The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

For today’s selection for the Best of the Year its the turn of the excellent comics creator and educator Jim Medway, who has the special distinction of being one of the particular favourites of our youngest contributor, Molly, who ranked Jim’s Crab Lane Crew as among her very favourite strips in the now sadly gone DFC comic.

FPI: Can you pick three comics/webcomics/graphic novels which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

Jim: Not been consuming half as much as i’d like to, and much of what I have read wasn’t new, but anyway – George Sprott by Seth (D&Q in North America, UK version from Cape next year), bought as a present  for my dad though I managed to find a few hours with it. Seth makes it look so easy – he really has become a master of storytelling and book design (also worth a mention – the Seth-designed “Melvin the Monster”, part of D&Q’s John Stanley Library – best kids read).

I was also quite impressed by Tamaki and Tamaki’s ‘Skim‘ (Walker/Groundwood Books) – competent and enjoyable. Actually found it in my tiny local library, so pleased about that too.

FPI: Can you pick three TV shows and/or movies which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

Jim:  I can tell you the worst – Synechdoche and X Factor

FPI: Can you pick any books which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

Jim: Nature Cure by Richard Mabey

FPI: How did 2009 go for you as a creator? Are you happy with the way you got your work out this year?

Jim: I’ve finally realised that the reason I’m not winning any plaudits is  that I’ve not really done anything, so now I’m making an actual full length Comic Book, rather than paddling about with minicomics. I’m pretty well stuck into “Playing Out”, and will have the artwork all done by Spring.

(a page from the Crab Lane Crew in the DFC, by and (c) Jim Medway)

I’m also quite absorbed in some research – the history of the comics industry in Manchester – which is slowly taking shape and will hopefully result in some kind of exhibition a few years down the line.

In addition to creating his comics Jim also has a good reputation for running comics workshops; check out his site for more details and a peek at more of his work.