Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Growing out of it


Back in 1988, i was invited to work with Jamie Delano on a 4-page story for AARGH!,(Artists Against Rampant Government Homophobia) a collection of comic strips, illustration and text pieces, all opposing Clause 28.

It was a time when i considered myself a novice; an enthusiastic one, but still a loooooooong way from professional. I doubted my work could stand up next to industry greats like Frank Miller, Dave Gibbons, Kev O'Neil, etc. But i believed in the book, and in making protest - my ego could take the knocks.

The art is rough, VERY. I was still learning and struggling, and you can see that; the lack of control and refinement, how scrappy and unfinished it looks.

Still one of my favourites.

It helped cement a friendship with Alan Moore and Jamie, helped me conquer my 'stage fright' and marked a dramatic change in my attitude towards art and storytelling.
Beyond it's crudeness i can see a playful spirit and personality that still defines the way i think today.

It's available to read, Along with a retrospective review of AARGH! at The Gay Comics List


2 comments:

paulhd said...

I remember this fondly. Can't think if it was the first thing of yours I saw, was it pre-Deadline and Mr X? Either way, it was one of the things that made me want to find more work by you.

shane oakley said...

paul/our morris - yeah, it was before both.

the aargh strip actually helped sell me to bill marks more than my mr.x samples, he really liked that warped dc thompson thing i was doing.

thanx for giving me your vote over the years.