Genie is out of the bottle and online

While supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves have risen in popularity in the media in recent years, two native North Bellmorities have been hard at work trying to popularize another mythical being –– the genie.

Nicole Kivirtzikis, 33, who is a Herald Community Newspapers production artist, grew up in North Bellmore and graduated from Mepham High School, as did her aunt Toni Asena, 46, who is now a paraprofessional in the computer lab at Kennedy High School in Bellmore. Though Kivirtzikis makes her home in Mineola, and Asena lives in Westbury, both say they maintain close ties to their hometown.

Their book, “Wish,” is about a young girl named Nia who accidentally unleashes a genie, or “jinn” in Arabic, from a gift that she receives. After befriending each other, the two embark on many adventures and possibly find love while trying to free other genies from their captivity. The book exists online only at www.niaswish.com, where four chapters are now posted. Each page features colorful illustrations and music to accompany the story.

The two women have been working on the graphic novel for two years and launched their website last Halloween. Since each chapter takes place in a different location, the pair have publicized each chapter by going to a place that best symbolize the location of the previous chapter. For example, since the first chapter takes place in a New England graveyard, Kivirtzikis and Asena presented their work at the Witches Brew, a West Hempstead bar. The latest chapter leaves off in Istanbul, so the two held an art show at the Mazikah Hookah Lounge in West Hempstead, featuring paintings by both Kivirtzikis and Asena.

The novel takes place in several exotic locations around the world, and Kivirtzikis and Asena said they hope to educate their readers about different cultures. Their target audiences, they said, are teenagers and young adults.

"A graphic novel is meant to take you into another dimension,” said Kivirtzikis. “We wanted a storybook coming to life."