THOUGHT BUBBLE MONTH 2024! Film-maker Chris Shepherd’s debut graphic novel Anfield Road – a working class coming-of-age story set in 1980s Liverpool – is already receiving critical acclaim, including an Observer “graphic novel of the month” accolade. Ahead of this weekend’s Thought Bubble BF’s Ellie Egleton caught up with Shepherd to talk about the Titan-published book, making the move from film to comics, and local interest in his work…
BROKEN FRONTIER: Chris – thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at Broken Frontier. We are excited about the recent release of your debut graphic novel, Anfield Road, ‘A Story of Coming of Age in 1980s Liverpool’. How did you know that this is the story you just had to tell for your first graphic novel?
CHRIS SHEPHERD: It was an extension of my films. Ive delved a lot into Liverpool in films such as The Ringer, Bad Night For The Blues and Dad’s Dead. Liverpool characters and settings. But I wanted to look at the social norms of the 1980s and capture the innocence of growing up within that Northern landscape. The loves, passion but also the frustrations and the problems. But at the same time wanted it too be funny and not “it’s grim up North”. I wanted to make something that captures the time while being beautiful. I’m quite into the ordinary being poetic and I like to think that is where Im heading with Anfield Road. I was always inspired by Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale. So I tried make a story with a similar tone to Willy’s wonderful 1977 play Our Day Out. Above all I wanted my book to be a love story, a celebration of Liverpool and family.
BF: Through its triumphs and tragedies, is it fair to say that Liverpool itself is a character in your graphic novel? And, if so, how did you weave your personal experiences of the city with its history to create such an authentic setting for your story?
SHEPHERD: Most certainly. Liverpool is very much a character in the Anfield Road. The book is a love letter to the city. From the knocked down houses, smashed up paths and paint splattered children’s playgrounds of the 1980s. I drew what I remembered from walking about. Things long gone. There is a beauty in what is forgotten. The book itself is fiction but it inspired by my youth. When the story begins it says “What Follows Is a Northern Fantasy”. That’s what it is. Another reality.
BF: Another important character, Conor, has just turned eighteen and has found himself at a crossroads. He wants to study art and go to college but is expected to look after his sick, dominating grandmother. He also falls for a West-Indian girl who he knows his grandmother would disapprove of. If a young reader were to find themselves in a similar situation to Conor, what would your advice be?
SHEPHERD: Follow your love.
BF: Admirably, you are both writer and illustrator of Anfield Road. How did the process of creating the graphic novel differ from your experience in film and TV? And was your creative process inspired by any comics or comic creators you may have enjoyed growing up?
SHEPHERD: It was like making a film in ultra slow motion. When you black out and shoot a scene you work out the acting in maybe a morning. But when you draw a graphic novel it can take weeks and months to work out. While you do to sleep at night you wake up and think – hold on – I know how to play it. It’s telling a story in ultra- slow motion. My big inspiration in Jacques Tardi and I saw the Nestor Burma series in the 1990s. I fantasied about drawing something detailed and economical. My book is quite different to Tardi but he is there in the back of my mind.
BF: Titan Comics has proudly published Anfield Road with the graphic novel now on shelves. How have the people of Liverpool (and other readers) reacted to your story in its first few weeks of publication?
SHEPHERD: People have loved it. I keep meeting people who lived on Anfield Road. Or there grandparents did. It’s been really emotional. After The Observer review made Anfield Road the graphic novel of the month a few members of the public came to the launch events. Not from films, comics or books – which is awesome. If you can touch real people that is what it’s all about. Then one thing people keep saying is that it’s beautiful. Ive not really had that with my films. It’s in the Central Library in Liverpool. I used to go there when I was a kid. So that means a lot. I had an event at Waterstones Liverpool and my teachers and some school mates came. My drama teachers Annie McGrath and Steve Roberts came and they always encouraged me to be creative. So it is super special. Thanks to everyone who has bought it and enjoyed it. It feels like many things are coming full circle.
BF: What can readers expect from you in the future? Do you have plans for any further graphic novels?
SHEPHERD: I want to write a sequel to Anfield Road. I have a story in mind and this will the Southern Fantasy,
BF: With Thought Bubble just around the corner, where can readers find you at the convention?
SHEPHERD: You can find me at Travelling Man Hall on table B18 with my college friend and comic book fan Jaid Mindang.
BF: And finally, where is the best place for readers to follow updates about your work and other adventures?
SHEPHERD: You can find out all about my book at https://anfieldroadstory.com/.
Interview by Ellie Egleton
Chris Shepherd will be at Table B18 in the Travelling Man Hall at Thought Bubble.
Thought Bubble 2024 runs from November 11th-17th with the convention weekend taking place on the 16th-17th. More details on the Thought Bubble site here.
Read all our Thought Bubble 2024 coverage so far in one place here.
Art by Rocío Arreola Mendoza
