Posted in: Comics | Tagged: graphic novel, Sal Abbinanti, the hostage

Haunted by The Hostage and Now You Can Be Too

Sal Abbinanti writes for Bleeding Cool about The Hostage. He writes,

The Hostage has been many years in the making. It's something that came to me just shortly after I left Brazil following a six-month stay while I was a college student. I began sketching . . . putting the story together.

In particular, I was inspired by a relic carved of wood by the indigenous people that I picked up and brought home with me—and still have. It was said to ward off evil spirits, to protect their children from natural predators.

I've started and stopped this project numerous times, but I knew I had to make it work. I had to put my thoughts and feelings on paper. I work the old school way—physically putting pen to paper, drawing, making mistakes, and trying again. I'd sketch. I'd put it down. I'd go back. Over and over.

I've seen my approach change over the years. For example, the beats of the narrative and how quickly or slowly I'd want to tell parts of the story. But sometimes, you just fall in love with an image and are determined to use it. Some of the first images I ever created, all those years ago, are the book's opening scene.

The further I got from my visit to Brazil, the more it had a power over me. The concept is a mix of culture, religion, horror, the supernatural, and myth. The images have haunted me. I just couldn't get it out of my head.

And here we are, today. My very personal graphic novel is now complete and ready for everyone to see. You can check out my Kickstarter for The Hostage now through February 25^th.

The Hostage graphic novel is available as a hardcover as well as a digital PDF not only in English but also in Portuguese, translated by Kelsey Trotta. Every backer will receive stickers inspired by images I saw in newspapers that I collected from old libraries in Brazil that were throwing away much of their archive.

Backers who choose the Guest Artist Rewards have access to work from artists—including Alex Ross, Bill Sienkiewicz, Sanjulián, Geof Darrow, Jeffrey Alan Love, and Eric Powell! I've gotten to know many of these incredible artists as an Art Rep. In fact, you may have seen or talked to me over the years at cons at the AlexRossArt/Bill Sienkiewicz Booth.

Or original art by me, Sal Abbinanti, as part of a Reward Tier or as an Add On!

For the collector who wants it all, there are only 35 of The Complete Hostage packages left!

We are close to hitting our $40,00 stretch goal with only days left in the campaign.

And we recently announced a chance to win The Hostage Lithograph image created by Alex Ross and signed by Alex Ross. One winner is drawn at random ends 2/25/21 @ 11:59 PM! Enter for a chance to win here.

I appreciate your support! Check out The Hostage Kickstarter here.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!