Howard Hardiman's graphic novel 'The Lengths' launched in hardcover edition

I reviewed Howard Hardiman's The Lengths in December 2012. Originally released in seven issues, the complete story arc is now available in a hardback collection from Soaring Penguin Press.

To recap, The Lengths follows gay college dropout Eddie as his blossoming relationship begins to conflict with his secret life as a male escort named 'Ford'. Eddie, his boyfriend Dan, scary pimp Nelson and the supporting cast are all dogs. The dialogue is realistic, the black and white London backdrop atmospheric, and the situation both intriguing and touching. The series has received positive reviews from sources as diverse as Gay Comics List and The New Statesman.

The new edition was launched at Gosh! Comics in Soho, London, on Friday 11th October. I went along to buy a signed copy, and was lucky enough to enjoy a chat with the author (and a bone-shaped cookie).

I asked Hardiman if he was aware of the furry subculture when he wrote The Lengths. Yes - and unwillingness to have his work pigeonholed as a furry comic was one reason he kept the representations of sex acts to the subtle yet effective scenes shown. Yet he doesn't mind counting furries among his fans.

"I believe when you create a work you only own half of it," he said. "The other half is whatever the audience makes of it."

Buy The Lengths from Soaring Penguin Press - from Amazon (UK) - £17.99
208 pages - Hardcover - Black and white - ISBN-13: 978-1908030108