First issue of four-part Contraband book available at http://www.clickwheel.net/features/show/169 in April '07
TJ Behe announced today he will publish a new fictional graphic novel focusing on the corrupt uses of wireless technology.
Written by TJ Behe and illustrated by Phil Elliott, Contraband follows a young man's journey into a new "voyeur underground", where profit-hungry youths prowl streets secretly filming radical events with mobile devices to satisfy society's demand for sensational on-the-go content.
Behe believes the graphic novel is the ideal medium to demonstrate how privacy-invading phone usage is fuelling a new multi-billion dollar spy-cam market.
"We're seeing the good, bad and ugly side of mobile phones. Dangerous social behaviour. Serious device-related health risks. Various schemes and scams sprung upon us by nasty people operating in the telecoms market. I think it is important folks are aware of how this all affects them. After all, we walk around with one of these things in our pocket/purse."
To enhance the "fully interactive experience", key elements of modern wireless communication are woven throughout the work - including text messaging, online blogging, avatars and alerts, gaming and live video broadcast.
The author's first graphic novel, Behe has several years experience developing mobile content for global entertainment companies including BBC, Playboy, MTV and O2. Artist Phil Elliott's illustrated books include Illegal Alien (Dark Horse) and Tupelo (Slave Labor) and he has providing illustrations for international publishers such as Marvel, DC, Image and Fantagraphics for over two decades.
The first issue is available at www.clickwheel.net with a four-issue 144-page graphic novel arriving in bookshops in early 2008.
For more information or a sample of Contraband Issue I, please contact thomasbehe@hotmail.com
http://www.clickwheel.net/features/show/169
