Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption

Comics and politics have been big news ever since Marjane Satrapi's sassy Iranian girlhood memoir Persepolis busted out of the comics ghetto and Joe Sacco's Palestine put comic-books-as-serious-journalism on the map. In fact, this is no new trend – it stretches right back to the birth of comics at the dawn of the 20th century, but political comics are only now being given the respect they deserve. Youth charity Ctrl.Alt.Shift have commissioned new work from international artists exploring the theme of corruption, creating a unique comic that bursts with different styles and approaches. The comic, simply titled 'Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption', includes some of the biggest names working in the medium today – Dave McKean, Pat Mills and Bryan Talbot all present work, alongside previous unknowns from places as far flung as China and Africa. Musicians VV Brown and Lightspeed Champion also contribute.

In conjunction with the project The Lazarides Gallery in Soho are hosting an exhibition of the same name. All month the gallery will be crammed with original artwork from the comic, as well as pieces commissioned especially for the exhibition. One of the highlights of the show are original comics displayed in glass cabinets. Political comics have always flown under the radar, resulting in weird and wonderful creations that are often bizarre, but never po-faced. Here we can see a leggy Lois Lane stepping into a machine that turns her black (gasp!), then asking Superman if he still loves her in I am Black (Curious)!, see a tearful Superman cradling an Ethiopian children in his arms in Heroes Against Hunger and gaze at the manically beaming face of Hansi – The Girl Who Loved The Swastika! A series of events will also be happening at the nearby ICA to complement the exhibition, with visiting comics creators participating in talks and a music event featuring a live performance from Blood Orange (Lightspeed Champion's new musical venture) among others, as part of the annual Comica festival. Get involved!  

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption at The Lazarides Gallery, 8 Greek Street, W1D from November 6 to 28.
Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmask Corruption: Music & Comics Night at ICA on November 10 with a live performance from Blood Orange.