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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1176476
was the title of UK Comics Laureate. This was a two year initiative to promote the medium of comics to schools, colleges, libraries etc, which ran from February 2017 to February 2019. I had no idea that I was being considered, so it was genuinely a complete surprise when I was asked if I wanted to take on the role. It was also very nerve racking because it involved a lot of public speaking - something I'm fine with if I'm being inter viewed without having to do any preparation, but to stand in front of an audience with a speech? I think it worked out OK, but you'd have to ask the audience though! It was a challenge - one of my biggest - and, in the end, it was nice to be taken out of my comfort zone. I suppose it was similar to the challenges of always shaking up my art with new creative directions. It's good to give yourself these challenges and not to rest on your laurels - which is when when things go stale. It was also nice to give something back to the medium that's certainly treated me pretty well over the years. MD: Looking ahead, what can we expect from you? The second volume of Vampire State Building from French publisher Soleil [there's a US edition from new publisher Ablaze] will be out in the next month or so, and I'm working with my old pal, and writer of White Death, Robbie Morrison on a new book called Heretic. This year I'm also accepting the "Sergio Aragones International Award For Excellence In Comic Art" at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in the town of Kendal, UK. The Walking Dead has received many awards over the years, and, as much as I believe comic books are a true collaborative medium, it's also nice to be singled out as well. This honor is the icing on the cake of a career I never dreamed would get to this point. I look forward to the next 25 years!