Once Our Land

Once Our Land is a “past-apocalyptic” tale set in 1830’s Europe. We follow two survivors, 11-year-old Ingrid and 50-year-old Fritz,as they build a friendship and defeat mysterious invaders that have surfaced our world. Once Our Land was written and illustrated by Peter Ricq, along with guest illustrators, published by Scout Comics.

Set in 1830’s Europe, Once Our Land is the story of 11-year-old Ingrid; a young girl forced to fend for herself in a ravaged city overrun by fearsome beasts from another world. It’s in this cruel “past-apocalyptic” world where trust is in short supply that Ingrid forges an unlikely friendship with Fritz, a grizzled, old, eye-patched warrior. Together, Fritz and Ingrid embark on a dangerous journey to rid the city they love of the cruel beasts.

Part light survival horror, part action, with strong heart and a healthy dose of levity-bringing humor, Once Our Land is an endearing tale of trust and friendship; a story about the power of community and standing united in the face of monstrous adversity.

Peter Ricq (Writer/Artist): Peter Ricq is an award-winning creative force. Besides his work as a Visual Artist, he is also a Film Director, Producer, Writer, Art Director, Designer, Music Composer, and Performer.

In 2005, the artist and his partners sold their first animated TV series: “The League of Super Evil” (YTV, CBBC, NICK) which ushered him into his role as Art Director. Ricq went on to co-create several other animated series while focusing on his band ""HUMANS"" who was nominated for a JUNO in 2015. HUMANS followed up with a tour that included Osheaga, Coachella, SXSW, and many more.

Peter directed most of HUMANS' music videos and was nominated for best music video at SXSW in 2010 and again in 2019.

Peter released his first graphic novel ""Once Our Land"" in 2016. The book has been well received by critics and has gone through its fifth print run. He’s completed a sequel in 2018 and a new fantasy book titled A King's Vengeance in 2020. He is turning Once Our Land into an animated feature with Mercury Filmworks.

Peter made his live action directorial debut with the zomcom DEAD SHACK in 2016. Dead Shack screened at Sitges, London Fright Fest, VIFF, NIFFF, Toronto After Dark, and Fantasia where it was awarded the Silver Prize for the best Canadian Feature. You can screen DEAD SHACK on SHUDDER world wide.

To find out more about Peter and his work, visit PETERRICQ.COM or IG PRICQ

Sunny Shah (Artist): Forged in India and marinated in Canada, Sunny is a visual chef who is trying to cook up a storm!

Sunny's work is rooted in stories and experimentation. He is constantly throwing a wrench in his process to find alternative and unique visual ingots that help inspire his storytelling. Always eager to learn, Sunny is always trying to gather new skills so he can fulfill his goal to make his own short films!

He's currently working as an Art Director in the animation industry and his credits include the Dreamworks series Dinotrux, the Netflix series The Dragon Prince, the Netflix feature film Arlo - The Alligator Boy and he was also the Production Designer on the award-winning short film - Rise n' Shine!

His biggest inspirations include the movies The Matrix, Monsters Inc., and Tekkonkinkreet. Some of his favorite artists and thinkers are Moebius, Katsuhiro Otomo, Bill Sienkiewicz, Robert Valley, and Robin Williams.

Confused at heart, Sunny is always trying to find himself.