74. CLIVE BARKER: Fearful things
August 23rd, 2012
Clive Barker (1952-) is an English horror and fantasy writer. I haven’t read any of his books (I’m a wimp when it comes to scary films and novels) but I really connected to this poem when a avid Barker fan sent it to me (thanks Shad!). Barker has been unwell recently since slipping into a coma after visiting the dentist (another reason never to go to the dentist) earlier in the year – I wish him a continued recovery and good health.
- This is the ‘something depraved and gross’ I drew after my cute-fest last week. Ah, it felt good.
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Zen Pencils adapts inspirational quotes into cartoons. It's illustrated by Gavin Aung Than and there's a new toon every Tuesday. More info
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Dear god.
This.
You know, you could do one on the Curiosity rover.
“Dare Mighty Things” and all that.
Imajica is a book by Clive Barker- it is more fantasy not horror. Recommended.
Oh so doubly recommended. Imajica is seriously brilliant.
A lot of his novels have more fantasy realism to them than horror.
I’m a fan of the horror genre (in books); and this is amazing!
LOVE this! Great work as always!
Depraved and gross, or dark and inspiring?
I choose you, dark and inspiring!
(particularly in light of poor Clive’s coma…)
Clive Barker is the guy who gives Stephen King nightmares.
His book Abarat is more strange and ridiculous than scary. It only makes sense in the first chapter or so. But, if you like books like that, check it out.
Fantastic take on this one and I love the new style to depict the exaggerated horrors that we never experience, but the real horror of aging we all face is very plain and simple…like the truth.
Great job, Gav.
Greg
excellent artwork style on this one gav…
I love your work.. awesome sketches..
That first panel would make a great print!
I would recomend the thief of always or cabal as books to read by clive. Amazing books
So stupid.
It’s a trap! Troll alert!
Luckily it won’t repeat, it’s Frequence is 0
LOL, it’s really a stupidest thing I read today.
“it’s really a stupidest thing I read today”
Actually, this would be the stupidest thing I read today. This troll’s biggest fear seems to be literacy.
Nice, I didn’t know the quote! It reminds of the Picture of Dorian Gray
Is there any resource that can teach me how to draw anywhere close to that, assuming I never drew anything, ever before?
Yes. It’s called “Practice”
Just start and see where it takes you.
And remember, http://zenpencils.com/comic/50-neil-gaiman-make-good-art/
I agree with Plu’s advice
Marvellous art work! Very inspiring, keep it up!!
It’s actually my birthday today and I’m 26. Never heard this quote before but it summed up how I’m feeling today. Whether that’s a good thing or not I don’t know lol.
Thanks for the great comics and I eagerly anticipate the ones to come!
Thanks Michael and happy birthday!
Wow!
dat last panel.
Wonderful work and I love the two styles. One of the things I like about horror is the way it takes us out of the day-to-day horrors of life; it is its own kind of escapism and stress release. Not surprising at all to me that Barker can sum up that difference and point out the fear on this side of the line so concisely. (He’s amazing, but I have mainly read his horror so I can’t give you a lot of recommendations if you’re not into that.)
Visually, his story “In the Hills, the Cities” is simply stupendous, if you want to check out something short form.
I really love your artwork for this. Nice and cleansing after your cute comic last week, I’m sure. I just wanted to let you know I love what you do and share it with just about everyone I know.
Clive is also a painter; he illustrates a lot of his own books, especially the kids and YA books (I am likewise too wimpy for most of his adult stuff; I HIGHLY recommend Abarat and The Thief of Always.)
His deviantart page is here: http://clivebarker.deviantart.com/
Clive Barker’s Books of Blood are the scariest things I have ever read and will haunt me forever. I am glad for it. Abarat is also brilliant, especially the illustrated versions.
let me guess, this is the gross thing you drawed after the disney-style comic?
Anyway!, i have to tell you my friend your comics are astronomically awesome, i hope that a wish of yours come true.
Do you mean Shadman sent you this poem?
Clive Barker was my favorite author when I was younger. His book Abarat is an incredible read and expands the imagination. This quote made my day
What is this, redemption for “Jericho”?
Hi Gav, I love this website and everything about it. You should do Charlie Chaplin’s speech in “The Great Dictator” next!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibmcsEGLKo&feature=related
I totally agree with you. The Dictator’s speech is fantastic and would look awesome given Gav’s talents
Please could you do something on Niel Armstrong? I think he was a great man and it would be great if you could do something on his memory.
If you’re not a fan of Horror, but are okay with Fantasy aimed at younger people, you could try reading Abarat by Clive Barker.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. As for Neil Armstrong – I’m way ahead of you @Elisabeth
You’re the best!!!
Clive’s Imajica, Weaveworld, Thief of Always, and Books of the Art (The Great Secret Show and Everville) aren’t horror either, and with such different styles and ideas, he quickly became one of my favorite authors. Maybe a macabre style, but definitely not horror; it’s something about drawing from the darkness to see the shining stars of the galaxy beyond your arm’s reach.
Just brilliant Gav
Man, that has bummed me right the fuck out
Carl Sagan was so profound. :-/
I’m here looking for the zenpencil Carl Sagan quote regarding his thoughts on religion, which really is more a quote on the sanctity of life and how precious it is. Ah… I’m not even describing it very well. Maybe someone will know what I’m referring to though…
Robert Hughey
http://www.hugheymarketing.com
http://zenpencils.com/comic/carl-sagan-make-the-most-of-this-life/ This one
This is amazing and thanks for giving me a shout out. Sorry I didn’t reply sooner, it’s been a busy year.
Es increíble lo que haces, estoy viendo todos tus magnificos dibujos. Con el poco ingles que se , los puedo entender bastante bien. Seguro te lo dijeron millones de veces. Hay algunas personas que lo traducen al español, no se si sos vos pero igual, en ingles se entiende bastante bien.
Te paso este link que lo tradujeron al español: http://www.cuantarazon.com/798426/amar-y-perder
Saludos desde Argentina!
If you’re not a fan of horror, I’d highly recommend his “childrens’ book” Abarat. Personally, it’s not my favorite prose, but the characters and the art are beautiful
Sorry for being a bit dumb, but I haven’t totally understood this quote. Can someone please elaborate for me? Is the thing that’s scariest of all is your time running out?