Elyse Castro’s Animated Short ‘The Summoning’ Gets Graphic Novel Treatment from Oni

More than 6 million people around the world have watched the acclaimed animated short The Summoning, created by Elyse Castro and produced by FredFilms and Sony Pictures Animation.

This fall, Oni Press, a multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of comics and graphic novels since 1997, will publish The Summoning Volume One: The Art of the Craft, a cozy, coming-of-age tale based on the hit animated short and Castro’s dynamic graphic novel debut. A first look at the title was debuted today.

The first of three volumes, The Art of the Craft introduces a young witch named Claire and her kitty Familiar, Edgar, as they seek to hone her magikal abilities.

“For as long as I can remember, my imagination has been home to the whimsical, witchy world of Ridgewood, where Claire and Edgar experiment with magik, eat tasty treats and accidentally annoy their fluffy neighbor,” said Castro. “It’s nearly been eight  years since I was able to bring some of this world to you all through The Summoning cartoon short, and I’m ‘over the broom’ to share one of Claire and Edgar’s most important adventures with you all in The Art of the Craft. Please enjoy, and remember — do no harm.”

“I was immediately impressed by Elyse’s charming and rich world starring the gentle Claire and her best bud, the hilariously charming Edgar,” said Sierra Hahn, Editor in Chief. “The Summoning is a story of friendship and wonder, where Claire will face numerous challenges to overcome her own insecurities and discover what it truly means to be herself as an artist.”

Synopsis: In The Summoning, Claire specializes in the magik of manifestation, creating art pieces that are capable of coming to life! But she wants to do more, and to be more — so when she learns that a prestigious magikal institution called the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years, she’s determined to improve her skills and make her mark.

But first, Claire has to pass the Coven’s rigorous application process. With the help of her best friend Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going summon ghosts, battle trolls, and even befriend Death — but will it be enough to impress the Coven and secure a spot within their ranks? Or will Claire’s self-doubt keep her from manifesting magikal art ever again? Through it all, the sinister secrets of the closed-off Ridgewood Coven slowly come to light. Not everything is as it seems, and difficult decisions lie ahead: Will Claire be up to the task?

Elyse Castro is an accomplished artist and educator based in Montville, Australia. She began her journey studying fine arts and theater at university, which inspired her to begin an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, specializing in intricate black and gray designs. After honing her craft, Castro returned to academia to train as an educator and now teaches Drama and Visual Art. In 2017, she created the animated short The Summoning, produced by FredFilms and Sony Pictures Animation. Her passion for storytelling and illustration has culminated in her debut graphic novel, The Summoning Volume One: The Art of the Craft.

The Summoning Volume One: The Art of the Craft will be conjured onto shelves on October 7.