For those of who want more, here’s the “Relation That Suck” Study Guide. The guide provides background on Eva and Dries, walks readers through each scene and explains how the visual elements and text work together to tell the story, contains spider facts, answers some frequently asked questions, and much more.
Study Guide (PDF, 253 Kb)
An excerpt on Eva’s style: “As we are initially introduced to Eva, she wants to make a good impression so her attire and style are a bit more formal: her coiffure is neat, her nails trimmed, and her dresses refined and genteel. As the story progresses we see a more intimate vision of a dejected Eva. Her tresses begin to unravel, her nails grow out, and her dress more loose and casual. Delving deeper into her vampire-side, Eva’s hair burgeons into a mane like an animal ready for attack. Her garb also reflects her previously-suppressed aggressive, predatory nature.”
In the 20th century stories were told by machine (a projector or television set) to a passive audience. Now genre-busting artist Marilyn Yu is putting the personal back into story-telling. Her recent book launch party, Nocturn: Celebrating Those who Live in the Shadows, created a unique experience of the story by bringing together the story-teller, a multi-media homage to the characters, and a participatory audience. The Raven Queen (aka Marilyn Yu) invited you in to have a raw liquid snack in a candle-lit, smoky coven with a slide-show in remembrance of Eva and Dries.The band Laguna Sunrise accompanied a haunting fashion show in memory of Eva. The evening finished up with the audience exploring and capturing their darker side with make-up artist Jen Holiday and photographer Alessandra Bernal.
