Photo of Tardi © and courtesy of Véronique Huyghes

Reflecting on the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, French artist Tardi is to makes his first ever public appearance in Britain on 10th November, in conversation with Pat Mills, the writer and co-creator of of Charley’s War, the compelling saga of a young Cockney private enduring The First World War.

An exceptional, unmissable encounter between two passionate anti-War comics creators, this event at Foyles, organised in partnership between the Comica Festival and the Insitut Francais, is bound to be popular, so if you’re interested, book as soon as you can.

Pat MIlls

The horrors and lessons of The First World War have rarely been so powerfully communicated as in the graphic novels of French artist Tardi. Inspired by his grandfather’s experiences, the French comics creator meticulously researches his searing indictments of war. It Was The War Of The Trenches and Goddamn This War!, with historian Jean-Pierre Verney, are among his masterworks available in English from Fantagraphics.

Tardi’s award-winning career spans more than four decades and includes the period detective Adèle Blanc-Sec and adaptations of crime novels by Léo Malet. In 2013, Tardi, a much-admired auteur and a man of principle, turned down the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian honour.

Please note that Tardi will not be signing books at this event, which has been organised in association with the Institut Français London, who are holding a concert entitled “Putain de guerre!” on Tuesday 11th November at the Ciné Lumière with Tardi and his wife, singer-songwriter Dominique Grange. That event will combine songs, readings and images the show is a poignant evocation of the First World War.

• Goddamn This War!: Tardi with Pat Mills, Monday 10th November 2014 7.00-8.30pm The Auditorium, Level 6, Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DT. Tickets: £10.00/6.00 from WeGotTickets

• For more information on the Putain de guerre concert on 11th Novemnber 2014 visit: http://bit.ly/TardiGrangePutainDeGuerre

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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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.

Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, Events, Featured News

Tags: Dominique Grange, Foyles, Institut Français, Pat Mills, Putain de guerre!, Tardi, War Comics, World War One