By Elijah S Loving
I find it hard to believe that just over three years ago I began to think about developing a graphic novel. Much has happened since I first began working on this project, the wonderful thing about this journey is that my passion and determination to continue the trudge onward has increased with every step, despite facing pitfalls and tragedies that life seems to bring us. I have always felt that I was creating a story that I would enjoy reading in the comic book form, never paying attention if others liked the idea or not. I just fell in love with the idea of seeing a life’s work and effort in print. Whether it shows up in the bookstores or in other places where books are sold, it matters not. The only thing that matters is that the story be told. Our lives are full of trials that give us meaning and purpose, direction and honor for the things that are good and worth fighting for. This is my dream which is no longer a wish because a wish is a dream without plans - and I have a plan!
So here we are, sharing in this crazy idea of a story of called The Sixth Age. Before we can discuss the details of this story, we must first talk about where the story has come from. It can neither be directed towards or pinpointed at one event, but more over the course of many events. It is like when anyone has ever told me, “You need to find out who you are.” What? I already know who I am, I just have trouble admitting to that very fact. I’ve always know myself, so why would I want to find out who I already know I am? Point in fact, the story of The Sixth Age has always been with me, I didn’t just spring it up out of nowhere. However, it did take a few traumatic events to bring it forth or give me the courage to develop and tell the story. Such a birth took place over a span of six months with the loss of my father, friend, and mentor. Although this is the best expression of the genesis of the story, I cannot without a doubt pinpoint it to this one event. I suppose, it has always been here deep in the catacombs of my soul and the loss of my father is as good as any event to mark the start of this amazing adventure.
One of the things I have learned from my father's passing is to go for my dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem or inconceivable the goal may be. This is the start of a beautiful relationship that I hope will last the whole of my life, as I will strive to never be finished in its telling, much like our lives in a way -- "The Never Ending Story." The wonderful thing is, I went to graduate school thinking that I would develop my life-long journey and body of work. Instead, I learned more about the meaning of truth, how to think about it and develop artwork through a passion for that work. I never would have thought that a year after finishing graduate school I would begin to understand what my true passion was and what that passion should look like.
Thus, we have the birth of The Sixth Age, (The Final Age). God taught me that by keeping my focus on Him, He will do the rest. Hard to understand, I know, but this story and website are physical representations of that truth as I try to keep my focus on Him.
I find it hard to believe that just over three years ago I began to think about developing a graphic novel. Much has happened since I first began working on this project, the wonderful thing about this journey is that my passion and determination to continue the trudge onward has increased with every step, despite facing pitfalls and tragedies that life seems to bring us. I have always felt that I was creating a story that I would enjoy reading in the comic book form, never paying attention if others liked the idea or not. I just fell in love with the idea of seeing a life’s work and effort in print. Whether it shows up in the bookstores or in other places where books are sold, it matters not. The only thing that matters is that the story be told. Our lives are full of trials that give us meaning and purpose, direction and honor for the things that are good and worth fighting for. This is my dream which is no longer a wish because a wish is a dream without plans - and I have a plan!
So here we are, sharing in this crazy idea of a story of called The Sixth Age. Before we can discuss the details of this story, we must first talk about where the story has come from. It can neither be directed towards or pinpointed at one event, but more over the course of many events. It is like when anyone has ever told me, “You need to find out who you are.” What? I already know who I am, I just have trouble admitting to that very fact. I’ve always know myself, so why would I want to find out who I already know I am? Point in fact, the story of The Sixth Age has always been with me, I didn’t just spring it up out of nowhere. However, it did take a few traumatic events to bring it forth or give me the courage to develop and tell the story. Such a birth took place over a span of six months with the loss of my father, friend, and mentor. Although this is the best expression of the genesis of the story, I cannot without a doubt pinpoint it to this one event. I suppose, it has always been here deep in the catacombs of my soul and the loss of my father is as good as any event to mark the start of this amazing adventure.
One of the things I have learned from my father's passing is to go for my dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem or inconceivable the goal may be. This is the start of a beautiful relationship that I hope will last the whole of my life, as I will strive to never be finished in its telling, much like our lives in a way -- "The Never Ending Story." The wonderful thing is, I went to graduate school thinking that I would develop my life-long journey and body of work. Instead, I learned more about the meaning of truth, how to think about it and develop artwork through a passion for that work. I never would have thought that a year after finishing graduate school I would begin to understand what my true passion was and what that passion should look like.
Thus, we have the birth of The Sixth Age, (The Final Age). God taught me that by keeping my focus on Him, He will do the rest. Hard to understand, I know, but this story and website are physical representations of that truth as I try to keep my focus on Him.
In the Beginning
Going Home
continued from home page
...This people, who at this point just left Egypt had no home, spent a number of years wandering in the wilderness/desert. As they journeyed, their language among other things became the representation of their home and ultimately their culture. So in this case, home is the culture and the language that was their identity which held together this nation of 12 different tribes.
J.R.R. Tolkien attempted to confront this issue in the Lord of The Rings. In creating his story which is also a fantasy version of England’s ancient legend, he created languages and even a history of those languages by leaning on and adapting existing ones, already threads in the tapestry of current English identity. Thus taking what is familiar to all, folklore about elves, dwarves and wizards, and making it England’s by creating hybrid languages, and adding Shire-folk and towers. Tolkien’s sentiment of home is best described in Frodo’s dream while at Tom Bombadil’s house in The Fellowship of the Ring, “Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.” So in a way home is a dream, a hope of being with the ones we love. Being reunited.
I have often spent time thinking about Apostle Paul as he describes in many of his letters his longing to be with those he loves, yet how bold in his conviction he had to be and that there is certainly a day of unending togetherness. There is a “now and not yet” element of living in the present and recognizing the reality of our journey towards our heavenly, final home. I look forward to the day when the street I live on has every person I love on it!
J.R.R. Tolkien attempted to confront this issue in the Lord of The Rings. In creating his story which is also a fantasy version of England’s ancient legend, he created languages and even a history of those languages by leaning on and adapting existing ones, already threads in the tapestry of current English identity. Thus taking what is familiar to all, folklore about elves, dwarves and wizards, and making it England’s by creating hybrid languages, and adding Shire-folk and towers. Tolkien’s sentiment of home is best described in Frodo’s dream while at Tom Bombadil’s house in The Fellowship of the Ring, “Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.” So in a way home is a dream, a hope of being with the ones we love. Being reunited.
I have often spent time thinking about Apostle Paul as he describes in many of his letters his longing to be with those he loves, yet how bold in his conviction he had to be and that there is certainly a day of unending togetherness. There is a “now and not yet” element of living in the present and recognizing the reality of our journey towards our heavenly, final home. I look forward to the day when the street I live on has every person I love on it!
May 26th, 2009
News of The Sixth Age, it just might be more informative than the media of today. So, obviously discussing Gollum is an important must.
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