22 Pages From Scottish History at Paisley Museum

By Jeremy Briggs on April 16, 2016

Scottish history is being reinterpreted in a range of comic styles in the 22 Pages: Scenes From Scottish History that is currently on at the Paisley Museum.

The free exhibition was created by Magic Torch Comics and features 22 pieces of original work by artists Andy Lee and Mhairi Robertson. The works have been inspired by classic scenes from graphic novels and comics of the last fifty years. The museum has free entrance, is open everyday except Monday, and the exhibition runs to Friday 20 May 2016.

Magic Torch Comics are a social enterprise who have been creating comics since 2011 and also work with schools to create comics and improve literacy. The educational values of their titles mean that Magic Torch have received Heritage Lottery Fund grants for some of their work including their impressively realised hardback account of the 5th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the Dardanelles campaign in WWI entitled Achi Baba: Gallipoli 1915. Their latest title, the EC cover styled Tales Of The Oak, is an anthology that combines folklore and local history.

In addition to their own titles they have also released an authorised reprint of Amalgamated Press’ Thriller Picture Library issue 96, Captain Kidd: Buccaneer based on the real life sailor who may have come from Greenock. David Ashford and Steve Holland’s Fleetway Picture Library Index Vol 2: The Thriller Libraries tells us that this was originally published on 4 August 1955 and, while the cover by Reginald C Webb was new, the interior was a translated reprint of “Le Cormoran” from the French comic Vaillant written by Jean Ollivier and art by Lucien Nortier.

There are more details of Paisley Museum on the museum’s website.

There are more details of Magic Torch Comics and how to buy them on their website.

Jeremy Briggs

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