Pages and Panels

Comics offer a unique opportunity to combine historical people and events with visuals that express and condense the emotions and society of those moments. In The Poet and the Flea, G.E. Gallas interweaves stories of William Blake’s life and writing with a supernatural thriller slant.

The art style is haunting and reminiscent of Tim Burton’s work. The thick dark lines and broad strokes create the feelings of discontent and unsettledness that flow in the undercurrents of Blake’s poetry. Following Blake’s real-life melancholia and manic states and his fascination with religion, The Poet and The Flea introduces the idea that Heaven and Hell were locked in a battle for Blake’s soul.

While the second volume hasn’t yet been released, the first volume is a delight for those who love classical literature, comics, and creepy stuff. The interspersing of the illustrations of poetry alongside this supernatural re-imaging of William Blake’s life keeps things interesting and disjointed without losing sense of the plot. The balance between disorienting an audience but not turning them away from the story is very difficult, and G.E. Gallas does a remarkable job doing that line.

The Poet and the Flea, Volume One is available on Tapas, or in print.

Also, if your school was anything like mine, there was always a chocolate fundraiser. G.E. Gallas is also filling that niche in our education week, with a Kickstarter for an Oscar Wilde-themed chocolate bar. Other flavors in the collection were inspired by Les Miserables, Alice In Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, and more, as well as several tea flavors. Find out more information about Open Book Chocolates here.