THE BLOG AT THE CROSSROADS
Pat Mills & Jenny McDade Discuss Comics For Girls
Posted: December 11, 2010

In the UK mainstream female comics (Jackie, Misty, Tammy etc) once outsold male comics by at least a ratio of 2 to 1. Before creating the weekly boys’ comics Battle, Action, 2000AD and Starlord, Pat Mills began his career writing scripts for IPC’s weekly girls comics. Jenny McDade was a writer for much-loved UK weekly girls’ comics of the Seventies. Both writers will be discussing the world of girls’ comics and offering an insight into why female comics dropped off the radar in Britain and the efforts that are being made to bring them back.
These efforts include a talent search by new London-based illustration agency Pickled Ink to find an upcoming student or recent graduate illustrator to work with Jenny McDade on an innovative graphic novel project aimed mainly at a female readership entitled Party Girls, as well as winning £1,000 and representation at Pickled Ink. This week Pat, Jenny and the other judges announced that they have selected the winning artist as Fay Dalton.
Fay Dalton explains about her work: “As an illustrator my objective is simplicity with strengths in a unique perspective, sensitivity to form, line and intrinsic sense of colour. Recently graduating from Portsmouth University with a first class degree in Illustration I am now a London based illustrator. As well as being inspired by a wide range of artists and illustrators like Gerald Scarfe, James Jean and Cindy Sherman, I am also inspired by fashion. I enjoy illustrating current social issues such as celebrity culture and plastic surgery but I also enjoy illustrating for children’s books, and character designs. I often illustrate serious subjects with a lampoon twist, however I approach my subjects with an open mind. Usually I start my sketches in pencil or ink then I transfer into Photoshop for further reworking and colour edition.”
Fay Dalton will be joining Pat Mills and Jenny McDade at this special Comica Festival event. All are welcome, no booking or RSVP required and admission is free. More details…
Where: London Print Studios, 425 Harrow Road, London W10
When: Thursday, 16 December - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
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