News item by Mal Earl
In the early 1990s, when the British small press comix arena was a thing of beauty bedecked in black and white xerox, I found the work of Chris Webster. He was one of the leading lights on the scene at the time and his Outcasts. Vodka Swimming Pool, Neversedge and the fabulous Malus (reprinted in book format in 2005 the by Portuguese label, MMMNNNRRRG) remain as gems in my comic collection to this day.
Last year, I had the honour of reintroducing Chris’s Gardenhouse one shot inside the pages of the first volume of The Jigsaw Review – and in volume two, began a reprint of his Wormwood four parter (the final instalment to be presented in Jigsaw Review volume 3 in the New Year).
If that wait is too long… and I would agree it is!… I have good news.
Chris has pulled together a graphic novel, Support Animals, in a format similar to Rick Veitch’s Panel Vision approach – wherein, over 800 panels treat us to a modern folk horror tale that brings to mind the works of Lovecraft mixed with the stylings of Carol Swain but with the distinctive voice that Chris has always had (his scene transition sense is simply next level!).
Unsettlingly dark, provocative and layered with intent and meaning, SUPPORT ANIMALS is an Instagram graphic novel told in scrolling single panels evokes Mazzucchelli’s Big Man in execution, with the understated delivery of insidious threat familiar to all who experienced 1970s TV shows like The Owl Service, Sky, The Changes and Children of the Stones.
Quizzed on the motivations behind Support Animals, Chris had this to say:
“I was trying to tap in to the changes in the exterior and interior landscape of England post-Brexit… how a now neglected and resentful landscape might become a frightening thing… how people’s insecurities may be amplified to such an extent that a cabbage would become monstrous… I made up the fear of cabbages as something ridiculous only to find it actually exists!
“Really I was trying to sum up a general feeling of unease… renegade rams, spiked vapes, talking compost heaps… ‘Reality doesn’t work around here’, as Polly says.”
Not only does Support Animals see a return to the medium of one of the building block creators of the 1990s UK comix scene; but more importantly, it sees the presentation of, designed for reading on mobile phone, what may be the best comic you’ll read all year.
Support Animals, Chris Webster’s tour de force return to long form comics is available free to read right now on Instagram here.
Go. Follow. Masterful.
Mal Earl
Lured back into the fields of art, comics and illustration in 2012, Mal Earl has stacked up an impressive list of work in the subsequent years. His personal projects have included designs based on the graphic sensibilities of weimar period Berlin, and a print series capturing the mood and excitement of the jazz greats. His comic work has appeared in publications alongside such luminaries as Bill Scienkiewicz, David Lloyd, Glenn Fabry, Marc Hempel and Shaky Kane, and he has been a regular contributor to David Lloyd’s online comic, Aces Weekly with his creator owned serials, “Bullhawk”, “Scars”, “The Bridge” and “Jigsaw”.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
One of many guest posts for downthetubes.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, Digital Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Reviews
Leave a Reply