"Thing and the Wounds of Glory." The first graphic novel by Blerim Jocci comes into the hands of readers

After many years of work and researching mythology, folklore, and Illyrian history, Joci brings George's story to a new artistic universe where his childhood, love, battles against evil, and his journey to glory.

According to the author, the idea for this project emerged from childhood, out of a desire to have an Albanian super-hero presented in the form of graphic novels, similar to the known characters of Marvel and DC Comics.

The graphic novel will be available to readers starting on Wednesday, from 12: 00 p.m., at the Book Fair, where interested ones can secure their specimen.

Meanwhile, the official promotion of the work will be held Thursday, starting at 6:30, where the author will speak more extensively about the process of establishing graphic novels and plans for future series follow-ups.

“Georgi and glory wounds” is the first book of a series of ten graphic novels dealing with the ten wounds of the legendary Albanian hero, bringing the figure of Gjergj Elez Alia to readers in a contemporary and visually rich format.

THE Author'S PREASE

By the time I spent my childhood, to escape from the drama - filled reality, we met after dinner and told fairy tales. Tales about the little brother of the house that no one believed would one day defend the honor of the family and rise to hero; about Mujy and Halili, about Elez Alin... heroes who were never tempted against evil... I wanted this magic fairy tale world never to end. In the early 1980s, I was holding a graphic novel with super heroes. I was fascinated!

To be honest, there were no films from Marvel or DC Comics at the time. The Amazing Spider-Man was given the premiere in 1977, but the great popularity of films for Super Heroes based on graphic novels began to take over in 1998 and later with the X-Men series from 2000. Until then, immersion in the magical world of these supernatural characters could be done mostly through graphic novels.

As a child, when I listened to fairy tales in the long winter nights, I dreamed of having an Albanian superhero in graphic novels. A superhero who would not be afraid of evil, who would fight evil and not stand to triumph.

The years passed, this desire did not disappear. Life wanted me to come to America to study and live. In one of the classrooms I received, we were asked to build a magical world around a loving character and introduce that world to the public.

“created”, I whispered with me.

But in folklore the German world Elez Alia is not very detailed. We don't know about his childhood, about life before the tenth plague. The song speaks of George's last battle against Black Baylos, his bravery and his skill, his honor, love of the country, and the sister who never shared it, and here the story ends! I developed a strong desire to present George to the world in all his greatness.

And so came the story of George and the wounds of glory.

I've looked into many archives and, based on what I've read, if there was an Elez Ali thing, he would have lived in the IV century C.E., the Ardian tribe, located where today it's called the Cotor Grae of Montenegro, most specifically in the town of Teuta, Ryzan.

Rizan's inhabitants lived in a magical world, in covenant with immortal fairies, and in complete harmony with nature.

I have no claim against any neighbour, but the past can neither be erased nor changed.

This graphic novel comes in confession through hand painting in ten consecutives for the ten wounds of Elez Alia. For his childhood, for his love with Hannah, for his constant battles against evil, and for the freedom of the Illyrian tribes, to the last battle, which will not end as in song.

Let this be a surprise.

I introduced this project in Los Angeles in front of my colleagues and teaching subjects, one of the world's most famous people for creating and building imaginary worlds. From that day on, I still have questions about when George will be published.

Here he comes at last, in the first graphic novel. I'll see you on the other nine.