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Graphic Novel Spotlight: Animus by SM Worsey and Brian Gorman

By John Freeman on August 11, 2021

Published by Peak Hare, out now, Animus is a powerful and moving new 80-page graphic novel by S M Worsey, featuring art by Brian Gorman, that also includes original short stories by Tobias K Phipps and Lex Vegor.

In the tale, all around the world, animals are becoming aware that they’re being exploited by humans for entertainment and financial gain. Into this rise in consciousness steps Bren; a badger whose family were trapped and shot by government agents. She’s angry. She seeks revenge. She’s had a calling: to assemble a squad of animals. To organise.

A badger, a beagle, fox, raven, cat, horse, weasel and rabbit don’t seem like much, to challenge and change human society, though they live alongside and undetected by it. Up trees, down tunnels, and across the moors…

Well, we don’t think you should underestimate them, judging from Britain’s suitably spooky art!

SM Worsey, who recently completed her first novel Dogs Of London, also wrote and illustrated the Scoffer series of cookbooks, and has co-written a number of guide books, including Vegetarian Scotland.

Brian Gorman‘s previous work includes writing and drawing the highly-acclaimed New Dawn Fades: Joy Division & Manchester, Everyman: A Celebration Of Patrick McGoohan & The Prisoner, Borderliners, and the forthcoming Atmosphere: Words & Art About The Post-Punk Manchester Music Scene.

• Copies of Animus are £10 and available to order here | Official web site: animusgraphicnovel.co.uk

• For a signed copy by artist Brian Gorman, contact him directly, via his Facebook Page briangormanartwork

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.