Written by Henry Cobbold
Illustrated by Tim Major
Watercoloured by Rosina Lytton

ISBN: 0-9539649-0-6

A FULL-COLOUR, A4-SIZE, HARDBACK, NARRATIVE COMIC BOOK ALBUM


The 39 is pleased to announce the publication of the continental-style graphic novel, "WEARING A SMILE -A ROMANTIC COMEDY ABOUT NUDITY". The book is the first novel about nudity - in graphic form or otherwise - and unusual in Britain as a comic book that's not primarily for children.

It tells the story of Sylvie, the most beautiful girl in the world. Nicholas would do anything for her. Anything. Anything, that is, except go on holiday with her entire family wearing nothing but a smile!

The book is based on an original screenplay by Henry Cobbold, screenwriter of Billy Zane's "LAKE CONSEQUENCE" and David Duchovny's "RED SHOE DIARIES", and illustrated by Tim Major, regular illustrator for "THE NEW STATESMAN" and "THE EROTIC REVIEW".

Why nudity? "Because, bizarrely, everyone is fascinated by nudity," says Henry Cobbold, "in Britain, in particular, we're scared of it, amused by it, shocked by it, turned on by it... invariably unsettled by it. We go to great lengths to suppress it, yet happily pay money to see it. Nudity is the last absurd taboo!"

Why a comic book? "I'm a big fan of BDs ("Bande Dessinees" - the continental book format most familiar to British readers in the TINTIN and ASTERIX books). When you consider the beautiful art being created by people like Milo Manara and Guido Crepax it's only right that their work is showcased in a hardback album format. I've always loved Tim Major's drawing - it has so much movement and humour. It deserves its place on the coffee table rather than tucked away in a magazine rack."

What next? "The 39 plans to publish more BDs in the English language, including more work by myself and Tim Major, together with some of the best of the continental albums that have not yet been seen in English. Buy WEARING A SMILE today [right now, by clicking here] and the sooner The 39 will publish more albums like it!"