An idea which came to a Brighton illustrator while she was out for a run has led to global project joined by famous comic artists around the world coming together to push back against last year’s political upheavals.
Myfanwy Tristram’s brainwave for a series of comic strips depicting positive actions for hard political times came shortly after the election of Donald Trump as US President, just months after the UK had voted to leave the EU.
She initially thought that Draw the Line would feature mostly illustrator friends of hers – but within days, it had snowballed and 130 artists, including some famous names in the world of comics, had signed up.
Myfanwy said: “Like many people, I found the political upheavals of 2016 pretty scary, and I was looking for positive ways to push back.
“When things are looking bleak, it can be hard for people to picture a better world. That’s where comics artists can come to the rescue, showing people how they can make that change happen.”
The line up includes veteran and award-winning artists like Dave McKean (Sandman, Coraline), Steven Appleby (Normal Life, Loomus), Karrie Fransman (The House that Groaned), Lucy Knisley (Relish, Displacement), James Harvey (Masterplasty, Bartkira) and Woodrow Phoenix (Nelson, Rumble Strip). Among the other Brighton artists signed up are Joe Decie Hannah Berry, Jaime Huxtable and Daniel Locke.
Taking inspiration and advice from social, political and environmental movements like Black Lives Matter, the Women’s March and Standing Rock, Draw the Line compiled more than 100 positive political acts. These range from the traditional to the cutting-edge, and the gentle to the radical, but they all share a desire to change the world for the better.
In one image, two women furtively sew labels into clothes in a high street shop, reading Made in Sweatshop Conditions. In another comic, a literal gorilla brightens up his beleaguered street with acts of guerilla gardening. An absurd tabloid cover blares “Six out of ten migrants are secretly squirrels”, highlighting the need to question fake news and check sources.
Comics artist Karrie Fransman said: “Draw the Line is an uplifting demonstration of what a hundred talented comic artists and activists can accomplish with blood, sweat, ink and a belief in justice and equality. We hope these actions will inspire thousands more.”
Renowned cartoonist Steven Appleby said: “Drawings and words together give ideas greater power than either alone. Maybe if humans came together, too, we would all be stronger and happier.”
Organisers intend to publish a book of the comics in 2017, and welcome interest from publishers.
Is it too late to join? I’ve been drawing comic strips for yonks and you can currently find my strips in Match of the Day magazine and Mega.
Cheers!
Paul Cemmick