A hole in the woods

This thesis is a script for a graphic novel, accompanied by demonstrative artwork that includes finished inks, pencils, and layouts. The story takes place on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and is a gothic detective noir, with elements of black comedy and family drama. It focuses on Arthur Irving, a deadbeat amateur sports journalist, who seeks to solve a years-long series of murders that have been affecting his hometown of Duncan. Research to develop this project came from exploring the effects of brain injuries and concussions in professional athletes, specifically hockey players, in addition to studying neo-pagan practices and belief systems. An examination of small-town “hockey culture” was also essential to establish the society Arthur and others operate in. Lastly, the region of Vancouver Island called the Cowichan Valley was researched and photographed as a setting in preparation for the work. My goal was to establish and contribute to a genre of storytelling that I could label the Pacific Northwestern Gothic. There are elements of mystery, horror, thriller, and comic relief, and my goal was to do for Vancouver Island what Stephen King has done for Maine, or what True Detective does for different regions in the United States. Following in the tradition of Maus, Fun Home, From Hell, Blankets, The Long Halloween, and other works, my goal was to contribute to the field of graphic novels and add my own voice to a medium that has so much to offer. Themes of loss, redemption, spirituality, familial responsibility, and the balance between loyalty and personal growth are explored within these pages. One of the most essential cores to the story is the history and dynamic of the Irving family, and how Arthur’s laziness, fear of failure, and preconceived notions can lead him away from fulfilling his potential and jeopardize an already frail family situation.Arts, Faculty ofGraduat