Friday 21 December 2007

London Loves Comics Recommends...

...The Sound of Drowning.

I have the fine folk at GOSH! comics in London to thank for The Sound of Drowning. They have this habit of slipping obscure indie titles on the shelves right in amongst the spandex mainstream. An admirable idea that tempts lazy superhero fans like me to broaden our horizons every now and again.

So it was that some time last year I happened upon a strange little British comic sitting next to Ultimate Spider-man. The Sound of Drowning couldn't be more different than those glossy American floppies, it's smaller, uses thicker paper and looks and smells like it's been put together on an old black and white photocopier in someone's shed.

It's an anarchic, dark and often tasteless little pamphlet full of nightmarish collages and oddly phrased stories, but it's also funny, arty and pretty poetic. The latest issue (number 10) is a homage to the Choose Your Own Adventure books of the 80's. I thought it was the best thing I've read in a long time: Fighting Fantasy as it would have been written by Samuel Beckett.

Perhaps that sounds like bollocks, but don't be put off! This is top quality stuff which wouldn't look out of place in a modern art gallery, but which also works damn well as a comic. I really, really, REALLY loved it and urge anyone who wants something different from their comics to give it a go.

You can get hold of it through the official website HERE or pick up a copy at GOSH! opposite the British museum in London.

If you do visit the website, make sure and have a look at all the strips which have been put online. Them's some great comics folks!

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