Wigan-born writer & artist BRIAN GORMAN’s latest project is ‘MANCHESTER/SALFORD: A Tale Of Two Cities’, a social history told in the increasingly popular graphic novel format. Inspired by his recent move to the area after spending 15 years in Chester, Gorman is working hard on condensing centuries of history into an entertaining and informative read for tourist and native alike. With the likes of actress MAXINE PEAKE (who starred as the feisty Veronica in the Manchester-based TV show ‘Shameless’) contributing stories and anecdotes, Brian is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his hero, multi award-winning comics’ writer/artist BRYAN TALBOT.

“Bryan’s latest work is ‘ALICE IN SUNDERLAND’, a magnificent 300 page graphic novel that expertly combines a detailed history of Sunderland with an exploration of the roots of Lewis Carroll’s master- piece. I was amazed by how much I didn’t know about Sunderland, and all the connections with ‘Alice In Wonderland’. It made me think about doing a smaller scale version for my own neck of the woods.”

Gorman, 44, remembers fondly his teen-age years in the early 1980s when he would regularly cycle up the East Lancs Road in order to scour Manchester’s 2nd-hand book and record shops: “It used to take me an hour to cycle from Wigan, and I remember the excitement of approaching Manchester city centre via the Chapel Street area of Salford. Moving here two decades later, it’s amazing to see what’s changed (and what hasn’t). It’s such a crying shame to see the fantastic buildings on Chapel Street left to disintegrate, and I’m looking forward to illustrating them in the book, and showing people how they used to look.” In 1991 Gorman left Wigan, and a job as a computer sales manager, to study for a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Art and English Literature at Chester College. On graduating 3 years later, he took a job at The Chester Gateway Theatre where he worked for 12 years. Initially in the box office, he also acted in amateur and professional plays, designed posters, and even directed a sell-out show where he interviewed Alan & Judith Kilshaw – the notorious ‘Internet Baby Adoption Couple’ – as his comic alter-ego Frank Burton (Entertainer): “That was a memorable evening for a variety of reasons. My comedy act went down like a lead balloon before a very intense audience”. Writing a biography of the couple, Brian appeared on Granada Reports, and even recorded a tongue-in-cheek song with them (again as ‘Frank Burton’). The book enabled him to obtain a top London literary agent, and he has recently been commissioned to adapt it for a forthcoming television film.

Brian left Chester Gateway in 2005, and moved to Salford a year later: “I looked after a friend’s house in Ordsall for 9 months while they were travelling. I’d never heard of Ordsall, but soon found it to be a friendly and fascinating place – despite some gloomy descriptions from one or two people! One rainey Sunday afternoon I accidentally came across the famous Salford Lads’ Club, and as a big Smiths fan it really made my day.” In July of last year, Brian then moved to his current home in the Pendleton area of the city: “I was intrigued by the often negative media image of Salford, and I set out to explore the area for myself. The fact that Frederick Engels lived here, and regularly went drinking with Karl Marx, is fascinating. Then there’s L.S. Lowry, and actors such as Albert Finney, Robert Powell, and Christopher Eccleston all growing up on these streets. There’s a real feeling of working class pride, and generosity of spirit. Having had a poverty-stricken childhood myself, and working in a variety of back-breaking lowly-paid jobs in Wigan, I felt right at home having The Working Class Movement Library as a neighbour!”

As for Manchester, such historical events as the Peterloo massacre also made Gorman think about his roots, and the plight of the working classes. The fact that the site was eventually occupied by The Free Trade Hall (now a swanky hotel) – and hosted the Sex Pistols in 1976 (a legendary event attended by a tiny audience that included the likes of Ian Curtis and Joy Division, plus Mick Hucknall, and the late Tony Wilson) appealed to Brian’s fascination with synchronicity and ‘invisible connections’: “I find it absolutely incredible just how many links there are between the most diverse of people and locations. Dig deep enough, and it seems we are all part of one huge ‘web’. There are strands everywhere, and the hard evidence is all around us. On any given day I could be sitting in the very same pub where Marx debated his political theories with Engels. I could be walking across the same paving stones that Alan Turing did whilst creating the world’s first computer. All that separates us is time. In my graphic novel, I will explore this exciting area of experience, and hopefully bring characters and events from the past and present together in an entertaining and informative way.” Gorman is now embarking on extensive research for ‘MANCHESTER/SALFORD: A Tale Of Two Cities’, and is keen to hear from anyone with appropriate memories and anecdotes: “I’d love to hear from people with first-hand experience of the area, and anyone interested in the book are welcome to email me.”

Brian’s recently completed his first independently produced comic book, ‘BORDERLINERS: Ceremony Of Innocence’, which includes scenes set in Albert Square, and on The Crescent. The comic book is now on sale and available from www.unicocomics.co.uk, and he has received several rave reviews from comics professionals: “The effort that's gone into this is clear on every page, from the staging, the lighting, rendering and storytelling, to the sparsity of the dialogue - just enough to hint, never enough to tell. It's a joy to read something that doesn't treat the reader like an idiot. No signposts, just intrigue. You have to concentrate. You know that there's going to be a great unfolding of events but you're just getting a tantalising glimpse, not a guided tour.”

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