The Wolf of Baghdad released
February 27, 2020 in Events, General, News
I’ve just wolfed down in one sitting the wonderful, recently published ‘The Wolf of Baghdad’ by PCO’s Carol Isaacs, AKA The Surreal McCoy, published by Myriad Edition. It follows the story of Carol’s family roots and the everyday life of the Jewish community in Baghdad, where a quarter of the city’s population were Jewish up until the little-known vicious pogram of 1941. Within a decade nearly all 150,000 had been murdered or exiled.
All illustrations © The Surreal MCoy
The wolf in the title originates from the Baghdadi Jews belief that the wolf protects them from harmful demons.
I love the illustrations of the ghostly characters and buildings and the limited, muted colour palette that evolves to segment different parts of the story. The wonderful, clean line drawing reminded me of Marjane Satrapi’s ‘Persepolis’.
Although the novel is wordless it is punctuated by really insightful testimonies.
There is also a superb, evocative soundtrack which Carol performs on along with the band ‘3yin’ which is great to listen to while reading the book for the complete Surround-O-Vison experience!
Some quotes about the book:
The book has some great reviews including this from UK comic shop Page 45. This from The Jewish Cronicle and one from The Morning Star.
Carol and 3yin playing live with visuals from the motion comic at The Phoenix cinema in East Finchley last November.
The Surreal McCoy has recently been talking about the book at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters in Kerala, India and has visited New York for a premier screening of the DVD at The New York Sephardic Film Festival 2020. There are also some shows coming up including Carol and 3yin playing live with moving visuals from the book at JW3 in London on 5th March. Recommended for a unique experience.
The book can be purchased direct from Myriad Edition
For updates on the project follow The Wolf of Baghdad blog.
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by Glenn Marshall
Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival 2019 preview
April 13, 2019 in Comment, Events, General
It’s only two weeks until Shrewsbury International Cartoons Festival. This years theme is ‘Animals’ and has a very full programme. This year all the speakers happen to be Procartoonists members.
Friday 26th, 7.30pm
Fist up on the Friday night The Guardian’s Steve Bell will share his lifelong close-up study of ‘Political Animals’, from Tarzan Hesletine to Leopard May on Friday 26th April. Tickets are £10 and can be booked online via this link. A donation will be made from the event to Guide Dogs UK.
Saturday 27th April, 10.30am
On Saturday Beano and Private Eye regular Zoom Rockman will be hosting a strip cartoon workshop. Zoom first started drawing his strip ‘Skanky Pigeon’ for the Beano when when he was just 12 years old!
Saturday 27th April, 11.00am
An exploration of the world of cartooning with ‘Fintan Fedora’ author, cartoonist and PCO Chair-human Clive Goddard.
Saturday 27th April, 1.30pm
After his earlier session Clive will be back again with more Fintan fun at new venue.
Saturday 27th April, 11.00am
The Surreal McCoy presents a preview of her audio-visual graphic memoir based on her Iraqi-Jewish family’s memories of their lost homeland.
The Wolf of Baghdad explores themes of displacement, refugees, identity and belonging.
After presenting an excerpt of the work, Carol will give an illustrated talk on the making of it and take questions from the audience in a Q and A.
Tickets can be booked online via this link.
Saturday 27th April, 12.00pm
An animal cartoon masterclass with Radio Times caricaturist Jonathan Cusick. Jonathan is also one of the festival organisers. You’ll be drawing using exhibits from the gallery, as Jonathan says ‘The great thing is the animals will not be moving’.
Team Goddard creating a big board at last years festival.
On Saturday a menagerie of cartoonists will be be going animalistic drawing on big boards and caricaturing in the town square.
Throughout the weekend various exhibitions will be running including ‘Drawn To Be Wild’ at The Bear Steps Gallery and ‘The Lizards of Oz and Other Creatures’ an exhibition animal related cartoons by Australian cartoonist. More details on the festival website.
Tags: Animals, Bear Steps Gallery, Big boards, caricatures, caricaturist, Clive Goddard, Fintan Fedora, Guide Dogs UK, Jonathan Cusick, PCO, Private Eye, Procartoonists, Radio Times, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival, Shrewsbury International cartoon Festival 2019, Shropshire, Skanky Pigeon, Steve Bell, The Beano, The Guardian, The Surreal McCoy, The Wolf of Baghdad, Zoom Rockman 4 Comments »