Creators team up on comic projects

A PAIR of creatives have been working together on the release their debut manga publications.

Local writers and illustrators Josh Dunbar and Shaun DeWitte have been at work to create the first books in their ongoing collections.

Having illustrated for much of their lives, Dunbar’s drawing led to a career as a graphic designer at Ballarat Real Estate, and he said his creative leanings were reignited when DeWitte joined the workplace.

“I had the idea for my comic a few years ago and Shaun gave me the kick I needed to get it off the ground and actually start it,” he said.

“I write the script and character sketches then I have two artists in Brazil who send me the proofs back. Similar to what Shaun does but he’s a little more hands-on with storyboarding.”

Dunbar’s work, Kintsugi Warrior, follows a young boy and his adventures with a terracotta soldier bright to life.

DeWitte has been working on his book The Stolen for more than five years, which follows a group of musicians and their rise and fall in the music industry.

With his book nearly complete, he aims to have an animated music video and song created to accompany its release.

He said he’s been able to help fast-track Dunbar in the art of creating manga.

“With just me experimenting with the process I can help Josh with his. I can sort of guide him into ways to go or give feedback,” he said.

“I’ve been sort of a semi-editor and helping tweak the pacing of his story.”

With manga traditionally a Japanese comic medium, Dunbar said he hopes to break the mould and show that it can be created by artists on the other side of the ocean.

“Growing up, we were surrounded by this Japanese influence of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball Z. Everyone was addicted,” he said.

“In Australia, there’s not a lot of the manga scene as in creativity. We’re sort of trying to build a community around this to be a more mainstream endeavour.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re based. If you have a love for the craft and form, there shouldn’t be any limitations.”