Press Release

SelfMadeHero will bring a sextet of top writers and artists from the world of graphic novels to the Stripped strand of this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.

 French historian and arabist Jean-Pierre Filiu will discuss Best of Enemies: A History of US and Middle East Relations, which he co-created with artist David B. This three-volume series takes us from the 18th century through to today’s conflict in Syria.

 Reinhard Kleist is the creator of Nick Cave: Mercy On Me, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness and other graphic biographies. He brings his captivating live drawing show to the Edinburgh Book Festival, backed by three bands from Adelaide: Zephyr Quartet, Ukulele Death Squad, and Carla Lippis and the Furies.

 To mark the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’ birth, Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson adapted The Communist Manifesto into graphic novel form. He shares the stage with the cartoonist Mohammad Sabanaah, a former political prisoner in Israel, and the comedian Phill Jupitus. 

 Three more SelfMadeHero creators join the festival lineup. Belgium artist Javi Rey adapted Jesús Carrasco’s acclaimed novel Out In the Open into graphic form, while John Harris Dunning and Michael Kennedy collaborated on the stylish psychological thriller Tumult. They discuss their uncompromising, hard-hitting graphic novels.

 Details of SelfMadeHero related events:

Reinhard Kleist: live drawing with Zephyr Quartet, Ukulele Death Squad and Carla Lippis and the Furies | Sun 12 Aug, 18:30-20:00, The Spiegeltent

John Harris Dunning, Michael Kennedy & Javi Rey: Graphic Accounts | Sun 12 Aug, 20:30-21:30, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre

Getting Graphic on Politics: Martin Rowson & Mohammad Sabaaneh with Phill Jupitus | Sat 18 Aug, 19:30-20:30, Garden Theatre

Jean-Pierre Filiu: thorny Affairs of East and West | Sat 25 Aug, 19:00-20:00, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre

 Edinburgh International Book Festival runs 11- 27th August

For further Festival information www.edbookfest.co.uk