My Dad Fights Demons Review: Bobby Joseph's Multiverse of Madness and Meaning
How about the best excuse, in fact probably one of very few excusable ones, for an absent fathers ten year hiatus that plays even sillier than its cover alludes while delivering second to none UK slang education in boisterously beautiful art? Bobby Joseph and Abbigayle Bircham have created My Dad Fights Demons, and it represents and amuses at titanous levels.
Bobby Joseph is the fifth comics laureate of the UK, and its first of Indian origin, and an acclaimed South London comic creator. His previous graphic novel, Scotland Yardie, holds the esteem of being the first diverse graphic novel to be studied as a module for an English Literature MA course. Scotland Yardie was born of his other famous creation, the 90s satire heavy comic Skank Magazine. Bobby is a long-standing advocate for diversity and representation. Alongside his work as Comics Laureate, he continues to champion noble causes. The man himself was kind enough to spare some time to let us get to know him better in an interview, which you can read here.
Abbigayle Bircham is a Norwich-based comic artist from North London. She is a Rat Pack Collective member with three contributions to successfully crowdfunded comic anthologies and was a participant in the LICAF Breakthrough Initiative program. Her other works include Granalogue and Camp Faraway, the ongoing series. Illustrious talent introduced it's review time.
So, let's start with the art. Abbigayle Bircham presents really intense, vibrant, cartoonish art that is absolutely brimming with clever stylistic quirks and homages (black and white manga fight sequences, I'm talking to you). This is attention throttling into submission art in the best way possible. Alongside expertly crafted characters, powerfully emoted, there's some truly inspired lettering in the SFX department. Coupled with bold colours Abbigayles' art punches on all fronts with a "zaney" quality that injects a beautiful dollop of fun to all proceedings. The art is very busy with details, but never in a way that's difficult to read, just in a always holding your attention fashion. Back to references, I'm going on the record for calling a deliberate blue colouring to the chicken being eaten as a call back or shared universe signal for Scotland Yardie, preceded by a missing in action poster for a more on the nose reference.
As a mention towards the obviously inspired pairing of these two creators, the "extra plait filter" retcon is bloody clever and applause is needed for it. That is attention to detail while embracing our human side. Speaking of details, the copyright safely named The Many Universes of Mantriks reveal with the multiple monitors holds so many lovely visual easter nuggets. Overall, Abbigayle creates bold, boisterous, bountiful, beautiful art. Art accolades administered, we'll look at the story.
Bobby Joseph with My Dad Fights Demons has created a bonkers tale of parent and child reconciliation dressed in multi-dimensional wizarding exploits with a gobby by name and attitude chauffeur/sidekick/familiar. There's silliness of the highest order to entertain, coupled with vital representation and an authentic voice that will be powerful to young audiences. Bobby does an incredible job of channelling his inner teenage/tweenage voice and, no doubt paired with his teaching experience, pulls relevant slang into the dialogue in a way that is engaging and true to its characters.
Alongside this, I think Bobby's writing has a touch of magic, the same way writers like Alan Moore do. It's an expansion of the use of language that they share, giving readers a cultural boost to vocabulary. Bobby's unique gift is driving this thoroughly modern aspect in this mindset-shifting gift of new ways to describe things. The beautifully creative "Gobby's guide to UK slang" being a prime example of this talent.
This is the most authentic young adult book I've read in a long time. Possibly ever. It is truly for its audience. What makes this a pleasure to read for all age groups is the humour on offer, the push against influencers and vaping culture, with close to the knuckle scathing commentary and satire of pop culture, always hits the funny bone. This comic feels like a very special universal book. One that is very much for everyone without pandering, while also being idealistically unique in offering a particular voice and targeted representation. These are lovable characters in an engaging adventure that would be wonderful to see continued.
Interrupting italic in incrementally idiotic alliteration. Please purchase the book. You deserve a giggle, and the creators deserve the reward. While your sides are splitting and you've discovered a gift for that "difficult to buy gifts for" aged child in your family, you can thank us by sharing the site, or if you're feeling really generous, our Ko-fi below. Cheers Darl.
For fans of comics, humour, adventure, magic, UK slang, attempts to reconcile strenuous absentee parental obligation while searching for magical spells that potently enforce a penchant for feet, rude goblins, Cerebus, Blue chicken, influencers and pop culture lampooning in art that makes you smile as much as the jokes will, schedule some quality time with My Dad Fights Demons.
To get your copy and one for a family member, probably tweenager+, after all, it's nearly that time of year. Head to the publisher's website, SelfMadeHero. You'll also be able to get handy social links there. Alternatively, you could order a special edition from Gosh or a standard edition from OK Comics, all excellent establishments.
Review: 5/5 for the giggles and representation.
