Brian Gorman’s Joy Division graphic novel published at last

New Dawn Fades – Cover

Writer/artist Brian Gorman‘s long-delayed graphic novel about the iconic Manchester band, Joy Division, is to be published in April.

This is great news, as it’s taken nearly ten years for this marvellous-looking book to see print and personally, im looking forward to seeing the finished book.

Brian originally wrote (and drew most of) New Dawn Fades – A Graphic Novel About Joy Division and Manchester nearly a decade ago, as part of a multi-book deal with publishers Simon & Schuster, but the grapic novel was regularly delayed due to ‘artistic differences’.

(At one point, Brian, creator of the terrific Everyman: A Celebration of Patrick McGoohan & The Prisoner, talked loosely about the possibility of it becoming a ROK Comics audio comic, alongside that company’s adaptation of Angus Allan and Arthur Ranson’s The Beatles Story, out in print from Rebellion next month. I was sure it would have been a great fit with the company’s aspirations to publish a wide range of music-inspired comics, but it was a hope never realised).

“I got so fed up of the delays, and the endless rescheduling, that I decided to withdraw the book, and adapt the story for the stage,” Brian says.

“After five years of success with the show, and fans asking about the original graphic novel, I thought we needed to finally get it out there. And now, thanks to Invisible Six Books, we’re doing it.”

New Dawn Fades – Sample Art
New Dawn Fades – Sample Art

New Dawn Fades chronicles the rise and fall of the ground-breaking post-punk band, and the 1970s Manchester music scene. It tells the story of four ordinary lads who, inspired by the punk revolution of the 1970s, came together to form one of the most influential bands of all time, Joy Division.

The band achieved great acclaim, under the guidance of Manchester legend Tony Wilson, but came to an abrupt end with the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980.

The remaining members continued as New Order, and achieved international success. Gorman places the band within the context of Manchester’s history as a city with a vibrant reputation, setting the scene for a completely new and fascinating look at the Joy Division story.

New Dawn Fades – Sample Art

Guiding the reader through the heart and soul of both the band and the city, New Dawn Fades introduces an array of historical figures, including Roman General Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, Frederich Engels, and the Buzzcocks!

The result is a spellbinding journey of love, passion, progress, grief, and, of course, music.

Gorman’s stage play was a smash hit when it debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013. New Dawn Fades was subsequently staged at the Macclesfield WinterFest in Ian Curtis’ home town, where it played to capacity audiences and standing ovations. Tours in 2015 and 2016 followed, with more acclaimed performances in Chester, Leeds, Bury, Liverpool, Bury St Edmonds, and London.

Now, due to popular demand, the show is back at Manchester’s Dancehouse Theatre this April.

The graphic novel currently has a crowdfunding campaign, where contributors can pre-order signed copies, and choose from a variety of exclusive perks including original artwork, and having their likeness as an actual character in the story.

Brian Gorman. Photo: Shay Rowan
Brian Gorman. Photo: Shay Rowan

Manchester-based Brian Gorman is the creator of the highly-acclaimed Everyman: A Celebration of Patrick McGoohan & The Prisoner, Borderliners: True Realities, and the upcoming Animus (with writer SM Worsey).

He’s also the co-writer of the 2013 stage version of Blade Runner, and is currently performing in his new show One Man Bond: Every Bond Film In 60 Minutes, which will feature at the upcoming Starburst Media City Festival in March. (Free tickets are available here

Order New Dawn Fades via the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign page

For more information on tickets for the New Dawn Fades stage show , etc., check out The Dancehouse

• Invisible Six can be contacted via the website Invisible Six – Creative Works



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