Elf~Fin is an ongoing tale (or perhaps it’s more apt to say “tail”) comprising several comic book series, starting with an underwater love story called Hyfus & Tilaweed. The first series will be launched in 2012.

However, many of our readers have been fishing for information through our various Internet sites—openly hooking onto the comics panel art we’ve slowly been releasing. Many have indicated they can’t wait a moment longer to plunge into Elf~Threaal and meet all its characters. And we don’t want to disappoint them (or you!) a moment longer, so we’re excited to announce the release of the Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed PREVIEW in April 2011.

SORRY! ALL SOLD OUT!

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2012 SERIES RELEASE

So what’s our connection to mermaids?

Well … firstly they're magical and enduring. Mythology and folklore have shown them to have many faces. They can be pernicious and vengeful yet they can also be guardians and saviours. They can be sultry and seductive, as well as monstrous and enslaving. And they can do what we can’t … swim freely into mysterious unexplored ocean depths to cavort with all manner of fish and beast.

Personally, professionally and creatively we were drawn to each other because of our mutual love of mermaids. When the opportunity arose to create a mermaid inspired comic book series we dove at it, and indeed, much of even our non-mermaid related work features a mermaid either as a character, symbol or motif. We swap mermaid books, collect mermaid artwork and figures, and Julie even has a dedicated mermaid bedroom attached to her office.

However, the Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed comic book series brings focus to the mermaid with several points of difference that reinvents much of the traditional mermaid mythology. Our characters are not concerned with the land or the humans above who are traditionally viewed as the stuff of legend—in fact we have no humans in our world at all. We prefer in the first instance to explore the rich lush Elf~Fin world, which is contained by the ceiling of the water surface and the great bottomless pits of the underwater depths.

There is a “surface” innocence or sweetness about the animation style artwork but don’t let that fool you—this is a universally understood style that lends itself to character acting and also services a multi-layered story. Successful art taps into the subconscious need to see the average person in heroic circumstances overcoming difficulties. We become what we celebrate. Elf~Fin is a modern fairy tale for young adults and adults—15 and up. The story showcases the core sociological and psychological inner struggle we all share – good vs evil.

From Jozef’s experience, mermaids have been with him since he was a boy. In fact, he lived in a coastal town in his youth and nearly drowned chasing mermaids. He’s always loved the sea and all that’s in it, but since that incident he’s had a fear of deep water (which has even manifested in hating water on his face while he’s showering). His exploration of mermaid themes in his artwork and this story allows him to dive as deeply as he wants without fear.

Of the two of us, Julie is the stronger swimmer and has been a “water-baby” since she was a toddler. She’s always had a profound fascination for bodies of water from swimming pools to waterfalls and the vast sprawling sea. She’s a strong swimmer (and indeed was her high school swimming champion in her age group four out of six years!). Having said that, and despite doing a scuba diving course several years ago, she also has a fear of deep water—when you’re treading water in the deep, dark and seemingly bottomless ocean and have no idea what’s gliding beneath you then all your hair prickles up and a deep feeling of dread and foreboding takes command of your chest (although this may very well be a default emotional position for most Australians who grew up near beaches and never knew when the shark alarms are going to ring!).

Like an animated film, frozen in the amber of stills, this comic book series presents a confrontation with destiny, sometimes autobiographical in nature, poetic and voluminous in colour, and voluptuous in character and vision. Carried in our hearts for a long time, we hope this Elf~Fin world is worth inhabiting by our future readers.

Historically, our leads characters – Hyfus and Tilaweed – appeared in print as supporting characters in another series published in the USA in the 90s. This series was commercially successful and sold over 30,000 of each issue worldwide. Now, some of these characters have been reconceived into the entirely new Eternals Spheres: Elf~Fin “universe” and are coming back into print in Hyfus & Tilaweed and its sequels. But don’t expect to meet them all at once. The story arc for the various comic book series, as well as the world bible took several years to develop. We had to work many part-time jobs – and take step by faltering step – to get us to this point in time. It’s been over a 15 years since the original comic series was published yet we still get dozens of emails, as well as many comments on our various Internet sites from fans who remember the original characters with as much affection as we do, wanting to know when the characters will next see print.

Here’s what some of our readers had to say about our previously published work:

"I first discovered the comic book work of Black Mermaid Productions in 1993 while still in high school.  To say that my young mind was blown away would be an understatement.  The sheer dynamism and beauty of Jozef’s artwork was the initial lure, but it was the powerful story that kept me coming back issue after issue.  Now, as an adult and a professional writer myself, I am pleased as punch to hear that Hyfus, Tilaweed, and all the other characters with whom I fell in love over 15 years ago will finally be returning to the comics world in Elf~Fin. The preliminary drawings I’ve seen from the project prove that Jozef’s skills have only grown in the intervening years, and I’m sure that Julie will have some great twists and turns in store for us loyal readers as well.  I, for one, cannot wait!”

Corey Dalton, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (www.cmdalton.com)

“Perhaps it started with the movie Splash when I was a child. For months after seeing it, I would sink to the bottom of the pool after swim lessons to practice holding my breath. Later, when swimming in the waters off Galviston, San Diego, or Cancun, I couldn’t quite banish the thought that at any moment, a mermaid would come to finally take me away into her transformative realm of mystery and beauty.

When I first discovered the sensuous artwork and engaging storylines produced by Black Mermaid Productions as a teenager, I was immediately hooked. Turning each page of their finely crafted tale, the original Wavedancers, was a revelation to me. The nuanced character details and artfully painted scenery gave beautiful expression to the propulsive narrative. Their work quickly became an important touchstone in my life, a powerful combination of creativity and self expression that rooted itself deep into my heart.  The imagery spoke directly to my sense of childhood wonder while steering me through often complicated interwoven character relationships. From the first page, I knew I would be a lifelong fan. Over the many years of correspondence I’ve been privileged to share with them, BMP has remained a living, growing example of the power of self-expression, something that both inspires and motivates me.

As BMP moved through various projects over the years (both as BMP and as individuals), I’ve tried to keep a watchful eye, knowing that anything from their studio would be nothing short of magic. From guest artist appearances on various projects, workshops on creative rights, to their positive portrayals of the pantheon of human individuality, BMP has remained committed to their vision and creativity. Of course as a fanboy (finboy?), I’m beyond thrilled to be invited into the new universe they’re unveiling, but beyond that, just plain thankful to be transformed once again, to be led blissfully away into their enthralling underwater depths.”

Jaysun Cox, Barrow, Alaska USA

“The first time I came across Jozef Szekeres' art was when I read the six-part comic series Wavedancers. The fluid motion and grace of his pictures and the vivid colours captivated me, and I found the storyline intriguing. The characters were believable, with distinct personalities and designs. The series has alway provided me with a lot of enjoyment, and something new catches my eye every time I read it.

The glimpses we've been given of Elf~Fin shows that the art surpasses the art of Wavedancers, lovely though it was. Also, the glimpses promise a storyline that's character driven and full of drama. I can't wait for Elf~Fin to be published.”

Liv Leech, Mo i Rana, Norway

We thank our readers for their ongoing support and patience and now we want to honour our beloved characters by seeing them in print again. We’re hoping that many new readers will also let our characters into their hearts and join us for a big underwater Elf~Fin adventure. We love our Elf~Fin characters – goodies and baddies alike – and we can’t wait to introduce you to them … and about 40 of their NEW friends!

The PREVIEW comprises the first Act in the first half of the first issue of the first series of Elf~Fin and is lush in its look and its storytelling. It gives you a tantalising glimpse into the isolated Waverin pod who lives in an underwater canyon. They’re a friendly bunch who both celebrate and denunciate, who bicker and play, who sometimes love unwisely, and who hunt fiercely and who have lived a peaceful life for a long time until now...

This is a chance for you to plunge into the Elf~Fin world too. You can love, you can laugh, you can grieve, and you can let your imagination swim free as you swim side by side with them in a world of truttles and bubbles and Tiny~Fin.

And you can dream like we do about a magical world of larger-than-life mer-elves!

SORRY! ALL SOLD OUT!

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2012 SERIES RELEASE

We’re releasing a limited edition of 250 for this print run*. It will ONLY be available through our website and at some Australian conventions and fairs later in the year. When it’s sold out it’s sold out!

So what do our readers need to know about Elf~Fin: Hyfus and Tilaweed?

It is a:

• New work!
• New mythology!
  
• New world!
• New story!

It has:

• New rules!
• New characters!

Our PREVIEW gives you:

• 24 pages of art and story (that’s the size of a regular comic book issue!)
• A special limited edition cover
• Hand-painted artwork
• Sketch art from the second half of the first issue, and
• A Certificate of Limited Edition Authenticity.

This is a limited-time and limited-edition offer for those readers who want to start collecting and reading Elf~Fin ahead of its official 2012 release.

Only 250 copies will be available to Black Mermaid Productions’ readers and to the general public through this website!*

The cover price is USD / AUD $10.00 plus postage handling (AUD $3.00 for Australian customers; AUD $5.50 for Asia / Pacific customers; and USD $7.50 for customers from the Rest of the World).

To order your personal or gift copy of the Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed Preview then CLICK on the relevant shopping cart button below.

SORRY! ALL SOLD OUT!

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2012 SERIES RELEASE

And thank you to our readers for your patience, enthusiasm and support—it’s been a long “tidement” coming and we’ve overcome and endured many obstacles but we’re here and it’s happening at last.

Black Mermaid Productions
PO Box A172, Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia
Phone / Fax: +61 2 9606 4728 Email: sales@blackmermaid.com
Website: www.blackmermaid.com
Blog: www.blackmermaidproductions.blogspot.com