Brand new “Neighborhood"

I met Zaro as he entered the bookstore two summers ago.
He was advised to start collecting Steven King’s “Dark Tower” series. That’s good business since the complete series included seven books.
He bought the first part and gave a quick glance to the comic section as he left.
His quiet and shy nature was not appropriate for starting a conversation with a weird looking stranger like myself, at least not in the begging.
Gradually we became friends and talked a lot about strips.
While he was half way to his series, he unveiled that he did a little sketching himself. Many comic relevant people come by my place every now and then. Collectors, artists, editors, you name it.
Mytilene is a small place but there is significant comic activity. There are some related academic courses in the University of the Aegean and Enati Diastasi (a.k.a 9th Dimension) a small but famous publishing house promoting new stuff from Greek creators.
Lucky me, there are not many places you can talk about strips. So it happens to know many people involved. Zaro had just returned from his studies in Rhodes. He wasn’t connected but didn’t seek a career either.
He only mentioned his hobby to me. At our next meeting, he gave me a digital copy of his work called “Separate”. I couldn’t tell that it was made in plain A4 sheets and a regular pen. It was a dark and violent scenario with interesting detailed artwork. That comic category is not my best, but it was obvious that his work was good enough for an audience.
I kept his work and asked for some opinions.
Panos is one of the owners of Enati Diastasi and a regular. I showed him “Separate” and explained him about my (you can say that!) finding. He acknowledged Zaro’s talent and contacted him.
Even though “Separate” wasn’t published, Panos explained to me that the kid (close to his mid twenties) has great potential.
They agree to work in a professional level. Zaro provided a new scenario inspired by a Celtic Frost song, “Obscured”. Panos accepted that publishing material that work and then started working together.
For the first time, Zaro draw in a professional way. From technical to artistic issues, he had any guidance available.
At the same period, Zaro built a name. His drawing skills were highly appreciated and came across new jobs. He even made me some drawings I ordered! Last summer I released a parody fairy tale, “Marmanga” and he gave me an inspired cover. Much appreciated, that cover is still my wallpaper.
Funny thing is that he confessed to me that he sketches just because he cannot find an illustrator for his stories!
“Neighborhood” is already completed and will be the latest Enati Diastasi edition. It will be released at the end of this week. Dark and violent like “Separate”, there will be a parental warning just in case.
I’m glad that somehow helped Zaro’s first work to hit the stores.
Of course I wasn’t part of Neighborhood at any case but the beginning.
It’s only my Forrest Gump syndrome!
I wish them both a good commercial outcome.
And be sure that you will hear about Zaro’s talent further than these Chronicles in the near future.
As mentioned before, Zaro is too shy for a photo.
Instead of uploading his picture, I thought you should have a look to his upcoming release.
Once again Pothas will probably have the world exclusive on this!
Sad but true, there will not be an English version any time soon.

But who knows…