A week or two back, Geek Native took a look at Alice in Leatherland. It’s an LGBT and sex-positive comic book from Iolanda Zanfardino and illustrated by Elisa Romboli.
The first issue was really impressive, and we only just get Alice to what (I presume) will become the titular Leatherland or an introduction to the state of mind it represents.
I liked the story for the clear writing, equally impressively precise art and managing to somehow feel wholesome and kinky as hell at the same time. Also, wait for this juxtaposition… tragic and heartwarming at the same time too.
See, impressive balancing. Right? My favourite scene could have come straight from Saturday morning TV with Alice on her bike on the way to the football (soccer) grounds.
Now, with issue four due out shortly from Black Mask, I had the chance to talk to Iolanda and Elisa. Since you already know that I’m a fan of Alice, I thought it would make more sense to ask the creators what their favourite scenes are…
Iolanda:
I love this panel because it comes from one of the first “silent” scenes from “Alice in Leatherland”. Silent parts are my favorite: I prefer telling stories through images than superfluous dialogues.
In this case, we decided to see cut through the car to show, despite being physically close, how far away Alice and Robin really are from each other at this point of the story.
Elisa:
Showing Alice while she takes a moment to gaze at the tips of the skyscrapers, so different from the landscape she is used to, seemed to us the best way to make people perceive how the arrival in San Francisco is for her an electrifying and upsetting moment. Loaded with infinite possibilities!
Elise:
This was one of my favourite scenes to draw! For the cute comedy of the misunderstanding between Alice’s love for Yosemite bears and the proud Bears’ unexpected enthusiasm for her during the Pride parade!
Iolanda:
Pointing out how important it was for Alice to have supportive friends around her was very important. I believe that even when we are convinced that we have made it completely on our own, we must be grateful for our “safety net”, and for all those who have taken the time to discreetly watch over us.
Elisa:
Oops! My hand slipped.
Let’s say that this is one of the first moments in “Alice in Leatherland” in which we decided to create in a completely free way and without too much paranoia!
Just what we thought was very fun for ourselves.
Iolanda:
One of the main aspects of the story is Alice’s discovery of her sexuality and relationship with her own body! A research also made up of several trials and errors but pleasant victories too. And this series of funny facial expressions seemed perfect for us as a summary!
Iolanda:
During the plot Alice and Robin exchange many messages, some sincere and others much less, but the few times they casually meet in person they cannot pretend! And they practically always end up messing up and tragicomically complicating things.
Elisa:
There are few occasions to show the melancholy and private side of a character like Robin, and I was happy to illustrate this scene and give her unusual facial expressions! I hope readers will be able to see beyond her behaviours, thanks to scenes like these.
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