The Forbidden Planet International Blog

Off we pop to our little oasis of Forbidden Planet International-iness, as we drop off yet another surprised guest on their own private island paradise. Well, it’s a paradise until the rain starts, the food runs out and they realise the giant crabs take no prisoners.

But at least we do supply a selection of fine, fine comics, all chosen in advance by the unsuspecting comicker who foolishly believes they’re taking part in a comic version of the classic Radio 4 series.

This time around we have Andy Poyiadgi, film and comic maker (films during the day, comics during the night), whose first strip Teapot Therapy we’ve featured before, after it was shortlisted for the 2011 Observer/Comica/Cape Graphic Short Story Prize. Since then, Poyiadgi’s work has featured in ink+PAPER and John Miers’ Score and Script exhibition.

Right now, he’s hard at work on the regular strip for the advertising and film magazine Shots (the first of which is above) and is working on a graphic novel called ZOE, the story of a 9 year old cyclops living on a remote Greek island.

You can see more of his work at his website (http://ajpoyiadgi.com/) or chat to him on twitter: @ajpoyiadgi

Now, what 8 comics has Andy chosen to keep him company……

Desert Island Comics – Episode 48 – Andy Poyiadgi

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Is The Arrival a comic or a picture book? Either way I’d like to bring it with me. It’s a fitting tale of a man who leaves his home for life on an exotic land. I’d find solace in following the character’s journey to this faraway place; leaving his family behind, acclimatising to a new culture, hanging out with bizarre hybrid creatures – there will be bizarre hybrid creatures on the island right? The lack of words coupled with Tan’s delicately crafted visuals makes it an almost zen-like read; it leaves you to soak in all the details and atmosphere at your own pace, to piece together the story as the character pieces together his new life. Another bonus to it being a silent comic is that I could lend it to any natives, and assuming they don’t already know the book, pretend I drew it myself.

Batman: Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean

I grew up with Batman. Not literally, I wasn’t one of his wards or anything. As a kid I feasted on the TV show and Neal Adams comics. So when Batman became The Dark Knight it blew my mind. It felt like the character was growing up, just as I was. Of all the greats of that period Arkham Asylum probably made the biggest impression. I’d never seen a cape-wearing character through such as twisted lens. There was so much…texture. Morrison and McKean’s vision of the Joker was tattooed onto the back of my brain. The lettering (by Gaspar Saladino) was unique. I found myself relating to the characters in a way I hadn’t before. A bit worrying given most of the cast are crazed inmates but there you go. It’s been a while since I’ve read it so what better way to descend into madness on a desert island than this.

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

Speaking of descents into madness, the infinitely re-readable From Hell would be my Moore book of choice. I’ve been fascinated by the Ripper story since childhood and I recall having nightmares after watching the late 80s TV series starring Michael Caine, but that was probably down to the performances. Lewis Collins as George Godley! Anyway our beloved medium is the perfect place for exploring and dissecting the myth and Moore and Campbell do just that. I love Campbell’s scritchy artwork, so wonderfully evocative of the period, and Moore’s words ‘with their layers of significance’, to quote William Gull on his psychogeographical tour of London. Perhaps after years of living on the island I too might give tours of its mystical hotspots. Witness the sacred palm tree! Behold the cursed coconut! Maybe not.

The Complete Peanuts by Charles Schulz

Not quite sure how I would take Schulz’s entire 50 year run, over 18000 strips worth, especially since Fantagraphics won’t be done publishing the collected volumes till 2016. But I’d happily settle for one or two of the early volumes featuring the trials and tribulations of Charlie Brown and chums. Apparently Schulz didn’t miss a single strip throughout its half century lifespan, except for his 75th birthday in 1997, the only time repeats of the strip were used while Schulz was still alive. Sparky, we salute you. If I can manage a tenth of his productivity on the island then I’ll die a happy man. Alone, but happy.

Domu: The Dreams of Children by Katsuhiro Otomo

Akira is one of my all-time faves. I once made my poor mother watch the film adaptation on glorious VHS and I don’t think she recovered. But before this came Domu, a far shorter but no less gripping yarn. It was the first comic to win best sci-fi story in Japan’s SF Grand Prix in 1983. Set in a high-rise building it follows a psychic battle between an old man and a twelve year old girl. A bit like Home Alone meets The Matrix. It features some stunning urban architecture, most of which gets destroyed in the wave after wave of beautifully rendered kinetic blasts. The scene where the old man takes control of a resident holding a scalpel is truly terrifying and will continue to give me nightmares whether on or off the island. So probably not such a sensible choice then.

Acme Novelty Library #20: Lint by Chris Ware

It’s a shame I’ve yet to read Building Stories as its contents would provide enough sturdy material to build a sizeable shelter. Instead I’ll opt for Lint, volume 20 in Ware’s ever expanding Acme Novelty Library series. The story charts the complete life of the character Jordan Lint, from birth to death, with all the trauma and suffering that goes in between, but with enough smatterings of joy to make the journey worthwhile. Well, almost. The book begins with primitive shapes and bold colours, reflective of the first few moments, months and years of Lint’s life, then increases in complexity as he matures and grows, skipping years between pages and sometimes even panels. What I truly admire about Lint is that the character appears in previous Acme volumes, in a supporting role as the school bully, and this volume manages to flesh him out into someone totally believable, revealing how a harmless boy can become such an antagonistic young man.

2001: A Space Odyssey by Jack Kirby

Not the movie adaptation (also by Kirby) but the ‘continuing adventures of’, featuring a primitive warrior called Beast-Killer, a cosmonaut called Woodrow Decker and a letters page called Monolith Mail. ‘Nuff said.

ink+PAPER by David O’Connell

Finally, I’d like to take one of our wonderful UK anthologies to remind me of all the top talent flying the sequential flag back home. I think it would have to be David O’Connell’s brilliant ink+PAPER, either a subscription style delivery of each issue (probably not allowed?) or failing that the latest issue before I set sail. David always manages to include a rich mix of contributors, many of whom are new to the scene, but each with a distinct voice and an intriguing tale to tell. As a bonus it also offers a selection of articles and features, interviews and even recipes. So it would make up for not having the internet.

My luxury item would have to be tea (a lifetime supply if poss). Not only is it sustaining and comforting but it also doubles up as my background texture of choice, as I use it for most of my work instead of ink washes or watercolour. You can drink it AND draw with it. The only challenge will be getting it to a suitably hot temperature…