SelfMadeHero at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2016

Forty years ago French comics veteran Edmond Baudoin abandoned a career in accountancy to devote himself to bandes dessinées. In October he makes another wise move by travelling to Kendal for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which takes place from 14th-16th October. He’ll be joined by guests including Craig Thompson, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Martin Rowson.

Baudoin’s UK visit coincides with the release of his graphic biography, Dalí. Commissioned by the Pompidou Centre, this compelling, original and expressive graphic novel is the latest addition to our Art Masters series.

There is no shortage of labels for the great Surrealist painter. Was he a madman? A genius? An exhibitionist? Baudoin paints an inimitable portrait of an artist as well known for his acts of public bravado as for his extraordinary work. What emerges from his quest to discover the man behind the myth is a heartfelt and original account of two artistic worlds, each possessed of its own rare intensity, meeting for the first time.

Baudoin will share a stage with Craig Thompson on Saturday 15th October (“Motion and Emotion”, Brewery Arts Centre, 1-2pm). The two artists will be doing what they do best – draw! – while also taking the time to discuss their work with Paul Gravett.

But that’s not all. You may have seen Leah Moore and John Reppion on the festival’s guest list ; you may also be looking forward to their discussion of graphic adaptations at the Brewery Arts Centre (“The Write Stuff”, Sunday 16th, 11-12pm). Well, on the SelfMadeHero stand in the Comics Clocktower (tables 30-31) we’ll be debuting the first volume of their incredible adaptation of M.R. James’ Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.

Together with artists Aneke, Kit Buss, Fouad Mezher and Alisdair Wood, Leah Moore and John Reppion have crafted adaptations of four masterpieces of understated horror: “Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook”, “Lost Hearts”, “The Mezzotint” and “The Ash-tree”. Expect your spine to be chilled by vanishing children, spectral artworks and vengeance from beyond the grave.

But after darkness, there must come light… Mike Medaglia’s One Year Wiser: A Gratitude Journal, released in September, helps us keep a lasting record of richness and variety of the here and now. It encourages us to reflect and inspires us to act. It prompts us to harness the power of gratitude to become more positive, calm and confident.

Together with Lisa Woynarski and Farokh Soltani, Mike Medaglia has channeled his trademark positivity into an exhibition, “Five Bridges: Stories of the Flood”, which runs from 12th October-19th November in Kendal Museum.

In December 2015, flooding hit Cumbria when a year’s worth of rain fell in a single day.The River Kent breached its banks in Kendal, closing the town’s five bridges and flooding many local homes. Comics and audio work together in “Five Bridges” to bring five human stories to life.

Another Lakes Festival debut: The Return of the Honey Buzzardby Aimée de Jongh will also be available for the first time in Kendal. This is a stunning book, a compelling story and a thoughtful meditation on grief, love, our actions and their consequences.

It bears repeating that Bryan Lee O’Malley also visits Kendal for the first time. Bryan Lee O’Malley! The creator of Seconds and Scott Pilgrim will be promoting his brilliant new Image series Snotgirl (with art by Leslie Hung). We look forward to joining you all in the queue.