Dwarfs, slaves, superstitious gospel-mongering priests, maimed circus freaks and extremely violent gunslingers are sprinkled with a touch of Zen buddhism, Christian mythology, black magic and Eastern philosophies. The movie El…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
From Germany to Belgium, we take a look at two recent releases, by up-and-coming alt talent Jan Soeken and Judith Vanistendael, who already has two books released in English. Friends…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
I’m a bit short on time this week so no full column, but here are some interesting news items concerning the world of European comics. I’m also on Twitter, where…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Belgian writer Zidrou’s flair for depicting the flaws in humanity is ever-present in his medieval fairy tales Bouffon (The Jester) and Les Trois Fruits (The Three Fruits). Coupled with two magnificent Spanish artists,…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
The genius of Philippe Druillet finally penetrates the English-language market courtesy of UK publisher Titan comics. Druillet makes comics torn from the heart of the universe. Created in 1966 by…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
The idea is so simple that I just slapped my face in recognition of its genius once I read David Ratte’s Le Voyage des pères (The Pilgrimage of the Fathers)…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Milan Hulsing is Holland’s best kept creative secret. He is an industrial and innovative creator who approaches each project from a unique perspective. His last graphic novel was an adaptation…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Leading a life of self-imposed exile on the abandoned campsite Camping Paraiso, in the icy northern wastes of Canada, Dylan’s life is shaken up when he receives an unexpected visitor in the…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Legendary French artist Jacques Tardi’s obsession with World War I is drenched in the blood and horror that is visited upon the common soldier. In Putain de Guerre! (‘Fucking War!’), he…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Elevating the ego in ‘egomaniac’ to a whole new level, Arnon – the main character of Mijn Begrafenis (My Funeral) — is a womanising pathological liar who looks back on…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Ranked fifth in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Robert Johnson’s life is cloaked within the mists of time and myth. This legendary guitarist of…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Centrala, founded in Poland but now based in the UK, has a keen eye for iconoclastic projects like Blacky: Four of Us, previously spotlighted in Andy Oliver’s Small Pressganged. All…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Back from its annual summer break, Crossing Borders immediately tackles one of the bigger releases in Europe in recent months. It’s been a while since we last saw Gianni Pacinotti –…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
In her haunting graphic memoir Together Apart (Wij Tree Samen), Belgian artist Ephameron creates an emotional record of her father’s struggle with progressive aphasia and how it affects his environment. My father is special His…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
I have previously documented Dutch publisher STRIP2000’s experiments with non-humour comics, and to that purpose they now have created the Gorilla imprint, dedicated to more serious comics work. Most of them are seemingly…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
In a unique collaboration between a Spanish writer, Mark Bellido, and a Belgian artist, Waute Mannaert, El Mesías brings together both sides of the political coin, in the shape of a communist mayor…
Bries is a Belgian publishing house that focuses on the creative aspect of comic books. It was founded in 1999 by Ria Schulpen and is currently still going strong under…
Columns · Crossing Borders · Eyecatcher
Bries is a Belgian publishing house that focuses on the creative aspect of comic books. It was founded in 1999 by Ria Schulpen and is currently still going strong under…
Inside Look: Ruin of the House of the Divine Visage – Eve and Spire Greenwood on Their Graphic Novel Exploring Religion and Queer IdentityJune 6, 2025
“Welcome to Foodtopia: Where the Crumbs Matter” – The ‘Aw, Nuts!’ Team Spills All on Puns, Peanut Butter, and Building a Delicious UniverseJune 6, 2025
“We Have Been Feeling the Pressure Like Never Before” – The Worrying Disappearance of Comics Commentary and Journalism Sites from a Broken Frontier/UK Small Press PerspectiveMay 19, 2025
“A Time Travel Story through Rave Culture” – Sara Kenney and Company on ‘Acid Box’, Working with Avery Hill, and Mentoring Young CreatorsMay 16, 2025
“A Single Panel Can Depict a Multitude of Narratives” – Chris King Talks ‘Cold Chips’, Psychogeography in Comics, and Cross-Media PracticeMay 7, 2025
