Brighton’s Graphic War project launched

By John Freeman on January 29, 2015

Following the success and critical acclaim for Brighton: The Graphic Novel, the team behind that project have started a new project, this time with 15-25 year-olds.

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, QueenSpark Books is working with young people across Brighton & Hove to produce a print and online graphic novel based on the lives of the people of Brighton & Hove up to and including World War One.

Under the guidance of experienced professionals from the comics/graphic novel world, participants will be encouraged to use their creativity to work on a graphic novel depicting the lives of the ‘ordinary’ people of the time.

The project will use local stories and images from the period between 1900-1920 to create and tell some of the lesser known histories of the City.

Material will be drawn from the archives of QueenSpark Books, Brighton & Hove Museum and The Keep, to develop creative learning through exploration of the City’s history.

The project will launch with Brighton’s Graphic War: Writing and Drawing for the Graphic Novel (with writer and editor Tim Pilcher and artist Paul Collicutt), a three-hour interactive workshop taking place on Saturday 21st February 2015.

Tim and Paul will take participants through the process of how to write and draw for graphic novels. The workshop will look at: planning, plotting, pacing, and different forms of script structure and art styles.

Participants should have ideally read one or two graphic novels and heaps of enthusiasm – and bring their own pens/pencils/paper.

• To book a place on the workshop (places limited) and for information on restrictions and other requirements click here. Any queries about this event should be emailed to admin@queensparkbooks.org.uk

• There’s more information about the Brighton’s Graphic War project here: http://brightonsgraphicwar.com/ and the Submission Details for work are detailed here: http://brightonsgraphicwar.com/category/submission-entries

• QueenSpark Books is at: www.queensparkbooks.org.uk

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.