The Key to the Vampire’s Heart is a graphic novel set in the 18th century
revolutionary France that tells the story of a major confliction between two characters, Chihaya Shinazuguwa and Luciano De Morano.

This story shows how secrets can easily unravel and break trust, and how much of one decision can impact a very important relationship. Portraying drama through these supernatural characters has been important to me. These characters are not real beings. Despite that, they act and feel as humans do: while one is getting very defensive over what is happening, the other is hiding skeletons in his closet which will be unveiled soon enough. These beings are metaphors in a way for us to resonate with. For people like Chi, who is portrayed as someone often sympathetic and caring of others around him, people like Luciano may come into their lives and take advantage of their kindness.

As viewers, we tend to pick sides and even relate to characters, often fictional, and that is extremely important to me as an artist and storyteller. This graphic novel offers a skewed perspective of a world both fantastic and deeply human.