A local retired journalist has shared his excitement at the release of his Salford-inspired comic book.

Titled Mancunian, Brian Clarke’s colourful comic book series is about the daredevil action adventures of a superhero named ‘Mancunian’ and his sidekick ‘Impact’.

The first edition of Mancunian came out in 2019, the second in 2020. Both are still on sale in Salford City Art Gallery and Museum.

The comic has been a passion project for Ex-Salford resident, Brian Clarke, since his retirement from journalism two years ago.

He continues to develop the graphic novel: “I moved from Dublin to Salford when I was five, the artist John Jackson (who illustrates ‘Mancunian’) still lives in Salford, so we’re keen to publish a lot of history people may not know about.

“For example, the focal point of Issue One is L.S. Lowry’s ‘Matchstick Men’ terrorising a Salford University security guard. What audiences may not realise is that Lowry was a part-time student at the art institution that once stood in the university’s place.

“It’s that kind of intricate knowledge that we want to include in future editions.”

Mr Clarke added: “I found a good story recently that could be intertwined with the ‘Matchstick Men’ narrative.

“I was at a local history fair and came across a self-published book by someone who wrote about their home in Swinton being haunted by ghosts. Not only that but their house was next door to where L.S. Lowry lived.”

Brian works alongside Salford-based artist, John Jackson, who illustrates the comic. They self-published Mancunian together, under the name ‘Volcano Comics’.

Although Brian is brimming with ideas and creativity, he is unsure when their third graphic will be published.

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