Following the collapse of Western governments, the resource-rich countries of the Middle East grew in power. They formed a powerful union called the “Middle Eastern Regional Regime” (M.E.R.R.). They began to invest in nuclear fusion, which allowed them to operate from isolated dome-cities, as the natural world around them became deserted beyond repair.
At the dawn of the 22nd century, a family of seasonal foresters is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to work on the Middle Eastern Regional Regime’s flagship reforestation project. With new technologies at their disposal, they set out to transform a dying forest on the edge of the desert into a forested utopia. Soon, the family finds itself at the center of attention as the forest's inhabitants resist the coming change.
The first two chapters of Parallel Grounds were developed as part of my graduation project. The story was inspired by my research into Yatir Forest, a man-made forest in Israel. The comic explores the complexity of perspectives under an authoritarian regime using ecological themes and visual storytelling.
Following a successful graduation, I'm now continuing to expand the story into a full-length graphic novel. I'm currently seeking funding and publishing opportunities to support the development of the next chapters. If you're a publisher, editor, or collaborator interested in speculative storytelling, ecological themes, or innovative visual narratives, I'd love to connect!