What a night we had at Bar Shorts yesterday, marking the 20th anniversary of Who I Am and What I Want!
To celebrate, David took the reins and curated a hand‑picked programme of his work. The line‑up was a treasure trove of rarities, featuring The Laughter House, London, Thirteen, Start/Finish, and The Artist—each piece a reminder of his bold, distinctive voice.
One of the evening’s highlights was the documentary Mantis Muse, which pulled back the curtain on the making of his Praying Mantis life‑drawing exhibition. The film not only revealed the creative process but also captured a moving reunion with his former school teacher, sparking a thoughtful debate on the role and value of art in secondary education.
It was a night of reflection, discovery, and celebration—an anniversary worthy of the work it honoured.
The evening drew to a close with something truly special: a brand‑new remastered screening of Who I Am and What I Want, dedicated to the memory of the film’s producer, Maria Manton.
The restoration was a labour of love, brought to life by Chris, John Taylor, and Gary Brown, with the 5.1 surround sound beautifully reinstated by Barnaby Templer at Fonic. Seeing the film restored to such sharpness and vibrancy was a genuine thrill—especially knowing that the original master was lost when Slinky closed.
To experience the film a new, in all its clarity and power, felt like rediscovering an old friend. A massive thanks to David Anderson, DognRabbit, Molly, Ryan and Patrick at The Garden Cinema for making it happen. Photos by Alice Cox and Tristan Flear.
And the celebration doesn’t end there— the remastered version of Who I Am and What I Want is now live on Vimeo, restored in all its full glory. After years of being thought lost with the closure of Slinky, it’s a joy to see the film reborn, sharper and more powerful than ever.
Meanwhile, it’s a year since Anfield Road hit the shelves—and nothing’s been the same since.
It’s been a wild ride for Chris, and one of the best years yet. To mark the first anniversary of this gritty, unforgettable graphic novel, we’re dropping something special: a limited edition version, signed, stamped, and featuring a hand-numbered book plate—only 60 in existence.
But here’s the catch: There are just 2 book plates left on the Etsy shop. If you want one, move fast.
Missed out? Don’t panic. Our brilliant friends at Gosh! Comics, Dave’s Comics, La Belle Adventure, and Forbidden Planet Liverpool still have copies waiting for you. Why not pop in a grab one.
Happy birthday to Conor, Maureen, Mary, and the whole Anfield Road crew. You made this story unforgettable.
This is not all! We have more Anfield Road events coming up!
Folkestone Illustration Festival
Folkestone, Kent 6–9 November Chris leads a masterclass and joins a panel with Astrid Goldsmith at Folkestone’s first-ever Illustration Festival. A must for aspiring illustrators and animation fans. Details on the Festivals Insta.
SE London Book Festival
Morocco Bound, London Bridge 9 November | 14:00 Chris joins a powerful lineup including Diane Abbott, Evie Wyld, and Vince Cable. Free tickets available — but they’re going fast! Book your ticket for Chris’s event and support the festival’s food bank initiative.
Kracken Comics
Bebington Saturday 29th Nov | 7pm. Chris will talk through his book plus a reading. More information on the Kracken insta.
Haven’t read Anfield Road yet? Now’s the perfect time to dive in. Grab your copy here or experience it live at one of these unforgettable events. Or perhaps watch a reading online?
