New Art Released for Dave McKean’s “Black Dog” – World Premiere soon!

By John Freeman on May 9, 2016

Art © Dave McKean

Award-winning comic creator Dave McKean has just released two new tantalising images from his amazing new project Black Dog – The Dreams of Paul Nash, which gets its world premiere, multimedia launch in Kendal at the end of this month.

As we’ve previously reported, most recently here, Black Dog by illustrator, comic artist, filmmaker and musician Dave McKean, one of the iconic figures of the UK comic art world, explores the work of Paul Nash, one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century, whose World War One experiences inspired him to create paintings of disturbing, lasting power.

I’ve just had the chance to read the story and it’s an astonishing work, crammed with the most incredible imagery, offering a truly powerful narrative on the “Great War” and its impact.

Art © Dave McKean

The world premiere performance by Dave McKean and international musical collaborators will take place at Kendal Town Hall on 28th May, 2016. The performance will feature projections, animated illustrations, live music and narration. Additional performances will be held in France over the summer before the performance returns to Cumbria for the graphic novel launch in October.

The project was co-commissioned by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, 14-18 NOW, the UK’s official arts programme for the First World War centenary and On a Marche sur la Bulle, and the graphic novel will be released in two editions – a limited edition in May, to tie in with the premiere, and a full publication in October at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (14-16 October 2016).

• Tickets for the world premiere in Kendal on 28th May 2016 are available through the Brewery Arts Centre box office (tel: 01539 725 133) or website. Additional performances will be held in France over the summer before the performance returns to Cumbria for the graphic novel launch in October.

• For more about the Lakes International Comic Art Festival visit: www.comicartfestival.com

• For more about 14-18 NOW visit: www.1418now.org.uk

Black Dog – The Dreams of Paul Nash is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The commission is also supported by Cumbria County Council, Kendal College, Kendal Business Improvement District and South Lakeland District Council.

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.