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| The gigantic blue flying fox |
A tale filled with magic, adventure, pirates, hunters, mercenaries, giant creatures and an unwanted prophecy.
Australi is a celebration of the truly beautiful and naturally mysterious Australian landscape & fauna - captured in a fantasy world.
We follow the story of Maloo, a young Aboriginal boy searching for his people and a place to call home. Set twenty years after the European, Chinese and Middle Eastern empires first set foot on Australi's shores, Maloo must navigate a new world, full of unique and dangerous trials.
Maloo unwillingly becomes the hope of his people when an old prophecy is handed down. Now with not only the British empire after him, but also pirates, poachers and mercenaries, Maloo must find his inner spirit to fulfil the heavy burden placed upon him.
As the land becomes scarred by foreign war machines and the great animal spirits are captured as poachers prizes, Australi grows sick and its magical beauty fades. Ancient magic brews on all sides of the battle, with one boy and his odd band of destined heroes all that's left to save it.
Twenty years before we begin the story, three nations set foot on the shores of Australi, seeking a wealth of natural resources and ancient artefacts. Australi follows the story of Maloo, a young indigenous boy who grew up parentless on a camel mustering station. After he steals a rare diamond back from his station master, he sets off into the desert to try and find out where he’s from and search for his people.
What he doesn’t realise is that the diamond he stole is actually a magical stone of great interest to the invading empires and is the secret reason that the British colony prince is actually in Australi. A group of ancient warriors, simply named the Guardians, watch Maloo through the stone and deem him the prophesied one. Throughout the story, Maloo learns to wield the power of ancient magic to speak with giant creatures and even transform parts of his body (such as wing flaps from a giant possum or kangaroo legs).
The empires have plans to use this magic for themselves to drive out the other nations from the land and claim Australi as their own. As they carve their way through the Australi landscape, capturing and killing the giant spirit animals, the land begins to die. Maloo must learn to not only live up to expectations but find his own inner warrior and peace keeper.
The three nations include Brittania, Middle Eastern Nation and the Chinese. All are inspired by the real countries rather than factually based on them. They are at a political standoff where war could erupt at any moment. They have torn their way through the land in search of wealth and riches in the form of giant gem stones and ancient, magical artefacts.
It is in essence only inspired by history and real places. The indigenous people of Australia were a key inspiration and their connection with the land and animals in particular. However, we created an entirely different tribal history that shares similarities and celebrates some of their values. The same is for the colonisation of Australia, which took place very differently. Fantasy is one of those genres where you can ask big “What if?” questions and use that to discuss contemporary issues and values.
Australi is a celebration of the truly beautiful and naturally mysterious Australian landscape & fauna - captured in a fantasy world.
We follow the story of Maloo, a young Aboriginal boy searching for his people and a place to call home. Set twenty years after the European, Chinese and Middle Eastern empires first set foot on Australi's shores, Maloo must navigate a new world, full of unique and dangerous trials.
Maloo unwillingly becomes the hope of his people when an old prophecy is handed down. Now with not only the British empire after him, but also pirates, poachers and mercenaries, Maloo must find his inner spirit to fulfil the heavy burden placed upon him.
As the land becomes scarred by foreign war machines and the great animal spirits are captured as poachers prizes, Australi grows sick and its magical beauty fades. Ancient magic brews on all sides of the battle, with one boy and his odd band of destined heroes all that's left to save it.
- Interview with creator Timothy Wood about “Australi – Fantasy Australia”
- kickstarter.com / projects / australi fantasy australia comic
Twenty years before we begin the story, three nations set foot on the shores of Australi, seeking a wealth of natural resources and ancient artefacts. Australi follows the story of Maloo, a young indigenous boy who grew up parentless on a camel mustering station. After he steals a rare diamond back from his station master, he sets off into the desert to try and find out where he’s from and search for his people.
What he doesn’t realise is that the diamond he stole is actually a magical stone of great interest to the invading empires and is the secret reason that the British colony prince is actually in Australi. A group of ancient warriors, simply named the Guardians, watch Maloo through the stone and deem him the prophesied one. Throughout the story, Maloo learns to wield the power of ancient magic to speak with giant creatures and even transform parts of his body (such as wing flaps from a giant possum or kangaroo legs).
The empires have plans to use this magic for themselves to drive out the other nations from the land and claim Australi as their own. As they carve their way through the Australi landscape, capturing and killing the giant spirit animals, the land begins to die. Maloo must learn to not only live up to expectations but find his own inner warrior and peace keeper.
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