About

Inferno Los Angeles – a Graphic Novel by Ron Bassilian and Jim Wheelock

INFERNO LOS ANGELES is a 136 page, full color graphic novel published in a deluxe over-sized hardcover edition by NeoClassics Press.Over 700 years ago, the poet Dante Allighieri found his way to the Underworld from the dark wood outside his native Florence, and the adventure he recorded in The Inferno still haunts us to this day.

Now, in modern times, a new traveler finds his gateway to Hell beneath the urban jungle of the “City of Angels”. Inferno Los Angeles revisits Dante’s journey, weaving new characters and contemporary scenarios with the timelessly familiar scenes Dante described. It is an adventure of pure imagination, fraught with obstacles, monsters, horrific visions and prophecies — all visualized in an epic graphic style. Journey with him, as each step down this human whirlpool brings new dangers and monstrosities, as we delve ever deeper into the torments of our own minds.

Formerly known as Inferno 2010, we were a Successful Kickstarter project in August 2010!

A blast from the past – check out our Kickstarter promotional video:

 

About the Author

Born in Panorama City, California, Ron Bassilian moved to Israel as a young boy, where he was raised as a secular Jew by scientist parents. After returning to the States, he graduated UCLA in Political Science and Mathematics, and originally sought a career in politics. Learning quickly, he found that Washington operates on a cold calculus of its own, and that real change in this country comes from what ordinary people do. So, he abandoned that track, and stuck with what he knew – computers. Meanwhile, he spent many years since being active in the political left, while continuing to study philosophy and the classics.

His studies and experience have blessed him with the good fortune of meeting the brightest minds and the most unique viewpoints of this world. He’s been to most major American cities and countries in Europe, and can read English, Hebrew, and French. Yet he’s also been heartbroken to witness friends die, destroy themselves, or simply live the constant, boring torment of an unsatisfying life. And needless to say, life in Los Angeles foisted its own share of monstrosities on his life. This graphic novel, largely a compendium of such unfortunate souls who’ve passed in and out of his life, is one man’s way of learning how to light a candle in the face of hellish night.

About the Illustrator

Jim Wheelock is a Los Angeles based illustrator, writer and graphic designer. Born and raised in Vermont, he moved to New York City to attend the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., from which he received a B.F.A. in film production, while also studying art and illustration. He continued his studies with classes at the New School, and drawing workshops at the School of Visual Arts and the Society of Illustrators.

Jim divides his time between producing storyboards and other artwork for film and television, and working in comics. His television work has ranged from designing and storyboarding music videos for Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Hall and Oates and others, to designing prop comic books for the TV series NUMB3RS. His animation credits include THE ADVENTURES OF THE GALAXY RANGERS, G.I. JOE: EXTREME and ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN: THE SERIES. In 2007, an animated series pitch he co-wrote was optioned by Fox Studios.

In comics, Jim’s scripts and art have appeared in numerous alternative comics venues, including the legendary horror anthology TABOO, CRACKED magazine and MASKS OF SONAMBULO, and he has also designed and digital-lettered projects published by Image Comics and others.

Influenced by European comic art as well as that of American creators, Jim is a regular attendee at the annual Festival International de la Bande Dessinée in Angoulême, France. He also cites many fine artists such as influences, in particular the woodcut novelist Lynd Ward.