"Slapstick violence and dark comedy are tools that Ceide uses to draw us into the story on a surface level, but once there, we become invested in the deeper subjects she is tackling." – Andy Oliver, Editor-in-Chief at Broken Frontier.
Welcome to Salamanca Blues, my debut graphic novel and the first installment of the Earth Blues series. This collection of thematically interconnected stories aims to create a memoir of humanity's future on Earth, influenced by the pressing realities of climate change. Through a blend of fantasy and humor, I explore the potential consequences of our current trajectory.
The story:
Set in a desolate Spain, Salamanca Blues imagines a world where much of the land has turned to desert. The narrative begins in the ruins of Salamanca, where a fanatical religious order wields control over the population through fear and superstition. The first part, titled Salamanca Blues: Sand, introduces us to a cast of whimsical characters: Mimo, a foreigner who speaks an unknown language and possesses magical abilities; The Hunter, a fiercely independent woman who stands against injustice; and an ex-priest who questions the dogmas of his faith while delving into the ancient culture of a long-extinct civilization.
As these three protagonists flee the oppressive regime of Captain Álvarez and his guards, they embark on a perilous journey across the desert, ultimately heading north toward Galicia, my homeland, along the historic Camino de Santiago. While the story is fictional, I incorporated historical landmarks of the real city of Salamanca into the narrative.
The comic and where to find it:
Salamanca Blues: Sand, is a 48-page full-color comic available in both English and Spanish. I originally self-published this project through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, and I am immensely grateful to all the backers who supported me.
Now you can buy Salamanca Blues: Sand (English and Spanish) in my Big Cartel: HERE along with a series of Art Prints and Stickers.
The comic is also available in bookshops like Alita Comics (A Coruna), Fiandón Libros de Vello (A Coruna), Cartoon Museum (London) and in Galician-based comic events in the Autobán stand. There are also copies in Salamanca's libraries such as Torrente Ballester, Casa de Las Conchas and Gabriel García y Galán.
Behind the scenes:
You can explore the following "Making of" post on my Behance to gain insight into the creative process behind my comic Salamanca Blues. This post features early concept art, sketches, and a video recording of my digital painting process:
Salamanca Blues Part 2 update:
Salamanca Blues: Sand has opened doors to various projects and new professional endeavors, keeping me busier than expected. Since self-publishing it, I have been asked to create a biographical graphic novel, along with several smaller projects. I’ve also had the opportunity to start working at university while a Postgraduate Certificate.
Now that the biographical graphic novel is almost complete (set to publish in summer 2025) and my studies are nearing their end, I am focused on finishing Forehead Blues, the second installment of The Earth Blues Series, which was already at an advanced stage when I started Salamanca Blues: Sand. I aim to publish Forehead Blues by the end of 2025, with Salamanca Blues Part 2 following in 2026.
Links to buy Salamanca Blues: Sand
- Salamanca Blues (English and Spanish) in my Big Cartel: HERE
- Salamanca Blues (English) in The Cartoon Museum, London: HERE
Press:
- Nov. 2022. Inside Look article to Salamanca Blues by Alba Ceide in Broken Frontier: HERE
- Jul. 2023. Review by Claudia Matosa in Substack: HERE
- Aug. 2022. In-depth review of Salamanca Blues by Andy Oliver in Broken Frontier: HERE
- Sept. 2022. My Interview in Broken Frontier: HERE
- Aug. 2022. Salamanca Blues crowdfunding in Indiegogo: HERE
- Aug. 2022. Exclusive Preview of Salamanca Blues in Broken Frontier: HERE
.