'James Johnson's The Enemy's Son has all the elements of a great epic story, and the coolest part is the opportunity for talented artists to bring the world of Erth Chronicles to life.' Leonardo M. Giron

WELCOME TO ERTH...

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking an interest in the world of Pirian Horncastle. I am looking forward to developing his adventures further and hope this website is going to be the beginning of something very special. This is an opportunity for fellow artists to show off their talents and share visions of Erth - or even comment on the story so far. But first, before you immerse yourselves any further, let me explain how this series has been developed and what key influences have had an impact on helping to shape Erth Chronicles.

1982. I was six years old and had begged my parents to take me to see The Dark Crystal. This film had a profound effect on my life, sparking my interest in not just sci-fi and fantasy, but the arts in general. Film gradually became an obsession; from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, The Thing to American Werewolf in London, Akira to My Neighbour Totoro, Kurosawa to Eastwood, Ray Harryhausen to Peter Jackson - I have admired and continue to admire pioneers in the field. As with most children, each weekend and during school holidays, I would religiously watch the cartoons of the 80s - including Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Dungeons & Dragons, Pole Position and Thundercats to name a few.

A taste for comic books took hold around the same time. I remember picking up an issue of Battle, which later led to US titles; Uncanny X-Men and The Punisher. Having sparked a compulsion in comic book lore, I began to absorb as much as possible - from seminal classics Watchmen and Batman: Year One to Garth Ennis’ run on Hellblazer and subsequent Preacher series.

During the mid to late 90s, research became a genuine interest while studying at University. From looking at examples such as the Bauhaus, it helped underpin a lot of the theories and philosophies of design I had been questioning. My interests began to come full circle as I absorbed myself in the more relevant examples of film and literature. Here, I began to understand the underlining themes and complexities of certain classics such as Brave New World and Blade Runner.

I also discovered Milton’s Paradise Lost around this time. The epic poem helped develop my interest in religious interpretation. I even began to develop (rather pretentiously) an adaptation. It was a terrible idea and while reading about Tolkien and other key writers; I discovered how seminal and influential it was on them. However, they only took the essence; the representation of these characters and religious connotation, using symbolism and metaphor. So, I slowly began mapping out a story; adding reflections of the current state in society while developing the myth of Good vs Evil and the fall and redemption of man - one of the many blueprints for the Hero’s Journey. All of this aside, I hope that I have added something fresh to the genre and theat readers come to equally appreciate my own world, beginning with The Enemy's Son.

All of the above has had a major influence on creating Erth - it is my nod, my thankyou letter to everything and everyone that has inspired me...and more than likely yourselves.

Richard (James Johnson).

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