Book launch and signing of ‘Scott vs Zombies’ at Waterstones Bookstore, Princes Street, Edinburgh 12.30pm to 1.30pm and Waterstones Ocean Terminal 3pm to 4pm, 26th October 2013
WORLD-renowned writer, Alan Grant (2000AD and Batman), and artist, Robin Smith (2000AD and The Bogie Man), have teamed up for the first time in 20 years to work on a comic with Artlink Edinburgh and a young man, Scott, who has autism.
Artlink, the arts and disability organisation based in Edinburgh, wants to communicate with new audiences who may not have any knowledge of autism, about the complexities of one individual’s experiences.
Using bullying as a starting point, the comic’s intention is to give a little creative insight into this often misunderstood world. The comic, ‘Scott vs Zombies’, is the result of this unique meeting of minds.
In the spring of last year, Scott met with Alan Grant.
The story they came up with established Scott and his mother, Liz, as the main characters in a Zombie comic.
In the story, Scott (as in real life) has difficulties understanding who he is in relation to the people around him. He isn’t confident about building relationships with people, and can’t always read them. It is hard for him to fit in.
Alan decided to counter these anxieties by creating a situation in which Scott could take control, using the simple coping mechanisms he has developed, as well as a little help from an evil wizard and some zombies!
Edinburgh City, the Castle, Lothian Road and Princes Street Gardens act as the backdrop to the horrific events that unfold; ordinary people suddenly become zombies, a power struggle ensues and Scott ultimately saves his mother and the whole of Edinburgh city from a dreadful onslaught.
Scott Davidson and Alan Grant will be signing copies of their comic ‘Scott vs Zombies’ on Saturday 26th October from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Waterstones on Princes Street, Edinburgh and from 3pm to 4pm at Waterstones, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh.
An online sale of Robin Smith’s signed drawings of this comic to support Artlink’s work with individuals with autism will open on Artlink’s website, www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk, on the 1st December and will close on the 14th December.
“This comic has been an exciting and confidence building journey for Scott and he just cannot wait to share it with other people, it is good to see him proud of himself’.” Liz Davidson (Scott’s mother)
“Autism Network Scotland is proud to support this fantastic comic which convey key messages, raising awareness of autism in a highly original and valuable way.” Autism Network
Notes for editor
1. For more information on the comic please get in touch with Alison Stirling from Artlink. 0131 229 3555 or alison@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
2. A small exhibition in partnership with Autism Network is planned at DNA, Glasgow from 9th December until 14th December https://www.facebook.com/DNAHUB
3. Comics are available through Artlink, Autism Network, Waterstones and Forbidden Planet and are priced at £1.99.
ISBN 978-0-9551882-4-4
4. Alan Grant. Long-time writer of Judge Dredd and 2000AD in the UK, and is well known in the USA for his work at DC Comics, including Batman, Lobo and The Demon. In 1989, Grant worked with artist Robin Smith on the comic The Bogie Man.
5. Robin Smith is a British artist best known for his work on Judge Dredd, the Bad City Blue mini-series for 2000AD and The Bogie Man for Fat Man Press.
6. Artlink is an arts and disability organisation established in 1984. Artlink believes participation in the arts has an important role to play in realising personal and social change. Our aim is to increase opportunities to take part in the arts for those who experience disadvantage or disability in the east of Scotland. The individual is central to all our work, they inform what we do and how we do it.
Scott Versus Zombies is part of a series of publications commissioned by Artlink.
Scottish writers create fictions based on the reality people with a disability face on a daily basis. www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk www.facebook.com/ArtlinkEdinburgh
7. Autism Network Scotland is a government-funded organisation based in the University of Strathclyde. Autism Network Scotland is a hub of impartial and reliable information about autism services across Scotland. Autism Network Scotland supports knowledge exchange and awareness raising through a range of activities including Learning Events, Forums, Practitioner Network days and our online Virtual Network discussions. The Autism Network Scotland website provides the latest news, events, links and resources from across the autism community. You can find Autism Network Scotland on Facebook and follow them on Twitter too. Membership of Autism Network Scotland is free and open to all for more details please visit www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk
8. This project has been funded by Creative Scotland.
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Contact: Vanessa Cameron
Phone: 01312293555
Email: info@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
Website: http://www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
