Determined self publisher David Robertson has just released his latest, quirky and reflective anthology of strips, Enough Nonsense, a thoroughly enjoyable collection of observation-led stories, spotlighting some terrific independent artists.
Enough Nonsense features over 20 one-page strips, all written by David, with art by a variety of creators, including David himself. It’s the latest anthology published under David’s own imprint, Fred Egg Comics. Other publications include That Comic Smell, also utilised as the title of his podcast, and The Tay Bridge Disaster.
On offer in this 40-page, A5 collection are strips commenting on comics writers/artists workloads, turning 18 at the turn of the decade, the meaning of professional and aspiring artists, weeding books from libraries, clocks as artwork, the effects of working two jobs, liking the wrong pop groups for your peer group, daughters growing up, the inanity of TV quizzes, moral panics, the nature of reality, Pascal’s wager, music for kids or adults, memories of parenting, Star Wars coventions over the decades, unintentionally offensive shop signs, fridges that beep to be closed, listening to birdsong, reviews, older cats, the reality of numbers, and writers unwilling to write without payment.
The stories are an often emotive mix of diary-style pieces, observational humour and commentary, delivered through an enjoyable potpourri of art styles by some talented creators, including Claire Brown, Donna Hart, Norrie, Neil Paterson, Tom Stewart and Andrew Strachan.
Inevitably, an anthology will feature some strips preferred over others by the reader. For me, these include the superbly-drawn “Futuristic City Scape”, “A Discussion regarding Equality”, a heated argument on woke ideology, and “Fluffy”, a lovely look at senior cats.
There’s “Legacy”, too, questioning why on Earth one devotes so much time and effort to making comics, surely a poser many an independent comic creator has asked themselves, myself included. I liked the answer!
The Fred Egg Comics anthologies offer a regular snapshot of the health of British independent comics. Enough Nonsense is evidence once more that independent comics are in fine fettle, in terms of the range and quality of the creators out there, and thanks to David, I’m aware of several talents I wasn’t before. Recommended.
• Enough Nonsense is published by Fred Egg Comics and available online here
Featuring the work of Claire Brown, Peter Conrad, Clio D, Zu Dominiak, Joan Edam, Helena Edwardson, Andy Hanks, Donna Hart, Paddy Johnston, Marc KZ, Tim Kelly, Stuart McAdam, Francesca Mancuso, Norrie, Neil Paterson, Iestyn Pettigrew, David Robertson, Neil Scott, Mike Sedakat, Tom Stewart, Andrew Strachan, Vedabredda and Cherish York
• Web: www.fredeggcomics.com | Blog: fredeggcomics.blogspot.co.uk | Facebook| Twitter: @fredeggcomics
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Reviews
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