Ben Newman

Confessions of a Superhero

When I was a kid, I collected Archie comics. Yup, those cheery, wondrous excursions into surburban, middle-America. For someone growing up around the somewhat tame beaches of Sydney, Australia, this window into the girl vs boy fixation of American teenagers — as reflected in the bright eyed adventures of Archie and his crew — bordered on the obsessive. I had garbage bags of them, comic book after comic book piled up and dog eared from repeated reading. Oh, and I had a crush on Betty. But that’s another story altogether. This documentary, Confessions of a Superhero, which chronicles the day to day existence of four faux superheroes panhandling on Hollywood Boulevard, makes me feel a whole lot better about that traumatic day at age sixteen when, convinced I had finally outgrown them, I packed up my entire collection of Archie comics and sold it to a kid down the street. Sigh. I still recall the sense of loss that enveloped me as I handed the bags over in exchange for $50 and a thick wad of football cards. But now I’m grateful for that moment of belated epiphany. Afterall, I could’ve easily ended up sporting a red wig, op shop clothes and flogging fake smiles and hugs on LA’s tackiest strip.

Sickboy’s golden key

Having been at the vanguard of Bristol’s graffiti scene for some time now, Sickboy has just released his first solo show, Stay Free, in London. The concept is a good one, although slightly reminiscent of his contemporary, Banksy. He’s transformed a Victorian Grade II listed building in East London into a ‘3D creative playground, a la a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’. What’s more, there’s a golden ticket up for grabs. 1000 keys will be released to visitors, and the person whose key fits the lock will become the new owner of the Factory.

Jörn Kaspuhl’s vibrant illustrations

Jörn Kaspuhl was born and raised in Stade in Northern Germany. In 2002, he moved to Hamburg and started the education in illustration at the University of Applied Sciences (expected graduation later this year). He has been working as a freelance illustrator since the summer of 2006.

The Antlers’ Hospice

I’ll admit it, on first listen and in a terrible figity mood, i jumped though the tracks, looking for the instant gratification of a big melody before switching to something else. Despite a few negative reviews from others also too quick to judge, the response to this album has been so astoundingly positive, it’s impossible to dismiss. Written after emerging from a period of social isolation and centered around issues of a man and his dying lover, The Antlers’ album, Hospice, slowly creeps up upon the listener. With delicately constructed chords and small movements, the journey of the album unravels loneliness, isolation and deep catharsis.

James Joyce

It takes guts to be simple. Overcrowding, overworking and over-thinking are far easier. London-based artist and illustrator James Joyce shows how good color choice, clever concepts, and a keen eye for type can get you work with big clients, such as Wallpaper, Nike and Penguin Books, to name a few. Read more

Supermundane

I can tell how much I like a designer by the the speed at which I bookmark their site. With Rob Lowe (aka Supermundane), it was on the home page. That’s a pretty good sign. Supermundane is a multi-disciplined creative who impressively creates all text himself for every project he does. Prepare yourself to be jealous.