Megan Chan
Point Cook Senior Secondary College, Point Cook
Boon Wurrung Bunurong Country
Scarlet
Graphic novel
Set in a twisted dystopian world, my graphic novel Scarlet follows the experiences of a former child performer determined to confront the horrors of her past. I drew inspiration from a range of film, eastern graphic novel and webcomic styles, which shaped my illustrations’ moody, dramatic aesthetic and prominent visual symbolism. The overarching concept stems from the exploitation of vulnerable youth within the entertainment industry, revealing how glamour is often a façade used to cover up the truth.
Kai D'Orsa
Geelong Grammar School, Corio
Wadawurrung Country
The Farmer’s Wife and Her Fancy Hats
Children’s book
The Farmer’s Wife and Her Fancy Hats is inspired by my mum, who is known at home as a bit of a mad hatter. I wrote and illustrated the book in a playful, humorous way to capture how she is lovingly interpreted in our family. The story follows Millie the milliner, who faces the quirky problem of making too many hats and not knowing what to do with them all. Through this fun tale, I explore creativity, identity, and the joyful chaos of being uniquely yourself.
Gray Edwards
Bannockburn P-12 College, Bannockburn
Wadawurrung Country
The Fairy Ring
Comic
The Fairy Ring is a comic inspired by traditional Welsh folklore, primarily the stories of the mischievous Pwca and the Tylwyth Teg. The protagonist, Gwynedd, runs into these characters while venturing into the woodland beyond their house. Through their journey, I aimed to create a timeless and nostalgic story with a universal coming of age narrative.
Sunni Gibcus
Blackburn High School, Blackburn
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
The Adventures of Jasper and Baltazar
Graphic novel
The Adventures of Jasper and Baltazar is a graphic novel following two adventurers navigating their way through a treacherous forest. I wanted my product to pay homage to all the different fantasy products that I grew up with, such as Dungeons and Dragons. Blending darker elements of fantasy with a more cartoonish style, my aim was to create an engaging and humorous read that follows Jasper and Baltazar's journey as they slowly grow closer to each other.
Miria Teh
Ivanhoe Grammar School, Doreen
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
The Toymaker
Comic
Taking inspiration from mythological fiction, my comic re-imagines worlds to present the origins of the greatest Toymaker. Once a creator of destruction and weapons, the Toymaker’s journey towards humanity brings him a new purpose to create happiness instead of loss. I used colour symbolically throughout the comic, with dramatic shifts between monochrome and vibrance to highlight a story of transformation and the emotional impact of creation.
Cassian Walker
Mentone Grammar School, Mentone
Boon Wurrung Bunurong Country
Blood Mother
Comic
Blood Mother is a comic that follows two ageing priestesses of The Mother. The comic explores themes of devotion, love, faith and the greater good, as when Blue is chosen to be the vessel of their goddess, Red must choose between her partner of 30 years and the temple.
