The Caribbean Writer today applauds the work of graphic novelist Devon Pelle on the publication of his first book titled, “The Mortal Pulse – The new humans” — a work appearing under his pen name, GuzBez.
The book spins a 21st century narrative of the birth of a new kind of human with powerful mental abilities, but who lack proper guidance. With time, they become disruptive — until a mute boy with telepathic abilities, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, strikes up an intense friendship in a girl’s dream, after which a chance real world encounter threatens to expose less idealized versions of themselves.
Pelle, a second-year English and Fine Arts student at the University of the Virgin Islands, was inspired to create this work of fiction by being the change he wanted to experience.
“Before the start of the pandemic, I'd watch a daily comic book podcast called Cartoonist Kayfabe, hosted by two comic book writers and artists from Pennsylvania. I remember one of the hosts mentioning that what drives him creatively is to create comics that HE'D love to read, but didn't exist yet. “The Mortal Pulse” is that comic for me,” Pelle said.
As with any work, he pointed out that nothing happens overnight and requires effort.
“Truthfully, I had early drafts of the characters drawn up but no idea of what to do with them,” he explained. “I had read Wilmar Shiras' “Children of the Atom,” and I wanted to explore some of the themes of gifted children who needed guidance and a sense of belonging at the risk of going astray. “The Mortal Pulse” starts with a character who has ‘found family,’ but who might not have the best influence on her.”
Interestingly, Pelle pointed out that Virgin Islands heritage was on full display on the book cover. “It was important to me to have the main characters, both black Caribbean teens, depicted in full color on the cover,” Pelle said. “I wanted no ambiguity, no denying who they were and where they were from.”
Introspective and self-aware, Pelle said even with his class load and full-time work commitments, he is motivated to draw, even on tough days.
“Drawing has always been therapeutic for me. I think it's what helps me get through those tough times. My biggest push is how overactive my imagination can be. I'm constantly hounded by an idea or thought until I can get it down on paper, and that helps me turn my daydreaming into something productive. On days that I do feel unmotivated, I try to listen to music, read books or comics or watch a video or documentary of someone else doing something creative. It recharges me and makes me want to create something too. Just knowing that I was creating something that other people might enjoy gave my life a lot of forward momentum,” he explained.
Some of the publications that have shaped Pelle’s comic style include webcomics and Japanese manga. “Katsuhiro Otomo of “AKIRA” is a big influence as well as Hirohiko Araki of “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure”. There's a certain playful "attitude" that I loved seeing in Araki's work and also Hugo Pratt's “Corto Maltese” that I try to incorporate into my drawings,” he said. “Stan Sakai of “Usagi Yojimbo” is another huge inspiration along with Dwayne McDuffie and Jean Paul Leon (Static), Kazuki Takahashi (Yu-Gi-Oh!), Oshimi Shuzo of (Aku no Hana) and Barry Winsor Smith (Conan the Barbarian).
Pelle credits his high school teacher John Obafemi Jones with getting him started. “From the get-go, he identified my key strengths and always encouraged me to lean into them. I think whatever sense of individuality my style brings is almost completely thanks to that,” Pelle said.
And the newly minted graphic novelist plans to continue the story. In fact, he has already drawn some thumbnails and penciled in the first page. He said that his next goal outside of making comics is teaching others how to make comics. “I want to be able to read more Virgin Islands comics and write another comic for younger readers to enjoy,” he said.
The Caribbean Writer Editor Alscess Lewis Brown describes “The Mortal Pulse” as a “fascinating piece of work” and “we are always delighted to recognize up-and-coming writers,” she said. “Pelle’s compelling illustrative storytelling exposes not only the nature of our flawed humanity but also the redemptive themes that propel us forward. And because TCW is keenly interested in cultivating and advancing the literary life of the region, we applaud this newest release. It is encouraging to welcome fresh voices which to us is a sign of steady advancement towards improving literacy and literature, not only within the Virgin Islands but across the Caribbean region,” TCW editor said.
The Caribbean Writer operates under the auspices of the University of the Virgin Islands within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. For more information on The Caribbean Writer, please visit www.thecaribbeanwriter.org