Ned Wenlock Discusses His Debut Graphic Novel Tsunami with Toby Morris

Ned Wenlock, an illustrator, animator, and comic artist from the Kāpiti Coast, has recently released his debut graphic novel, Tsunami, through Earth’s End Publishing. The novel tells a strange, insightful, and unexpected story about a weird kid trying to fit in and figure out who he is. To discuss the book, fellow comic artist Toby Morris caught up with Ned to delve into topics such as self-righteous kids, skull T-shirts, and the power of good sound effects in comics.

In their conversation, Ned shared that creating Tsunami was a significant achievement for him, as it took him a considerable amount of time and effort to complete. Starting in 2019, Ned initially worked on the first 40 pages as a mini comic before expanding the story further. He mentioned that the characters in the book took unexpected twists and turns, deviating from traditional plot structures to focus more on character development.

Ned also discussed the evolution of the title of the book, initially changing it to “Badass” before reverting to the original title of Tsunami to better reflect the tone of the story. He shared insights into his drawing style, which he described as initially appearing “kidsy” but capable of conveying serious themes and emotions.

The conversation touched on various aspects of the book, including character development, relationships between characters, and the use of sound effects in comics. Ned explained how he drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences to create characters like Peter, a self-righteous and humorous portrayal of his younger self.

Overall, the discussion between Ned and Toby shed light on the creative process behind Tsunami and the unique storytelling elements that make the graphic novel stand out. With its blend of humor, drama, and unexpected twists, Tsunami offers readers a fresh and engaging perspective on the complexities of growing up and finding one’s identity.

Tsunami by Ned Wenlock is available for purchase through Earth’s End Publishing and select bookstores, offering readers a chance to explore the imaginative world created by this talented New Zealand comic artist.