6 minute read
Behind-the-scenes of the John Wesley graphic novel with Favian Ee
(top left) Favian is a visual effects artist by training. Image by Memphis West Pictures
(top) Favian and his father posing with the statue of John Wesley in London, 2001
(right) A scene from the graphic novel depicting John Wesley preaching in the open for the very first time
Behind-the-scenes: The making of the John Wesley
graphic novel
"I grew up Methodist and attended Methodist schools but didn't know much about the life of John Wesley, aside from the fact that he founded Methodism," says Favian Ee, 44. An avid reader of biographies, Favian somehow did not get around to reading those on John Wesley. That is, until The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) presented him with an opportunity to create a graphic novel about John Wesley.
The idea of a graphic novel was initiated by the MCS General Conference Council on Communications, with the hope that the graphic art form would be a refreshing and accessible way for parents, educators, youths and even adults to learn about the life of John Wesley, how Methodism was founded, and how it arrived in Singapore. Talks with Favian began in late 2019.
Favian says, "When I was younger, I thought I might draw a Christian biographical comic. To be approached to create this graphic novel fulfills this wish."
A sketch of John Wesley and illustration notes from Favian's sketchbook
If this seemingly smooth path to Favian creating the graphic novel, John Wesley: The World, My Parish, sounds like something from a movie, it is fitting to note that, in addition to being an author and illustrator, Favian worked as a visual effects artist. After seven gruelling years working on Hollywood movies including several blockbusters, Favian left the visual effects industry, and is today a part-time lecturer in tertiary institutions, art instructor and freelance artist. The path that God led him on was by no means easy but it seems to have prepared this artist and self-described perfectionist for the creation of this graphic novel.
At the interview, Favian shared the A3sized renditions of the covers of his book, beautifully rendered in watercolour. Along with that, he whipped out neatly organised folders containing early drafts of the book. The progression from the early thumbnail sketches to the more recent drawings reflect the discipline Favian exercises in tandem with the artistry in his creations. There are also notebooks filled with notes on the characters in the book and sketches of John and Charles Wesley as they age. One indication of the amount of research that Favian put into this novel is a very detailed drawing of an English saddle in one of his notebooks.
Work on this project took over one and a half years. Favian started work by poring over recommended readings on John Wesley. He says, "I read widely and extracted quotes which I then used in the book." Readers may find familiar quotes in the book interspersed with Favian's writing. "I tried to retain the style of old English that would have been used during that period," he said, which explains why some of the language may seem unfamiliar to the reader.
Working within a 98-page limit, Favian had to decide which aspects of John Wesley's life to feature in the book. This included his family history, the encounter with the Moravians, the start of his ministry, and the arrival of Methodism to Singapore. Favian sought to present John Wesley in a convincing manner, highlighting events such as his crises of faith and his romantic troubles, explaining, "I wanted to show that he was human and relatable."
A consultancy team was set up, comprising Rev Melvin Huang, Secretary, Council on Communications; Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun, lecturer in church history at Trinity Theological College; Ms Kwok Wan Yee, Exco member, Council of Communications; Ms Lynn Tan, MCS Communications Manager; and Ms Bernice Lee, Graceworks Publishing. They provided Favian with feedback as he kept them updated on the progress of his work and helped to finetune an already meticulously researched book. They were the ones who reminded him to accurately reflect John Wesley's diminutive height, which he did in some parts of the book by illustrating Wesley with other people around him. Having visited John Wesley's home in England some years back, Favian concurs, "I saw from the length of his robes that he wasn't very tall."
History buffs may notice the effort put into achieving authenticity in the drawings. From clothing and hairstyles, to architecture and furniture, Favian takes the reader into 18th century England. Records tell us that John Wesley travelled by chair after he suffered a fall. Favian's research allows the reader to visualise the journey more accurately, as it took place in a sedan chair.
The more artistically inclined reader will appreciate the way colour schemes in the book reflect the mood of events in John Wesley's life. For instance, bright colours are used when he meets Grace Murray, the woman he intended to marry. Purple is used later to show gloom and sadness when the mood changes.
Literary Easter eggs are sprinkled throughout the book. These hidden surprises in the drawings provide an added layer of storytelling to the graphics and text. (No Easter eggs will be revealed in this article but look out for seemingly innocuous images in the graphic novel and keep your knowledge of church history handy. It will be a rewarding Easter egg hunt). Some early reactions to the book include Bishop Dr Gordon Wong's, who said, "The plethora of historical information and research about our founder makes for daunting reading, but an inspired comic such as this presents his life in a refreshing format that is more accessible and enjoyable to read." Trinity Annual Conference President Rev Stanley Chua said he hoped that "this graphic novel [would] help all Methodists to remember who we are and whose we are so that we [would] continue to be a salt and light to our nation and beyond like the early Methodists."
What are Favian's favourite parts of the book? "That would be the panels depicting John Wesley's last moments to his passing. Minimal words were used and emotions were expressed without words." Light and shadows conveyed the transition from night to morning in a moving and evocative scene.
But this was not the most difficult part of making the book; it was the extensive research that was required to closely reflect daily life in London during the 1700s. "Living in Singapore, we are not familiar with the cultural context of John Wesley's time," notes Favian.
Having gone through reams of material on John Wesley and distilled it into this book, Favian observes, "This project gave me a better appreciation of John Wesley as a man. His sense of humour, his failings and achievements. He held himself to high standards and called people to holiness."
John Wesley:
The World, My Parish
Retails from mid-November at $20 inclusive of GST. Bulk discounts available. To read about John Wesley and see his story unfold with historically faithful images, get your copy from https://www.
