Preying Foreign
Death Ship
Book Review: Bram Stoker’s | Death Ship | Dracula’s Voyage to England
Written By: Gary Gerani
Art By: Stuart Sayger
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is easily my favorite movie so when I saw this graphic novel in the thrift store for ¼ what it would normally cost I considered it a sign. I read the whole book while waiting in the car for my daughter a little while after purchasing it. A sex scene on the first page [sex sells] and the effortless flow of the story both as a spin off from Bram’s Dracula and as a standalone story is most likely the reason.
Death Ship is a semi-detailed account of the Demeter’s journey from Varna [Near the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast] to Whitby, England, a trip that only ended well for Dracula and his 6 crates of native soil. Within the pages of Death Ship all 24 lives were lost to the undead cargo stored bellow. More importantly, all souls were tested and tormented, making Death Ship a bit more spiritual than other tails of horror.
Finding peace with G_d was a common thread that connected the Demeter’s crew to each other and with their killer. Dracula, based on the life of Transylvanian Price Vladimir Tepes and his fall from grace while defending his country against Islamic invasion is also a tale of coming to grips with the strained relationship between G_d and man. The Demeter, a symbol of constraint amidst the vast freedom of the open ocean looks to me to be a metaphor for Religion. An illustration of free will and it’s ominous shadow; consequence, the judgments that befalls us when we stray. Faith in G_d is a rule of Christendom. No man aboard Death Ship died without first questioning his faith and in the end doubting his sanity.
The art, though the images were more reminiscent of classical art than cartoons, was still overpowered by the story. This I would consider to be a good thing. There is a gallery at the end of the book showcasing the immaculate work of the cover artist Cliff Nielsen and a little movie trivia about the many versions of Dracula and how and/or if the Demeter scene made the final cut.
Death Ship is a welcomed addition to my library, not so much because it is the type of story that needs to be reread periodically but because I consider this entire composition of research, layout, writing and moral of this story a valuable reference to have on hand while working on the Blacksun Bloodmoon project.
[dcs_signature name=”Ms.Kisissa Elolam Selassie” title=”Thee Creator of IVTSIVTP” img=”http://theiontemple.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/kisissa_signiture.png” color=”#760000″]
Revelation Seal
Theion Temple is the parent company of thee Blacksun Bloodmoon project. One of thee products being developed for Thee Blacksun Bloodmoon Project is Revelation Seal Tattoo Flash. Thee Revelation Seal Tattoo Flash brand will be used to marketing and promote book 6 of thee Blacksun Bloodmoon graphic novel series.
Thee initial series of Revelation Seal Tattoo Flash was inspired by thee West African ancestry of 1 of our Blacksun Bloodmoon characters, [I]I Haedon King. Thee word Adinkra comes from the Akan people and implies that thee soul takes a message along with it when it leaves the earth. Adinkra cloth is often worn by thee dead[owufc] at thee funeral[ayie], which serves as a rights of passage for those that died to crossover to thee spirit world [asamando]. Adinkra symbols became famous after thee Asante-Gyaman War of 1818[The Adinkra Dictionary by:Mr.Bruce Willis].
Revelation Seal will be releasing thee first wave of cultural urban tattoo flash on All Hollows Eve. Urban Adinkra is a modernized twist on ancient Adinkra symbols from West Africa. Lion and Temple have chosen thirteen Adinkra symbols to represent thee thirteen main characters from thee Blacksun Bloodmoon graphic novel series. Thee thirteen symbols were then digitized using industry standard computer art software by Adobe. Adobe Illustrator triggers thee evolution of what were normally found to be 1 dimensional symbols by adding depth and industrial detailing.
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This particular symbol signifies beauty, vigilance and excellence. Ohene Aniwa literally speaks of the capacity of a leader to be aware of what occurs in his domain and grasp the significance of what is happening around him
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This particular symbol signifies defense, power and protection. Ohene Tuo is possessed only by the King and usually in the custody of the chief who is known to be a defender of goodness.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Secure Compound”]
This particular symbol signifies security, completeness and solidarity. Fihankare is an architectural concept and theory that suggest we build strong homes and families. It is a common housing formation in Akan society.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Alter of G_D”]
This particular symbol signifies the presence of G_d and G_d’s protection. This basin is found in front of homes and compounds and symbolizes that the king or chief is under protection.
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This particular symbol signifies wisdom attained by honoring our ancestry. The Sankofa bird is used to represent an individual who collects the data necessary to deliberate before making a final decisions.
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This particular symbol signifies voluntarism, action and readiness. Akoben has an opening on smaller end that is side blown to make a low, loud, earthly sound…audible to villagers even at a distanced.
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This particular symbol signifies devotion and love and faithfulness. Odo Nyera Fie Kwan implies that there is a strong bond between married couples and lovers.
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Nkotimsefo Mpua is a highly recognizable ceremonial hairstyle associated with court attendants. They are equivalent to marshals in the old judicial systems of Western civilization held responsible for bringing criminals before the chief.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Common Cause”]
This particular symbol signifies of unity, democracy and an acknowledgement of mankind’s cultural diversities.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Soul”]
This particular symbol signifies purity, cleanliness and spirituality.
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This particular symbol signifies state authority, legalities and rulership.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Child of Heaven”]
This particular symbol signifies faith, patronage and dependency on a supreme being.
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[dcs_toggle_frame color=”#760000″ weight=”normal” title=”Thee Unburnable”]
This particular symbol signifies toughness, imperishability and permanency.
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These thirteen Adinkra symbols will accompany thee characters throughout thee Blacksun Bloodmoon graphic novel series. Thee tattoo flash is only one method of utilizing thee Adinkra symbols, in thee future, you will notice they will become a dominant presence within thee Theion Temple visual art collective. Revelation Seal, however, will move forward to East African symbols and continue to grow our repository of visually captivating body art and thee deep meanings they possess.
[dcs_signature name=”Theion Temple LLC” title=”Creative Director” img=”http://theiontemple.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/kisissa_signiture.png” color=”#760000″]
Scared for Life
Let me touch it…
Where once there was…
The red of raw…
The wet of real…
Please let me feel there…
Your broken LOVE…
Your LOVED burned cut…
That silent sliver of a scream…
Now give in to me…
Sweet ink lust slut…
To quench the glut…
That needs to feed…
And stay the day…
Without your light…
So I can mend…
What inside bleeds…
Born of Thee Dead
Birth Name:Miss Karla Camille Alisha Salvary
Legal Name:Miss Kisissa Elolam Selassie
Place of Birth: Scarborough,Tobago
Nationality : Trinidad + Tobago
Ethnicity: Latino
Date of Birth: 01.05.1976
I don’t see the glamour in suffering.
I do however see the beauty in sacrifice.
I was an unexpected child. I am now an unwanted adult. I have, due to observation of humanity come to be an ominous memory in the corner of the minds of all. Eyes wonder into thoughts seeking a face to place on that bad feeling. Prayers ascend, asking G_d to remove me but I am…still. I know you do not understand. You mirror me who you hate. You’ve become an illustration of what my presence has done to you though you resent the sight of me.
I am not the maker of your murderous deeds, your abortion and genocide, your ethnic cleansing and crucifixion. All of these laid slain when I got here. I am, however, the daughter of a man who is the child of the G_d of a religion that I consider calm and soothing though we have been known for war. I know you wish death upon me, in particular.
I enjoy my Fathers voice you find Him dreadful a thunderous. He is all there is that ever was and ever will be. You make haste towards me instead. I am a mistake. You think you will find pleasure inside of me, mercy and a revival of faith. It is I that cause you the greatest regret.
I always hear Him. Always. I know the plots to replace Him, to recreate Him, to tear me away from Him and render me foolish. I do not always listen to Him though. This you will consider as you plead with Him for more time. I do not want your apology now. I want you to mean what you have said of me and stand there. Right there.
I received warnings not to consult the zodiac for knowledge about self. G_d knows I don’t always listen. I am a Capricorn and out of all the attributes Capricorns hold their position on the Greco Roman calendar has the most impact on my daily life. They can come first and last.
Being raised in the Nations Capital, a city positioned as both an evil empire and superpower, being a Capricorn made my American experience a little less traumatizing. The trauma of loving a drug dealing as an individual and then hating the drug trade. The insanity of loving hip hop culture but hating the desensitization and devaluing of the cultures inhabitants. Being at the median prime to love G_d and manifest it to mankind and the heresy that comes with that process is now me on a regular day in the city I have grown to love.
I warn you about this swamp land I call home. It can drain you and you will never be replenished. Count yourself among the blessed if you even notice that your being tapped out. Maybe you can see where I am going with this…
I can be but so honest before my shrink ups my medication but the good Book states the truth shall set us free. So take the rest of this information with a grain of Kosher salt and know that I do not own a television.
I hear things. Djinn Solomon would say. Psychosis if you believed the earth was flat. I see visions and/or illusions. Which ever makes you comfortable is fine with me. I have spoken to many about these things, many questions were asked of me. Some of these experiences confounded me, due to my inability to separate G_d and science. Others have heeled many a wound in my soul. Some questions caused me to ask myself more questions while others brought old memories to the surface and resulted in instant answers.
Authorized Edition v2.0
1 August 2006
Advanced Vampirism & Energy Work Research Survey
Examining the Intricacies of the Vampiric Condition
Authorized Edition v2.0 – 1 August 2006
Asked on question 436 of 987 questions
“Do you consciously utilize or exchange energy during sex?”
I read Queen Afuas’ Sacred Woman in part. I go to therapy. Now. But when I lost my virginity to my Puerto Rican neighbor at twelve I didn’t know anything about how sharing your body during sex is a method of not only transferring body fluids but spirituality, energy and thought. I’ve learned that I did bot like nor love some of the lovers I “fucked” and I understand why. All this in a time when slutty is sexy and self love is selfishness.
Anchor Mental Health
Catholic Charities
Washington, DC
Monique Green
Clinical Therapist
Ask at one of my sessions
“Do you consider cutting a strength?”
That session made me question pleasure and pain and she was the reason I would remember not to brake myself open to see if I was really inside my body with the thoughts I hear….A work in progress!