Join us on Monday 2nd September from 6.30 on for an interview with Lindsay Pollock, scriptwriter and artist on a new graphic novel, co-authored with Benjamin Dix of Positives Negatives, on whose experiences and research it is based, about families caught up in the Sri Lankan civil war. As Pipedream Comics says in an early review: ‘While the Sri Lankan civil war may not be a conflict on everyone’s radar Vanni is the kind of graphic novel which brings attention to it in a very accessible and impactful way. It is more than just a book about Sri Lanka, it’s about the horrors and futility of war in the modern age, and the devastating effect that is has on a native population. This could be applied to any modern conflict and is a reminder that even in a civilised world we are still a barbaric species, capable of horrific things. But also [a reminder] of surviving those atrocities, stronger and wiser for it. A thought-provoking and beautifully told story, this is an extraordinary piece of work that deserves the utmost praisel.’
Lindsay Pollock will be interviewed by Alex Fitch at approx 7.30pm. The venue is The Southern Belle, 4 Waterloo St, Hove, where we'll be from 6.30pm. Open to all, it's sure to be a fascinating evening.

Our next Cartoon County meeting is at The Southern Belle, 4, Waterloo St, Hove, on March 4th, with a start at 6.30 and official chat for podcast with Alex, at 7-7.30.
Our excellent guest will be Ian Williams, cartoonist and founder of the Graphic Medicine website and annual conference. His second graphic novel, The Lady Doctor, has recently been published by Myriad Editions, and he'll be talking about this follow-up to the acclaimed The Bad Doctor, and detailing his plans on bringing back the Graphic Medicine conference to Brighton this summer. See you there!

Also, a call out for graphic novels to replenish the collection in West Sussex libraries.
Southwick Library’s entire graphic novel collection was stolen over Xmas. @prof_elemental is asking for donations of new/good condition graphic novels. If people can bring in to the meeting any unwanted graphic novels less than 3 years old, then Simon Russell is happy to collect and deliver to the good Prof.
Follow this link for more information.

Bob Bond will be our guest on Monday 17 December at the Southern Belle, Waterloo Street, Brighton. Bob has been a cartoonist for over fifty years, working mainly in sports comics, illustrating humorous football and cricket strips for Fleetway and DC Thomson. He has drawn the comic book histories of Arsenal, United and Liverpool football clubs, a graphic novel about the 1966 world cup and most recently his diary Both Legs Down One Knicker: The Confessions of a Sports Cartoonist. As well as working on his own comics, Bob also found himself to be the father of another cartoonist - Phillip Bond - whose style evolved in a similar fashion to his own. More info at: https://footballershappen.com Join us at 6.30 for 7pm chat with Alex Fitch – and the odd mince pie.

Our guest on Monday 29th October is London Laydeez Do Comics host turned guest: the wonderful graphic novelist Rachael Ball, who will be talking about and showing art from her beautiful new book Wolf, just published by SelfMade Hero. ‘A young boy finds his life turned upside down by a tragic accident. Desperate to return to happier days, six-year-old Hugo draws up plans for a time machine. But only his neighbour - a child-eating recluse, according to the boy next door - has the parts Hugo needs to complete the contraption. Illustrated in evocative, intimate pencils, Wolf is a captivating and poignant exploration of family, grief and that blend of the everyday and the fantastical that is childhood.’ Join us at The Southern Belle, 4, Waterloo St, Hove, at the usual time of 6.30, with chat from 7-7.30. We'll be in the back room! Alex Fitch will be in the interviewing chair, and will be recording for Panel Borders on Resonance FM.

Join us on Monday 30 April for the excellent Robert Wells as our guest speaker in a chat recorded for podcast, as usual, by the equally excellent Alex Fitch! Robert's impressive works include the graphic novel Back, Sack & Crack (& Brain), published by Little Brown, which is a humorous and unflinching look at the author's various medical problems and the inabilities of doctors to find the right kind of treatment for him! An extract from the novel was shortlisted for Myriad's First Graphic Novel Competition back in 2014. Robert has also been involved in the small press for over 20 years, with such titles as Crisp Biscuit and Colin Comix under his belt. He continues to collaborate with self-published creators, and recently contributed a back-up strip to the most recent issue of Paul Rainey's title, Thunder Brother.
We'll be in the back room of The Southern Belle, 4, Waterloo St, Hove, at the usual time of 6.30, with chat from 7-7.30. Do not miss it! It is essential!

And here's further news of how you can help to contribute to crowd funding for the anthology Drawing the Line, which Myfanwy Nixon has been the founder, organiser and inspiration. This will be the print version of the online project that saw 100+ comic artists depicting positive political actions that anyone can take. The Drawing the Line crew are working in partnership with Unbound, so the end result will be some really beautiful hardback first editions; more details here: https://unbound.com/books/draw-the-line/

Lots and lots of brilliant cartoonists are involved, many of them Cartoon County regulars - you can see them all listed at https://drawthelinecomics.com/credits-links-and-thanks/

100% of the creator profits will go to the charity helprefugees.org and there's some further background at https://myfanwytristram.com/2018/04/27/get-your-hands-on-the-draw-the-line-book/