Welcome to another episode of BEYOND THE SYNOPSIS!
Episode twelve of BEYOND THE SYNOPSIS features writer/illustrator Ariela Kristantina and editor Will Dennis of the ComiXology Originals graphic novel THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES, which released September 23rd, 2025.
The Girl Who Draws on Whales is a testimony to the power of stories—their uncanny ability to entertain, educate and, ultimately, unite us. Reminiscent of stories like Moana, Princess Mononoke, The Never-Ending Story, Frozen, and Snow Angels, The Girl Who Draws on Whales is an epic YA grahic novel adventure about two siblings struggling for survival, who must use their art to save their world.
THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES OGN
Written by Ariela Kristantina
Illustrated by Ariela Kristantina
Colors by Sarah Stern
Letters by Bernardo Brice
Edited by Will Dennis
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Format: FC, 116 pages
Age range: 12+
The Girl Who Draws on Whales is set in a fantasy world, several centuries after “The Great Flood.” Sister Wangi and younger brother Banyu live in a sea-village. Wangi has a special bond with the Great Whales that visit their sea-village and they allow Wangi to draw on their backs. Sometimes they return with new drawings on them. Wangi believes that there are other sea-villages or island settlements scattered around and that they are sending her messages but, none of the elders listen to her.
One day, a new whale arrives in the village alone, wounded, and dying—this whale has a new drawing on her back that doesn’t look like the previous drawings. Inspired by this mystery, Wangi vows to investigate. Although forbidden by her parents and the village elders, Wangi—along with a stowaway, who happens to be her brother Banyu—embark on a wondrous journey to investigate where the drawings are coming from only to find much more than they were expecting.
Time for the interview… enjoy!
I’d like to send a very big thank you to Ariela and Will for taking the time to speak with me and discuss THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES. Follow the creators online (links below) and learn mpre about ComiXology! And an extra special thank you to Pamela Horvath of Superfan Promotions for facilitating this interview. A real pleasure to work with her!
Do yourself a favor and snag your copy of THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES NOW! You can download it digitally HERE and watch for the print edition coming from Dark Horse Books in early 2026!
About Ariela Kristantina:
ARIELA KRISTANTINA is an artist from Jakarta, Indonesia. She is currently working with Scott Snyder on CHAIN, a new sci-fi/horror/crime creator-owned graphic novel for BEST JACKETT Press. Her recent publication is ADORA & The Distance with Marc Bernardin for Comixology Originals and WITCHBLADE 1/2 for Top Cow with Marguerite Bennett & Marc Silvestri.
Other works include Insexts (Aftershock), Mata Hari (Berger Books/Dark Horse Comics), Deep State (Boom! Studio), and The Logan Legacy (Marvel). She has also contributed covers to various other companies (DC Comics, Image, Vault) and character designs to a number of indie movie/anthology projects since her first debut in 2014.
About Will Dennis:
WILL DENNIS was an editor at Vertigo/DC Entertainment for more than fifteen years, specializing in genre fiction comics and graphic novels. His award-winning titles include 100 Bullets, Y: The Last Man, Scalped, DMZ, Joker and many more. Since then, he has worked as a freelance editor for DSTLRY, Image Comics, comiXology, DC Entertainment and also wrote The Art of Jock for Insight Editions. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
