Why update Oscar Wilde?
Because he’s timeless and for all ages. Or in fact, he was so ahead of his time, that he’s more of our time than he was of his own. Oscar’s work, beneath its glittering wit and genius, is always about dealing with the same big issues: sex and sexuality, power and hypocricy, society’s “rules” and those who make them. Those issues have never been more relevant today, and to this moment of reckoning with inequality: racial, sexual, economic. Oscar would be having a field day today.
I’ve spent my whole career working on the shoulders and in the margins of the work of my heroes. Whether it’s taking Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently on new adventures on TV, comics and stage; or collaborating with the real Neil Gaiman on fictional versions of him, or taking my favorite rock album of my adolescence and making it into a Broadway musical. My particular type of creativity sparks best when I’m sparking off the masters, writing marginallia to masterpieces.
I’ve loved Oscar Wilde my whole life. I’ve read everything he’s written (many times) and everything written about him. He’s my urtext, my OG. I’ve been getting ready for this my whole career. -Arvind Ethan David
Last updated: April 20, 2021 08:44
Why make Dorian a woman? Isn’t Dorian Gray a gay man?
In the original, Dorian’s coded bisexual nature, and his homosexual relationship with Lord Henry Wootan are core to Wilde’s conception, and the reason the book was controversial even in its censored form for decades.
Our new version retains a deep interest in seuxality and orientation; and in the discrimination faced by LGTBQ folk. Our characters include: Augustus Bracknell, a senior gay detective in the NYPD; Cecily & Gwendolyn a trans and a cis woman in a committed, loving lesbian relationship; and Dorian herself is magnificently ambisexual.
In Wilde’s time, only a man could live a life of debauchery and get away with it. In our time, that’s a woman’s right also, and by making Dorian a woman, we open up new story avenues, give ourselves a platform to take on the big issues of sexual power, and its abuse.
Last updated: April 23, 2021 14:51
Why make a Graphic Novel AND an Audiodrama? Are they different?
The two versions of Gray tell the same story in radically different ways, and with a radically different focus.
The graphic novel, made unbelievably beautiful by the work of Eugenia Koumaki, Diane Greenhalgh and Joana Lafuente, tells the story in real time, as a clash between a criminal, Dorian, and the detective sent to catch her – Hank Wutan. Their relationship — messy, angry, antagonistic, passionate but doomed – defines the story, and we follow their dance even as they’re learning the steps. It’s told in a deeply visual way, and has the pace of a thriller.
Our Audiodrama, takes the form of a true-crime podcast, hosted by a whole new character who didn’t appear in the graphic novel, the mysterious Speranza, an amateur sleuth with an agenda of her own, decides to re-open the cold case of Dorian’s crimes, 20 years after they took place.
That time and format allows a deeper dive into the issues and characters of our story, teasing out the nuance and the knots, the space between freedom fighter and terrorist, between debauchery and the good life, between changing the world and burning it down.
Also, in telling the story, Speranza becomes the accidental star of the show, because she’s hiding something. Behind her confidence, her megawatt charisma, her determination and mission, is a secret: she’s Hank Wutan’s daughter…
… but she doesn’t know who her mother is. Well, she suspects. But it’s just not possible, is it?
Last updated: April 20, 2021 08:53
What if I'm hearing impaired ? Can I still enjoy the audiodrama?
For any backers with this concern who have pledged a tier including the audiodrama, send us a message! We’d be happy to share the PDF scripts for the audiodrama when the audio is delivered to backers.
Last updated: April 20, 2021 10:04
What's the difference between Volume 1 & Volume 2? Just variant covers?
The story of the GRAY graphic novel is actually seperated into two volumes. Volume 1 includes chapters 1 - 5 and Volume 2 includes chapters 6 - 9 & an epic epilogue! See our “graphic novel” section of the campaign page or reach out with any other questions.
Last updated: April 21, 2021 10:44
If I buy the physical books, do I get the digital as well?
Yes, any one who backs at or above the $75, two volume reward tier, will also get digital files.
Last updated: April 23, 2021 14:51
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