Rivers
Out now on Top Shelf - get your copies here
"RIVERS is some kind of national treasure. One of our February Books of the Month, it's a breezy, funny, compelling story about a group of utterly real, kitchen sink characters in the UK who’re all fully realised as completely different characters - to the point where it feels like they could walk right off the page - who all have an odd connection. What follows is pure comedy gold that is all just so effortless. So good to see." GNASH COMICS 2023
"A tapestry of individual stories, one that weaves together all the individual subplots and characters, eventually binding them tighter and tighter. A touching adventure, with twists and thoughtful sidebars." Fanboy Factor
"A soulful ensemble piece" Publishers Weekly
"clever, profound, whimsical, and altogether real. It’s the perfect antidote for our 5G world and perfect reading for lovers of storytelling, the comic book art form and each other." Biff Bam Pop
"Rivers is a story that melds science fiction and slice of life into a beautiful tale. The story by Gaffney is heartfelt and relatable. The art by Berry is gorgeous. Altogether, an excellent story that understands the need for human connection." Graphic Policy
You can buy a copy of Rivers here
Gideon is a lonely IT developer, obsessed by a comic book from childhood called Revenge of the Ghoulors, and secretly in love with his co-worker Lisa. Heidi works at home in her pyjamas, makes a lot of soup, and wishes she had time for friends. Peter is a 56 year old divorcee who delvers classic cars, has a built-in toaster, and thinks a lot about the past.
These three people seem unconnected, yet they share something - they each have the same recurring dream. And when a new web service is introduced that helps people share their dreams, what will happen when the three of them find out about each other? Just what is it that links these three lonely souls?
Rivers examines how momentous events from the past can bind people together forever, and explores the consequences of them eventually meeting up.
The story is told in several interwoven strands interspersed with compelling and expertly executed extracts from the comic book Gideon is obsessed with - Revenge Of The Ghoulors - and Berry and Gaffney's attention to detail in the development of this 'comic within a comic' is a testament to their love of and commitment to the form. This fictional comic work becomes almost another character, the childhood friend that Gideon never had, helping to form his adult personality, and guiding him philosophically and morally thorough the decisions he has to make.
RIVERS is a stunning follow up to the brilliantly funny and surreal Three Rooms in Valerie's Head (Top Shelf 2018) It is a truly original, quirky and powerful work which, while having some of the same qualities as Valerie's Head - snappy scenes that work as witty short stories, droll british deadpan humour, expertly drawn characters - it demonstrates that Gaffney and Berry are just as comfortable with a long-form, novelistic approach to the graphic novel, allowing characters more space to breathe and thus developing a deeper and more emotional relationship with the reader.
Get copies of Rivers here