The Black Project

Richard is happy with his girlfriend creations if only real life wouldn't keep getting in the way. Set in an English suburb in the early 1990s, The Black Project is the story of Richard's all-consuming passion for creating 'girls' from household objects. But as his hobby begins to flourish, his real life friendships and family relationships deteriorate. This darkly funny story of obsession beautifully crafted in embroidery and lino-cut was chosen by judges including Ian Rankin, Bryan Talbot and Hannah Berry as winner of the inaugural First Fictions' First Graphic Novel Competition.

Gareth Brookes is a fine artist and print maker. He studied fine art at the RCA, where he also took a creative writing course. He started making small press comics in 2006 and has since been self-publishing and working with small press groups such as Alternative Press and the Comix Reader.