The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

The National Library of Scotland will be hosting the exhibition Local Heroes: the Art of the Graphic Novel this spring, running from the 4th of April to the 1st of June. Although Scotland has obviously produced some top writing and artistic talent for the medium (he said in an utterly unbiased manner, ahem) and there will be a focus on them the exhibition is not confined only to the contribution of Scottish creators. From the official description:

“This exhibition draws on material from our vast collections to tell the story of how comics have ‘grown up’ over the past 40 years. It reveals the influential role Scottish artists and writers have played in the evolution of the graphic novel as a serious art form. Featuring ‘The Broons’, the superheroes and villains of Marvel comics, and international work such as Tintin and Japanese Manga.

Among artists and writers represented are Alan Moore, Art Speigelman, Frank Miller, Alan Grant, Cam Kennedy and Grant Morrison.”

I think it is superb to see the medium being treated with such respect by one of the country’s foremost literary establishments; it seems to me to be a part of the increasing attention being paid to comics and graphic novels as an art form and the cultural aspects of the medium, which is quite refreshing for those of us who have been saying for years that it deserves just this kind of attention, so kudos to the NLS. The NLS’s George IV Building is located on George IV Bridge in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town (a UN World Heritage site), coincidentally the bridge which runs parallel to South Bridge where our own FPI store can be found, just a few minutes walk away, and so easy to find for locals and anyone lucky enough to be visiting the city. The building is open seven days a week, including being open till eight during the week so there are plenty of opportunities to pay a visit.