Small Press Comics for Children

Hannah Sackett introduces some of the people behind the self-published comics and zines flourishing at the moment.

July 9th marked the launch of Small Press Day in the UK. ‘Small press’ is a term generally used to describe comics and zines which are self-published or micro-published by individuals or groups of writers and artists. Self-publishing in the world of comics is seen as a way of taking control of the creative process and gives creators the opportunity to explore art styles, storytelling and print processes that may not be evident or practical in mainstream publishing.

Comics for children and for all ages audiences are among the large number of small press comics created every year. I talked to a couple of artists who publish their own small press comics about their reasons behind taking this route to publication.

Jess Bradley who creates Squid Bits for the Phoenix Comic chooses to produce her own comics as well as working with commercial publishers. Jess’s weird and loveable cartoon characters, as well as her puns and visual gags, have appeal across a wide age range. Talking about her continuing involvement with small press, she told me: ‘I love self-publishing because you can literally do whatever you want. It’s easy to turn an idea into a comic and print it within a matter of days (depending on how fast you work!) and then you have books you can sell. It’s very satisfying to try out different paper for the interiors and covers to get the kind of book you want and even more satisfying to sell them at comic conventions. I just love being able to have my own book collection without having to go through publishers. I have a lot of friends who self-publish too and who are always up for swapping their own comics too!’

Neil Slorance is an artist who has had great success in his small press venture with writer Colin Bell. Their comic Dungeon Fun featuring a human raised by trolls and her sword which is haunted by the ghost of a knight, won Best Comic, Best Writer, Best Artist, Best Cover at the Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance Awards 2014. This is a real all-ages comic, with something for children and grown-ups on every page. The references to computer games and fantasy worlds, the reader’s emotional engagement with our heroes on their quest, along with Slorance’s ever-charming artwork make this comic a must-read. Asked about the decision to self-publish the comic rather than looking for a publisher, Slorance said: ‘I’ve always wanted to make my own comics and with how easy it is to get your own books printed and selling online self-publishing seemed like a great option. I also really love all the small press stuff that’s been coming out since I started. When I’m reading a small press book It’s hard not to feel a bit closer to the artist knowing they’ve produced the book themselves and self-published it.’

So where to start in finding your way into the world of small press comics for children and all ages? I talked to small press champion Andy Oliver of Broken Frontier about his favourite titles for this audience and about why he values this form of publication. Oliver said: ‘Over the last few years the growth of the UK small press comics scene – in terms of both output and creativity – has been phenomenal in its scope. The work being produced is innovative and inspirational and, perhaps most importantly, it’s proving to be accessible to a whole new non-traditional comics audience who are discovering the communicative power of the medium for the very first time. Small Press Day exists to celebrate that movement, to spotlight the exciting new voices working within it, and to showcase the profound sense of democracy that micro and self-publishing embodies.’

I asked Andy to name some of his favourite small press comics for children and all ages audiences. Here is his list, along with snippets of his reviews from the Broken Frontier website.

Maleficium by EdieOP (Avery Hill Publishing, 2014)

Maleficium is the story Huxley Leighton-Lomax a young, would-be wizard who encounters a dangerous, dark force lurking in his home. Are Huxley’s limited magical powers equal to the threat? ‘There are definite echoes of Sendak here’ says Oliver, ‘That same feeling of childhood discovery, of the revelation of the magical in the mundane, and a similar sense of the dreaming world breaking into our reality.’

Ghost Cat by Craig Conlan

One of a series of books featuring Ghost Cat, the book Ghost Cat’s Pedigree Chums features teenager Petra X, who lives in a Pet Cemetery and encounters Ghost Cat and friends. This book was shortlisted for the BCA Young People’s Comic Award 2014/15. Oliver’s opinion? ‘[Conlan’s] cartooning is simply gorgeous in presentation – both delightful and ghoulish in equal measure – but it’s his exquisite use of colour that adds an entire extra atmospheric layer to the proceedings.’

Cindy and Biscuit: We Love trouble by Dan White

This volume tells the story of Cindy and her dog Biscuit, and their troubles with alien zookeepers, robot graveyards and screaming skulls. Oliver is taken with the nuances of White’s cartooning: ‘A look of sulkiness, or delight, on Cindy’s face speaking volumes about her childlike perception of her environment; a look of fear or anger on Biscuit’s propelling the story forward with comic ease.’

The Beginner’s Guide to Being Outside by Gill Hatcher (Avery Hill Publishing)

Here’s another book published by small press publishers Avery Hill, and another nominee for the BCA awards. The Beginner’s Guide to Being Outside tells the tale of Megan, a teenager from Manchester forced to spend her holidays in the Scottish Highlands. The carefully observed artwork in this volume makes me want to leave my computer and go and explore the world outside. Oliver describes how, as Megan’s realisation of the ‘splendour of the highlands grows… the reader too is pulled further into the majesty of the scenery and animal life that Hatcher so stunningly recreates.’

Long Lost Lempi by Adam Vian

The Long Lost Lempi comics chart the adventures of Lempi and her friends Ermin and Melisse, as they explore fantasy worlds including a ghostly pirate ship and a submarine circus! The black and white artwork in these comics is gorgeous to look at. Oliver says: ‘There’s a sense of motion, a feeling of energy, to Long Lost Lempi that is highly engaging. It’s those distinctive yet expressive character designs that provide the book with its own eccentric identity, though, and ensure the readership’s affinity with these three childlike souls.’

Another small press comic being championed by Andy Oliver is Njálla by Rozi Hathaway

This Kickstarter-funded comic is based on Sámi myths and legends. It centres on Lieđđi and her friend, a baby reindeer called Unni, and their encounter with the Arctic fox-spirit Njálla. The artwork in this comic is stunning – it’s definitely on my wish list!

Further recommendations were given to me by Stephen Holland of comic shop Page 45:

Small Tales and Fairy Fails by Paul Duffield. St Colin and the Dragon by Philippa Rice. Mulp by Matt Gibbs & Sara Dunkerton.

Night Post by Ben Read & Laura Trinder.

The Red Shoes by Metaphrog So where can you get your hands on copies of these comics? Generally, they are available direct from the creator’s or small press publisher’s online store. However, buying from small online stores can be tricky for schools and libraries which have certain requirements for invoices and payment methods. Here’s where independent comic shops come to the rescue.

Shops such as Page 45 Gosh! Comics, Orbital Comics and Travelling Man stock small press comics. Some stores offer advice to schools and libraries and can help you choose the right comics for the age and interests of your audience.

Page 45 are involved in supplying and working with libraries and schools. They also have an excellent list of comics for children and teenagers The ever-widening range of children’s comics, both in small press and mainstream publishing, means that children now have the opportunity to explore different art styles, different genres and different forms of storytelling within the world of comics and find the artists and writers who speak to them.

Hannah Sackett works part-time as school librarian at Widcombe Junior School, Bath, where she runs an after school comic club. She also works as a freelance educator.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Jess Bradley, Neil Slorance, Andy Oliver and Stephen Holland for their views and recommendations.