​A picture is worth a thousand words: Fargo author’s novella adapted into graphic novel

By John Showalter

john.d.showalter@gmail.com

Almost six years ago, I interviewed local author Darrin Albert, pseudonym Blake Alb, about his debut novella “Snowcrow”, a book that explored the sinister side of snowmen. Now, as the weather grows colder and the days grow shorter, the saga of “Snowcrow” has entered a new chapter, crossing into the visual medium. Over the last three years, “Snowcrow” has been adapted into a graphic novel.

Albert describes himself as a writer with a passion for stories that stray from the beaten path. Other than “Snowcrow,” he has published a variety of short stories and novels, such as “The Fairgrounds” and “Odds & Ends: Luck of the Draw” through Snowcrow’s publisher, World Castle Publishing.

“I have an MS in psychology from NDSU and I have worked extensively in the field of mental health,” said Albert. “I attribute my psychology degree to playing a significant role in providing a wellspring of ideas for storytelling.”

The insight into the human psyche granted by Albert’s education and life experience certainly lent itself to his writing debut, “Snowcrow.”

“Snowcrow is a story about a teenager named Teddy with a nervous disposition,” said Albert. “Certain coincidences occur that are ‘just strange enough’ to send him down various rabbit holes of anxious rumination. In fact, it’s up to the reader to decide if the events in the story really are paranormal or just figments of Teddy’s imagination. The story is ultimately about mental health and how much impact it can have on the human psyche. The main character is a neurodivergent, highly sensitive person with traits of OCD, anxiety, depression and high-function autism. His best friend, Jane Avalon, has taken it upon herself to watch over Teddy and make sure that his social awkwardness is always in check and doesn’t get out of hand. The story is a slice-of-life mystery with comedic elements. It draws inspiration from the likes of DC Vertigo, anime, manga and a splash of Tim Burton.”

To date, the novella version of “Snowcrow” is Albert’s most successful published book. Given Albert’s love of sequential art, the narrative’s adaptation into a visual medium was inevitable.

“The idea was actually suggested to me by one of my test readers/editors that it would make a great graphic novel,” Albert said.

To make the adaptation a reality, Albert collaborated with longtime multimedia illustrator John Davies, a 34 year veteran of the comics and entertainment industry.

“His love of drawing came about when he was five years old,” said Albert. “Growing up in Southern California gave him a great opportunity to flourish with creative contacts. His studies grew and centered around fine arts (in which he also has a degree). Utilizing these skills, John began working as an illustration designer, penciler and inker (including positions on set at Warner Bro. Studios). John has worked on several published periodicals within the comic book industry for many independent companies. He has also held a position within a studio environment that produced illustrations for DC Comics. John is also working on Station 39 for Charter Comics, along with multiple cover projects for independent publishers, music groups, etc.”

Albert described the process of adapting “Snowcrow” into a graphic novel as a collaborative effort between himself, John Davies and Lieh Pena.

“I wrote the story, dialogue, and panel descriptions,” Albert explains. “John Davies did the illustrations based on my panel descriptions. Lieh Pena did the lettering and much of the formatting. I also had editors and test readers involved. Karen Fuller was the main editor (from World Castle Publishing).”

It’s challenging to adapt a novel to a visual medium like a comic. When asked whether anything gets lost in translation, Albert replied, “That is a great question. In fact, John Davies and I were hoping to do a panel discussion on that very topic at Fargo’s ValleyCon, but we didn’t get things set up in time. There are definitely strengths to a visual medium (after all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words). So if that is true, comics and manga should speak volumes just with the sketches alone. In that case, I added so much new content to the graphic novel that virtually nothing has been lost in the translation. If anything, it is an improved product. I even added end-of-chapter ‘diary’ sections that really bring back the feel of the original novella.”

Those interested in checking out either version of “Snowcrow” or its graphic novel counterpart can purchase either at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the World Castle Publishing website. Albert says that the order in which the novel and its visual adaptation are read in is not important.

“If a person must choose, my belief is that the graphic novel is the superior product, with its additional content, excellent artwork and lengthier story,” he said.