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For as long as I can remember, I have been writing stories and poems. I love music, art, film, and poetry and I have always enjoyed reading—both fiction and non-fiction, as well as hundreds of comics and graphic novels. The power of visual storytelling has always fascinated me.

One day, I participated in an exhibition where I was assigned the theme "Decals, Insignia…" I researched the words and their literal meanings. "Decals" refers to transferring, tracing, and copying, while "Insignia" signifies signing and marking. Since I often sign with the first letter of my name, this became the figure through which I started an alternative biography.

Thus, by chance and to my own surprise, A Shadowgraphic History was born—a minimalist and abstract comic series in which I incorporate references to my daily life and my childhood, but also to my favorite influences: books, music, and film.

Below, you’ll find a selection of images from A Shadowgraphic History—I’m curious to hear what you see in them!

More info: decalsinsignia.blogspot.com

#1

Almost Unbearable Empty Thought

Almost Unbearable Empty Thought

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Corvus
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So empty, you can hear the echoes from several days ago...

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Although I am a writer, I find it fascinating to tell stories without words—except for the occasional subtitle, which I enjoy playing with to add an extra layer. Sometimes, a subtle hint shifts an interpretation in an entirely new direction.

Traditional comics rely on dialogue and narration, but what happens when you remove those elements and let the images speak entirely for themselves? It creates a world where communication unfolds in an intuitive way, and meaning becomes fluid, shaped by the reader’s interpretation.

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    #2

    Sad Thought

    Sad Thought

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    LuisSD stuff
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Friday is payday. That's a sad thought.

    #3

    Cloudmaker

    Cloudmaker

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    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This happens every time they announce some great astronomical event.

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    Each page revolves around an idea and consists of either a single panel or a sequence of images with cryptic references, allowing the story to unfold purely visually. At times, the R is nowhere to be seen in the drawing, leading one to assume that he might also be among the viewers, a silent observer.

    #5

    Passing Through

    Passing Through

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    When I am in a "flow," ideas can keep bubbling up for days—sometimes weeks. I store them as sketches in notebooks, which I later refine into finished pieces. Over time, natural series emerge, such as those centered around thought balloons, the cosmos, or clouds—motifs that keep recurring, giving the story an organic coherence.

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    #6

    Birth

    Birth

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks more like conception than birth.

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    In recent years, I have self-published two booklets in very limited editions and sent copies to comic magazines. I was surprised by the positive responses and reviews, as well as the orders I received from the most unexpected corners of the world. Once the booklets sold out, I decided not to print any more. Then everything went quiet for a few years. But during the COVID lockdown, when I was forced to stay home for months, I found the time to go through my sketchbooks and felt inspired to continue the story.

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    #8

    The Dark Thoughts Ahead

    The Dark Thoughts Ahead

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    #9

    Winter

    Winter

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    #10

    A Day In The Life Of R

    A Day In The Life Of R

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    #11

    Implosion/Explosion

    Implosion/Explosion

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    #13

    In Prison/Released

    In Prison/Released

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    #14

    In Someone's Last Thought

    In Someone's Last Thought

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    #15

    Coming Closer

    Coming Closer

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    #16

    Shot By His Own People

    Shot By His Own People

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    #18

    Shot By His Own People

    Shot By His Own People

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    #19

    The Conspiracy

    The Conspiracy

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    #20

    Trying To Walk The Line

    Trying To Walk The Line

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    #21

    Walking On Water And Hiding Behind A Ship

    Walking On Water And Hiding Behind A Ship

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    #22

    The Thought Runner

    The Thought Runner

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    Kat
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why are we reading this? Idk. But I'm reading anyways

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