Graphic novel on Shackleton story

The fans of the award winning one man show ’Tom Crean’, written and performed by Aidan Dooley, will be interested in a book to be launched at the Shackleton Museum in Athy, writes Brian Byrne.

‘Shackleton, The Voyage of the James Caird’ also tells the story of the epic rescue trip by the explorer and his crew, including Tom Crean, after their ship Endurance was sunk by pack ice in the Antarctic. The James Caird was the small row boat used by the group who went to look for help.

But it’s a book with a difference, a graphic novel, with illustrations by David Butler and text by Gavin McCumiskey. It will be launched by Jonathan Shackleton, author and historian, on 18 May at 7.30pm.

The event is being hosted by Kildare County Council, and the book is published by The Collins Press, which has already published a number of books on Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Antarctic exploration.

David Butler is a graduate of the Dun Laoghaire Film Institute of Ireland, Animation Production Course. He has worked on several award-winning projects, including the BAFTA-winning Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He is an animator and illustrator.

Gavin McCumiskey works with Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland, enjoys writing and has self-published three comics.