We talked about the plot, the characters, the myth and the legends. But what exactly inspired the comic?
The answer is: multiple things.
Let's see what and how these things had an impact on the comic!
The answer is: multiple things.
Let's see what and how these things had an impact on the comic!
1. The Sandman
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The Sandman by Neil Gaiman, was the single, most powerful inspiration behind Columns of Creation.
I don't make a secret of it because it is as clear as day to anyone who's read Sandman.
There's a clear attempt to summon the vibes and feelings that Sandman was so uniquely good at summoning.
Fire is my Morpheus. The Columns are my Endless. But this is a very different story and a totally new journey.
And in it you will feel as sense of wonder and nostalgia, as you venture down intellectual rabbit holes and moral conflicts.
I don't make a secret of it because it is as clear as day to anyone who's read Sandman.
There's a clear attempt to summon the vibes and feelings that Sandman was so uniquely good at summoning.
Fire is my Morpheus. The Columns are my Endless. But this is a very different story and a totally new journey.
And in it you will feel as sense of wonder and nostalgia, as you venture down intellectual rabbit holes and moral conflicts.
2. Power Rangers
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As a little Alex, growing up in sunny Italy during the early 2000's, Power Rangers was a major influence on me. Back then, Italy wasn't known for its richness of cultures.
So things like Power Rangers showed tiny me that people can look all kinds of ways, and that's ok.
It also taught me basic values such as friendship, teamwork and to never give up.
But let's not pretend that I was thinking about any of that back then. They looked awesome!
All of the above manifested in the inception of my comic, and Power Rangers will always have a special place in my heart.
So things like Power Rangers showed tiny me that people can look all kinds of ways, and that's ok.
It also taught me basic values such as friendship, teamwork and to never give up.
But let's not pretend that I was thinking about any of that back then. They looked awesome!
All of the above manifested in the inception of my comic, and Power Rangers will always have a special place in my heart.
3. Naturo/ Dragon Ball
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Another big influence while growing up were manga and anime. Naruto and Dragon Ball in particular. This is another case where I look back and think that perhaps little me felt a connection with these two outcasts turned heroes. But of course, back then it was all about the colors, the fighting and the awesomeness of it all.
Fire of the Columns of Creation, is very much like Naruto and Goku.
He's a powerful being that feels like an outsider. He's smart, but naive and he puts others first.
Just like Naruto with Sasuke, and Goku with Vegeta, Fire and his brother, Wind, are two opposites of the same coin and complete each other.
Also, Fire has the same color as Naruto and Goku!
Fire of the Columns of Creation, is very much like Naruto and Goku.
He's a powerful being that feels like an outsider. He's smart, but naive and he puts others first.
Just like Naruto with Sasuke, and Goku with Vegeta, Fire and his brother, Wind, are two opposites of the same coin and complete each other.
Also, Fire has the same color as Naruto and Goku!
4. God of War 2018/ Norse mythology
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I was always attracted to mythology, even as a kid. But it wasn't until God of War 2018 on PlayStation 4 that I became truly acquainted with the Norse pantheon.
As a hardcore gamer, and storyteller, God of War spoke to me in a way that no other piece of entertainment has
(save perhaps The Sandman).
Joining the two things I love the most: gods and a damn good story.
But God of War hooked me by relating to me through the father/ son dynamic.
A dynamic which, not only I'm well familiar with, but that I wanted my characters to experience too.
As a hardcore gamer, and storyteller, God of War spoke to me in a way that no other piece of entertainment has
(save perhaps The Sandman).
Joining the two things I love the most: gods and a damn good story.
But God of War hooked me by relating to me through the father/ son dynamic.
A dynamic which, not only I'm well familiar with, but that I wanted my characters to experience too.
Honorable mentions
Even though the following are less of a component to the Columns of Creation, they still contributed to the inception of the comic.
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The Avengers.
I wanted my very own "assemble" of heroes, and you know what they say
"If you want something, go get it".
I wanted my very own "assemble" of heroes, and you know what they say
"If you want something, go get it".
I don't own the rights to this picture
It was brought to my attention how the Columns of Creation resemble the Eternals. There was no attempt by me to reference Jack Kirby's characters; but I'm very happy and honored for the parallels drawn between them. Indeed the Columns and the Eternals seek a better understanding of what it means to be human. However, the Columns have greater power than the Eternals. In their own universe, the Eternals were created by the Celestials, who created the universe. In my universe, that role is covered by the Columns of Creation. So, while there are certain similarities, there are also clear differences.