Litro #109 Comics Teaser

Steven Appleby Magda Boreysza Neil Dvorak Chris Evans Arthur Flowers & Manuel Chitrakar Alan McCormick & Jonny Voss Chris Wiewora & Dan Folger Alison Willis & Sam Mead

Artists’ Laboratory 03

Nigel Hall RA Opens 7 September www.royalacademy.org.uk

Supported by the Friends of the Royal Academy Nigel Hall RA, Death Valley (detail). February 1969. Oil pastel, 22.3 x 28.5. Image courtesy of the Artist.

This month Litro enters the wonderful world of stories in pictures, including comics, graphic novels, cartoons and illustrated fiction.

No longer the preserve of geeks and teenage boys, comic book heroes and narratives have exploded onto the screen and into our collective consciousness in the last few years. We’ve seen Superman rebooted, Watchmen filmed (at long last), Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men, Batman redux and edgier, more ambiguous heroes in adaptations of Kick Ass and Wanted. Now more than ever, comics aren’t just for kids.

But comics and graphic novels aren’t all about superheroes.

In the following pages you will find art that pays tribute to forgotten heroes, such as the mythical retelling of the story of Laika the space dog by Magda Boreysza; ordinary heroes like Neil Dvorak’s dad in his beautiful, wordless piece Me and my dad and a long time ago, and social heroes, in an extract from I See The Promised Land – a brand new graphic interpretation of the life of Martin Luther King by poet Arthur Flowers and Indian artist Manu Chitrakar.

In our illustrated short story Comeback, Alison Willis and artist Sam Mead send an agonised superhero into therapy, and you’ll also discover Buffalo Chris, Chris Wiewora and Dan Folgar’s strange tale of a feral boy in the Old West. Look out, too, for C. M. Evans’s pithy one-shots, and some mischievous cartoons from regular contributors Louie Stowell and Steven Appleby – turn to the back to find his instructions on How to Enjoy Doom, written specially for Litro.

Holy smoke, Batman – there’s not a Joker in the pack! Enjoy.

Katy Darby

Editor

SEPTEMBER 2011

30 JUNE – 2 OCTOBER 2011

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EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL ACADEMY ON THE OCCASION OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE EU 2011

martin munkácsi, nude in straw hat, 1944. silver gelatin print, 1994, from original negative, 35.5 x 27.5 cm. hungarian museum of photography, kecskemét. © estate of martin munkácsi courtesy howard greenberg gallery, new york

CONTENT & BIO’S Once upon a riot... (Page 09) Writer / artist: LOUIE STOWELL has been drawing cartoons and other illustrations for Litro for a year or so. Her drawings have appeared in other off and online magazines and an annual charity art exhibition called ArtSHO. She also writes children’s books for Usborne and recently co-wrote a book called the Write Your Own Story Book, published at the start of June.

Laika (page 10) Writer/artist: MAGDA BOREYSZA is a freelance artist living in Edinburgh, where she graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art in 2007 with a first-class honours degree in visual communication. As well as illustration work, she is also available for mural commissions.

Her comic Toastycats is available in selected shops and online at www. magdaboreysza.com

I See The Promised Land (page 16) Writer: ARTHUR FLOWERS teaches in the English Department of Syracuse University, USA. A native of Memphis and co-founder of The New Renaissance Guild, he is a performance poet who considers himself heir to the western written tradition as well as the African oral one.

Artist: MANU CHITRAKAR lives and works in Naya village in Bengal.

A Patua scroll artist who sings and paints, he is part of a living art and performance tradition that is as open to contemporary news stories and politics as it is to ancient legend and myth.

I See The Promised Land is published by Tara Books (www.tarabooks. com) at £14.99 LITRO | 06

New Superheroes & Leonard Cohen (page 25) Cartoonist: C.M. EVANS, author, artist, thinker, recycler, philanthropist, grew up in Upstate California. His work, (both art and literary) has been published for many years online and offline in places like Milk Magazine, McSweeney’s, Dear Sir, The Bridge and displayed at various venues in the US, China, and Mexico. He is cartoon-editorat-large for www.opiummagazine.com

Buffalo Chris (page 26) Writer: CHRIS WIEWORA (www.chriswiewiora.com) is a MFA candidate at Iowa State University’s Creative Writing and Environment program. He mainly writes nonfiction, but previously collaborated with Dan Folgar illustrating another comic titled Life of the Coffee Bean, published in Bateau. Together, they have compiled a comic anthology that is seeking a publisher.

Artist: DAN FOLGAR is a cartoonist/artist from Miami, FL. He is currently seeking an MFA in visual arts at the Miami International School of Art and Design. He has comics forthcoming in Candy or Medicine, and an online comic series at www.sometime-this-century. blogspot.com

Me and my dad and a long time ago (page 32) Writer/artist: NEIL DVORAK says: I think the farthest a human can go is to ask a really great question. Right? There are so few truths or answers on Earth … here are three: I love my friends and family. I love bugs and drawing. I made everything else up.

(Visit www.easypiecescomics.com for more of his work).

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Hand me my Hand (page 37) Writer: ALAN MCCORMICK’s collection of short stories, and shorter pieces illustrated by Jonny Voss, Dogsbodies and Scumsters, is out now on Roast Books. Alan was recently Writer in Residence for the Stroke charity, InterAct Reading Service. His short stories have won numerous prizes and have been widely published and performed, often in London with the Liars’ League.

Artist: JONNY VOSS studied illustration at Brighton University and then went on to study at the RCA. He has been working in London as an illustrator since 2000 – see www.jonnyvoss.com. Alan and Jonny collaborate on illustrated shorts as SCUMSTERS – see www.scumsters.co.uk, www.dogsbodiesandscumsters.wordpress.com, www.3ammagazine.com and www.deaddrunkdublin.com

Comeback (page 39) Writer: ALISON WILLIS watches a lot of bad films, reads a lot of good comics, makes a lot of strong cocktails and writes a few short stories while she decides what to do with her life.

Artist: SAM MEAD is a writer and artist from Findon Village in West Sussex, now living and working in Peckham. A Horse Named Peto appeared in Litro 100, and you can find more of his art and writing online at www.alcoholandbirth.tumblr.com

How to Enjoy Doom (page 48) Cartoonist: STEVEN APPLEBY. The Coffee Table Book of Doom,

by Steven Appleby & Art Lester, is published by Square Peg on 3rd November, price £14.99.

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Alan McCormick

‘You can pin a maggot on a mackerel but you can’t pin a mackerel on a maggot,’ whispered the featureless child, his unheard words of wisdom floating away on the wind.

There was lot of wind on the Suffolk coast that day and it was busy dragging the kite belonging to the father of the featureless child along the far side of the beach.

‘Feck it, feck it and feck it,’ scalded Dad. The snake on a rope thought he said ‘fetch it’ but his impulse to slither over and fetch it was curtailed by a sharp yank on the tie-rope around his neck. His trunk slinked and then coiled up into itself; his gasping tongue protruding to fork the passing currents of air.

Amongst the masses of messed up line attached to the kite emerged a giant ugly deep sea fish. It stank and shouted at a woman and a baby ahead of it.

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Comeback s

Alison Willi

I believe in giving people second chances.

My shrink, for example. Caitlin was disbarred three years ago for having an affair with a patient. When I first met her, she was working in a run-down cathouse on the South Side as a hooker. We live in tough times. I was in the neighbourhood, on duty but out of uniform, luckily, and I happened to save one of the girls from a john who cut up rough.

Caitlin and I got talking, and she told me her story. Ever since, I’ve been telling her mine.

Every Thursday, three o’clock on the dot, I turn up – incognito, of course – and ask for Caitlin. The Madam nods knowingly and shows me up to Room 9.

“Nurse,” she says to Caitlin, smirking, “your patient.”

She thinks it’s all part of the fantasy. She thinks I’ve got a thing for blondes in nurses’ uniforms giving me enemas. If only she knew. It’s much worse than that.

I lie back on the cheap vinyl couch and Caitlin starts the clock. We have fifty minutes precisely. She’s very professional. Cheap, too. Most psychiatrists cost twice as much per hour as most prostitutes. Like I said, tough times – especially if you’ve got emotional issues.

“How has your week been?” she asks. She’s thrown a white cotton lab coat on over the naughty nurse outfit: she always does this before we start now, since I mentioned that the uniform was kind of distracting.

I shrug against the squeaky couch.

“Oh, same old same old. Saved a few lives, averted a few crimes, got some cats down from some trees.”

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From the latest comics to undiscovered classics, new musicals and plays to retro boat parties, there’s plenty to do this month. You might think the festival season is over, but we’ve got literary and fashion weekends to delight you, as well as Bankside’s eclectic Merge Festival - so pack away that parka and stave off the end of summer with Litro’s pick of September’s events, edited by Alex James.

2nd to 4th September: The Vintage Fete, ‘Village Green’ at Foyles, Southbank, FREE Celebrate 21 years of Vintage Books with a colourful weekend of circus performers, creative workshops, games and fun for book lovers of all ages. Authors appearing at the Vintage Fete include Guardian cartoonist Posy Simmonds, acclaimed food writer and urban gardener JoJo Tulloh and Rob Eastaway, author of Maths for Mums and Dads. The event is free and unticketed, no need to book.

See: www.vintage-books.co.uk/events/

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2nd to 7th September, 4pm and 8pm: Carnival the Musical, Cockpit/Tabernacle, £6-12 Capturing the heart and soul of Notting Hill Carnival: a reluctant Carnival Queen dreams of escaping her elaborate costume and dancing through the crowds. When her world collides with a street smart hoodie, together they must dodge gangsters and seek help from Rampage DJ’s, Calypso Monarchs, and international superstars, before discovering the true meaning of Carnival – freedom. The piece premieres with five performances at The Cockpit Theatre between 2-4 September (4pm and 8pm), and then Tabernacle on 6 and 7 September (8pm).

See: www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/carnival

6th to 11th September, 7.30: Kiss, White Bear Theatre Kennington, prices vary Kiss is a new play by Peter Brook Award winner Ritchie Smith.

It’s you, though it might have been somebody else. You’re happy enough. Aren’t you? The long-term partner, the place to live. Then one day you meet somebody new ... who turns your world upside down. And then? Then you’re in a clinic waiting for the results of your HIV test.

See: www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

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10th September, 8pm: SS Atlantica, The Silver Sturgeon, Savoy Pier, £20 Prepare to step back in time as we revisit the thirties! As the sun sets over St Katharine Docks, arrive draped in your best ‘at sea formal wear’ to celebrate the event’s maiden voyage.

Dance the night away immersed in decadent glamour and fine entertainment. Curving balustrades and portholes encircle an immense dance floor, lined by round tables dressed with pristine white tablecloths. Classic deck games like shuffleboard and dominoes will be on hand for those tired of dancing, while gamblers can try their hand at the roulette table. Entertainment is provided by London’s finest live bands, singers, dancers and cabaret acts, all performing in the style of the era.

To book call 0207 724 1617 or see: www.ssatlantica.com

11th to 13th September: Hampstead & Highgate Literary Festival, Hampstead, £7 upwards Join Raymond Blanc, Esther Freud, Peter Snow, Diana Athill, Martin Sixsmith, Nicholas Parsons, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Andrew Morton, Daisy Waugh, Alan Hollinghurst, Sarah Brown and many more authors and speakers at Ivy House. This year there are also workshops on offer in creative writing, poetry, genealogy, playwriting, food writing and how to get published.

Book for 5 individual events priced at £7, across the three days of the Festival, and save £5. Call 020 8511 7900 to take advantage of this offer which cannot be activated online.

See: www.hamhighlitfest.com

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13th September to 22nd October at 7pm: Constance, King’s Head Theatre Pub, £1522.50 Olivier Award Winning company Good Night Out Presents will stage the world premiere of the only unproduced Oscar Wilde play, Constance, a drama of class and morals written after his exile and disgrace.

See: www.kingsheadtheatre.com

15th September to 31st October: Merge Festival, various Bankside locations, prices vary The Merge festival will bring together artists and performers in experimental partnerships in unusual venues and situations which draw on Bankside’s rich heritage, local identity and contemporary culture. Through a series of exhibitions, performances, events and happenings, Merge will bring art, music and theatre to Bankside.

For more information contact Louise Errington on 020 7928 3998 or see: www.betterbankside.co.uk

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18th September, 11am onwards: Comic Expo Ealing, Ramada Hotel, Ealing, £3 In association with Tripwire, Forbidden Planet and Ace, Comic Expo presents many prestigious guests from the world of comics including a very special DC Launch signing with Paul Cornell.

See: www.fantasyevents.org

22nd to 25th September: Vodafone London Fashion Weekend 2011, Somerset House A must for anyone wanting to catch a piece of the London Fashion Week action. Buy from designer brands, such as Jaeger London, Alex Monroe and French Sole, and boutiques such as KJ’s Laundry, Designer Studio and Winter Kate who will sell pieces at up to 70% off. Check out the Vintage Comes to Fashion Weekend area by Wayne Hemingway, The Weekend Boutique and a dedicated area for Menswear. Also, Toni & Guy and Elizabeth Arden will be on hand to give tips on the season’s hottest hair and make-up trends.

Contact Liv Newiss on 0207 886 3070 or liv.newiss@singlemarket.co.uk

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25th September, 3pm: Storytails, The Drop, Stoke Newington, FREE The Sunday afternoon literary event returns in September with readings of short stories and novel extracts from up and coming London authors you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard of. The vibe is relaxed and entry is free, so just turn up and enjoy.

See: www.storytails.org

27th September, 8pm: Fitzrovia Radio Hour at the Royal Albert Hall, £13.50 After a hit run in London’s West End, a sensational national tour and a triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe, The Fitzrovia Radio Hour comes to the Royal Albert Hall! Step into the 1940s as a company of stiff-upper-lipped actors presents retro radio comedy for the new Millennium. “Deliciously unPC ... A collision of comedy heritage” – The Independent.

See www.fitzroviaradio.co.uk

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LITRO IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EDITOR IN CHIEF AND PUBLISHER: ERIC AKOTO EDITOR: KATY DARBY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: SOPHIE LEWIS ONLINE EDITOR: LAURA HUXLEY EVENTS EDITOR: ALEX JAMES CREATIVE DIRECTOR: LISA THOM CREATIVE INTERN: LUKE BRIGHT

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