Avery Hill Publishing Announces Three Crowdfunding Comics For Spring 2023
by Richard Bruton
Three great-looking new titles coming from one of Britain’s best publishing houses.
Avery Hill Publishing are 10 years old this year, one of Britain’s great publishers, they’ve built up a really strong backlist of titles and have introduced readers to some incredible talents.
We’ve covered their new publishing strategy of crowdfunding to enable them to get their books out and to increase their creator’s incomes.
Their Spring 2023 slate of books continues that tradition, with three very different books coming from three very impressive creators – Pet Peeves by Nicole Goux, Macbeth by K. Briggs, and Big Ugly by Ellice Weaver.
Although the books are scheduled for Spring 2023 release, the Kickstarter for Avery Hill’s second campaign launches on 24th of October.
“It’s one of the most exciting lineups we’ve ever had, with a strong group of books that are all wildly different but totally complimentary and true to the things that Avery Hill prides ourselves on; exciting new talent, strong storytelling and stunning and innovative artwork. Nicole Goux is a bright up-and-coming star of both the indie and superhero scenes and long been on our list of creators that we wanted to work with. Briggs we’ve been talking to about various projects for years and finally managed to find the right one in this astonishing adaptation of one of the great texts of world literature. Finally, we’ve been trying to lure Ellice back into the comics world for some time and have been blown away by every page she’s delivered; if you don’t know her work, you’re about to discover your new favourite artist.” – Commissioning editor Ricky Miller
So, a little bit about three very big books…
Pet Peeves by Nicole Goux
Released 23rd May 2023 (UK), 25th May 2023 (North America)
The debut solo graphic novel from Eisner-nominated author Nicole Goux takes us down a horror route, exploring the struggles of a young artist – haunted not only by debt and society, but by more sinister (though adorable) canine forces.
Bobbie’s life is going nowhere fast. She’s working at a bar, wanting to play music but never having the time or energy. The only bright spot is her dog – always cheerful, always cuddly, and always there for her.
As the relentless day-in, day-out of work piles up, music and roommates and social plans begin to seem less and less important as Bobbie struggles to make rent and have any time to be creative.
The only thing she has time for outside her job is her dog . . . and her dog is going to do everything he can to keep it that way.
Macbeth by K. Briggs
Released 25th July 2023 (UK), 27th July 2023 (North America)
Macbeth sees K. Briggs complete their adaptation of Shakespeare’s dark and bloody masterpiece… an early portion of which won the Graphic Shakespeare Competition in 2016.
Faithful to the original text, Briggs’ graphic novel adaptation promises a lavish new interpretation.
When three witches prophecy to Macbeth that he will one day become the King of Scotland, an epic of unhappiness, treachery, and blood begins. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambitions lead to an ever-growing path of murder as Macbeth grows ever-closer to the throne. But where will it all end? Only with death – and with madness.
Influenced by the witches and magic of Macbeth, K. Briggs’s lush new graphic novel rendition of the classic provides a new interpretation of the Scottish play. Briggs, as a Shakespeare reader (and performer) from age twelve, brings their lifelong love of the Bard to this work.
Big Ugly by Ellice Weaver
Released 20th June 2023 (UK), 22nd June 2023 (North America)
And finally, the third of the three Avery Hill books sees Ellice Walker’s Big Ugly, her second with Avery Hill, following on from her 2017 debut Something City.
In Big Ugly, Walker promises a powerful story of contemporary life with a tale of two siblings renewing their relationship in adulthood.
When Mel offers the spare room in her apartment to her struggling brother, everything she loves and hates about wanting to live up to the expectations of her family becomes part of her every day again.
It turns out that even as adults, living with your sibling brings back the dynamics of tween rivalries. As Mel tries to rebalance things with her brother, she navigates how to offer help to someone who doesn’t want to need it.