Out of Sight
SYNOPSIS
Sarah can’t hear, but she sees sound. She takes a chance to understand the unknown, embarking on a journey from fear to acceptance.
ILLUSTRATED BY
After undergoing a surgery to save her life, Sarah discovers that while she’s still deaf, she can now see visual manifestations of sound – characterised by different shapes, sizes, and form. Some are big, otherworldly shapes. Others are tiny, and almost invisible. Some have an order, an arrangement, others are just meant to shock and awe.
All of them terrified Sarah greatly.
Yet, life isn’t about escaping or wishing that things were different. It’s about playing the hand she was dealt. Empowered by her realisation, Sarah decides to impose certain order on the sound she sees, turning them into wonderful, pleasing shapes.
“The kind of music that [the hearing-impaired] hear is different from us. It’s almost as if they live on a different plane than the rest of us, but they’re still complete.”
How do you bring to life the sounds that frighten you? What is the inspiration behind “Out of Sight?” Join Jingwei and Soefara as they discuss their creative process, and how protagonist Sarah embodies certain elements and aspects of both creators.
Drawing from cinematic language, the comic shifts its illustrations from daunting and pointed to whimsical and charming as its protagonist goes on a journey to self-acceptance.
DID YOU KNOW? Inspired by Brian K Vaughn’s Saga when writing the script for “Out of Sight”, Jingwei attempted to tell the story with limited dialogue and in as little panels as possible.
Jingwei has always wanted to write comics. But 12 years ago, he was nowhere near good enough a writer. So he got a job in advertising as a copywriter instead. He then realised writing in general is very hard and learning to write well is the hardest thing he will ever do and probably won't ever be done with in his lifetime but it is OK. Because despite experiencing a constant onslaught of writer's block, finally actually finishing writing something always feels good. He's still working in advertising (maybe). The story in this anthology is his first published work. And he's super happy and humbled that someone thought the words he put down is somehow worth being illustrated and published. If you're interested, his favourite comics writer is Brian K Vaughn. Also, writing about himself in third person will never not be weird for him.
Soefara Jafney is an award-winning illustrator and designer who has thus far illustrated 15 books, 13 of which are picture books of the popular Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di & Xandy series with Epigram Books.
Growing up, she kept herself busy with Saturday morning cartoons, George Perez’s Wonder Woman, Adam Hughes’ Justice League America, and the myths from SEA. Other than drawing her favourite female characters in an attempt to feature more of them in the industry, she is currently illustrating and designing for IPs under Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as high profile companies like dUCkscarves and HMO Collectibles.
Instagram: @soefara