Inspired by the true accounts of
young rockers who toured the Vietnam War
The Once – & – Marvellous DKD
is the New Original graphic novel trilogy
inspired by the true accounts of young rockers who toured the Vietnam War.
After 3 years of research and 18 months of work to script-draw-colour,
I am glad for this opportunity to share the extraordinary ‘coming-of-age’ stories
of this ‘particular group of uncelebrated young heroes’.
Kudos to those who played in and survived that crazy jungle world of
Bullets, Bombs, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll.
– Boon Lai,
Made with the New Creation Grant award from
The Once-&-Marvellous DKD
Created by Boon Lai.
Script: Boon Lai & MeiHan Boey
Art: Boon Lai
Editorial: Jerry Hinds
Research Advisory Joseph C Pereira
What Readers Say…
“… the story and the characters are certainly unique…
this story stood out as one that would be new…”
Audible Accelerator Team’s comment on the story pitch based on DKD’s story
“… very casual at first glance, encapsulated the difficult circumstances the characters were in during that period…”
Selene A. T. , reader
“…a beautiful trilogy…
Book 1 goes up, Book 2 keeps up and Book 3 plunges down into the conclusion.”
Zeke META, comic fan – pro-wrestler – kickstarter backer
“I really enjoyed reading American-styled graphic novels, so I enjoyed DKD. …it pokes fun with cartoony shots and demonstrates the power of communication…”
Mark Pereira, founder – reviewer – GeeksUnited
The DKD Story
In 1969, a band of late-teens was struggling to make it in Singapore
when they received a once-in-a-lifetime offer.
“Go on a tour of South Vietnam and entertain American soldiers
for money – ‘shitloads of money’!”
Eager to escape ‘the boring life’, they unwittingly set themselves
on a 13-month journey that would change them forever.
From the dodgy streets of Saigon to the volatile demilitarized zone (DMZ) near Danang,
they would witness the brutal realities of war first hand.
With their bodies, their minds, and their sense of right and wrong pushed to breaking points every day,
how could these foolhardy youngsters make it out of the Vietnam War in one piece?
BUY THE PRINTED BOOK
The Complete 3-Book Set S$60
*Autographed upon request.
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The Accounts That Inspired DKD
The experiences of 1960s band members – Veronica Young, Steve Bala Siren and Harris Hamzah – were finally captured in the article “American Troops. Singapore Bands. The Vietnam War.” featured in Biblioasia Vol 20 Issue 01, a publication of Singapore’s National Library Board.
The Biblioasia+ Podcast
DKD creator Boon Lai and Biblioasia editor-in-chief Jimmy Yap discussed the how the young bandsters ended up in the midst of a bloody war and what they had encountered during their Vietnam War tours. Podcast episode produced by Singapore’s National Library Board.
DKD Tour Dates…
Boon talks DKD @ Singapore Comic Con.
A discussion about the DKD’s journey, the history behind the story and the creative process involved.
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