The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

“Trying to describe, in as succinct a manner as possible, the reasons I wanted to publish something like Solipsistic Pop has been difficult. Discussing the state of the British alternative comics scene, the comic industry in general, the joy of anthologies, and the slow decline of print is not a simple task. These are all complex issues and everyone has their own varying but entirely viable, entirely reasonable opinions on each. Well, perhaps not everyone. But everyone to whom these things matter.

On the day Solipsistic Pop launched, amidst the crowded, hot, cramped but exciting confines of the ICA theatre, people were walking up to offer their support and feedback for the book. The most popular phrase being:

“You got the smell right!”

This was heartening to hear. Believe it or not, I’d gone to a lot of trouble to make sure the book had that just printed aroma. It was part of the reason the anthology existed. Which – I grant you – sounds a bit odd. But it offers me a perfect springboard to address what I wanted to do with Solipsistic Pop as a physical object.”

(some of Stephen Collins’ work from Solipsistic Pop)

Tom Humberstone ruminates on the recently launched Solipsistic Pop anthology of British small press creators. Its not just about Tom’s bizarre nasal fixation which has seen him barred from several public libraries for sniffing the spines of various tomes though (and to be serious as a committed bibliophile I totally understand where he is coming from, books, especially those with a lot of art in them, often have a distinctive, evocative aroma that means nothing to some but speaks volumes – no pun intended to the book lover). Actually its the starting point for a discussion about the place of printed books and comics in an increasingly digital age, with Tom pointing out that using digital comics, be it in the home computer, laptop or mobile device or e-reader, doesn’t mean totally abandoning physical print, that a reader can use both. Its an interesting post, discussing what Tom hoped to do with the new anthology and putting it in the context of traditional print and changing media and the requirement for creators, retailers and readers to adapt.