New Beginnings: Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Home page for BadinSecret.com

On this day of May 1, 2016, I am very excited to announce the official website for Badin and the Secret of the Saami. This is the main website for an historical fiction graphic novel about the Swedish Queen’s young adopted son, Badin, and his siblings in an adventure to save the future of humanity.

The BadinSecret.com website will feature the characters, information about the story, the real Badin and a storefront (Every graphic novel needs official tee shirts!)

The characters section lists the main characters, their basic attributes and links to their Twitter pages. Yes, that's right. Each of the main characters will be writing short journal entries from today until May 1, 2017, when I plan to have the graphic novel in your hands.

I encourage you to go there today and follow the characters that interest you the most. I know you will enjoy reading—and interacting with them—during their day-to-day lives. I have put alot of time into Swedish and Saami cultural and historical research and am looking forward to telling their stories. If you don't use Twitter, you can view their entries at the new Badin and the Secret of the Saami Facebook Page. Each of the six characters will get one day for entries. In the world of writing, this is called "Twitter Fiction." These entries will be completely free and accessible to all.

The first day of May is an important Swedish holiday that symbolizes new and exciting times. The dead of winter—and the old ways—melts away with the snow and is replaced by the fresh green new growth of life. Badin was a fresh new addition to the rigid and cold ways of the Swedish Royal Court. The Saami people are just as unique to Sweden, but with a deeper connection to the land that is and always was theirs. The synergy of the two will bring salvation to the Kingdom of Sweden and humanity.

Please take a few minutes to view this video I made on May 1st Eve in commemoration of the BadinSecret.com website. After watching, please rate it with a thumbs up and SHARE it. Liking videos and posts are appreciated. However, with a project of such significance, sharing the link and re-tweeting brings much more attention. Help me share this wonderful story about friendship, adventure and the great power of science and mythology in the wonderful land called Sweden.

If you are curious why I am so enthusiastic about Swedish history, these videos about my trip to Sweden for Allt För Sverige will be quite informative!

Characters Twitter diaries links: http://bit.ly/1rJ9Pow
Badin and the Secret of the Saami Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/badinsecret/
Badin and the Secret of the Saami Official Website: http://www.badinsecret.com/

Big Announcement May 1, 2016 for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Strange, but true!

I have bigger plans than I originally imagined for Badin and the Secret of the Saami. As I have been finishing up the final artwork, two Mini-Saga editions have been published and efforts to promote it have constantly been refined.

The ultimate plan has been put on paper and will be revealed on May 1, 2016. With this plan, I hope to make this graphic novel project the most memorable and enjoyable experience for all ages.

Stay tuned here or on Twitter and Facebook as the day approaches. You can use the search hashtag #BadinSecret as well.

The picture at left is a screen shot of the pencil and inking process for a pair of panels in Act 2 of Badin and the Secret of the Saami.

New promotion sketches for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

I have written before that Badin and the Secret of the Saami is the greatest endeavor I have taken upon myself in my entire life. 

Compounded with somewhat crippling financial and personal setbacks, this is the worst time to be working on a project for no pay. Nonetheless, I believe sacrifices must be made in order to work for a bigger cause than myself. Conversely, with great sacrifice and suffering comes strength of character and greater resilience.

If I can die knowing that someone who read the Graphic Novel or the Mini-Sagas gains a new or greater respect for Sweden, the immigrants and Africans like Badin who have contributed to its culture and the indigenous Saami people who live there, I will know that my sacrifice was worth it.

The image above are six digital sketches for all of the headline characters (I'm leaving the villain out for now):

Anna Olsdotter: Peasant girl

Badin: The star of the show

Gaaktu: Brave leader of a South Saami community

Gustav III: Crown Prince of Sweden

Queen Lovisa Ulrika: Matriarch of Sweden

Sofia Albertina: Young Princess of Sweden

If you have been following my progress since last year you will notice the addition of a new face: Anna Olsdotter. She is a very special character for the story and for my own personal (secret) reason. The final inked and colored versions of which will be used for a major marketing push that I plan to reveal on May 1, 2016. I am confident that this new push will help the graphic novel stand out amongst its peers by endearing new and current followers to the above characters.

Since I have no money to spend on advertising I will need to rely on my own efforts by any means necessary, readers, friends and family to spread the word. We have postcards, this blog, a Facebook fan page and a Twitter hastag #BadinSecret. However, that is not enough. Stick around until May 1st and see.

Hejdå!

Traveler - The Second Minisaga for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Traveler is the second puzzle piece for a complex and wonderful story about a Swedish man of African descent. I am very excited and I want you to buy it now. You will be moved.

This is the first of its kind in historical fiction: A combination of sequential art and short story prose with a deep educational component.

Traveler introduces a famous 10th century Arab explorer with a new twist. What would an Arab explorer be doing in Sweden and what connection could it possibly have to Badin in the 18th century or the Saami people? Read the Traveler to find out.

This mini-saga is exclusive and not included in the upcoming graphic novel.

For some behind-the-scenes video of the production of artwork in Traveler, watch these videos from the Black Rhino Illustration YouTube Channel: