Absence comic offers insights on epilepsy

By John Freeman on 25 April 2011

Writer Andy Luke and artist Stephen Downey have recently released Absence, a comic book based on Andy’s experiences over 30 years adapting to a life with epilepsies: puberty, first jobs, college and “sorting it out”.

10,000 copies of the booklet have been produced and distributed with funding from the UnLtd Millennium Award Scheme and the strip has also been adapted as a digital application free-of-charge by OxiComics.com and can also be read online at www.absencecomic.com

Andy Luke is a Belfast resident, a writer who draws. He mostly self-publishes with works including Bob’s, TRS2, Gran, Optimus and Me and Don’t Get Lost, and sells his comics direct to the public at locations around the UK.

Stephen Downey is a Belfast based comicbook artist and illustrator who has worked with Titan Publishing, AAM/Markosia, Atomic Diner, Heske Horror, Comic a Gael, Insomnia Publications and Beserker to bring his comics and artwork to the masses. He’s the co-creator of Cancertown and the recently-released Slaughterman’s Creed, both with Cy Dethan.

Order a print edition or download a copy here

You may also wish to contact the organisation Epilepsy Action: www.epilepsy.org.uk

About the Author
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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.