Ink and Wine at NIA.

This week we cranked the NIA pod back into place and examined the brilliant first omnibus of Bacchus by Eddie Campbell and Ilya. We take a deep dive on publication history, art, writing, themes and styles on this iconic British series.

Have a listen to myself and Eamonn Clarke from the Mega City Book Club Podcast talk about this playful, fascinating, satirical, mythological, funny, experimental, thought-provoking, and educational comic book series. Sitting with this breeze block sized volume on my lap was one of the best reading experiences I have had for a while. Just look at the line work in that old bastard’s face! Holds out hope for all of us!

This is a character and a story that spread through a number of titles and comics companies. It appeared in it’s own title as well as some legendary anthologies. We also get the art of Ilya in the main series and in the Eyeball Kid spin-off. Have a look for his Substack right here.

A fascinating series with some spectacular use of black and white. It dashes around in a thematic and genre sense but never fails to tick the fascination box! Have a listen and then find yourself a copy. We also talk about the ‘Graphic Novel’ manifesto produced by Campbell around the same time. Was in grumpy? Prophetic? Winkingly sarcastic? All of the above? Or something else? It certainly confirmed a couple of those for me.

Go have a listen to The Mega City Book Club! Eamonn is putting out some gold on British and British connected comic books. He even occasionally dips his beak into some new movie releases with buddy Conrad. He (along with Rob Ellis) even got me to finally read Junker! Link right here.

Many thanks for reading. The NIA podcast can be found here and here and will return in a couple of weeks with a controversial choice. You have been warned.

In Other News!

Thanks so much to The Followers of Rupert Bear for featuring our last episode with chum Alan Henderson on their website. Have a look right here, deep into the land of Nuttwood. A really heart-warming site that remembers Rupert!

See you soon.