News and Media

Article By: Travis Walters
Published: Dec 2, 2011

"Daybreak," the third graphic novel by SCAD sequential art professor Brian Ralph, debuted at the number six spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list in October.

Ralph, whose first graphic novel "Cave-In" was nominated for an Eisner Award and listed as one of Comics Journal's five best comics of 1999, never imagined he'd be featured on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

"I'm usually more of an 'underground' or 'alternative' cartoonist. My books can't be found in Barnes and Noble, but this book is with a larger established publisher and that has meant more exposure," said Ralph.

Because of the larger publisher and notoriety the book has received, Ralph is excited that it's reaching more of an audience all the while keeping his aesthetic style.

"This book was all about developing a character, and in some ways getting to know that character and become friends, as much as you can become friends with a cartoon character," said Ralph.

"Daybreak" is a take on the classic zombie genre. The story is told through the eyes of the reader who begins in the middle of a garbage-strewn wasteland. A mysterious, nameless one-armed man guides the reader through the ruin. Both are on a quest for survival from the zombie threat.

Entertainment Weekly thought it was one of the best books of the year, "What could have been a storytelling student by writer/artist Brian Ralph is instead a storytelling tour de force by turns creepy and poignant."

His older books will be available for interested audiences soon. Drawn and Quarterly, which published "Daybreak," will begin reprinting them. And Ralph plans to keep drawing.

"The position on the best sellers list has given me a sense that I've struck a chord with people," said Ralph.