Well I am back from the Dendy Canberra and Impact Comics screening of ‘Graphic Novels! Melbourne!’ presented to us by Bruce Mutard. It was a documentary of interviews with a selection of the most well known comic making people of Melbourne by Daniel Hayward and comics maker Bernard Caleo.

It was a fun viewing with interviews of the comic artists Pat Grant (‘Blue’), Mandy Ord (‘Rooftops’, ‘Sensitive Creatures’), Bruce Mutard (‘The Sacrifice’, ‘The Silence’) and Nicki Greenberg (‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Hamlet’). Was nice to see there thoughts on why they make comics (cause it sure ain’t for the money our groupies) and see the shots of the varied methods used to create. Pens, pencils, paints, digital and ink was all on display. I was particularly suprised by the sheer size of Pat Grants originals from his work ‘Blue’ when I’m more used to seeing a trend where artists seem to be drawing smaller and smaller. Each of his originals need to be framed I think.

The star of the show for me was Many Ord who brought lots of humor and smiles from her tales of comic creation… and questionable naming chocies for events.
Bruce also gave some pretty good straight answers to queries about finding writer artist collaborations at the end.

Thanks again to Impact comics and to Bruce Mutard for presenting and answering questions.

Huzzah for another Comic based event in Canberra!

– Gavin THE Thomson.