Josie Long's Cape of Many Covers (and Top Seven Graphic Novels)
Published: Tuesday 21st November 2017
Now here's a novel project. You may have noticed from cinema and TV in recent years that no-one really cares about anything unless it's got a cape or cloak on, from Supergirl, Batman and Dr Strange to Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, great chunks of the Game of Thrones cast and pretty much everyone at Hogwarts. So you can understand how the Cosmic Superheroes concept came about.
This photo series/exhibition is a celebration of super-talented women, put together by the good people at Cosmic Shambles, who run Robin Ince and Josie Long's popular Book Shambles podcast among other things. They asked a select band of arty/science types what sort of superhero they'd be, then made it happen. Here's Josie - the comedian, writer and occasional comic-strip creator - on her new hero threads:
"The reason I wanted to make a costume that was a homemade cape of books, and the reason I wanted my superhero to be fairly low key and natural was I wanted to represent scruffy, bookish women who like to self-educate and the power that exists in knowing who you are, and being that, and not giving a damn about other people's opinions of what that means."
Also involved are the physicists Helen Czerski and Lucie Green, singer-songwriter Grace Petrie, poet Salena Godden, archaeologist Brenna Hassett, and many more, in a colourful array of heroic guises. An exhibition of the full line-up runs from December 9th at London's Conway Hall, where Ince's Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People events will also return before Christmas, featuring many of the superwomen. A cosmic double whammy.
To celebrate her wordy-caped new heroine, we asked Josie to give us her top seven graphic novels, just in time for Christmas. And a fine and varied list it is too.
Josie Long's Super Seven Graphic Novels:
Jimmy Corrigan the Smartest Kid on Earth
by Chris Ware
Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
Threads from the Refugee Crisis
by Kate Evans
Hark a Vagrant
by Kate Beaton
The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia
by Mary and Bryan Talbot
Ghost World
by Dan Clowes
Cosmic Superheroes is at London's Conway Hall from 8th December 2017 to 31st January 2018. For more info visit cosmicshambles.com/superheroes
Photograph by Timothy Ginn
Help us publish more great content by becoming a BCG Supporter. You'll be backing our mission to champion, celebrate and promote British comedy in all its forms: past, present and future.
We understand times are tough, but if you believe in the power of laughter we'd be honoured to have you join us. Advertising doesn't cover our costs, so every single donation matters and is put to good use. Thank you.
Love comedy? Find out more