A Cat and a Saint Walk into a Graphic Novel

By John Freeman on 20 July 2026 • ( 0 )

Award-winning graphic novelist Edward Taylor’s latest book, an absurdist journey through the seven circles of hell, is available now.

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Frying Pan: St. Jerome, a Cat and the 7 Circles of Hell by Edward Taylor - Cover

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Frying Pan: St. Jerome, a Cat and the 7 Circles of Hell – possibly the longest full title for a comic story we’ve ever featured here is, Edward says, his “best book yet”.

“Well, I would say that, wouldn’t I?” he adds. “But it’s true!”

In this all-new story, only available direct from its creator, St. Jerome and his Cat (we use “his” cautiously here, because this Cat is very much its own feline) stumble into the Land of Milk & Honey, get stranded in Nowheresville, are Swallowed up in Shadows and fall into the realm of a Nasty Neighbour, who then creates a Splintered World. They suffer Frightful Cleanliness before watching on helplessly as the Carnival Folds.

“As the title suggests the book is 100 debates between St. Jerome and a cat,” Edward expands, “about the birds, the bees, heaven, hell, the weather, memory, imaginary friends, ear wax, landmarks and many more pressing concerns.”

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Frying Pan: St. Jerome, a Cat and the 7 Circles of Hell by Edward Taylor - Sample Art

As if a an all-new story wasn’t enough, the second featuring St. Jerome and the Cat, this 114 full-colour comic, absurd journey through strange worlds features a picture of paradise painted by Simon Manfield, and a QR code will take you to an improvisation on the shakuhachi, the Japanese bamboo flute, by Clive Bell.

A visually striking, unexpected, wildly imaginative and funny response to the world we find ourselves in today, Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Frying Pan costs £20 plus, in the UK £6 postage and packing.

Just in case you need further persuasion, for me, Edward’s understanding of the comic form, of comic storytelling, and the way he then breaks it, make his bizarre stories such a joy.

And if that isn’t enough to persuade you, like me, I’m sure you want to know why one page in this new book has a hole in it…

Edward Taylor, also creator of Godzilla’s Lockdown Diary and Godzilla Tries to Get Out, won first prize in the 17th Manga Jiman competition hosted and organised by the Embassy of Japan in the UK, for his eight-page story, “St. Jerome 2.0”. He was praised for his unique style, innovative storytelling techniques and hours of dedication, which all helped him to first place.

He’s spent nearly 40 years touring nationally and internationally with the Whalley Range All Stars, a street theatre company he formed with Sue Auty. Drawing plays an important part in the early stages of every company production.

You can buy a copy via paypal.me/EdwardTaylorPictures or email Edward via edwardATwras.org.uk (replace AT with @) to get details of how to pay via a bank transfer.

• Edward Taylor is online at edwardtaylor.pictures | Facebook | Instagram

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.