Interview with Yaron Betan, Author of Elf Witch: And the Realms of Paradawn

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Elf Witch: And the Realms of Paradawn?

Elf Witch: And the Realms of Paradawn is a tale about transcending the limitations of who we are and discovering the deeper forces that shape us. At its heart, it follows a young girl on a journey of self-realization, as she uncovers her true power and identity, rooted in her lineage tied to the Greek goddess Athena. Through these revelations, she begins to see the vastness of the universe around her, and in the process, encounters the enigmatic figure known as “The Elf Witch.” Though shrouded in mystery and seemingly foreboding, his true nature—a spirit of good intent—emerges, proving that there is far more to him than his appearance suggests. In this way, the story plays on the timeless theme of not judging a book by its cover, a notion that also reflects the creation of the graphic novel itself: a work crafted through the power of generative AI and meticulously refined by edits in post-production. The inspiration for this story has lived with me for a long time. I’ve always imagined a mysterious elf with the ability to open portals to new realms and adventures with a mere gesture. When generative AI became a reality, the connection was undeniable. Just as the Elf Witch brings new worlds to life, AI allows us to conjure entire realities with a few simple prompts. It felt like the perfect medium for bringing this story to life in my first AI-generated comic book.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Elf Witch: And the Realms of Paradawn, what would they be?

I think if I had to choose a theme song for the main characters would be somewhat of a mashup between the Lord of the Rings theme song, Star Wars Theme song and “Willow” with a hint of dread from a classic unsolved mystery show theme song. (Just my cup of tea)

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genres have always been a blend of science fiction, fantasy, and a dash of humor and lightheartedness. This mix is something that naturally finds its way into my writing. Lately, I’ve been drawn to the cyberpunk genre, which has such a distinct style, as well as classic superhero tales—Marvel and DC comics almost feel like their own genre to me. Since I primarily write for comics and film, my imagination tends to lean toward big, blockbuster-style narratives. I’m especially drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, cyberpunk, crime thrillers, and horror. That said, I’m also excited to dive deeper into comedy and espionage in my future work, as those genres are areas I feel increasingly inspired to explore.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My to be read pile would definitely be the following books: The Long Tomorrow, Biomega, Once and Future, Orgins and Briar, which are all mostly graphic novels from indie writers thats focus more on the cyberpunk, sci-fi and fantasy genres. I personally love reading indie graphic novels as I find their stories are richer and grittier than most mainstream comics, although I still do love to dabble in the occasional one shot or mini series of a Marvel or DC comic book release.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write in Elf Witch was definitely the opening. It felt like a unique opportunity to immerse readers into the expansive universe of Tuman, the Elf Witch, and the vast realities he travels through. From the very first pages, the graphic novel invites you to suspend disbelief and accept this new reality, not with confusion, but with a sense of wonder and curiosity—a different way of seeing the world. What made this especially enjoyable was using the “Marvel method” of writing, where I built the images first and then crafted the captions to match. This approach gave me the creative freedom to let the visuals guide the story, making the world feel even more alive as I shaped the narrative around them.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My quirky writing habits have to be the fact that I love to work and get inspired in my man cave, which is filled with old retro toys, statues, film memorabilia and a ton of comic books, comic art and other collectibles. I’m definitely inspired by hoarding too, I guess (LOL).

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Yes, definitely, there are two. The first is a quote by Ayn Rand: “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” This quote has always stuck with me as I grew into writing and creating my own work. The second is the famous Stan Lee Quote: “With great power comes great responsibility” An amazing line used in Spider-man which sticks with how I write and how I view heroism and purpose in our world.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

If there’s one thing I hope readers take away from Elf Witch, it’s the timeless lesson: never judge a book by its cover. Tuman, the Elf Witch, is a character cloaked in mystery. At times, he may seem deceptive, but his true nature and complex backstory gradually unfold throughout the graphic novel. Similarly, the book itself is a testament to not making snap judgments. Created using AI generative art, there are inevitable inconsistencies in the visuals—reflective of the evolving technology—but these quirks are intentionally woven into the narrative. They add to the story’s depth, mirroring the theme of looking beyond surface appearances to discover deeper truths. In many ways, the graphic novel mirrors the criticism faced by the characters themselves, particularly Sarah, as she learns not to judge too quickly. The AI-generated format and the story’s themes run parallel, reinforcing the idea that both the characters and the book itself are far more than they seem at first glance.

Yaron Betan is the author of the new book Elf Witch: And the Realms of Paradawn

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