In Review – Dirty Rotten Comics Issue 6

By Antony Esmond on December 5, 2015

Edited by Gary Clap and Kirk Campbell
Art and Design by Gary Clap

These people do not mess about. Back with another big old chunk of awesome comics anthology goodness are the creators from Dirty Rotten Comics in their sixth issue. Weighing in at 62 pages of story and with one of the funniest (and filthiest) Tudor stories you’re likely to read, it’s great to see that the Daddy of the UK indie anthology is back and better than ever. This really is the anthology to watch.

“Within this very anthology, the seeds of a revolution could be blossoming…”

I was lucky enough to get a preview copy from Editor and rabble-rouser Gary Clap. All the stories are a single page or a few pages long and they all absolutely work. To review the whole book might take most of my free time so I thought I would mention a few that tickled my fancy…

Rebels
Written and Drawn by Jey Levang

Featuring some gloriously scratchily cool line-work this is a story that shows that not all Bad Boy Bikers have to be bad all of the time. I saw a couple of preview panels of this on Twitter a couple of weeks ago and was blown away when I saw the finished project. Perfect stuff.

• Find Jey at www.jeylevang.com or on Twitter @jeylevang

Dark Skies
Created by Anitos aka Anna Dowsland

This is a story of introspection, cold weather and dog walking. It is told in a heavily inked style that pulls out of the page the feeling of a cold winters night. Lovely in every way.

• Find Anna at www.anitos.co.uk or on Twitter @anitosanna

Above The Pines
Created by Till Lukat

This is a short story about a borrowed rifle, a day in the woods and two young men who find out the truth about shooting wild animals. In only three pages it manages to tell a tale about the feelings you have before and after pulling that trigger.

• Find Till at www.lukat-land.de or on Twitter @tilllucat

So Super, Man
Created by Scott Wrigg

Mullets are not a superpower. This may need some repeating? Listen up!

One page of cheeky super powered (and maybe Red Bull lampooning) comics. Had me chuckling.

• Find Scott at www.scottwriggcomix.com and on Twitter @scottwrigg

Beehive Haircut
Created by Matthew Dooley

This is a two page exercise in fashion (and maybe hipster) advice that might result in trend that hits the United Kingdom and a drop in the price of honey! Some nifty hipster snark attacking in this great tale. (If in doubt – always go for the mohawk? But that’s just my crappy advice).

• Find Matthew at the wonderfully named www.ballwatching.tumblr.com or on Twitter @mddraws

Daily Cartoonist
Created by Royston Robertson

My final pick of this healthy comics crop is by Royston Robertson (on writing and art chores) and tells the story of a day in the life of a cartoonist and up and emotional downs of rejection.

Hang on? The shipping forecast – Radio 4 – cats – answer-phones.

• Get a further taste of Royston’s exciting life at www.roystoncartoons.com or on Twitter @roystoncartoons

I cannot recommend a dip in the Dirty Rotten Comics pool too highly. They are consistently and reliably putting out a great project over and over again. Make sure that your local comic shop orders their books and pop over to www.dirtyrottencomics.co.uk to grab yourself a copy and join in the revolution.

This book is launching on Friday 4th December 2014. Come over to the Dirty Side – before it is too late.

• You can find copies of Dirty Rotten Comics at Gosh Comics and Orbital Comics in London as well as heading to www.dirtyrottencomics.co.uk. You can also follow their antics on Twitter @dirtyrottencomx

Many thanks for reading.