Steve's work was my first introduction to the world of smallpress 6 or 7 years ago. His simple, sometimes flawed, drawing style and smoothly accessible narrative style, really grabbed me back then. His everyman stories of birds, beer and wry observations of the scuttling creatures that people London, are told so effortlessly and truthfully, that I often find myself being reminded of his stories as I people-watch on the tube or talk shit with my friends down the pub.
I have to admit, that I was a little bit sceptical when I picked up his latest comic recently, as it is sub-titled 'Re-mastered Classics from yesteryear'. In other words redrawn and rewritten stories previously selfpublished. "If it ain't broke, then why fix it?" I thought. But I needn't have worried, as it still reads as fresh and spontaneously as ever. The drawing style is even more simplified, but more confident, and the stories are still as human and relevent. Steve's sharp humour still shines through as he re-lives cringeing stories, generally about plucking up the courage to ask girls out, that invariably go horribly wrong.
Highly recommended.
Fantastic Life vol.2 No.1 of 3. is £1.95, 24 pages long and comes in a lovely colour cover. It's available from : Steve Marchant, 6a Station Rise, Tulse Hill, London, SE27 9BW.