Writer, artist, and filmmaker Chris Shepherd’s debut graphic novel depicts a beautiful coming of age story centered around growing up in the working-class dynamics of Merseyside in the late eighties.
For fans of emotional stories about family and ambition and set in the rich history of Liverpool.
As Conor Sterling is about to turn 18, he wrestles with a tough choice: to go to art college or look after his sick, dominating grandmother? While life seems to move faster, he falls for a West-Indian girl who his grandmother disapproves of. Conor is torn between doing the right thing for him or submitting to the will of his crazy grandmother.
What follows is a funny and poignant coming of age story set in Liverpool in 1989. The land of The La’s, the Hillsborough disaster and Findus Crispy Pancakes.
A graphic novel full of heart, soul and wit - Jesse Armstrong (Succession, Veep)
"Shepherd grew up in the city, and his affection for it, even in the bleakest of times, can be felt on every page." The Observer “This – like everything Chris does – is infused with great joy, compassion and love.” Richard Ayoade "Anfield Road blends Chris’s trademark dark humour with social commentary in a tale that is at times grim but ultimately redemptive. The economy and beauty of this graphic novel highlights how talented (and probably underrated) he is as both as a storyteller and an artist." David Shrigley (artist) “Chris captures the beauty and the bleak of growing up skint in 80s Liverpool. Makes me want to jump on the 79 to The Pier Head and throw chips at seagulls.”Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland) “Heartbreakingly funny and beautifully drawn. A thing of wonder.” Robert Popper (Friday Night Dinner, Look Around You) “Chris Shepherd has always been the voice of the northern working class and in my eyes a bit of a film-making genius to go with it. Here is the indisputable truth.” John McClure (Reverend and the Makers)
"This is one of the best and most powerful graphic novels I've seen." David Quantick (Novelist and Veep writer)
"It's fascinating to see such a beautiful rendition of Anfield in the late 80s, a neglected landscape that I knew so well.” Alexei Sayle
"Anfield Road is a unique and beautiful coming-of-age book packed with heart. It’ll make you laugh and it’ll break your heart." Comics Bulletin
Chris Shepherd is an artist, writer, filmmaker and British comedy legend. He's done everything - from the 43rd World Stare-out Championships with Paul Hatcher for BBC's Big Train comedy sketch show, to working on music videos for Reverend and the Makers, Holly Johnson, Lambshop (as HeCTA), and The Wave Pictures. He also worked to create animations for BC Camplight, Sara Pascoe, Nathan Barley et al.
Writer, artist, and filmmaker Chris Shepherd’s debut graphic novel depicts a beautiful coming of age story centered around growing up in the working-class dynamics of Merseyside in the late eighties.
For fans of emotional stories about family and ambition and set in the rich history of Liverpool.
As Conor Sterling is about to turn 18, he wrestles with a tough choice: to go to art college or look after his sick, dominating grandmother? While life seems to move faster, he falls for a West-Indian girl who his grandmother disapproves of. Conor is torn between doing the right thing for him or submitting to the will of his crazy grandmother.
What follows is a funny and poignant coming of age story set in Liverpool in 1989. The land of The La’s, the Hillsborough disaster and Findus Crispy Pancakes.
Praise
A graphic novel full of heart, soul and wit - Jesse Armstrong (Succession, Veep)
"Shepherd grew up in the city, and his affection for it, even in the bleakest of times, can be felt on every page." The Observer “This – like everything Chris does – is infused with great joy, compassion and love.” Richard Ayoade "Anfield Road blends Chris’s trademark dark humour with social commentary in a tale that is at times grim but ultimately redemptive. The economy and beauty of this graphic novel highlights how talented (and probably underrated) he is as both as a storyteller and an artist." David Shrigley (artist) “Chris captures the beauty and the bleak of growing up skint in 80s Liverpool. Makes me want to jump on the 79 to The Pier Head and throw chips at seagulls.”Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland) “Heartbreakingly funny and beautifully drawn. A thing of wonder.” Robert Popper (Friday Night Dinner, Look Around You) “Chris Shepherd has always been the voice of the northern working class and in my eyes a bit of a film-making genius to go with it. Here is the indisputable truth.” John McClure (Reverend and the Makers)
"This is one of the best and most powerful graphic novels I've seen." David Quantick (Novelist and Veep writer)
"It's fascinating to see such a beautiful rendition of Anfield in the late 80s, a neglected landscape that I knew so well.” Alexei Sayle
"Anfield Road is a unique and beautiful coming-of-age book packed with heart. It’ll make you laugh and it’ll break your heart." Comics Bulletin
Author
Chris Shepherd is an artist, writer, filmmaker and British comedy legend. He's done everything - from the 43rd World Stare-out Championships with Paul Hatcher for BBC's Big Train comedy sketch show, to working on music videos for Reverend and the Makers, Holly Johnson, Lambshop (as HeCTA), and The Wave Pictures. He also worked to create animations for BC Camplight, Sara Pascoe, Nathan Barley et al.
