It’s the spiritual home of comics in the UK and now a new project is hoping to give the next generation of Mark Millars and Jack Kirbys a chance to learn from the masters.
Dundee Comics Creative Space's (DCCS) after-school Comics Club will help aspiring artists and writers who dream of creating the next Desperate Dan or Dennis the Menace hone their skills when it launches on March 1.
Legendary artist Dave Gibbons, patron of DCCS, said the workshops, which are free and open to all, will be a dream come true for those hoping for a career in comics.
Mr Gibbons, who is co-creator of Watchmen and has also drawn for Doctor Who, the Hotspur and Green Lantern, said: “Speaking as someone who loved comics from the age of seven I’d have thought I had died and gone to heaven if I could have gone to something like this Comics Club.
“Dundee is the spiritual home of comics in the UK and I think this will encourage the next generation of artists.
“When I was at school there was a huge resistance to comics but now it’s like pushing on a door that’s not locked.
"I think for children particularly who have been put off reading comics can be used to sweeten the pill.
“It's encouraging a love for comics among children. I think it will be very positive and it will encourage creativity.”
The city is very close to Mr Gibbons' heart as it’s where his father grew up and entered the world of comics.
The comic laureate added: “I have a huge love for this particular city. My father lived there when he was a boy and he was encouraged by a DC Thompson artist to draw and it was my father who encouraged me. I also did a lot of my early work for DC Thompson.”
The free workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays will give 10 to 17-year-olds the chance to work on projects and their own creations with in-house comic experts. The first block of workshops will see youngsters work towards the publication and exhibition of the comics they have created.
DCCS, a project developed by the University of Dundee in collaboration with The Rank Foundation and the Dundee Place Partnership Scheme, aims to encourage creative learning through comics.
Damon Herd, DCCS coordinator, said, “Comics can be about anything – space battles, superheroes, fantasy, even journalism and true life stories. We welcome all styles of comics here at DCCS.
“Watchmen co-creator and DCCS patron Dave Gibbons has talked about the value of what we are doing here. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to work in comics and wished he’d had access to people who knew how to create them and were happy to share their knowledge with him. That’s what we are trying to create at DCCS – somewhere that young people can be inspired and helped to follow their passion and realise their talent.”
Art Director Phillip Vaughan added, “We have a really exciting team of facilitators working in the space and they are keen to start working with young comics creators in the community, and to welcome anyone with an interest in comics.”
For more information visit Dundee Comics Creative Space’s website.
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