Tomas Ross quotes on cover!

I've been a fan of the Dutch thriller-writer Tomas Ross for a long time. He has written an amount of books and scripts for Tv which they call faction: stories that are a combination of facts and fiction. What I didn't know is that Tomas Ross also likes comics.

Because I admire his work I'm very proud that he praises my new book Scherven on the back-cover:

'Een fantastisch tijdsbeeld van de eerste oorlogsdagen. In zijn unieke, sobere teken- en vertelstijl roept Erik de Graaf met een perfect gevoel voor detail na zeventig jaar nog de sfeer van toen op alsof het pas gisteren was!'

Scherven finished!

Five years ago I started working on my book Scherven. Apart from my full-time job I worked on it during the evening hours and week-ends. Last week I have send the digital files to the printer in Belgium. The book will come out at the end of april, just before Liberation-day.

I am happy it's finished, especially the last months I've worked very hard on it. The first reactions I get are very positive!

Oog & Blik and de Bezige Bij are managing all publicity, so I'm curious what will come out of that. I can already say that there will be a book-presentation and that I will give some background information and insights about the book on the website Stripspeciaalzaak every saturday in april. I will come back with more details later!

Follower

I realise that it's too long ago that I've posted a message on my blog. But I hope the excuse is valid: I've worked extremely hard to finish my book Scherven.

The book is at the printer now and it will come out at end of april, just before the 65th birthday of Hollands liberation from the Germans, a good moment I think.

Although the amount of visitors of my weblog grows bit by bit, it would be nice if more people came by. I promise I will post more frequently again from now on.

The nicest thing would be if you would become a FOLLOWER, you can subscribe on the right of this post. And it also would be very kind if you could send my blog-adress to other people who you think might like it. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations!

One of my favorit authors since a couple of years is Michel Rabagliati. I love his Paul-stories and the way he draws them. At the famous Angouleme-festival the last Paul-book- 'Paul a Quebec'- was awarded with the 'Fauve Fnac/SNCF-Pris du Public'. Congratulations for Michel Rabagliati!

An advice from me: try to find the Paul-books, some are translated in English, some in Dutch.

Scherven announced

My new book Scherven is now announced in the beautiful designed catalogue of de Bezige Bij and Oog & Blik for spring next year! Together with new books of Daniel Clowes, Robert Crumb and Joost Swarte it is planned to appear in may. A good moment, because may 2010 means 65 years of freedom for Holland after the Second Worldwar. And at the 4th, 5th and 6h of june there are the famous Stripdagen in Haarlem. I'm really looking forward to it!

Cover for Scherven

Currently I'm still working hard on Splinters (the Dutch title is Scherven). I am coloring the last set of pages, put in the text at those pages, create the titlepage etc.... In other words, still a lot to do. I hope to finish the book around the end of january. The planning is it will appear in may 2010.

In the meanwhile I like to show you the cover as it is now (It might slightly change in the next weeks). On the illustration you see Victor biking away from his village. In the background a formation of bombers, on its way to bring destruction. It is an image taken from one of the last scenes of the book and is made in a graphic style that refers to the propaganda posters that appeared during wartime. Also the use colors on the cover refers to that period as does the typography. Not only in the book but also on the cover I try to catch the atmosphere of the war as good as I can.

Cover Souvenirs Perdus

Lately I have finished the reworking of the stories that are going to appear in Souvenirs Perdus (I showed you some in my last post). Now I can show you the provisory cover of the book. The design is made by the graphic designer of La Pasteque. He has created a clean, strong lay-out in which Muis, showing his biceps, plays the mainrole.The used colors are crisp and clean, just as they are inside the book. The typography is clear and contemporary.

The plan still is to bring out the book in the second half of next year. I will keep you informed (also about the definitive cover)!

Pages Souvenirs Perdus

Currently I'm working on the last part of Splinters (Dutch title will be 'Scherven'), but I'm also reworking the pages for the French translation of 'Verzamelde Herinneringen', Souvenirs Perdus, which will appear next year at La Pasteque.

The adjustments I make have to do with the coloring. I wasn't 100% happy with the print-result of the Dutch edition. I found the colors a bit too heavy and saturated, so I'm making them a bit lighter and brighter.

I will also change the textballoons -no black outlines but with a shadow underneath- and remove the outlines of the images. It gives the pages a 'blonder' and more accessible look. Here I show some different pages.

The reason there is no text in it is that La Pasteque will do a new lettering. I hope I can show you the definitive cover of Souvenirs Perdus soon!

Last Stripelmagazine

I had the honour to deliver the image for the cover of the last issue of the Belgian Stripelmagazine (# 12). In the last issue you can also find the interview that was already published on the Stripelmagazine website. Stripelmagazine will continue on the internet as a digital magazine. Every week there will be a new issue with interesting articles and interviews. Take look at their site!

Alan's War

Emmanuel Guibert already made a lot of different books. Not long ago I read Alan's War. A book about American G.I. Alan Cope's memories of the Second Worldwar, written and drawn by Guibert. A very moving story of a soldier who was transported to France to fight against the enemy. The images are done in subtle grey-tones which give the story even more dimensions.

I really recommend this book. Language can not be the problem, Alan's War is available in French, English and Dutch.

Muis does New York

Dutch comic promotor Gert Jan Pos is working hard to spread comics from the Lowlands. A couple of weeks ago he was in the Big Apple to give a presentation called 'Understanding Dutch comics' at the famous Parsons, the new school for design. And look who was also there: Muis travelled together with Gert Jan to open the presentation!

Carnets de Guerre

Jacques Martin is especially known from his Alex and Le Franc stories. But a while ago, in a shop in Paris, I found a carnet with drawings about the Second Worldwar made by him. I was really impressed by the realistic style and the dramatic atmosphere of the images. All where made in soft grey pencil. Carnets de Guerre is edited by Casterman.