Ahead of the free SEQUENT’ULL Comic Art Festival taking place in Hull on Saturday 31st August 2024, organiser and fellow creative Sean Azzopardi chats with guests at the event, continuing with independent comic creator Jemma Webster-Sharp whose new book, The Scrapbook of Life and Death, launches from Avery Hill Publishing on 3rd September…
Could you talk a little about yourself and your work?
I always have trouble talking about my work as I am very good at confusing people. The simplest description of my work is body horror and grotesque eroticism.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on Fondant 4, my single person anthology.
Why comics, what are the core reasons for working with this medium?
I used to be a painter and I took it as far as I could in way of narrative, I just couldn’t communicate what I needed to say. But by reducing the size and simplifying technique, I can say more than I ever thought in a more impactful way.
Above: A slideshow of pages from Jemma’s new graphic novel, The Scrapbook of Life and Death, launching 3rd September 2024 from Avery Hill Publishing
So much creative time is absorbed by engaging with social media, conventions and other publicity tasks. While necessary to a degree, is it worth it?
Absolutely. Cartooning is very isolating for me and these are my only other human interactions.
Do you feel connected to a comics scene in anyway?
Yes and no. Yes, because I slightly know a small group of people and enjoy finding new artists. No, because my work sets me apart from more conventional cartooning… I guess!
Could you recommend some current creators that are making good stuff?
Yes. Simon Hanselmann, Josh Pettinger, Nate Garcia, Alex Graham, Matt Greaves, Ethan Llewellyn, Anna Readman and John J Pearson.
Have you visited Hull before?
Yes. I know Reece Shearsmith grew up there, I think of that.
• Jemma Webster-Sharp is online at jwebstersharp.com | Instagram
• SEQUENT’ULL Comic Art Festival 2024
11.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 31st August 2024 | Free Entry
Jubilee Central, 62 King Edward Street, Hull HU1 3SQ
• Facebook Event Page
Independent comic artists and publishers, selling comics graphic novels and prints.
Exhibitors Include: Breakdown Press, Colossive Press, Footprints Workers CoOp, Michelle Freeman, Sarah Gordon, Gareth Hopkins, Jake Machen, Shane Melisse, Douglas Noble, Alex Potts, Scarborough Zine Library, Mark Stafford, Lucy Sullivan, James Webster Sharp, Dan White and Lilly Williams
In addition to her appearance at SEQUNT’ULL, J. Webster Sharp’s meticulous and macabre line work infects Gosh! in London next month, with the launch of the exclusive bookplate edition of The Scrap Book of Life and Death on Thursday 5th September 2024, from 7-9pm. With drinks for all.
‘Dentist Robs Women of Teeth’ – ‘Death Chair for Nice Old Man’ – ‘Mother Feeds Son Like Bird’
The British newspaper clipping collection of egalitarian George Ives, collected between 1892 and 1949, ranged from murder and theories of crime to cricket scores. He was fascinated by the unusual, the gothic, the sexual, and the melodramatic.
In this graphic novel, acclaimed cartoonist J. Webster Sharp shares some of the most bizarre stories from the archives of George Ives in silent comics form. With often shocking, visceral black and white artwork, the strangeness and eccentricity of the Edwardian era provides a backdrop for Sharp’s own struggles with mental health.
The Scrapbook of Life and Death is a fascinating, personal window into forgotten historical views of eccentric and socially transcendent and disturbing behaviors — and their resonance in life today.
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.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Graphic Novels, Comic Creator Interviews, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Features
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