On March 16, the local comics community will be blessed once again with an offering from renowned artist and graphic designer Scott A. Ford.

His new graphic novel Hologram Hunter will officially launch this Saturday at a Millennium Library event presented by the Prairie Comics Festival.

Described as primarily a sci-fi action comic by Ford, Hologram Hunter follows the mysterious title character and robot companion Whiskers as they explore post-apocalyptia while threatened by a technological adversary.

“The story is definitely minimalistic. It is an action comic, so it is more focusing on the movement and excitement of the physical conflict between characters,” Ford says.

Most notably, the book includes a pair of red-and-blue 3D glasses, just like those B-movies of old, for viewing Ford’s carefully exacted anaglyph 3D art.

“The main goal for the book was always as a stylistic experiment first. I wanted it being a 3D book to be the showcase,” he says.

Scott was inspired by the immersive qualities of some of his favourite stories, citing manga Ghost in the Shell and the Wachowskis’ sci-fi anthology film The Animatrix as major influences.

“I want to make worlds, and I want to make characters and transport people to a different reality. The idea of making a 3D comic where it feels like it’s literally jumping off the page at you or that you’re sinking into it seems so cool,” Ford says.

“There are all these bleeding the lines between mediums that I think is so cool when you expand beyond the vacuum of a particular genre.”

Using 3D modelling software, Ford realized all the anaglyph 3D images digitally before committing them to print. He describes the process as arduous, with the book in gestation for nearly four years.

“The process got really demanding ... but for all my comics, I always try to do something new. It’s detrimental to work-flow, but I think I just get bored easily,” he says.

“Every single one has taken a different artistic approach to come up with the end result. This was the most technically intricate workflow that I’ve done yet.”

The launch event will allow those who backed the printing of Hologram Hunter to pick up their copies, along with being the first instance of public sale. Attendees can expect a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process behind the comic and the creation of 3D models, followed by a Q-and-A with the author.

Sam Beiko, Prairie Comics Festival organizer and launch coordinator, speaks highly of Ford’s contributions to the comic-book scene.

“He’s been really devoted to help organize the festival and put on other seminars,” Beiko says.

“He’s been a stalwart of the comics community here in Winnipeg. He’s so excited to share all his skills and experiences with anyone in the community.”

Check out the launch of Hologram Hunter on March 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Carol Shields Auditorium in the Millennium Library, or order the book online at scottafordart.com.

Published in Volume 78, Number 21 of The Uniter (March 14, 2024)