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Edward Taylor wins Embassy of Japan’s 17th Manga Jiman competition

By John Freeman on March 27, 2024

Edward Taylor, creator of the marvellous independent titles such as Godzilla’s Lockdown Diary and Godzilla Tries to Get Out, has 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”.

*Edward Taylor with one of the Manga Jiman competition judges, Paul Gravett*

Commenting, one of the judges, Paul Gravett, said: “I was delighted to announce that Edward Taylor, a first-time entrant, came in straight at Number One and won with his unique entry, ‘St. Jerome 2.0.”

The story was also described as being “highly inventive” and was praised for “bringing so much life and originality to the competition.”

The story features an updated version of St. Jerome, adrift in a scrapheap with a sarcastic cat his only companion. Like all bona fide saints, Jerome hears voices in his head at night and QR codes allow the reader to hear those voices as well. They can hear a conspiracy theory, an answerphone message and a song sung by Todmorden-based musician, Sonya Moorhead.

Edward Taylor has spent 38 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.

In the last few years, he’s worked on a variety of comic strip stories as a side-line to the theatre shows, including not only his Godzilla books, but illustrated books such as Glock and Beretta, too, all available to buy from his official web site.

The Embassy of Japan has searched for the best comic creators in the UK since 2007. The search now continues with three competitions – Manga Jiman, Yonkoma Youth and Yonkoma 14+ – across two formats with the aim of providing a platform for aspiring comic artists.

The entries by all the short-listed artists in its latest competitions can be seen at the Embassy (101 – 104 Piccadilly, London WIJ 7JT ) from 28th March until 24th April 2024, 10.00am – 5.50 pm. If you plan to go (and please do!) take some form of photo ID – it’s an Embassy, so security is tight.

“‘St. Jerome 2.00’ will feature in the next self-published book, which has the provisional title 3 Stories featuring an Egg, a Saint and some Border Guards”, says Edward. Details about that to follow!

• To keep up-do-date with Manga Jiman, check the official website, and follow the official social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, and X

• Edward Taylor is online at edwardtaylor.pictures

John Freeman

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.