Artist Evan Cagle brings to life a rich tapestry of design and storytelling in the world of Dawn Runner, where mechanical titans meet lush landscapes and lines of identity blur. Kaguru (along with screenwriter Ram V) delivered something truly special with this series, which amazed us with its artistry and creativity.
With the hardcover hitting bookstores and comic shops today (December 24th), I had a chance to unpack the visuals during a recent conversation with Cagle. Among other insights, Cagle shared the conceptual, artistic, and thematic threads woven into this groundbreaking series.
Be sure to check out Dawnrunner #1, available for free only on PS AIPT.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
Genesis of Dawnrunner
For Cagle, the journey began with a cinematic epiphany.
“My first visual inspiration came from the 1971 movie Le Mans starring Steve McQueen,” Cagle said.
Although the final product departed significantly from the initial influences, the creative process was grounded in thorough research.
“I started with a huge folder of reference images: architecture, vehicles, shoes, people, furniture, rocks, color palettes, and other interesting and unexpected things,” Cagle says. “This solidified a loose set of rules. Once those rules were in place, it was just a matter of sketching things out until we settled on the final version.”
One of the most discussed aspects of the design process was the Dawnrunner mecha itself.
“Ram (V) and I spent a lot of time considering color schemes and discussing the pros and cons of a dozen different versions,” Cagle said, adding that behind the series’ iconic images, We introduced our collaborative work.
Building a living world
Cagle’s approach to world-building was both down-to-earth and visionary. Inspired by time spent in Los Angeles, where greenery is a status symbol in the desert landscape, he explored the interplay of brutalist architecture and lush vegetation in the fictional Moshaus One.
“In the tropical South American region where this city is set, vegetation will be the rule, not the exception,” Cagle says. “Almost all subsequent world design decisions were derived from that one presumption.”
This careful layering of visual elements gives Dawnrunner a sense of immersion, where even the smallest detail contributes to the broader narrative.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
Character as storytelling
For Cagle, character design is not separate from storytelling, it is storytelling.
“There are a lot of visual clues that explain the personalities of these characters and their place in the world,” Cagle said.
From there, he highlighted a touching scene in which one of the main characters, Kat, visits a hospital. This is a small but powerful demonstration of Cagle’s efforts.
“She’s dressed up a little bit and has earrings on, which I’ve never seen before,” Cagle said. “It suggests that she may have come from a date or a night out, but she drops everything to be there for her friend Anita. In the next scene, she… She’s back in her work shirt, exhausted but focused. This change speaks volumes about who she is.”
Therefore, even small choices are important.
“For example, Lestan never wears shoes,” Cagle said. “Imagine becoming so wealthy that you don’t feel the need for it. What kind of person does that make you?
Theme beneath the surface
At its core, Dawn Runner grapples with questions of identity, autonomy, and transformation.
“Who we are in relation to others and ourselves, and where the differences lie,” Cagle said. “Is one more ‘true’ than the other?”
There is no single image or line of dialogue that encapsulates these ideas, but Cagle uses repetition and subtle visual cues to strengthen them.
“Annie’s butterfly motif is clearly a nod to transformation,” Cagle said. “But just using color consistently can subtly convey how readers will perceive elements of your theme.”
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
Collaborate and expand
The partnership between Cagle and author Ram V was the basis of the project.
“Lam is a bit of an artist himself,” Cagle says. “When we discuss layouts and designs, we send sketches back and forth to find what works. It’s a truly collaborative process.”
As for the future of Dawnrunner, Cagle sees great potential from the book and this partnership.
“We hope to revisit this world in additional volumes of anime and comics,” Cagle said. “There are so many things to explore, other stories and other perspectives. Anita and Ichiro are at ground zero in the Tezza conflict, but what about the mechanics and taxi drivers who happen to live in the same world? Their stories may be equally compelling.”
Snacks while traveling
In a light-hearted moment, Cagle imagined coca leaf chewing gum, the perfect snack for the Dawn Runner characters.
“They’re more energizing than sugary snacks, they push you beyond your limits, and they’re highly addictive,” Cagle says.
With Dawnrunner, Cagle has created a world that is as visually appealing as it is thematically rich. Through meticulous design, collaborative synergy, and a keen eye for detail, he invites readers to explore a world where every line and color tells its own story.
