Bite Marks

Bite Marks Front and Back Cover

So far 2013 has proven a good year for independent works with the multitude of small festivals and a welcome addition to our city’s convention circuit but there’s something I still feel is lacking; a way for local creators to get their work reviewed and noticed. It’s something that I want to try and pull together over the next few months with a dedicated podcast channel and online review. 

So this is my attempt at trying to build some momentum for the artists in the Perth comics community. I’m starting with local creator Ronnie Ryder and his comic, Bite Marks (inks by Justina Davis on pages 1-8). Over the weekend I was able to talk with Ronnie about his process, background and future works.

Bite Marks is rendered in a monochromic style with some pages of poetic exposition scattered throughout to break up the tension of the dramatic and silent panels. Four narratives in total make up this 32-page mini-comic anthology and while the stories are not interrelated they undoubtedly leave the reader thinking – and I mean that in a good way. The stories don’t take themselves too seriously but the themes and concepts are inherently deep and poignant. 

This was Ryder’s entry-level comic book from a few years ago and for only a few dollars you can’t really go wrong with this dark and brooding original work. Since then Ryder has been included in the 2011 and 2012 Perth 24hour comic anthologies and has recently self-published his third and most recent book, Lovegun which you can find in-store at Quality Comics on Hay St in Perth.  

People can see more of Ryder’s art by clicking here. 

As for me, I’ll be contributing to another artist profile/review which I’ll link to via the Dichosis Studios Facebook page in the coming week. Keep on creating!

- Marcus Schultz