Salamandre is a sweeping, evocative graphic novel from award-winning artist and writer I.N.J. Culbard (The Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death, Everything, Brink, The New Deadwardians).
Kaspar Salamandre is a bereaved young artist who is sent to stay with his enigmatic grandfather in a land ruled under an oppressive regime, where there can be only one loved one: The Emperor.
In this land where flowers are contraband, music is illegal, and art is created in hiding, Kaspar discovers a world of art revolutionaries, espionage and the Secret Police.
His search for answers will bring him face to face with the meaning of sacrifice. But, will anything bring him closer to overcoming his loss?
“An incredibly moving, uplifting coming-of-age story from a creator working at the top of his ability. Not to be missed.”—Library Journal
"Culbard's evocative illustrations and subtle, nuanced palette strike a dreamy balance in a coming-of-age adventure story. The result is an irresistible combination of childlike wonder and adult paranoia." —Publishers Weekly
"I.N.J. Culbard deftly tells a story of resilience, of secret joys and complex pains and in doing so, shows us that human beings are much bigger on the inside than you might think.”—Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Swamp Thing)
"Culbard is a master storyteller. I can't think of a single comic creator so adept at immersing the reader into another world. An adventure worth getting lost in."—Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom, Blood Stained Teeth)
“Tender and precisely observed, Salamandre is a Ghibli-esque celebration of the healing power of imagination, drawn in a stunning clear-line style that effortlessly blends the magic of childhood and a world just to the left of ours.”—Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls, Catwoman: Lonely City)
“I.N.J. Culbard deftly tells a story of resilience, of secret joys and complex pains and in doing so, shows us that human beings are much bigger on the inside than you might think.”—Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Swamp Thing)
“Culbard is a master storyteller. I can't think of a single comic creator so adept at immersing the reader into another world. An adventure worth getting lost in.”—Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom, Blood Stained Teeth)
“Tender and precisely observed, Salamandre is a Ghibli-esque celebration of the healing power of imagination, drawn in a stunning clear-line style that effortlessly blends the magic of childhood and a world just to the left of ours.”—Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls, Catwoman: Lonely City)
“I.N.J. has captured something in this story that resonates on a soul level. Using the heartbreakingly relatable concept of personal loss, I.N.J. guides our emotions through something much, much large…oh, and did I mention it’s bloody beautiful as well?—Emma Vieceli (Life is Strange, Breaks, Olivia Twist)
“By turns tense and terrifying... Salamandre is also a (gorgeous) deeply personal, possibly autobiographical, almost certainly political book about family, stories and why we make art. I was entranced by the art. Just at the point where books are banned again, we need a book like this.”—Alison Sampson (Sleeping Beauties, Winnebago Graveyard)
“Readers should expect nothing less than top-notch artwork alongside captivating storytelling.”—Screenrant
“A tender and authentic coming-of-age story, that presents the nuances of grief, legacy, and quiet revolution.”—20th Century Geek
“Culbard’s work is immaculate… An evocative picture of a young man learning about both the harsh realities and the hidden joys of the world he lives in… A tale of loss, family and the power of imagination from one of the most talented cartoonists in the business today, Salamandre comes highly, highly recommended.”—Big Comic Page
I.N.J. Culbard is an artist and writer. In 2006, he surpassed thousands of other writers and had his work published in Dark Horse Comics’ New Recruits anthology. He has since appeared in the anthology series Dark Horse Presents, the Judge Dredd Megazine and 2000 AD.
Culbard is an acclaimed animation director with considerable experience in directing commercials, developing projects for television, and producing and directing short films. His collaborator at SelfMadeHero is writer Ian Edginton.
Salamandre is a sweeping, evocative graphic novel from award-winning artist and writer I.N.J. Culbard (The Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death, Everything, Brink, The New Deadwardians).
Kaspar Salamandre is a bereaved young artist who is sent to stay with his enigmatic grandfather in a land ruled under an oppressive regime, where there can be only one loved one: The Emperor.
In this land where flowers are contraband, music is illegal, and art is created in hiding, Kaspar discovers a world of art revolutionaries, espionage and the Secret Police.
His search for answers will bring him face to face with the meaning of sacrifice. But, will anything bring him closer to overcoming his loss?
“An incredibly moving, uplifting coming-of-age story from a creator working at the top of his ability. Not to be missed.”—Library Journal
"Culbard's evocative illustrations and subtle, nuanced palette strike a dreamy balance in a coming-of-age adventure story. The result is an irresistible combination of childlike wonder and adult paranoia." —Publishers Weekly
"I.N.J. Culbard deftly tells a story of resilience, of secret joys and complex pains and in doing so, shows us that human beings are much bigger on the inside than you might think.”—Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Swamp Thing)
"Culbard is a master storyteller. I can't think of a single comic creator so adept at immersing the reader into another world. An adventure worth getting lost in."—Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom, Blood Stained Teeth)
“Tender and precisely observed, Salamandre is a Ghibli-esque celebration of the healing power of imagination, drawn in a stunning clear-line style that effortlessly blends the magic of childhood and a world just to the left of ours.”—Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls, Catwoman: Lonely City)
Praise
“I.N.J. Culbard deftly tells a story of resilience, of secret joys and complex pains and in doing so, shows us that human beings are much bigger on the inside than you might think.”—Ram V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Swamp Thing)
“Culbard is a master storyteller. I can't think of a single comic creator so adept at immersing the reader into another world. An adventure worth getting lost in.”—Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom, Blood Stained Teeth)
“Tender and precisely observed, Salamandre is a Ghibli-esque celebration of the healing power of imagination, drawn in a stunning clear-line style that effortlessly blends the magic of childhood and a world just to the left of ours.”—Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls, Catwoman: Lonely City)
“I.N.J. has captured something in this story that resonates on a soul level. Using the heartbreakingly relatable concept of personal loss, I.N.J. guides our emotions through something much, much large…oh, and did I mention it’s bloody beautiful as well?—Emma Vieceli (Life is Strange, Breaks, Olivia Twist)
“By turns tense and terrifying... Salamandre is also a (gorgeous) deeply personal, possibly autobiographical, almost certainly political book about family, stories and why we make art. I was entranced by the art. Just at the point where books are banned again, we need a book like this.”—Alison Sampson (Sleeping Beauties, Winnebago Graveyard)
“Readers should expect nothing less than top-notch artwork alongside captivating storytelling.”—Screenrant
“A tender and authentic coming-of-age story, that presents the nuances of grief, legacy, and quiet revolution.”—20th Century Geek
“Culbard’s work is immaculate… An evocative picture of a young man learning about both the harsh realities and the hidden joys of the world he lives in… A tale of loss, family and the power of imagination from one of the most talented cartoonists in the business today, Salamandre comes highly, highly recommended.”—Big Comic Page
Author
I.N.J. Culbard is an artist and writer. In 2006, he surpassed thousands of other writers and had his work published in Dark Horse Comics’ New Recruits anthology. He has since appeared in the anthology series Dark Horse Presents, the Judge Dredd Megazine and 2000 AD.
Culbard is an acclaimed animation director with considerable experience in directing commercials, developing projects for television, and producing and directing short films. His collaborator at SelfMadeHero is writer Ian Edginton.
