Bizenghast's M. Alice LeGrow - Manga Life, manga reviews, manga news, manga information, manga comics, manga webcomics, manga artists, Dark Horse, TokyoPop, Viz, Digital Manga Publishing, CMX, CPM, Central Park Manga, Broccoli Books, Del Rey

Bizenghast's M. Alice LeGrow
Written by Jason Brice

M. Alice LeGrow grew up in Germany and now resides in New England. A 2003 graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, she is one of a growing number of US-based creators making their home at TOKYOPOP. A runner-up in Rising Stars of Manga 2, she rejects the title of manga-ka, preferring to carve out a very special niche of her own. Her debut title, Bizenghast, officially hits shelves today. ML caught up with M. Alice to discuss the book, cosplay, and the road ahead.

Jason Brice: Your biographical information tells us that you're quite widely travelled. How has that influenced your approach to your work?

M. Alice LeGrow: Mostly in the aspect of architectural and traditional storytelling. I really love German folktales.

JB: I noted that Bizenghast has a flavor of Hans Christian Andersen or the Brother's Grimm. What is it in those stories that appeal to you?

M.A.L: Probably the darkness and general rural atmosphere that surrounds most of them.

JB: And that can be transposed easily to a New England setting?

M.A.L: I'm not sure about that, but I'm willing to try it anyway.

JB: In Bizenghast, Dinah seems rather unengaged most of the time in the "real world". You think that's reflective of teens today, or something peculiar to her character?

M.A.L: I think it's peculiar to her town. Most teens today are highly involved with technology and the rest of the world, sort of plugged in to everything around them. With the development of new cell phones with web access, instant messaging, and image sending, the gap between people is rapidly closing as we're able to carry the digital world about in our pockets. Bizenghast represents a world cut off from that sort of constant access.

JB: What function does Vincent play in Dinah's life? Is he as perfect as he seems?

M.A.L: I think he only seems perfect because book one really hasn't delved into his character much, which is something that will be addressed in future books. Although Vincent may seem like the perfect male companion, Dinah still rejects him as a boyfriend. And although he loves her, he never acts on those feelings. Vincent is a strong sort of character but he has his weaknesses. He enables Dinah's sickness when he knows that she should be sent away to the hospital, because he is without a family himself and needs to feel loved. He knows what he does is wrong but he's convinced himself that he's doing it for Dinah's sake, when really he's doing it for himself. In a way, he's very selfish, but he hides it by having this veneer of selfless interest in Dinah.

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