On the final day of Book Week Scotland one for the newest artists in DCCS, Anna Coughlan, lets us know what she has been reading lately.
“Essex County by Jeff Lemire is a collection of three stories that pack a punch! – (Tales from the Farm, Ghost Stories, and The Country Nurse). Lemire’s art style is beautifully simplistic, only using black ink on white paper. The minimal dialogue augments the character’s sense of loneliness and isolation.
Prepare for your heartstrings to be pulled!”
– Anna
So, just what is DCCS artist Andy Strachan reading this week?
“I am reading The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes. This has been a brilliant discovery as I am new to the comic genius of Bill Watterson and his much loved creations. Calvin is a hyper-active six year old and Hobbes is a soft toy tiger who lives in Calvin’s imagination as a best friend. The stories are poignant, philosophical and often very funny. Bill Watterson displays a mastery of comic book storytelling. I particularly liked the visual storytelling where the pictures said it all and words were not required.”
– Andy Strachan
Today DCCS artist Norrie Millar tells us his pick for Book Week Scotland.
“With the Luc Besson Valerian film coming to theaters soon, I thought it was a perfect time to catch up with the Valerian & Laureline series of comics by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres. Starting with The City of Shifting Water, the series tells the adventures of Valerian and Laureline, two futuristic adventurers who try to keep the peace across the vastness of time and space. The books mix beautiful art and intelligent concepts which were hugely influential on later films The Fifth Element, and Star Wars. Timeless stuff!”
– Norrie
Next up in our reading picks for Book Week Scotland is DCCS artist Catriona Laird.
“I’m always reading webcomic avasdemon.com when it updates. I discovered it a few years ago and backed the first kickstarter to make physical copies of volume 1. It deals with the concept of inner demons in a futuristic setting where a large part of the galaxy is ruled by a domineering godlike figure called Titan. Ava is plagued by a demon, Wrathia, who opposed Titan in the past but was ultimately defeated by him and bonded herself to Ava in order to continue living and seek revenge. The comic is enhanced by superb animations at key moments in the story with some amazing music to accompany it.”
– Catriona
Here’s what DCCS artist Rebecca Horner is reading when she isn’t drawing comics.
“I’m reading By Crom! by Rachel Kahn. It’s an autobio comic where the artist is guided through her struggles by the endless wisdom of Conan the Barbarian.”
– Rebecca
In our second Book Week Scotland post, DCCS artist Elliot Balson tells us what he has been reading lately.
“My pick is Head Lopper by Andrew MacLean. It’s a Mignola-esque fantasy set in the Highlands, featuring a stoic warrior called Norgal, or Headlopper, and his companion – the decapitated head of a witch. It’s a fun tale, with gorgeous visuals, with equal touches of Hellboy, Adventure Time, and The Witcher.”
– Elliot
As it’s Book Week Scotland this week I thought it would be fun to let you know what folks here at DCCS are reading currently. There will be a series of posts this week kicking off with our Coordinator Damon.
“I’ve been catching up with my comics reading recently after finishing my PhD. I picked up a few free comics at Kingdom Comics during Halloween Comic Fest, including The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, You Choose The Story #1. It’s funny and irreverent, and you get to chose how Squirrel Girl deals with her adventures, such as battling Swarm, a bad guy MADE OF BEES! It made me want to read more Squirrel Girl!”
– Damon
Dundee Comics Creative Space 