Dave talks to Francesca Cassavetti

Hello Francesca! Hello - hope you're well! We've met on a number of fun-filled occasions in the last few months, and I've devoured your entire comics oeuvre, but how would you introduce yourself and your work to someone at NoBarCodes next Saturday in Camden Lock Market who has never heard of you before?

I grew up in France avidly reading Tintin, Asterix, Spirou, Pilote etc.. so my influences are mostly European ( although New Yorker magazines and Posy Simmonds are somewhere in the mix ). My comics are mostly based around my experiences. Coming across Robert Crumb's, and L'Association's, output made me realise that autobiography could be a viable form and that other people's lives can touch a chord even if they are not identical to our own (Satrapi, Pekar, Sacco, the list is endless).

My opus about childbirth seems to speak to people, and my latest, Party Pieces dealt with the punk ethic among other stuff.

You've hung out at the Camden stall a good bit - how has that been for you?

Once I'd got over my shyness, I found the lads at LUC in equal measure entertaining, inspiring, alcoholic and quite sweet except when they squabble. Being part of their gang makes me very happy. They have even asked me to be their mum. But I draw the line at washing their socks.

What are you looking forward to most next Saturday?

Showing off a new mini comic – if I can get it done in time.

Anything you're dreading?

Not finishing in time.

Does it annoy you when people mis-spell your name? In a world without law how would you punish such people?

Yes, but I understand that not everyone is as incredibly literate as me. They should all study Latin and stop rotting their brains reading comics.

Is your surname Italian? Do you speak Italian? If so, could you answer the next question in Italian?

No, it's Greek. A little. I can answer it in French.

And finally - any message for the people out there, reading this, wishing that they too were a young, cool and sexy comics creator?

Venez nombreux a notre mini festival de BD a Camden Market, NO BARCODES, Samedi 31 Mai et soyez inspires par notre mouvement revolutionaire.

Thank you very much, Francesca Cassavetti !



STUFF AT THE BOTTOM

No Bar Codes is a one day indie comics event taking place at Camden Lock Market this Saturday. Click here for more info.

Francesca Cassavetti can be found online at www.fabtoons.com and No Bar Codes next week. Make sure you say hi and ask her if she got the new mini out in time. (Fingers crossed it's not sold out by the time you get there!)

David Baillie is over at www.davidbaillie.net and the awesome new hardback edition of his fantasy adventure Tongue of the Dead debuts at No Bar Codes. Click here for an exclusive discount voucher redeemable on the day

Dave talks to Andy Luke

Hey Andy, hope you're well! I've been a member of the Andy Luke fanclub for some time now, but how would you introduce yourself and your work to someone at NoBarCodes next Saturday in Camden Lock Market who has never heard of you before?

Um hi I'm Andy Luke..oh yeah I've SEEN your stuff...I like that thing YOU did..now, which was, [______Incomplete title_______], [favourite sequence], that reminds me of the work of....oh well their stuffs great you should check it out....sorry I'm really tired...been writing for (3 x Namedrop Sounds Impressive)...i have this...oh..oh...ok......alright..um...Oli Smith says he makes love to this comic...Yeah, really. That'll be a pound thanks.

Its like this. Teenage robot dinosaurs enjoy cigarettes. They like beer and brandy, and listening to Hendrix during their McJobs. I've been chronicling these events in comics ten years. Highlighting union problems, and contented issues. I want to ensure that someday, those teenager's needs will be fully represented. And I will never EVER give up.

You've been one of the star turns at the London Underground Comics stall for the last few months - how has that been for you?

It’s refreshing to get a sense of reciprocation for all the hours I put in, and a room of 100 comics creators I don't get that. LUC are one of the true musical band sensations in comics. A supportive group with a REAL ! bond. Dealing to the public OUR own gear is what I was promised when Stan Lee forced adoption of his soul on us all those years ago. We're starting our own revelations and we're cutting out the middle man!

What are you looking forward to most next Saturday?

I'm really excited about new works by Oli Smith and Ralph Kidson, as well as Merlin, Azzopardi and Hickman to name a few. The fabulous networking opportunities too. I've got a real sense that what happens next week will show that LUC, while genius, is only a starter key to something much much bigger…

Anything you're dreading?

Sensory reprogramming of a comics festival with air ? Trading in the buzz of multi-aesthetic Camden, living it honest without remit for delusion ? No, not really. The sex is going to be great.

And finally - any message for the people out there, reading this, wishing that they too were a young, cool and sexy comics creator?

Just Do It !

Thank you very much, The Andy Luke!



STUFF AT THE BOTTOM

No Bar Codes is a one day indie comics event taking place at Camden Lock Market this Saturday. Click here for more info.

Andy Luke is Andy Luke and that's all that needs to be said. You should click here.

David Baillie is over at www.davidbaillie.net and the awesome new hardback edition of his fantasy adventure Tongue of the Dead debuts at No Bar Codes. Click here for an exclusive discount voucher redeemable on the day.

Dave talks to Dan Lester

Hi Dan, hope you're well! I know you. Everyone I know, knows you. But maybe some people out there don't. How would you introduce yourself and your work to someone at NoBarCodes next Saturday in Camden Lock Market who has never heard of you before?

Monkeys Might Puke! (which a certain Mr David Baillie described as a 'must-read') is a collection of short humor strips and gags- basically whatever I find funny.
And as I refuse to censor myself each issue generally contains something offensive or disturbing. And sometimes strangely erotic.

You've been called the sickest man in comics - is this down to your poor health or what you write about in your comics? And how do you respond to such accusations?

I'd say it's a mixture of both-I have been sneezing a lot recently. And I respond to these accusations by melting the accuser's ankles off with my corrosive vomit, much in the same way that Jeff Goldblum did to John Getz at the end of The Fly.

What are you looking forward to most next Saturday?

Goat curry.


What would be the worst thing imaginable that could happen next weekend?

If the goat curry stall is closed.

And finally - any message for the people out there, reading this, wishing that they too were a young, cool and slightly sinister comics creator?

Touch my balls!

Thank you very much, Sleazy Dan Lester!

STUFF AT THE BOTTOM

No Bar Codes is a one day indie comics event taking place at Camden Lock Market this Saturday. Click here for more info.

Dan Lester really is the sickest man in comics. He can be found at www.monkeysmightpuke.com and No Bar Codes next week. He's been creating a 24 hour comic every month since last November, and each one is a little piece of heaven.

David Baillie is over at www.davidbaillie.net and the awesome new hardback edition of his fantasy adventure Tongue of the Dead debuts at No Bar Codes. Click here for an exclusive discount voucher redeemable on the day.