12th August 2024
Hull Maritime has joined forces with Hull Libraries to make our popular series of Maritime Tales comics available for people to borrow for free online.
The popular comics, created by local artist Gareth Sleightholme have been a big hit throughout the project. By adding the comics onto the Hull Libraries catalogue a wider audience will be able to read and enjoy these comics including those who missed out on getting their free printed copy.
Emma Smith, Community Engagement Officer for Hull Maritime, said: “At Hull Maritime we believe in the power of stories and the creative arts to bring history to life. We’re delighted to have worked with Hull Libraries to share these comics and hope that they inspire people to find out more about the fascinating maritime history of Hull and the wider region.”
Hull Maritime commissioned three comics to date, following local children Lily and Jacob as they look at the history and folklore that makes up part of this city's amazing maritime heritage. The first comic created by Gareth Sleightholme, ‘The Strange Case of the Very Strange Case’, accompanied the arrival of the Kraken in Hull city centre, which many people will remember from 2021. The second comic, ‘Drawing Near the Isle of the Sirens’ challenges readers to explore the Ferens Art Gallery and find artworks in the galleries hidden throughout the comics pages. The latest volume was commissioned in 2024 to accompany the popular Hull/Ravenser Odd: Twin Cities, Sunken Pasts exhibition at the Hull History Centre. The third instalment, ‘1235: A Spurn Oddity - Lily and Jacob in Search of Ravenser Odd’ looks at the folklore of the sunken island, bringing this forgotten story to life.
Local illustrator and comic book artist originally from Withernsea now living in Hull, Gareth Sleightholme said: “I hope these comics will spark the curiosity of families and kids, showing that it's okay to be quiet and creative, and to be inquisitive and ask questions. And to show where some of those answers might be found.”
The Maritime Tales comics can be borrowed online using Borrowbox - all you need is a library card.
Information on how to join Hull Libraries for free can be found here. Access Hull Libraries Borrowbox here.
