New project teams up local 16-year-old autistic artist with cyberpunk author

A new book is launching which is a collaboration between young new Letchworth artist India Nobel and Hitchin sci-fi author - and Nub News reviewer - Matt Adcock.

The two met when India's mother Liz painted the cover for Matt's debut novel Complete Darkness which has topped sales charts and was picked as one of Den of Geek's books of the year.

Now Matt has written a fun cyber-story called Battlemages Don't Clean Their Teeth, it is based on a much-loved children's book Pirates Don't Clean Their Teeth and tells tale of Cleric20, a lowlife but loveable Battlemage who sets off on a highly adventurous assassination mission in London2.

Bryan Talbot, comic artist of Batman, Judge Dredd, Sandman & Luther Arkwright said:

"Be sure to buy Battlemages Don't Clean Their Teeth, not only to support this fledgling artist but also to make lots of money by selling this future collector's edition after India Noble becomes a world-famous anime star!" 

Published by Burton Mayers Books, this is a tale of futuristic daring-do featuring characters from Matt Adcock's novel and comic Complete Darkness. It is a book designed to encourage interactive thought and play and be neurodivergent friendly. The main characters are left black and white so readers can colour their outfits - colouring has been shown to help mental well-being... Which was important to India as she wanted it to be enjoyable and fun for all – and for autism not to be a barrier to having an element of ownership of the story.

Artist mother and daughter team Liz and India Noble created the visuals to go with Matt's words. India is just 16 and autistic - she's very excited to have the chance to show her art to the world. 

If readers take pictures of their colouring, Matt will upload their designs to an online gallery too – to inspire others. 

The project is currently in Kickstarter funding mode until 06 Jan '23, people are backing the campaign to bag an advance copy and one of the options allows backers to get a manga style portrait of themselves drawn by India too.

Find out more at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/cleric20/battlesmages-dont-clean-their-teeth

Hitchin's Danny Pearson, comic book writer and author of over 40 books for children and young adults said:

"Battlemages Don't Clean Their Teeth - A fantastically surreal read that feels like it could easily inhabit the pages of 2000AD. Cyberpunks, a world not too far away from our own with delightfully wicked words, and imagery, that marry together perfectly... it's allhere. Be sure to pick up a copy and support a very talented collection of humans."

The book has been endorsed by US cyberpunk podcast L0wL1F3 who said:  

There will be launch event in Hitchin bookshop 'Next Page Books' on 04 Feb '23 where the winner of the pre-release colouring competition will be announced and cyber-goodie bags will be given to the first 20 customers to turn up.

Be sure to find and follow @CompleteDarknessNovel on facebook for more details