Get Graphic: Out of the Shadows with Djet
Aug 08, 2022
Art by Djet
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
The "Boogyman." Whether he hides in your closet or under the shadows of your bed, every child fears the seemingly inevitable encounter with him. Eventually, we all grow past this phase, but what if that fear of the Boogyman never lets go? What if he's real and his homicidal tendencies are not exaggerated?
In the following interview, The Boogyman artist Djet takes us away from the light and shows us just what exactly lurks in the darkness...
Firstly, who are you and where do hail from?
I am Djet, the illustrator of Boogeyman. I’m from Réunion where I grew up before moving to Paris at 18 for my studies. In a few words, my first memory of drawing goes back to when I was seven years old and watching my sister complete an art assignment. She was drawing a horse in chalk and I remember copying it with the same tools. I found that wonderful.
What can you tell us about the story behind The Boogyman?
Concerning the beginning of this project, I can tell you that it was a human connection and friendship with the author Mathieu Salvia. We didn’t really know each other outside of social media and he contacted me one day with this idea that he pitched in a few sentences. I think something clicked in my head and I must have said, “Ok, that works for me, I like your story.” Next, I think I must have read at least a dozen versions and rewrites of the project. You now know the result. We put an enormous amount of energy into it.
How did you go about designing the look of Elliott and The Boogyman?
Following my exchanges with Mathieu, I began sketching the main characters, the trio: Father Death, Elliott, and the dog. To tell the truth, Father Death arrived very quickly. I had more trouble with Elliott who I find, even now, fluctuates design-wise. I tend to go out of my comfort zone and that’s why I have trouble maintaining the drawing style throughout the story. Truthfully, it’s thanks to this game of ping-pong with Mat where, from first draft to subsequent sketches, the characters came to life.
How did you get into comic books as a fan?
It’s rather comics that came to me when I was really little. First via the Franco-Belgian classics and especially with the manga revolution. I read some American comics, but these are less in my DNA. It happened later with Image Comics and Sean Murphy where I got back into original non-superhero stories with graphic styles that hugely influenced me.
How did you get into comics as a professional?
With luck I think. My first album was far from being graphically accomplished, but it was enough to make my first arsenal. Rather late, I must admit. I don’t have any formal training in comics, but I was able to learn narration and illustration in other ways – especially being in groups of friends who also wanted to make comics and meeting writers and kind editors.
What tools do you use to ink?
I mainly use my computer with a Wacom tablet and a stylus. Thanks to this my style was able to develop. I was always afraid of making mistakes on paper and that prevented me from taking risks. And the digital tool allowed me to push the limits that I could apply to my traditional tools on paper. But working digitally allows me to respond quickly to requests from the illustration and comic book industries.
What’s next for you?
For the moment, Mathieu and are working on a series to be published by Dupuis and the first volume will come out early next year (2023): In Memorium. I’m really excited for its release. I’m already halfway through the second volume. It’s going to be great.
If you want to discover more of Djet's work, be sure to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
THE BOOGYMAN (JUL221016) hits comic shops on September 7, 2022. It will be released monthly from Ablaze.
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Passionate about reading, Elliott has always had a preference for the stories of boogeymen, those monstrous creatures which, at night, hide in the shadows or under the bed to frighten little children. He can't imagine how much they will change his life... Witnessing the bloody murder of his parents, he will discover that, in reality, boogeymen do indeed exist, and very precise codes govern their existence. When one of the most powerful boogeymen, "Father-Death," decides to protect him, Elliott finds himself plunged into a terrible conflict at the heart of a universe as terrifying as it is fascinating. On a dark, stormy night, Elliott's destiny will be fulfilled...
Passionate about reading, Elliott has always had a preference for the stories of boogeymen, those monstrous creatures which, at night, hide in the shadows or under the bed to frighten little children. He can't imagine how much they will change his life... Witnessing the bloody murder of his parents, he will discover that, in reality, boogeymen do indeed exist, and very precise codes govern their existence. When one of the most powerful boogeymen, "Father-Death," decides to protect him, Elliott finds himself plunged into a terrible conflict at the heart of a universe as terrifying as it is fascinating. On a dark, stormy night, Elliott's destiny will be fulfilled...
Passionate about reading, Elliott has always had a preference for the stories of boogeymen, those monstrous creatures which, at night, hide in the shadows or under the bed to frighten little children. He can't imagine how much they will change his life... Witnessing the bloody murder of his parents, he will discover that, in reality, boogeymen do indeed exist, and very precise codes govern their existence. When one of the most powerful boogeymen, "Father-Death," decides to protect him, Elliott finds himself plunged into a terrible conflict at the heart of a universe as terrifying as it is fascinating. On a dark, stormy night, Elliott's destiny will be fulfilled...
Passionate about reading, Elliott has always had a preference for the stories of boogeymen, those monstrous creatures which, at night, hide in the shadows or under the bed to frighten little children. He can't imagine how much they will change his life... Witnessing the bloody murder of his parents, he will discover that, in reality, boogeymen do indeed exist, and very precise codes govern their existence. When one of the most powerful boogeymen, "Father-Death," decides to protect him, Elliott finds himself plunged into a terrible conflict at the heart of a universe as terrifying as it is fascinating. On a dark, stormy night, Elliott's destiny will be fulfilled...
Passionate about reading, Elliott has always had a preference for the stories of boogeymen, those monstrous creatures which, at night, hide in the shadows or under the bed to frighten little children. He can't imagine how much they will change his life... Witnessing the bloody murder of his parents, he will discover that, in reality, boogeymen do indeed exist, and very precise codes govern their existence. When one of the most powerful boogeymen, "Father-Death," decides to protect him, Elliott finds himself plunged into a terrible conflict at the heart of a universe as terrifying as it is fascinating. On a dark, stormy night, Elliott's destiny will be fulfilled...
The monsters who took Elliott's family from him are hot on his trail. But they must also contend with his new protector, Father Death. Thought to be long dead, this boogyman is more than he seems. An ancient power long thought lost, but now that he has shown himself to save the boy, he becomes a target himself!
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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. He is also the Consumer Marketing Manager for Geppi Family Enterprises. Troy's comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalpyse '91, the Glyph Award-nominated Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Award-nominated Magic Bullet.
