Freak-Daddy Graphic Novels. This Genisis of peep magazine. Guerrilla Marketing infancy

Freak-Daddy Graphic Novel or ‘Comic’ is where my Guerrilla Marketing started. The Freak Daddy Graphic Novel was my first solo adventure into publishing, creating and illustration.

Freak Daddy Issues 1, 2 & 3

Freak Daddy Graphic Novels was actually where it all started.I had been illustrating, painting and drawing since I was about three years old, fast forward a few years to 1999 – FreakDaddy was born. My love for ‘Blaxsploitation‘ movies and Robert Beck ( Iceberg Slim ) books gave me the inspiration to complete a huge Graphic Novel journey. I was compiling the comic whilst holing down a full time job in the city of Newcastle, along with many late nights and weekends, endlessly drawing, conceptualising and painting a mini narrative, I finally managed to complete my first issue ( pictured below) I spent a few quid on a print-run of 100 issues. I had already established my outlets, which, at that point, was only ‘The Trent House’. My marketing and self publishing journey had began !

Freak Daddy ‘Pinnacle Of Punishment‘

The narrative of the first issue was loosely based around a ‘Pimp’ living in Chicago, around the early 60s going into the 70s. I document his struggle with suicide, depression and drug taking, whilst shaking down other drug dealers, pimps and prostitutes. His name was Sraidos De Cannonville (AKA FreakDaddy). He also had a secret benefactor by the name of ‘Claude’ who was a police commissionaire and not a stranger to the murky underworld of police bribery and protection. My first issue documents their relationship with crime and how they both turn the city upside down to their advantage.

( above picture ) – Cliff Sainsbury holding a selection of images against the Freak Daddy backdrop.

This was me showing a selection of images from Freakdaddy issue one publication. The backdrop was completed and hand painted for my upcoming exhibition at Newcastle’s Black Swan Arts Centre. This was also my first flat. I never gave it a second bit of notice , but I was only in my early twenties and living on my own with a full fime job ! And, Selling my own Graphic Novel. Not bad going.

Freak Daddy Flyers / Posters

Before going to College or University, I always had a passion for Communication and Marketing. This was my first real attempt at Guerrilla Marketing and Self Publishing ! All this, before Social Media ! I tried my best to capture the gritty feel of the comic with designing these flyers below. You can see from one of the flyers how many pubs I had acquired. It was building real pace and I was loving every minute of it ! There was some confusion at first with local club night promoters pulling my advertising down around the city , but once I explained this was promoting a Graphic Novel, it all got sorted !

Cliff Sainsbury starts his Guerrilla marketing journey with a Graphic Novel – Freak-Daddy

As I was developing my style, I began to get some real recognition around the North East and further afield. Newcastle’s Chronicle contacted me to write a feature on my self publishing Graphic Novel adventures. I also got an opportunity to set up my own Exhibition in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne – Black Swan Arts Centre.

A Budding Artist Drawn to work of Dark Humour Features in Newcastle Chronicle Newspaper

As long as I can remember, Ive always wanted to create my own comic. I was influenced by the early style of 2000AD and wanted to re-create something like that myself. I was working full-time in a clothes store called Ath-Leisure. After my shift I would return home to illustrate for most of the night. Some nights I would forget to go to bed and have to call in sick the next day complaining I wasn’t feeling great…but in reality, I had not slept for days (only done this twice) Who knows where all this was going to lead. . . I was having a great time illustrating and making a bit of money on the side. I was now selling Freak Daddy in most major ‘Alternative’ pubs around the city of Newcastle. So, if you were around those pubs around 1999 – 2002 you may of seen one or two.

Bishi Bashi Comic Exhibition With Freak-Daddy Graphic Novel.

Bishi Bashi contacted me pretty early on and asked if I was interested in showcasing my work, alongside theirs, at the Black Swan Arts Centre. This was situated at the bottom of Westgate Road. I thought it was a great idea. Above, is a selection of Bishi Bashi Flyers that were distributed around the North East. Well done Andy ! Wonder what he’s doing now.