Shona and Kanvas: Two Strong Female Leads in Graphic Novels

Stefano Labbia is a renowned graphic novelist known for creating tons of comic books and in particular two strong female leads, Shona and Kanvas. Both characters have different backgrounds and unique abilities, making them a great source of inspiration for many readers across the globe. While the characters belong to different worlds, they both offer strong social commentary on issues that are highly relevant today.

Shona is the main character in the sword and sorcery graphic novel series created by Stefano Labbia. She is a warrior who lives in a chauvinist and harsh medieval world, the Seven Kingdoms. Kings, mercenaries, sorcerers, witches, magic creatures, and brigands without scruples populate her world: she is the only beacon of justice. Shona is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant with sword fighting and bow and arrow fight, but she has no magical powers. However, her tactical ability, analytical power, cunning and temperance, open personality, intelligence, and strength often guarantee her victory.

Shona was born in a rural city village called Puritia, which is dominated by a simple atmosphere and surrounded by nature. The Puritia citizens are good of heart and spirit and accept what destiny sends to them without questions and doubts. The inhabitants of Puritia are bullied, teased, and defenseless. Puritia does not have a guardhouse, and even the Seven Kingdoms guards called The Doom's Sword avoid their presence in the village, abandoned by justice.

Shona and her family moved outside of Puritia after her birth with her two daughters and sisters of Shona. The family lived quietly, but one day, a group of bad soldiers of The Doom's Sword attacked Shona's family. They killed and burned her house after plundering the house. Shona, a little girl of 7, at that moment, was in the nearby landscapes. When she heard the screams of her sisters and her mother, it was too late. Shona reached the house worried and saw her lovely family destroyed by the soldiers. They were very close to catching her, but the little Shona managed to escape. The little Shona grew up with a desire for revenge.

Trained by a mysterious wise blind old man to the art of combat, Shona partially made her revenge, but in the exact instant, she understood that revenge is not the correct answer to her deep sorrow. Shona became a mercenary and an instrument of justice for the Seven Kingdoms, who renamed her the black fury. Her noble and righteous character is driven by a desire for justice and the need to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

On the other hand, Kanvas, real name Emily Renner, is a bipolar young girl who is a subject of experiments for her pure DNA by her father, a scientist. Abandoned by her mother, affected by bipolarism, Emily discovered the truth: her father's experiments were financed by an obscure crime syndicate involved in murky business to conquest the entire economic world. Pauraz, this is the name of the syndicate, brainwashes Emily and trains her to become a killer.

The Distal, this is the name of one of the killer teams that respond to Pauraz, has no scruples. Kanvas, this is her new code name, comes to her senses and understands soon the plans of Pauraz, trying to do always the right things clashing with her leaders. Emily, due to her disease, pushes away Double T, code name of her lover and partner-in-crime in the killer team, who fell in love with her. The two are in an open-relationship, but Double T would be the only man of Emily.

Kanvas offers a unique perspective through her struggles with her own mental health issues and her exposure to the dark underbelly of society through her father's experiments. She is a strong character who grapples with inner turmoil, yet remains resilient in the face of adversity. Her character is humanized, and readers can relate to her experiences and connect with her on an emotional level.

The major difference between Shona and Kanvas is their backgrounds and abilities. In fact, both characters are strong-willed and determined, fighting for what they believe in and standing up for the underprivileged and the oppressed.

In conclusion, Stefano Labbia has created two unique and powerful female characters who are the epitome of resilience, strength, and determination. Shona and Kanvas are strong role models who inspire readers with their fight for justice. The difference between the two characters lies in their backgrounds and abilities, but both offer a great insight into the world of graphic novels. The world needs more characters like Shona and Kanvas to inspire and empower individuals in their daily lives!