Graphic view of teenage life, but is it sending the wrong message?

Published: 27 May 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

AN online graphic novel depicting the life of Camden Town teenagers features story-lines about drug use and street fights.

Alien Ink, the uncompromising comic strip unveiled last week, is set in a tattoo parlour. A joint project between a comic book design team and Channel 4, it has been billed as an internet version of the channel’s taboo-busting show Skins.

The tone of the stories, updated each week, has concerned some councillors who are worried that it may send out the “wrong message” about NW1.

Despite revolving around a possible alien invasion in Camden, the main thrust of the story focuses on how a group of characters deal with teen issues.

The youths in the strip smoke cannabis, get into fights with gangs and are threatened with knives. The comic strip also deals with issues around self-esteem and friendship.

The strip is illustrated by David Bircham, who had a comic book stall in Camden Market until recently. His wife Esther, who runs the business side of the operation, said Camden was chosen as a setting because it was an area well-known to them and famed for its youth culture.

She said: “These are the issues that teenagers are dealing with today. They want help with information – drugs, alco­hol and sex – it’s a great way of entertaining as well as providing information in a graphic form.” 

Labour councillor Abdul Hai, Camden’s new community safety chief, said: “This is not what Camden Town is – yes, it has issues and some of that needs to be addressed, but I don’t think the magazine does justice to Camden Town in its entirety. This may discourage people from coming here.”

Kayum Miah, 18, from King’s Cross, said Camden Town was not as bad as it appeared in the graphic novel. 

It risked creating a misconception about the area, he believed. 

“If I didn’t live here I’d get the wrong message about the place,” he said. “There might be those things around me but it’s not always like that for young people. We’re not all under pressure – there’s a lot of support for us.”

Alien Ink can be viewed at www.alienink.co.uk