The City of Abacus - VV Brown launches her first comic

By Cheryl Mullin on May 7, 10 08:00 AM

You may know her as a singer/songwriter, or as one of the faces in the new Marks and Spencer's adverts, but VV Brown has yet another talent to add to her bow.
In collaboration with friend and illustrator David Allain, Vanessa Brown, or VV, is about to release the first in a series of six comics entitled The City of Abacus.

The story will be released in sections throughout the year, culminating in the series being released as a graphic novel. VV Brown.jpg
In addition to the comics, an original composition of music will also be released digitally with each volume.
Comic fans got a sneak peek at The City of Abacus last year when a few pages were published in an anthology celebrating emerging talent in the comic book world.
But from today fans will be able to get their hands on the first instalment 'Travelling Like the Light', which is also the title of Brown's critically acclaimed debut album.
VV has been a fan of comics since she was a child, an obsession she has carried into adulthood.
She said: "I love to escape into fantasy and imagination. Comics provide a great platform for this.
"I love how there is a great irony of dark serious concepts being presented in one what would call a 'comical' fashion. Both me and David read them as kids and were fascinated with this feeling."
Some of her favourite titles are Seth's 'Its a Good Night if You Don't Weaken', Mark Waid's 'Kingdom Come', Terry Moore's 'Strangers in Paradise: I Dream of You' and Alan Moore's classic 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'It is Alan Moore, who comes from VV's home town of Northampton, who she cites as being an influence for her work.
The City of Abacus is a tale of conquest, politics, love and mental freedom.
Abacus is an eerie city living in fear of its evil ruler Queen Virusos. Music is banned, creative objects have become mysterious relics and the city's people have their thoughts controlled by the 'MX-41'. Only the orphaned heroine Freeda is unsettled by this conformity and sets out to liberate the city and its people.
Despite the story's complexity, VV says once she began thinking about the narrative, it all fell into place.
She said: "Once I got writing it flowed. I could be as creative as I wanted.
"We do it bit by bit and let things go as wild and free as we want."
And seeing the end product in print? The City of Abacus.jpg
"David and I already have 1000 sitting at home," she says, "and it is very exciting to hold it and smell it and see the reality of our idea have a life."
The City of Abacus: Travelling Like the Light is on sale in all good comic stores from today.
Visit the official website: http://www.thecityofabacus.com/