Sneak Preview: “Pablo” by Julie Birmant and Clément Oubrerie from SelfMadeHero

By John Freeman on March 16, 2015 • ( 2 )

Picasso. For over a century, one name has dominated the art world, and few have matched his prolific output. But what were his formative years like? Writer Julie Birmant and artist Clément Oubrerie recreate his early years as an artist in a stunning graphic biography, Pablo, winner of the Grand Prix at France’s RTL Graphic Novel Awards

SelfMadeHero will release this latest “Arts Master” title on 6th April 2015, which explores Picasso’s formative years amongst the bohemians of Montmartre, including Apollinaire, Max Jacob and Gertrude Stein.

In early 20th Century Paris, 19-year-old Pablo Picasso finds himself living amongst the bohemians of Montmartre. Impoverished and in a turbulent relationship with his muse, ‘La Belle Fernande’, his career develops through a mix of frustration and scandal. Pablo explores his unique style through to the life-changing dawn of Cubism. His changing style develops alongside his friendships with other notable artists and writers including Max Jacob, Apollinaire, Gertrude Stein and not forgetting his bitter rival Matisse in claiming the avant garde crown.

Originally published in France in four volumes, PABLO captures the fevered passions of the great artist, as well as collating a wonderfully evocative tour of the city, its squalor, its vibrant street life, its historical landmarks. Clément Oubrerie’s warm, energetic style brings alive Julie Birmant’s engaging, often humorous script which explores the artist’s influences and obsessions that resulted in the production of so many masterpieces. A sensory experience in words and pictures.

<br /> This is the third in SelfMadeHero’s critically-acclaimed Art Masters series, which includes Barbara Stok’s Vincent (released digitally on SEQUENTIAL 1st May 2015) and Typex’s Rembrandt.

Julie Birmant is a former Director for the prestigious Brussells film school INSAS. She writes plays and produces documentaries for France-Culture. Clément Oubrerie is an acclaimed artist. His first graphic novel Aya of Yop City won the First Book Award at Angoulême, the Children’s Africana Book Award and the Glyph Award.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.