Friday, September 5, 2014

LUNA: Who is Dave McKean?


Director Dave McKean is best known for his collaborations with comic world superstar Neil Gaiman. The two met in 1986 after hearing about a publisher interested in publishing an anthology created by unknowns. While the anthology never came to be, they later met with Paul Gravett, co-editor of Escape Magazine, who offered to print a short graphic novel about childhood perception and disturbing memories called Violent Cases.

Violent Cases

After Violent Cases, the pair attended a meeting with DC Comics representatives who were visiting England on a talent scouting expedition. Though McKean said “[they] don’t really want us to do stuff for them, they were probably just being polite”, DC Comics offered them the Black Orchid miniseries, kick starting their long relationship with DC Comics.

Black Orchid

From there, McKean provided the artwork for Grant Morrison’s Batman graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, which quickly became one of the best-selling American superhero comics.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

McKean is best known for creating the covers for Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. Using a variety of techniques such as painting, sculpture, photography, drawing and computer manipulation, McKean was able to convince DC editor Karen Berger that the protagonist did not need to appear on every cover.

Creating the cover for The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes

Sandman #10: The Wake

Sandman #11: Vertigo

Luna is not Dave McKean’s first foray into film. His feature film debut was 2005’s MirrorMask, written by Neil Gaiman and produced by Jim Henson Studios. Dave McKean also provided the illustrations for Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, which was later adapted into a stop motion film by Henry Selick and Laika Studios.

Coraline's The Other Mother

With Luna, McKean’s disturbingly gorgeous illustrations will come to life in a blend of live action and animation that is sure to be memorable.


Further information about Luna can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the film's official website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

LUNA Screening Times:
Sat., Sept. 6, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 6:30 PM
Mon., Sept. 8, AGO Jackman Hall 9:00 AM
Sun., Sept. 14, Scotiabank 9 8:45 PM

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