The Neverland Wars | A Dark Fairytale Retelling
Nikki Kahl is a dark fantasy writer and artist currently creating The Neverland Wars novel and art collection, featuring characters from the story. A dark twist on the classic Peter Pan tale, The Neverland Wars explores the shadow self and the devastating consequences if one refuses to face it.
In this twisted retelling of Peter Pan, Neverland is rotting from the inside out. Pan lures the wayward and unmoored with a flute made of bone, its sinister song siphoning memories of name and home. He named them Lost, then made it true. Made them fight for their place among the favored few.
In a kingdom of forgetting, not all memories stay buried. For Hook, he remembers—and for vengeance, he tarries. The pirate, the Captain, the Ferryman of the condemned, Hook vows by his blade, Pan shall meet his end. Tinker Bell trades her silence for steel when she uncovers the truth of a twisted fairy deal made by a boy in return for eternal youth.
This is not the Neverland you remember. This is the one they tried to forget.
Follow the story and art collection’s creation on social media.
The Neverland Wars Novel
For the lost souls who are brave enough to face their own shadow.
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The Neverland Wars’s inception occurred in the fall of 2021 during Nikki’s Drawing for Graphic Novels and Comics class taught by Marvel/DC’s Carl Potts. The idea for a Peter Pan origin story was filed under the Future Projects section of her notes.
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In the fall of 2023, having finished her Belladonna art collection, Nikki wanted something new to focus on. She thought back to her Wizard of Oz adaptation project from her Drawing for Graphic Novels and Comics class where she had sifted through public domain stories available for adaptation.
Nikki decided to choose Neverland as her theme and illustrated the dark fantasy Tinker Bell artwork entitled, “All Bad.” Inspired by the art, she wrote small scenes and snippets of dialogue that came to her as she posted art process videos on social media. Those bits of narrative began to form a cohesive story and were the foundation for The Neverland Wars novel.
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Nikki began consistently writing the novel at the tail end of July 2024. During a series of fever dreams in the fall of 2024, she saw clear visions of how Jungian psychology concepts would shape the themes within the narrative, and be reflected in Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, and the landscape of Neverland itself. Key characters like Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, the Lost Boy Nibs, and John Darling have shifted the direction of the story as it’s being written, constantly keeping Nikki on her toes.
Art Prints
Artwork from the Belladonna and The Neverland Wars collections, as well as still life charcoal pieces are available as Giclee fine art prints.
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Ink illustrations are done in India ink on Bristol Vellum, and charcoal illustrations are done using compressed and vine charcoal on charcoal paper.
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Art prints are available in 4×6, 9×12, and in some cases, 11×17. They are printed on archival matte fine art paper using the Giclee printing technique.
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All prints are shipped in wrapped plastic to preserve the artwork, and are drop shipped directly from the printer to ensure faster delivery times and a lower overall cost to you.
Request a Custom Commission
Use this form to request a custom art commission detailing your idea and preferred medium (ink or charcoal) to get a quote. Most custom commissions are between $300 and $500, and split payments are accepted.