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IDP: 2043
An environmentally-themed graphic novel brings together a dream-team of European artists and writers—including Denise Mina and Irvine Welsh— to imagine Scotland in 30 years
A graphic novel in collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival to mark its 30th anniversary, IDP (short for "internally displaced person or persons") imagines a Scotland 30 years in the future. Six teams of major names in European comics and graphics novels collaborate on a single narrative. Celebrated French graphic novelist and illustrator Barroux, Dotter of Her Father's Eyes author Mary Talbot, artist Kate Charlesworth, "grandfather of British comics" and co-creator of 2000AD Pat Mills, graphic novelist Hannah Berry, enfant terrible of Scottish letters and author of Trainspotting Irvine Welsh, graphic artist Dan McDaid, and graphic novelists Adam Murphy and Will Morris have been brought together by story editor, crime writer, and graphic novelist, Denise Mina. The story, a single narrative divided into six chapters, follows the catastrophic effects of a small rise in sea levels on the county's heavily populated low lying areas and how society reimagines itself in the face of a huge population shift in a world of scarce resources.
A graphic novel in collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival to mark its 30th anniversary, IDP (short for "internally displaced person or persons") imagines a Scotland 30 years in the future. Six teams of major names in European comics and graphics novels collaborate on a single narrative. Celebrated French graphic novelist and illustrator Barroux, Dotter of Her Father's Eyes author Mary Talbot, artist Kate Charlesworth, "grandfather of British comics" and co-creator of 2000AD Pat Mills, graphic novelist Hannah Berry, enfant terrible of Scottish letters and author of Trainspotting Irvine Welsh, graphic artist Dan McDaid, and graphic novelists Adam Murphy and Will Morris have been brought together by story editor, crime writer, and graphic novelist, Denise Mina. The story, a single narrative divided into six chapters, follows the catastrophic effects of a small rise in sea levels on the county's heavily populated low lying areas and how society reimagines itself in the face of a huge population shift in a world of scarce resources.
171 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
74 people want to read
About the author
Denise Mina
110 books2,536 followersDenise Mina was born in Glasgow in 1966. Because of her father's job as an Engineer, the family followed the north sea oil boom of the seventies around Europe
She left school at sixteen and did a number of poorly paid jobs, including working in a meat factory, as a bar maid, kitchen porter and cook.
Eventually she settled in auxiliary nursing for geriatric and terminal care patients.
At twenty one she passed exams, got into study Law at Glasgow University and went on to research a PhD thesis at Strathclyde University on the ascription of mental illness to female offenders, teaching criminology and criminal law in the mean time.
Misusing her grant she stayed at home and wrote a novel, 'Garnethill' when she was supposed to be studying instead.
She left school at sixteen and did a number of poorly paid jobs, including working in a meat factory, as a bar maid, kitchen porter and cook.
Eventually she settled in auxiliary nursing for geriatric and terminal care patients.
At twenty one she passed exams, got into study Law at Glasgow University and went on to research a PhD thesis at Strathclyde University on the ascription of mental illness to female offenders, teaching criminology and criminal law in the mean time.
Misusing her grant she stayed at home and wrote a novel, 'Garnethill' when she was supposed to be studying instead.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 21, 2014
I love this book for its ambition and concept - the brilliant team of collaborators, each approaching their chapter from a slightly different genre perspective and visual style, ensure that it is a thrilling visual experience.
The plot is not its strongest element though; the first five chapters build up a rich cast of characters with mysterious backstories and motivations, but that leaves Mary Talbot's final chapter with a huge task, to try and tie all these elements together in a satisfying way. Inevitably, the conclusion feels rushed, with some characters' stories resolved so briefly that it's unclear what has actually happened to them.
But, the big picture, the vision of this possible future Scotland of 2043, is well developed throughout, and the book itself is beautifully presented - a real pleasure to read.
The plot is not its strongest element though; the first five chapters build up a rich cast of characters with mysterious backstories and motivations, but that leaves Mary Talbot's final chapter with a huge task, to try and tie all these elements together in a satisfying way. Inevitably, the conclusion feels rushed, with some characters' stories resolved so briefly that it's unclear what has actually happened to them.
But, the big picture, the vision of this possible future Scotland of 2043, is well developed throughout, and the book itself is beautifully presented - a real pleasure to read.
April 28, 2020
This felt a bit too apt for the current climate being a future dystopia where fear of plague is separating the haves and have nots. It had some really interesting ideas and some great artwork but I found the change of authors really impacted the pacing as a book as a whole making it uneven, but certainly worth reading.
June 10, 2019
Each chapter of this book, is illustrated by a different artists (there's ten artists) and whilst it was interesting to see how each artists style influences the story, I found it very jarring seeing the vastly different art styles. Not to mention I wasn't the biggest fan of the art styles...
The chapters themselves didn't make much sense or connect well together, with smaller side characters having chapters devoted to their backstories and there's less of a focus happening in the present.
I would've loved to see flashbacks of how the world became to be like it is and tie it to the story as it helps gain a better understanding of the world but I always think it's interesting to find more about how a dystopia like world became to be...
The chapters themselves didn't make much sense or connect well together, with smaller side characters having chapters devoted to their backstories and there's less of a focus happening in the present.
I would've loved to see flashbacks of how the world became to be like it is and tie it to the story as it helps gain a better understanding of the world but I always think it's interesting to find more about how a dystopia like world became to be...
August 21, 2015
Some of the chapters were better written/ drawn than others. The story felt disjointed, and not just because there were multiple contributors.
May 30, 2019
I would give it a 5 for its concept but a 3 for its execution. I was instantly drawn in by the imagined world of 2043 and what that might mean for class, hunger, economics, poverty, and even architecture. Because it was a collaborative project each chapter was individually not bad but they didn't tie together very well in terms of a cohesive look, feel, and story. Still enjoyed it and will look up these artists, authors, and illustrators to see how their work compares when given room to stretch out.
March 21, 2020
Possibly not the best time to read a book about a post-flood Edinburgh with a small pox problem 😳
That said the different styles and the ambition of the project makes it a good read. Like others, the rushed ending and (for me) challenges in keeping up with the plot makes it a 3 star. Uplifting ending though.
Oh, and don't read it at the moment, wait until the pandemic is over ☺️
That said the different styles and the ambition of the project makes it a good read. Like others, the rushed ending and (for me) challenges in keeping up with the plot makes it a 3 star. Uplifting ending though.
Oh, and don't read it at the moment, wait until the pandemic is over ☺️
August 10, 2025
I didn’t like the story but I always enjoy seeing the work of different artists and that I liked :)
March 7, 2017
Very cool premise to have different writers and artists tackle six nonlinear passages from one story. Wide, thought-provoking cautionary tale in a fascinatingly/admirably compact package. A couple sections did fall totally flat for me though.
June 16, 2022
A patchwork collaboration in this futuristic story, where society is tightly controlled due to threats of a disease, with agriculture and supply controlled by a giant global corporation, which also happens to be incompetent. It's an unfortunate theme with Covid existing.
While each story could be ok on it's own, the result feels disjointed, perhaps as if told by multiple narrators each trying to paint themselves in the best light. The boxer turned henchmen suddenly undergoes a fuzzy change of heart™! And then he is completely irrelevant to the story. Wait, was he relevant at all? The reveal at the end felt very distasteful and nonsensical, a deus ex machina to be able to shift control and lead to a thoroughly unrealistic and slapped on happy ending. How could this collaboration of evil fail? cartoon music playout
While each story could be ok on it's own, the result feels disjointed, perhaps as if told by multiple narrators each trying to paint themselves in the best light. The boxer turned henchmen suddenly undergoes a fuzzy change of heart™! And then he is completely irrelevant to the story. Wait, was he relevant at all? The reveal at the end felt very distasteful and nonsensical, a deus ex machina to be able to shift control and lead to a thoroughly unrealistic and slapped on happy ending. How could this collaboration of evil fail? cartoon music playout
September 11, 2016
I had high hopes for this, as there were such amazing authors and artists involved and I'd heard a lot about it. I was worried that the stories and styles wouldn't tie together but that was actually the strongest element here.
Despite the strong styles the story was the weak point, especially the last chapter. Some characters didn't seem to be mentioned that I wanted to hear about and it was a bit too easy.
Despite the strong styles the story was the weak point, especially the last chapter. Some characters didn't seem to be mentioned that I wanted to hear about and it was a bit too easy.
February 4, 2015
Really enjoyed this and a very scary and believable version of a not too distant future. Great contributions from all involved in both art and story (with the exception of one chapter which i didn't think was up to much).
March 31, 2015
Fun premise. It was kind of like that game where someone starts a story..and you have to finish it and go around the circle. The tone and art were all different while maintaining the characters. A fun little souvenir from London from the hubbyl.
February 23, 2016
Fantastic concept, great collaboration, flimsy execution
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews