With the release of the The Corus Wave graphic novel from Avery Hill Publishing, we are delighted to be joined by cartoonist Karenza Sparks.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! I’m Karenza Sparks and The Corus Wave is my first graphic novel! I’m a cartoonist, writer, illustrator and maker based in Cornwall.Â
Can you tell us about the origins of The Corus Wave?
I wanted to write a scavenger hunting story where characters followed clues and solved riddles to uncover a hidden secret, and I also wanted to write something about geology as it’s a passion of mine. Thus, The Corus Wave — a geological scavenger hunt about a lost scientific theory and a strange and mysterious fossil — was born!
What can you tell us about Lorelei Retallic?
Lorelei is the main protagonist of The Corus Wave — she’s writing her master’s thesis about the unexplained formation of a peculiar fossil, when she uncovers hints about a lost theory that could explain everything called the ‘Corus Wave’. She goes to the town of Chorksbury to investigate further alongside her housemate Eddie and their cat Raisin!
As a creator, do you enjoy writing or creating art more?
I don’t know if I can compare them, they’re both such different processes for me! I really enjoy the technicality and problem solving process in writing, constructing the story. Honestly explaining exactly what I enjoy about drawing is difficult, maybe it’s more instinctual, right-brained, there’s just a feeling like, ‘I want to draw this.’ I definitely agonise over the drawing side more, I think I’m more of a perfectionist about it.
How did Avery Hill Publishing get involved with The Corus Wave?
Avery Hill reached out to me after I had released my first comic, ‘SPEIROCHORY,’ at the Shortbox comic fair asking if I had anything I’d like to pitch to them. I pitched The Corus Wave — it was a smaller comic idea that had gotten out of control and badly needed a bigger, better home — and the rest is history.
Who is Eddie?
Eddie is Lorelei’s housemate, friend and mystery solving sidekick!Â
How long have you been working on The Corus Wave?
I think around two years in total, with a lot of that being the writing and story development.
What has it been like working with Avery Hill Publishing?
It’s my first experience with a publisher and it has been wonderful, they’ve been so helpful and supportive through the whole process, and the book wouldn’t be what it is today without them.
What can you tell us about The Corus Wave?
The Corus Wave is a mystery story about curiosity, the intergenerational scientific endeavor of humanity, our connections with each other through time, and strange and ancient creatures. It’s also about solving riddles with your friend and breaking into buildings together. I wanted to make it a fun and exciting read with a compelling mystery at its core, and I like to think I achieved that!
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
If The Corus Wave sounds interesting to you, please check it out!
We would like to say a big thank you to Karenza for chatting with us and wish her the best of luck for the release of The Corus Wave.
