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EAST OF BYZANTIUM - COMICS ABOUT ARMENIAN HISTORY
Marina Harutiunyan
Noyan Tapan - News from Armenia
2012-02-06
Comics depicting one of the most famous chapters of the Armenian
history have become popular among comics fans in the U.S. The idea of
comics showing the Armenian history belongs to Roger Kupelian, famous
Hollywood producer, writer and matte artist. He was making visual
effects for such films as "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End",
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers", "Constantine", "Terminator
Salvation" and others. Roger agreed to answer questions of the Armenian
News-NEWS.am reporter and told about his East of Byzantium project.
Are you currently working on any film projects or you are mainly
engaged in the East of Byzantium?
I have developed other projects but put them on hold as the impetus
is to put East of Byzantium onto the fast track. People also forget I
am a very busy participant in the Hollywood Visual Effects industry. I
have to pay bills too.
How did the idea of East of Byzantium come into your head? When did
you launch the project and do you have any ideas how to present the
Armenian history through comics or other means?
The Vartan Mamigonian and Armenian Wars Mythology has always played
a part in my upbringing. You can thank my parents for that. Once the
tools presented themselves, the imagery began to flow. The point of
the Graphic Novels (online comics etc) were to serve as a foundation
for televised or cinematic projects, a kind of 'Bible' if you will.
But at the very least the goal is to provide an exciting and sublime
experience for young (and young at heart) readers. The secondary goal
was to reach beyond the Armenian world and make this an internationally
appreciated story (which is why I simplified the approach and focused
more on the visuals). My goal is to reinvent and reinforce a mythology
for our modern age we can draw strength from.
You have recently cooperated with Serj Tankian and prepared
illustrations for his "Glaring Through Oblivion" collection of poems.
Do you plan to launch other joint projects with Tankian or other
Armenian celebrities?
Serj and I have discussed other projects but we are both quite busy
with our current roster of upcoming releases. Who knows. There are
always ideas. Both of us serve on the advisory board for TUMO, for
example. As far as other Armenian celebrities, I am sure the future
holds the answer to that.
Marina Harutiunyan
Noyan Tapan - News from Armenia
2012-02-06
Comics depicting one of the most famous chapters of the Armenian
history have become popular among comics fans in the U.S. The idea of
comics showing the Armenian history belongs to Roger Kupelian, famous
Hollywood producer, writer and matte artist. He was making visual
effects for such films as "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End",
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers", "Constantine", "Terminator
Salvation" and others. Roger agreed to answer questions of the Armenian
News-NEWS.am reporter and told about his East of Byzantium project.
Are you currently working on any film projects or you are mainly
engaged in the East of Byzantium?
I have developed other projects but put them on hold as the impetus
is to put East of Byzantium onto the fast track. People also forget I
am a very busy participant in the Hollywood Visual Effects industry. I
have to pay bills too.
How did the idea of East of Byzantium come into your head? When did
you launch the project and do you have any ideas how to present the
Armenian history through comics or other means?
The Vartan Mamigonian and Armenian Wars Mythology has always played
a part in my upbringing. You can thank my parents for that. Once the
tools presented themselves, the imagery began to flow. The point of
the Graphic Novels (online comics etc) were to serve as a foundation
for televised or cinematic projects, a kind of 'Bible' if you will.
But at the very least the goal is to provide an exciting and sublime
experience for young (and young at heart) readers. The secondary goal
was to reach beyond the Armenian world and make this an internationally
appreciated story (which is why I simplified the approach and focused
more on the visuals). My goal is to reinvent and reinforce a mythology
for our modern age we can draw strength from.
You have recently cooperated with Serj Tankian and prepared
illustrations for his "Glaring Through Oblivion" collection of poems.
Do you plan to launch other joint projects with Tankian or other
Armenian celebrities?
Serj and I have discussed other projects but we are both quite busy
with our current roster of upcoming releases. Who knows. There are
always ideas. Both of us serve on the advisory board for TUMO, for
example. As far as other Armenian celebrities, I am sure the future
holds the answer to that.