IN THIS ISSUE: heavenly objects –dusty shelves– voting kids–actors high on amphetamines –burning rivers –blood pressure pills –ragtime jazz – horses of the future–amorphous empires – police stations on fire – stopped clocks –green herrings – art misattributed to Banksy –sticky floors–Philly steaks–pensioners on trampolines – a dominion of shades in waiting silence
Ugly Mug, the House of Harley’s annual anthology of primo grade underground art-comix, is BACK to put 2023 in its place. The finest pens of the British small press join forces with a gaggle of international guests for an exhilarating exploration of karma and chaos…
Otherweirdly – epic notions of another world by Denny Derbyshire
How a Comic is Made – John Bagnall goes inside the factory
The Imbalance of Nature – weird and wonderful extremes of life documented by Ed Pinsent
I Fucking Hate Steroids – iestyn demonstrates the drawbacks of prescription medication
Duk U Sucka – Tom Baxter Tiffin‘s tale of Ned Kelly lost in The Dreamtime
Respecto! – how do you get it, asks Hal Weaver
RSD Lang – Ed Pinsent‘s record detective regrets discovering Noise Music
King Kong Memories – Jason Atomic shaves the beast
Cafe society scenes – captured by our on-the-spot reporter Patricia Gaignat
Advisory Bureau – John Bagnall explains how to deal with modern living
Batlight – Chris Reynolds takes a ride in an elevator
Windy Wilberforce – Harry Excess tangles with Dr Fengele in chapter 7 of Ed Pinsent‘s The Saga of the Scroll
Dogbreath – Savage Pencil‘s misanthropic mutt dreams of world destruction
Plus bonus slices of British life served up by John Bagnall
And eye popping graphix by Alberto Monteiro, Masaman, Jim Barker and Oxideguy
All the above contained within iestyn‘s bewildering wraparound cover.
“If you think comics should be fun as well as deeply serious, and want to ingest a brew of art laced with heavy doses of insanity, wonder, and escapades inside the Dream-House, then this totally unique underground publication is your beer.” Ed Pinsent, The Sound Projector
As if that’s not enough to unsettle your equilibrium, there’s all this and more from the artists of the House of Harley studio…
Start Your Day the Ugly Mug Way – 100% sound lifestyle advice from our resident expert
Take the Children Out of Town – a crisis of adulthood played out in Seussian rhyme
Seb, Surrounded – our hardy heroine battles an enemy she cannot see
Mark E Smith Music Teacher – The Fall singer’s secret side hustle
PCSO Dan – cannabis farm and fur baby bulletins from your local community copper
There, there – when life gets on top of us, we all need some home comfort
Seminal Surprises – you’ll be amazed by what can be produced
Try Harder – Mister Tut Tut sets the world to rights
Voodoo Master Selfies – Instagram highlights
No Kisses Before Christmas – be patient, Busy Lizzie has a lot on her plate
Mr Jimmy Joist Biology Teacher – retrieves young Raymond’s lost homework
Corporate Responsibility – why everyone should apply to work at the House of Harley
Published Sept 2023. A4 paperback., 120 pages.
“As jammed-packed with beguiling thrilling stuff as any British X-mas Annual of yore, these curated creations brim with surreal narrative force and come overloaded with wry and witty visual oomph…” – Win Wiacek, Now Read This!
“…an experimental mix of comics and art, often both at the same time… a valuable resource with some great underground creators” – The Awesome Comics Podcast
“If you’re familiar with any of the previous UGLY MUGS you’ll have some idea of what to expect, but if not this mind-roasting compilation will make for an excellent introduction.” – The Bedlam Files
“…from darkly satirical tales to absurdist comedies, all drawn with a raw, expressive style… guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on readers… this is an anthology that’ll make you laugh, admire artistic flair, and maybe even question your sanity.” – Comic Book News UK
“…the tagline ‘comics to amuse and confuse’ perfectly encapsulates the breadth of material between its covers… its contents range from everything from parodic Viz-like humour through to oblique and sometimes even impenetrable experimental comics.” – Broken Frontier
£19.99 + postage.ADULTS ONLY. Order now from Lulu.
If your mission is erudition, you’ll love Naked Knowledge, the new series of House of Harley mini-comics where the wonder of learning collides with the world of risqué entertainment. Enlightenment and naughtiness – what’s not to like? ADULTS ONLY.
