Panel Borders: Habibi Blankets and Children's Books

Here's some information on both upcoming and recent Panel Borders radio shows, broadcast on Resonabce FM and online.

Concluding the show's month of looking at biography and autobiography in comics, Alex Fitch talks to the multiple award winning (and Grammy nominated) cartoonist Craig Thompson about his epic new graphic novel Habibi (My beloved). 

Alex and Craig discuss the 672 page book's reworking of themes from One Thousand and One Nights, mixing in modern concerns about gender politics and pollution in the Middle East and how his previous autobiographical works Blankets and Carnet de Voyage, with their themes of sexual awakening, religion and travelogue, led to his latest work.

 Panel Borders: Habibi Blankets airs at 8.00pm on Sunday 29th January on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after boradcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

In an hour long show about children's book illustration, Alex Fitch talks to three generations of illustrators: David McKee, creator of Mr Benn, King Rollo and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant; Dave McKean, artist of of young adult books by David Almond, graphic novels and picture books by Neil Gaiman and Richard Dawkins' first science book for children The Magic of Reality; and Jim Kay, illustrator of Patrick Ness' A Monster Calls and Toby Forward's Flaxfield Quartet of novels about dragons.

The show also includes an extract from Dave McKean's presentation of his work from The Magic of Reality at the book launch in Foyles, September 2011.

 

Book List: Children's book illustration airs at 8.00pm on Tuesday 31st January on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after boradcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Recent podcasts include Dotter of Her Father's Eyes in which guest presenter Nicola Streeten interviews Bryan and Mary Talbot about their forthcoming graphic novel, which contrasts two coming of age narratives: Lucia, daughter of James Joyce, and author Mary Talbot, daughter of the Joycean scholar James S Atherton. 

Dotter of Her Father's Eyes is at http://panelborders.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/panel-borders-dotter-of-her-fathers-eyes

Comica Conversation: Craig Thompson and Marcel Theroux

Graphic novelist Craig Thompson.
Image via Paul Gravett

The first Comica Conversation of the year takes place in London next week: a chance to meet and chat with Craig Thompson, hailed for his graphic novels Blankets and Habibi, and novelist and presenter Marcel Theroux.

American graphic novelist Craig Thompson is in London to promote Habibi, one of the most acclaimed graphic novels of 2011, seven years in the making and published in Britain by Faber & Faber.

Habibi, based on a Middle Eastern fable, tells the story of Dodola, who escapes being sold into slavery and rescues an abandoned baby she names Zam. They live in isolation in an old boat in the desert. As they age their relationship shifts from mother and son, to brother and sister and eventually lovers. In the meantime however Dodola is forced to prostitute herself to desert traders in order to provide for Zam. When he seeks an alternative means of income Dodola is captured by the Sultan and Zam is forced into a quest to try and rescue her.

At heart Habibi is, like Thompson's Blankets, a profound love story, but it also functions as a parable about the environment and the state of the world. Set in the place where Christianity and Islam began, it explores the fundamental connection between these religions, and also the relationship between the first and the third world and the increasingly important battle for the earth's resources.

Craig has kindly agreed to do one ‘live’ speaking engagement for Comica Festival. For this UK exclusive event, Craig will give his illustrated talk and presentation about the ‘making of’ this remarkable book, giving rare insights into his research and process.

After this, Craig will give an in-depth interview about Habibi and his other graphic novels, including the much-loved autobiographical story Blankets, to Marcel Theroux, the novelist and broadcaster who reviewed Habibi on BBC2’s The Review Show.

The evening concludes with a Q&A session with the audience followed by a book signing and sketching session, organised in association with Gosh! Comics.

And if you need further incentive to get along: Faber & Faber have generously given the event organisers a copy of Habibi and Craig Thompson will pick out one ticket holder on the night to win it.


• Comica Conversation: Monday, 23rd January, from 7.00pm in London at the St Albans
Centre, near Holborn/Chancery Lane.
Full details and how to book are online here:http://www.comicafestival.com/index.php/site/news/craig_thompson_talks/