New graphic novels coming soon

"Where are the British comics these days?" Look to the bookshops my friends. Don't just browse the newsagents. London based publisher SelfMadeHero are releasing a number of graphic novels this Autumn. Here's the details from their press release...

New Graphic Novels and Visual Narratives for Autumn 2016

SelfMadeHero brightens up the Autumn with a range of graphic novels that includes biographies of the controversial Roger Casement and the eccentric Salvador Dalí, highly anticipated new work from award-winning creators Box Brown and Rob Davis, adaptations of short stories by Deborah Levy and M.R. James, original fiction from one of the Netherland’s brightest young talents, and a gift book to encourage gratitude.

http://www.selfmadehero.com/

SEPTEMBER

THE TRIAL OF ROGER CASEMENT

[Paperback | RRP £12.99 | 136pp | Colour]

Writer/artist: Fionnuala Doran

Human rights campaigner, Irish patriot, British traitor. Knighted for his humanitarian work after exposing human rights abuses in the Congo and South America, Roger Casement’s commitment to Irish independence saw him imprisoned after the Easter Rising of 1916. He was put on trial – and finally hanged – for treason, but before that he was “exposed” as a homosexual. With the establishment gathering evidence against him, he delivered one of the most celebrated courtroom speeches of all time. Written and drawn by Irish artist Fionnuala Doran, this is a poignant celebration of an extraordinary life in the centenary year of Casement’s death.

ONE YEAR WISER: A Gratitude Journal

[Hardback | RRP £11.99 | 240pp | B&W]

Writer/artist: Mike Medaglia

Following on from the hugely popular One Year Wiser: 365 Illustrated Meditations and One Year Wiser: The Colouring Book, artist and Zen Buddhist practitioner Mike Medaglia has created a journal to encourage you to stay mindful of everything you have to be grateful for, and to keep a record of the moments that make life worth living. An enjoyable way to remember all the wonderful things that happen to you.

THE RETURN OF THE HONEY BUZZARD

[Hardback | RRP £14.99 | 160pp | B&W]

Writer/artist: Aimée de Jongh

Simon Antonisse, a bookseller, has hit hard times. Contemplating the closure of his family business, he withdraws deeper and deeper into himself. When he witnesses a suicide, it brings up feelings and memories he’d rather forget. But when he meets the mysterious Regina, she helps him confront his past – and imagine a better future. An emotionally perceptive and compelling tale from one of the finest young Dutch comics artists.

STARDUST NATION

[Paperback | RRP £12.99 | 104pp | Colour]

Writer: Deborah Levy; Artist: Andrzej Klimowski

Highly respected novelist and Booker Prize nominee Deborah Levy (Swimming Home, Hot Milk) has adapted the short story "Stardust Nation" (from her Black Vodka collection) into an absurdly funny and unsettling graphic novel. Drawn by Andrzej Klimowski (Behind The Curtain), it takes us into the world of Nikos Gazidis, who seems to have unwittingly crashed into the consciousness of his boss. An unforgettable graphic novel about memory, empathy and how we are, all of us, connected. Originally scheduled for release in spring 2016, this will now be published in September.

OCTOBER

TETRIS: The Games People Play

[Paperback | RRP £12.99 | 256pp | Colour]

Writer/artist: Box Brown

You’ve played the game – now you can read the book. Created by the Russian Alexey Pajitnov, the simple but addictive video game was a twentieth century phenomenon. This graphic novel explores its creation in 1980s against the backdrop of the Cold War and its subsequent success, taking in bidding wars, backroom deals, miscommunications and copyright theft. Written and drawn by Box Brown, best-selling author of Andre The Giant: Life and Legend.

DALÍ

[Paperback | RRP £12.99 | 160pp | B&W/Colour]

Writer/artist: Edmond Baudoin

Renowned French comics artist Baudoin explores the surreal life and times of Salvador Dalí, capturing his eccentric behaviour and reflecting on his artistic legacy. Commissioned by the Pompidou Centre, Dalí is a fascinating portrait of one of the world’s most talented painters and self-publicists.

The latest in SelfMadeHero’s Art Masters series.

GHOST STORIES OF AN ANTIQUARY, 
Vol. 1

[Paperback | RRP £9.99 | 64pp | Colour]

Writer: M.R. James; Adapters: John Reppion and Leah Moore; Artists: various

Adapted from the short stories of M.R. James, master of the English ghost story, this volume reimagines four of his most compelling stories in graphic form. These atmospheric, terrifying supernatural stories are to be read on a dark winter’s night with the wind blowing outside and the fire dwindling to a glow. M.R. James has an enormous influential on many horror writers including Ruth Rendell and Neil Gaiman.

NOVEMBER

THE CAN OPENER’S DAUGHTER

[Paperback | RRP £12.99 | 160pp | B&W]

Writer/artist: Rob Davis

Sequel to the darkly surreal The Motherless Oven, that won the British Comic Award in 2015. Vera’s mother is the omnipotent Weather Clock; she presides over the satellite town of Head Acre, which hovers a few hundred feet above Bear Park. Her father is a can opener; he spends most of his time in Vera’s pocket. Stranded in the dark wood beyond Bear Park’s boundary fence, Vera hatches a plan to save her friend Scarper Lee from his certain fate – but can she make an unlikely hero of herself? The Motherless Oven was also nominated for the “Best Graphic Album” Prize at the 2015 Eisner Awards.