I lived in Brighton, a south coast town (it's a city now) for about 6 years between 1992-1998. Brighton at the time was a very alternative town, in the sense that it had a strong artistic community, tons of musicians, is the gay capital of Europe and stacks of unemployed people with absolutely no desire to get a job live there. I loved it.
During my time there I got involved in a group of small press comic artists. In normal towns these people would have been the geekoids, making zine type comics about superheroes which were hopelessly ill-conceived and pathetic. In Brighton, the majority of small press people were artists slumming it in comics until something better came alone. But there were a couple of us that simply loved comics, and not necessarily superhero types.
I hated the majority of people involved in our little group - bunch of pretentious cunts that they were - not to mention terrible artists. Ralph, my other mate Nigel Auchterlounie and I would get very drunk at meetings and swear at everyone. Of course all the others took it in their stride assuming this was part of some elaborate artistic statement. In the face of the hopelessly artistic, not even spitting in their mushes can shake them; in fact they simply lap it up.
I had a small comic anthology called Teenage Suicide - it was pretty shitty. Ralph on the other hand was the creator of Captain Dolphin, a completely inept Super mammal with a side sick called the Whale Wonder who would never fit into a panel, being so big as he was, all you'd ever see would be his eyes. It was utterly genius and extremely funny. Ralph is a master at comic timing and the absurdity of life. Captain Dolphin also had a real post-modern feel to it - in one episode all the villians in the story meet at the end at the after comic party and complain about the sandwiches and pay. One of them is still supporting a injury incurred during the battle in the main story. Obviously this style of writing started to influence my own work, to the degree that I produced a comic created in 'RalphieVision', mimmicking his artistic syle and story telling - It was called The Sweeney Boys. I may print some of his stuff and/ or the Sweene Boys at a later date.
Anyway, that's a little more background.
16 comments:
Well Herge, I'm loving this. Thanks for sharing with us all.
It is copyrighted, yes?
This is all heartbreaking stuff. And to think I was buying Viz and laughing my socks off at Johnny Fartpants.
If these femmes want to chuck you they should just come out and say it. Then they could be appreciated for their candour and hated forever.
This is quite deep for you, ol' chum. Great to see old stuff like this getting the some of exposure it deserves, too. More, please.
Gripping stuff! :)
Was Ceri a Librarian?
Or new to the job at least?
In college there was a female singing group which would regularly perform with my male singing group. Lots of great looking girls, a handful of nice post-concert parties, I was interested in a few of them at different times, but never acted on it (probably just poor social skills, don't recall). They ended up thinking I was gay because I never went out with any of them... sheesh. Don't know what that has to do with Pod, but I like your writing.
Wow Herge... that was up close and personal. I loved it - not to mention you Pod.
should have been "your Pod."
Love the depth. I like this Herge the best. Thanks for sharing. And yes, we need more.
Oh, and have you finished your queeny strop about MMH yet?
Queeny strop? That's a gloves off accusation if ever there was one.
Why's it called "pod"? Did you go around under the name of "Prince of Darkness" or something? Did you wear a cape?
oooh, thought I'd commented last night. I was going to ask where your inspiration came from, since the character is of the same name, does this in any way reflect your life at that time? Just wondering...
Ooh, good question. I just assumed that he'd recently changed the name to fit in with his blog. Maybe I assume too much...
My guess at the name was that it was PO'd. POD. I don't know. Where did you come up with the name Herge?
You and I both have almost disturbingly dark minds. It's not often that I can find someone who is as strange as me. It's nice to know you are out there. I love this work. I think you've got a really good feel for this type of medium. Keep up the good work. m.
i have to agree with all these comments Herge. this is a really intimate glimpse into a life you are giving us all here. i was actually feeling a little bit vouyeristic and guilty. but it's very gripping stuff. thanks!
I liked some of the drawing angles used in this part. :)
I love how The Artist Known As Herge is being aloof and not responding to comments/questions on this. ;)
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