Wise-ass UK post-punks Art Brut have plenty to celebrate this year, what with their latest album, Brilliant, Tragic, being released just last week, but there's more in store for fans than we had originally thought. On top of the new, Black Francis-produced platter, the band have put together a 28-page comic book written by frontman Eddie Argos.
A press release explains that a number of illustrators collaborated with Argos on a series of comic strips that follow the plot lines of Brilliant, Tragic's song cycle. Artists include Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O'Malley, Hope Larson and Brilliant, Tragic's album cover illustrator, Jamie McKelvie. A lifelong fan of the medium, Argos was thrilled to print the companion piece.
"I can remember the first one I ever read. It was the Beano the day I had my tonsils out. I was given it as a treat as I couldn't eat anything," Argos said in a statement. "It might have been the only time I've turned down ice cream. It blew my tiny six-year-old mind. I loved comic books growing up but always had a fear they might be something I would have to give up as an adult. I loved them though and realized then that they were something that would stay with me into adult life and have spent all my money on comics ever since. It is very exciting to now be curating an Art Brut one."
Argos himself chose his collaborators and is pleased as punch to have got the chance to work with some of his industry favourites.
"I was expecting to be blown away by every new submission," he explained. "It went beyond even that, though. I love what has been created and I recommend that you go out and collect everything by everyone who has contributed to this comic."
On top of releasing the album and comic book, the group have a handful of North American tour dates over the summer, including stops in Toronto and Montreal. Check out the details below.
Tour dates:
6/15 Chicago, IL - Double Door
6/16 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
6/17 Toronto, ON - Mod Club
6/18 Montreal, QC - Il Motore
6/20 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
6/21 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwells
6/22 Washington, DC - Black Cat
6/23 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Williamsburg
8/27 Los Angeles, CA - Sunset Junction Festival
A press release explains that a number of illustrators collaborated with Argos on a series of comic strips that follow the plot lines of Brilliant, Tragic's song cycle. Artists include Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O'Malley, Hope Larson and Brilliant, Tragic's album cover illustrator, Jamie McKelvie. A lifelong fan of the medium, Argos was thrilled to print the companion piece.
"I can remember the first one I ever read. It was the Beano the day I had my tonsils out. I was given it as a treat as I couldn't eat anything," Argos said in a statement. "It might have been the only time I've turned down ice cream. It blew my tiny six-year-old mind. I loved comic books growing up but always had a fear they might be something I would have to give up as an adult. I loved them though and realized then that they were something that would stay with me into adult life and have spent all my money on comics ever since. It is very exciting to now be curating an Art Brut one."
Argos himself chose his collaborators and is pleased as punch to have got the chance to work with some of his industry favourites.
"I was expecting to be blown away by every new submission," he explained. "It went beyond even that, though. I love what has been created and I recommend that you go out and collect everything by everyone who has contributed to this comic."
On top of releasing the album and comic book, the group have a handful of North American tour dates over the summer, including stops in Toronto and Montreal. Check out the details below.
Tour dates:
6/15 Chicago, IL - Double Door
6/16 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
6/17 Toronto, ON - Mod Club
6/18 Montreal, QC - Il Motore
6/20 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
6/21 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwells
6/22 Washington, DC - Black Cat
6/23 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Williamsburg
8/27 Los Angeles, CA - Sunset Junction Festival
