British cartoonists such as Paul Baker, Banx and Hunt Emerson are contributing cartoons to Draw The Line Here (Tracer La Ligne Ici), a collection of cartoons being put together by the Professional Cartoonists Organisation with freedom of speech charity English Pen.
The two organisations have launched a Crowdshed appeal to raise fund to publish the collection of cartoons to both celebrate freedom of expression and raise much needed funds for the families and victims of the Charlie Hebdo atrocities.
Edited by journalist, radio presenter and author Libby Purves OBE, Draw The Line Here will be a one-off publication and will feature the work of some of the best cartoonists published after the attacks, together with exclusive unpublished cartoons drawn following the tragic events in Paris on 7th January 2015.
“Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks, the people of Paris (and the world) came together to put on the largest demonstration of unity in French history, with more than two million people showing solidarity on the streets of Paris,” note the project organisers.
“The global outpouring of grief and anger was accompanied by an extraordinary response from cartoonists, illustrators and artists around the world. In the aftermath they responded with outrage, defiance and historic resilience in the only way they really could – by once more picking up their pens and pencils, and drawing.
“This symbol of the pen being mightier than the gun has inspired us all. Draw The Line Here has been set up to let us all contribute to the creation and publication of a book that celebrates the timeless art so brilliantly presented by Charlie Hebdo, and memorialise those who paid with their lives for what they believed in.
“By supporting and funding this project you’ll be supporting and funding English PEN in their vital work to defend and promote freedom of expression around the world and lend much needed aid to the victims’ families.
“Draw The Line Here will stand as a symbol of unity and tolerance in the face of radical extremism and violence.”
Proceeds raised from book sales will go to English PEN, which is a registered charity who work to promote freedom of expression. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated by English PEN to the fund for the families of the Charlie Hebdo victims.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Corriere della Sera, in collaboration with Rizzoli Lizard, have already published a widely-criticised book containing what they consider the most significant cartoons made by artists from around the world in solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. The book, entitled Je Suis Charlie costs €4.90 Euros and the publishers say the proceeds of the sales will be donated to the drafting of the French satirical weekly. There’s more information here (in Italian), but the book has caused a fuss, not because of its content, but because it would appear at least some of the work in the book was used without the permission of the authors, prompting an open letter of protest.
Fumetto Logica reports on the fuss the book’s publication has kicked up in detail, along with other dubious tie ins here (also in Italian)
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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.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Collections, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News
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