Top comic artist Hunt Emerson is coming to Hartlepool

Hunt Emerson is well known as a cartoonist for publications such as the Radio Times, Melody Maker, Fortean Times, Time Out, Viz, Fiesta and The Wall Street Journal.

And now he is coming to share his story with students at Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) in Hartlepool.

The Church Square campus is hosting an open event on Wednesday, March 16.

Hunt is known for his distinctive drawing style and approach to visual humour which is widely recognised across the world. His lecture is open for all cartoon, illustration and comic book enthusiasts to enjoy.

The event will will also mark a popular return to town for the artist who was at last year’s National Festival of Illustration hosted by CCAD.

Newcastle-born Hunt will give a talk on his writing and drawing style and his work as an illustrator and designer of comic strips and graphic novels.

Having drawn most of his life, he will share his knowledge of the illustration, design and graphic novel industry, including his work with the Birmingham Arts Lab and the British underground comic scene during the 70s and 80s.

On his upcoming visit, he said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Hartlepool. The college is exciting, with a very high standard of work, and I’m happy to throw in my pennyworth to its benefit.

“And, I like places with a seafront and harbour, and Hartlepool fits the bill.”

Hunt has worked for many major book and magazine publishers, and has published around 30 comic books and albums worldwide, mostly with Knockabout Comics of London.

The latest is his reworking of Dante’s Inferno.

Other examples of his works include mini-comic series Calculus Cat, graphic novel The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and the creation and drawing of Ratz for The Beano.