A thrilling tale of passion, courage and determination. Michael Collins became a hero: a soldier, a freedom-fighter, a ghost: Ireland’s Rebel Son. In life, in death, a legend.
Raised on songs and stories of Irish heroes and the struggle for Irish independence, young Michael Collins was sworn into the IRB in London by Sam Maguire. As Joseph Plunkett’s aide-de-camp he took his place in the GPO at Easter 1916. He rose through the ranks in the universities of Revolution, the prisons of Stafford and Frongoch, and returned to the work of independence when released. Mick was the man behind the scenes: creator of the Intelligence network, the Squad and orchestrated the war against the British. When De Valera demanded he take his place as a negotiator of the Treaty, he did his duty, and then defended his beliefs as the country degenerated to Civil War. Cut down by his countrymen in his own country, the Big Fella died on 22 August 1922 at Béal na mBláth, but his legend continues to grow.
This graphic novel chronicles the life and legacy of the legendary Michael Collins.
DAVID BUTLER, originally from Kildare, now lives in Portarlington, County Laois, with his wife and three children. A graduate of the Dun Laoghaire Film Institute of Ireland, Animation Production Course, he has worked on several award-winning animation projects, including the BAFTA award-winning 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' for Channel 4. He has worked for Pfizer Ireland in Newbridge in various roles since joining them over 20 years ago in 2002.
He is involved with CelticCon Midland ComicConvention and the Port Art Collective for various creative events. He continues to work in film as a freelance producer for Frame It Productions and Songway Films.
His work as an illustrator includes The Shackleton Voyage of the James Caird, a graphic novel on Irish Antarctic explorers.
David has collaborated with author Mario Corrigan on four children's books for the self-published Fish Pyjamas series and the graphic novel Michael Collins: Ireland's Rebel Son
For further information visit his website www.anithing.ie
twitter.com/anithingartist
facebook.com/anithingartist
A librarian with Kildare Library Services, Mario has written and edited many books on the history of Co. Kildare and his hometown of Kildare. He has written four children’s books with children in schools in Kildare, Listowel and Roscommon, all of which were illustrated by David Butler.
As part of his work on the Decade of Centenaries project in Kildare he has written a play A Terrible Beauty Exposed! and a narration for a series of concerts, Birth of a Nation, which included a performance in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
On 9 July 2022 he delivered the oration at the centenary commemoration for Cathal Brugha in Glasnevin Cemetery.
Fiona Boniwell is a comic creator based in Cork, Ireland. She has contributed to a number of Irish comics as an illustrator and lettering artist. Fiona also facilitates workshops and is equally passionate about creating and teaching comic art projects.
Her interests beyond comics centre on family and practising Kuk Sool Won (Korean martial arts) with them.
Website: www.boniwellgraphics.com
Instagram: @Boniwell_Graphics · Twitter: @FionaBoniwell