I need a new brush. I don’t even think I can read my own handwriting here. I’ve based my drawing on a photograph of Billy by Steve Double. At the Bragg HQ, you can see it’s also the basis for this tour poster and the painting for the cover of Must I Paint You a Picture.
This is something else! It definitely needs to go in the “Comixx that are actually good category.” I love that that tape was on sale in Wal-Mart.
Exceptionally nice job on Billy’s eyes, by the way.
Thanks, y’all! I may have over-ripped the cover of that EP I was referencing. You can see it here. In the original comic, I actually talked about it—it’s not a protractor, it’s a set of chain-cutters or bolt-cutters. Coupled with the title track, which celebrates the need for the workers to unite (“Arise ye workers from your slumbers“) , the image of that tool becomes a strong symbol. Uh, I didn’t realize that it was a set of bolt-cutters until last nite, though!
And, I’m really proud of the color scheme. Er, I had to color a guitar pick and that 45 spinner to make it work, though, with somewhat mixed results.
Oh, this is so delightful! I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this whole piece—the fab drawing, the 45 spinner, the GUITAR PICKS! And the fact that you call “A New England” one of the greatest songs of the 80s AND quote one of the best lyrics of all time only further reiterates your sublime taste and intelligence.
And, thanks for name-checking me!
last night:
gorj: MAN, i can’t get the last panel on this billy bragg toon i’m doing, what does england look like?
(confused and mocking)Polly: you mean like on a map? it’s shaped like a thick bush with most of its leaves missing. no one DRAWS england. even the english would just use a Union Jack. I’d just Use a union jack.
(conversation continues)
Gorj: i KNOW WHAT! i’ll use a Union Jack instead!
Polly: I know, that’s what i said.
Gorj: what? you didn’t say that i just thought that up!
Gorj: ...um…What does a Union jack look like?———
i see you jettisoned all that stuff anyway. btw, i think you should stop signing your work and just use a 45 spacer for a signature from here on out.
Yeah, then you could be like Spin magazine…here comes the cred!!
In a Wal-Mart? Really? A riot if true, still terribly funny if not. Nice piece.