Diego Agrimbau is an award-winning Argentine comic book writer. In 2020, after a failed attempt due to limited slots, I finally enrolled in his comic scriptwriting workshop. The first year focused on foundational techniques, while the second delved into group critiques of each student’s project. It was there that an idea took its final shape.
The Seed of the Story
One of the first exercises involved what Agrimbau calls “absolutes”—concepts pushed to their extreme to spark ideas. Think “a world where no one can read” or “everyone can fly except one person.” From this exercise emerged the premise I became obsessed with: “Every time you fall in love, you cease to exist.”
The first draft, tentatively titled LOVE, read:
“In a society where falling in love literally means committing suicide, a group of young people will search for the one person who loved… and survived to tell the tale.”
This idea captivated me so deeply that I chose to develop it into a graphic novel during the workshop’s second year. And that’s the story I want to share with you today.
A Kingdom of Oppression
In the realm of Sinelumih, the King enforces one unbreakable law: the only permitted bonds are heterosexual marriages for reproduction. Sons are drafted into the Royal Army and groomed as potential heirs.
Those who defy these rules are branded on their hands and cast out as “The Marked.” Imprisoned or exiled, they’re shunned by society. The people accept this order—because it’s all they’ve ever known. But what happens when certain souls dare to challenge it?
The Characters: Rebels of Sinelumih
Klara: The Girl Who Questions Everything
Originally named Clara—a Philosophy and Literature student in a fictionalized Buenos Aires—she evolved into Klara, a tavern girl in Sinelumih. Yet her core remained unchanged: compassionate, curious, and driven by a need to help others.
Klara is the story’s anchor. Through her eyes, we see the kingdom’s injustices and the lines waiting to be crossed. Drawing her was a challenge. I sketched her a thousand times in different styles, chasing the perfect balance of warmth and innocence.
Vera: The Cynical Merchant
Klara doesn’t walk alone. Enter Vera, a nomadic trader. From the start, I pictured her with a massive cart, peddling wares from town to town. Her knowledge of the world beyond makes her sharper and less naive than Klara.
Their bond is unshakable—they’re each other’s safety net.
When I drew them, I gave Vera faintly magical hands to hint at her supernatural ties, though her real power lies in her street smarts. She sells potions (some to numb the pain of arranged marriages), a trade that forges her alliance with Klara.
Fering: The Reluctant Heir
At first, Fering was just a love interest for Klara—a flat, forgettable side character. I even considered cutting him entirely.
Then, while watching Sex Education, Adam’s character inspired a reinvention. What if Fering defied his fate? What if he rebelled against the Crown? Suddenly, he had depth. His conflict—duty versus desire—turned him into a catalyst for change.
Fering is the King’s favorite knight, the chosen heir. But he rejects it all. He flees, desperate to find his true self.
Once I understood him, the story began writing itself. These three characters would carve their own path, a quest for identity that might just reshape Sinelumih’s destiny.
The Art Style Dilemma
With the characters defined, I faced another hurdle: the visual style. Agrimbau suggested styles akin to Estampita (a friend and artistic reference) or Gastón Pacheco—playful, medieval-inspired parody without losing adventure’s thrill.
But my natural inclination leans toward realism. It’s not that I dislike Estampita’s style; it just doesn’t flow organically for me. This week, I experimented to find a middle ground—a visual voice true to my story, not forced into someone else’s mold.
A Universe Unfolding
There’s still so much to explore: characters yet to be introduced, finer details to polish, pivotal choices (like adding a fourth protagonist). The symbolism behind their names, the lore of Sinelumih—it’s all a work in progress.
I’ll share this journey piece by piece, but I’d love to hear from you. What do you think of these characters? Where do you see their story heading? What questions do you have?
Join me in this slow but passionate creative process. Together, we’ll discover where Klara, Vera, and Fering’s rebellion leads.