The Author: Me…
My name is Annisa Estes, alias Anny; I was born and raised in a town not to far from Milan, Italy, where I frequented an art school. About ten years ago, I moved from my native town to Los Angeles, California. In Los Angeles I met my love. After one year we moved to North Carolina where my husband is originally from.
I have to say that I really miss California but I love North Carolina too. Two years ago my dream came true; I became an American citizen. Now I’m trying to make my other dream a reality; publish my graphic novel Legends of the West.
One of my passions is manga (Japanese comics).
Back in the 80’s Italian Television had Japanese cartoons (anime) on almost every channel! I grew up watching them and I still watch them today.
I used to read many classic books. They enriched my imagination and creativity and from this combination I’ve created my first story.
Legends of the West: My Graphic Novel
Since I was a kid, my favorite classic books were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn wrote by a genius of the American Literature, Mark Twain. The story of Tom Sawyer and especially the character of Huck Finn fascinated me giving me the inspiration to create a graphic novel about them.
I’m sure some people would think I’m crazy to take two popular characters from a classic and put them in a graphic novel in manga style. Well, it is crazy!
However, because I really love Mark Twain’s work I want to try to do my best to respect his art and be faithful to the two characters of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Hopefully, Mr. Twain’s ghost won’t come visit me! Ah ah… Now I tell you more about the creation of Legends of the West. I already said that I’m a big fan of Mark Twain work but I really love history too, and in particular US history. Conquests of the American frontier really interest me, and I found it one of the most amazing eras in human history. The pioneers, the immigration from Europe to America to fulfill dreams and ambitions,
the legends built around the American West, and unfortunately slavery and the clash between Native American culture and the industrial revolution are part of the birth of the most loved and hated country in the world, the United States of America. To make the story more realistic I combined real characters and events from that era cross with Tom, Huck, and Sally’s journey.
It took me years of research and dedication to develop Legends of the West and it’s still being created. This is the completed 1st volume or book, and more are to come. I really hope that whoever reads it will enjoy it like I do.
The Graphic Novel: The Story
Legends of the West begins where Mark Twain ended The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; Tom and Huck want to reach the Indian Territories for another amazing adventure. But in Legends of the West unfortunately their plan doesn’t work so well and Tom’s relatives adopt Huck while Tom goes back to St. Petersburg with Aunt Polly. Three years past before the two friends see each other again. It’s the year 1849 when the Gold Rush reached its highest peak. A mass of immigrants from the east coast and all over the world leave everything to reach
California with only one dream find gold and get rich. Tom and Huck begin their journey towards California not to find the gold but to complete their original plan, having one more great adventure together before Tom leaves for Boston to attend college. But they don’t know that this journey is going to change their lives forever. Everything would turn different from what they’ve planned when they meet Sally McKay, a beautiful girl who travels alone with a wolf, her horse, and a dark past that is chasing her.
One Dog Comics: The Idea
These two little rascals are my Jack Russell Terriers, Jack and Jilli. Jack’s face and white fur gave me the idea for my logo. The name, One Dog Comics, came after the creation of the logo and I have to give credit to my husband for it. As soon as I heard the name I said, “That’s it! End of the research!”
