![Cover Image - Akvile Magicdust](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/1K8VrKzSiQwoQGmAmucKkI/30e5511552b2f03abf968845fa683fe6/60-akvile-magicdust-cover.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)
Three protagonists, two planets and a single story of friendship and discovery. It’s an unlikely combination but one that has been brought to life brilliantly by the talented Akvile Magicdust (what a name!) in her new comic book Tropical Wildchilds.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/1cmhHrM7jiMG2eiYOooGYW/926e3b9eb1286def70f9c998dd839685/su-rankyte-1024.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)
The book was made possible thanks to a partnership between WeTransfer and ELCAF (the East London Comic Arts Festival). Run by Nobrow – one of the world’s leading comic and graphic novel publishers – ELCAF is an annual shindig that brings together image-makers from around the world every summer.
In 2016, ELCAF and WeTransfer invited submissions for a book proposal that had never been published – either because it was commercially challenging or the idea was particularly out of this world – to then turn it into an actual book. Last year Nicolas Burrows won with his concept for The Elephant Hotel – about, you guessed it, a hotel for elephants.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/52mjpauV60auoYq4sWASO4/9fd0c337dbf3719e36d39616b98e3deb/11-page-magicdust.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/71f4LuHfX2qMAMEECKQ8we/1ded5eea21d8b2d7af735005de310120/12-page-magicdust.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)
Similarly strange yet wonderful is Akvile’s 2017 submission which became a reality this year. Trying to describe the story of Tropical Wildchilds wouldn’t do it justice, but let’s say it’s an intriguing adventure of three friends – Lucy, tiger and alien – and their journey through a strange, unique and colorful universe.
![Sketch for Tropical Wildflowers](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/4JNhwdiM64OUG00SI6SKaS/9a321fb5125c7477131e52d240d2eda7/sketch_magicdust.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/adaoj5ok2j3t/2hEKgabwsIWc6QsweMQ2Eo/6f1984068b765e5e539b4c6977da1bde/60-akvile-magicdust.jpg?fm=webp&w=3000&q=75)