If I may, I would like to plug my current graphic novel comic series "Surface Tension" to New Model Army fans.
During the 30th anniversary of NMA I read the official souvenir magazine and I was interested to note the articles on artists that had been inspired by the band's music. You can add one more to that list, my comic book series was created with the music of NMA as its creative soundtrack.
I've been a fan of New Model Army from the early 90s and I have always found their music and songs to be very evocative for conjuring up moods and imagery. None more so than their recent two offerings, "Between Dog and Wolf" and "Between Wine and Blood."
The story of Surface Tension has a ecological and sea bound theme. Set on a small British island during a time of global unrest and environmental trauma. Themes that also feature heavily in Justin's song writing, especially his solo album "Navigating by the stars." Whenever I was stuck writing or drawing a certain scene for my comic I would leave the work studio and go for a walk along the river and listen to some NMA. During these periods the music and lyrics would become entwined with my subconscious, giving free reign to new 'angles and visions.' When I returned to my drawing board I would feel invigorated and full of creative energy.
"Surface Tension" - During an oil disaster on the coast of Ghana, two marine biologists discover a new form of coral that seems to be cleaning the polluted waters. The mysterious corals begin to appear all around the world and with them life seems to be returning to our dying oceans.
Months later and 99% of humanity has disappeared into the sea. Afflicted with an illness that becomes known as the 'sea-sickness,' the infected are driven with a primal urge to reach the sea. No bodies are found, they simply disappeared.
A year later and a seemingly immune island community of a small British channel island, cut off from the rest of the world, are trying to survive in a world now populated by mysterious sea creatures.
No has returned from the sea, until today...
Two survivors return from the sea. Do they offer possible hope for the islanders or are they something much more sinister.
If I had to choose a number of tracks that made up the unofficial NMA soundtrack to Surface Tension then it would have to be:
Water
According to you
Angry Planet
Island
Did you make it safe?
Happy to be here
Wonderful way to go
Autumn
"Surface Tension" is a five issue mini series and is published monthly by Titan Comics. It is written and illustrated by me - Jay Gunn. The comic is available in all good comic stores with the second issue on sale in early July (which includes a synopsis of issue 1 so new readers can catch up). You can also catch up digitally on ComiXology or Kindle.
You can find me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/JayGunnArtsJust for NMA fans, you can read an exclusive extract from episode 1 right here...
