Graphic short story
Ode to Venus
A short graphic story created together with members of the comic book club, ComicNight, in Stavanger Norway. The comic was a part of a booklet “Starstruck – a comic Anthology” where each story was inspired by a planet in our solar system.
Concept: A knight’s journey in the harsh environment on Venus, inspired by the storytelling of grahic novelist Will Eisner and author Edgard Allan Poe.
Technique: Ink with brush and nibs.
1
Oh Venus
Bright Morning Star
Divine Beacon on our path,
always guiding us,
like a maiden calling a knight errant to her rescue.
2
Blinded by his pursuit of honour and glory
the valiant knight hastens to her,
blissfully unaware of the dangers ahead.
Woe, he who does not heed my warning.
3
Though it may all seem random,
a chance of luck,
the knight’s journey is now in the hands of Fate.
And Fate is a heartless mistress.
4
Don’t be deceived by her hidden wonders.
Even in moments of tranquility you can sense her presence,
calculating, quietly waiting.
5
The knight is but a mere mortal,
venturing into his lady’s realm means certain death.
All his efforts only postpone the inevitable ruin.
6
But fortune favors our brave knight.
He gives praise for his luck and to his God above.
The Fool!
7
Though he could still escape his fate,
the knight keeps on walking,
now seeing the goal is within his reach.
In awe he kneels before her,
unable to gaze upon her divine beauty.
He has finally found his maiden fair, his Venus.
8
Her tender embrace stirs something inside him.
The knight abruptly awakens and recalls the prophecy.
“Deadly beauty, destined night,
A gentle touch will be your demise.
Shrouded in light,
Hell incarnate in maiden disguise.”
The prophecy fulfilled, his fate sealed.
There he forever dwells,
condemned to gaze at her terrifying beauty
for all eternity.