Mixing Manga and Western Storytelling in Zicky (Guest Post by Shawn Hainsworth)

When I began developing Zicky, I soon realized that I wanted to use not only two different artists for the real and fantasy worlds, but also two different artistic traditions. Manga and Western comics approach storytelling differently, not just visually, but structurally and emotionally. Manga often prioritizes momentum, expressive characters, and the four act structure of kishōtenketsu (introduction, development, twist and conclusion). Western comics, particularly those aimed at younger or all-ages readers, tend to use a simpler art style, more concise panels, and a hero’s journey (three-act) structure. Zicky lives at the intersection of those philosophies.

One of the first challenges was pacing. Manga is comfortable lingering on a moment by letting a joke breathe or letting an action sequence unfold over multiple beats. I wanted Zicky to embrace that rhythm, especially in action scenes and comedic moments. At the same time, I was conscious that Western readers often expect forward momentum and narrative clarity. The solution was to let the visual storytelling slow down, while keeping the story beats clear and propulsive.

Character was another key consideration. Manga heroes often wear their emotions on their sleeves, and their growth is incremental and earned over time. Zicky needed that emotional expressiveness. He’s cheeky, impulsive, and sometimes overwhelmed, but he also needed to feel grounded in a recognizable family dynamic. His interactions with siblings, his frustrations, and his imagination all come from very real, Western childhood experiences. That grounding allows readers to follow him easily, even as the story slips into fantastical, manga-inspired worlds.

Visually, the hybrid approach was just as important. The art leans into manga energy using dynamic movement, expressive faces, and heightened action but avoids overwhelming readers with dense panels or an unfamiliar visual shorthand. If a reader is encountering manga-inspired storytelling for the first time through Zicky, I want it to feel welcoming rather than intimidating.

Mixing manga and Western storytelling doesn’t mean diluting either tradition. It means respecting both. Manga brings a sense of scale, emotion, and momentum that’s incredibly exciting. Western storytelling brings accessibility, humor, and immediacy. When those elements reinforce each other, the result feels natural rather than forced.

In the end, Zicky became what I hoped it would be, a gateway story. For younger readers, it’s an introduction to manga-style adventure without barriers. For manga fans, it’s a familiar energy told through a slightly different lens. And for families, it’s a shared reading experience built on humor, imagination, and heart. The response from librarians has so far been terrific as they are serving a growing audience of young readers interested in both graphic novels and manga.

This blend of styles, traditions, and audiences is at the core of our identity at SHP Comics. We look forward to bringing more of Zicky’s adventures to young readers, and also adding more manga/Western titles in the future.

Founded by SHAWN HAINSWORTH, SHP Comics launched in 2021 as an independent publisher aiming to deliver daring, intelligent, genre-bending comics and graphic novels. Hainsworth began his creative life as an award-winning experimental filmmaker before telling stories on the page under the pseudonym Darin S. Cape. The publisher, author and producer lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two kids and a hound dog mix. Learn more at shpcomics.com, and follow SHP on Facebook: @shpcomics and Instagram: @shpcomics.