STAN AND OLLIE’S COMIC CAPERS ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH

That’s another fine mess they’ve gotten into! Laurel and Hardy make their return to comics in THE PARK, the new graphic novel from Oscar Zarate.

Their slapstick antics also inspire the book’s main character, Chris, to fight back against the bullying owner of a dog that bit him. Not surprising, Stan and Ollie are Zarate’s lifelong heroes. He says:

“Laurel and Hardy are part of my life like the books I find myself re-reading through the years, always finding new things, new meanings. There are so many layers, so many social, political and psychological metaphors all ultimately to do with the absurdities of life”.

Oscar has drawn specific scenes from their 1927 silent short, You’re Darn Tootin’ which is the favourite film of the book’s main protagonist, Chris Stein.

As Oscar explains, “This is a quintessential Laurel and Hardy film. Their singular relationship creates right from the beginning an unstoppable downhill disaster. It escalates into a perfectly choreographed street fight which is just uniquely original and incredibly funny.”

He has drawn some of those climactic scenes in the book.

THE PARK is both an affectionate tribute to the comedians as well as a beautiful depiction of Hampstead Heath’s lively natural habitat.

The story unfolds on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in a North London park. Chris is accidentally bitten by a dog, and kicks out in defence. The dog’s owner, Ivan Grubb, a well-known polemicist, vents his anger in his blog, but by elaborating the story for added effect, he cannot foresee the wider impact his comments will make. THE PARK is a measured examination of how we respond to our confused emotions.

Argentinian-born Oscar Zarate is an award-winning author and illustrator of graphic novels who lives in London. He has worked with Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Alexei Sayle and Iain Sinclair.

THE PARK is published in hardback on 24th October by SelfMadeHero (rrp £15.99).