Get set to be sucked in by Sean Lam’s new vampire graphic novel, Geungsi.
Stephanie Meyer, eat your heart out. Singapore’s manga maestro has a vampire story that’s here to slay.
Sean Lam’s resume looks like a manga aficionado’s dream. He’s adapted a science fiction classic into a series of graphic novels, gathered tens of thousands of fans worldwide — especially in Japan and the US, and has effortlessly switched from western to eastern art styles with every title. Not to mention bagging an award or two along the way in his illustrious illustration career.
With first-hand experience of working with the who’s who of the comic book industry and a degree in Design and Media from Singapore’s Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts stashed securely in his pocket, he is all set to unleash a new vampire-themed graphic novel series upon our shores. With very Asian characters set in very Singaporean settings, no less.
If I told you I didn’t have high expectations of Geungsi, I would be lying.
Yet I am sure he will deliver, based on what I’ve seen in his earlier work. I’ve downloaded one of his earlier graphic novels — It Takes a Wizard — onto Kindle, and was instantly intrigued by its action-packed panels and quirky comic relief.
Intricate landscapes and idiosyncratic slivers of character reveal (“Is that a tin of Spam in the heroine’s bag?”) systematically upped my interest, and they told volumes of the artist’s attention to the littlest things. Things I’m expecting Geungsi to have in spades. And its teaser ads and artist’s panels are looking pretty optimistic.
Geungsi artwork on Sean’s Instagram page also exhibit an artistic style that is unique to his other works. One can sense Japanese influences, inking techniques from western comics, hints of nineties manga, and — dare I say it — a smidgen of A Nightmare Before Christmas. It is after all a horror tale and one that’s meant to send a chill or two up your spine.
You can’t quite put your finger on the origins of Geungsi’s artistic style, and as such, it is one that Sean solely owns and I applaud him for it.
Sean had also expressed earlier this year that he wanted to create comic heroes that belong to Singaporeans. Geungsi’s protagonist(s) may well fit the bill.
A plot summary on its Facebook page informs me that reading it will leave me skeptical of everyone I know. Was it meant to mirror the same feeling of uncertainty whenever we head out in real life? Is the vampire story actually social commentary? There’s only one way to find out — which is to read the book.
If vampires could be any of us in the world of Geungsi, then heroes can arise from any of us. A fitting supernatural story for this chapter in human history we’re in.
The first volume in the Geungsi series will be launched 22 October, 2021. And there’s a slew of exciting activities lined up for the launch from 22 to 24 October— Sean will be there for all events, so join in if you want to meet him irl.
Event 1:
Really?!! The MP reads comics??
With Guest Speaker, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
Date & Time:
22 Oct, Friday, 7pm — 8pm
Venue:
The National Library, Basement 1
Ms Yeo will share her love for comics and discuss societal concerns reflected in Geungsi with Sean Lam.
Event 2:
How to Concoct a Deadly Graphic Novel in the Heartland
With Guest Speakers, Charles Goh, Founder of Asia Paranormal Investigators, and CT Lim, Country Editor (Singapore) of the International Journal of Comic Art.
Date & Time:
23 Oct, Saturday, 7pm — 8pm
Venue:
The National Library, Basement 1
Panel experts, together with Sean Lam, will discuss the comic industry and paranormal content that drives readers’ interest. Charles will also uncover frightful sightings of haunted venues in HDB neighbourhoods.
Event 3:
Supernaturals of East Meets West
With Guest Speaker, Trevor Barber, Musician & Creative Director of The Curseborn Saga, LLC, San Diego, USA.
Date & Time:
24 Oct, Sunday, 3pm — 4pm
Venue:
The National Library, Basement 1
This will be a casual discussion of Sean and Trevor’s cross-continent collabs where you can get a sneak peek of Sean’s past and current works. Sean will also be drawing a portrait of Trevor’s band, Sweet Tooth, while they perform.
Event 4:
GEUNGSI Art Exhibition by Sean Lam
In conjunction with NLB’s Night at the Library; open to the public.
Date & Time:
1–30 November, 2021, from 10am — 9pm daily
Venue:
The National Library, Basement 1
In line with the spooky theme of Night at the Library, the National Library will present a one-month exhibition of the horror comic art form through Sean Lam’s work.
This exhibition will introduce Sean’s ideas from inception through development, with specially-selected prints, storyboards, and original drawings on display. It will also highlight the breadth of the artist’s cinematic style of storytelling.
For updates on Geungsi Vol 1: Geungsi in the House, visit its official Facebook Page.
To check out Sean Lam’s extensive body of work, visit his Amazon Author Page.
Geungsi Vol. 1 will be available at Books Kinokuniya, Popular Bookstores*, BooksActually, NAFA Alumni Office, and Masterpiece Collectables from 22 Oct, 2021.
*To be confirmed at a later date. The information listed in this article is accurate at the time of publishing.
About the reviewer:
Rebecca Ling has lent her words to several governmental agencies, Fortune 500 companies and local brands in her capacity as a senior copywriter and content manager. You might have caught glimpses of her work for 2020’s National Day Parade. She dabbles in the arts and had created an award-winning short video as well as co-exhibited photographic work at the Art House.