy nightmarish feel to her art which I hope she goes on to develop further.” Static Girl at Fat Squirrel
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Cover
Preview pages
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Shop for more books. If you’re into impossible love stories, you may also enjoy Karen Yumi Lusted’s Final Blossom. Or you can check out what happened to Willie Hewes’ art style after she finished this book. You will find her in Leek & Sushi’s Manga Show.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I enjoyed Amaranth, although it wasn’t always the easiest read; it’s a bit disjointed in places, which may come from having started life as a webcomic. The ending was both a surprise and very satisfying, as well as melancholy. I would recommend it, but not if you’re looking for a quick fun read – Amaranth is a dark and thoughtful book, and deserves attention.
I found this dark fairy tale and it’s unusual protagonist engrossing to read. The story is strong and absorbing from the very beginning, full of twists and turns and completed by an unexpected ending.
I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark or urban fantasy with romantic undercurrents.
Just set it down this minute and its a pretty interesting read, artwork takes a little getting used to but its a bold move to take, plus its a little girly but thats to be expected from a fantasy/romance. Overall a pretty cool alternative comic to have on the shelf.