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WORK TITLE: Dalston Monsterzz
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://dilrajmann.tumblr.com/
CITY: Lewes
STATE:
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Male.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and illustrator.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Dilraj Mann has worked as an illustrator creating comics, prints, animations, and various other art for a variety of clients, from Image Comics to Sony and Kodansha. “I’m all about drawing the human form,” Mann told Greg McIndoe for the Inkygoodness website. Mann began drawing at a young age. A friend of his worked for a paper mill and would give him rolls of wallpaper lining, which Mann used to draw characters and create stories. “Give me some lino and I’ll bust out a windmill,” Mann told McIndoe.
In his debut graphic novel, Dalston Monsterzz, Mann tells a story in which freakish monsters and nefarious property developers seem to be destroying Dalston, part of East London. The only ones who can stop them are a misfit group of people from hipsters and nerds to prostitutes. Commenting on how he developed the idea for the story, Mann told Inkygoodness website contributor McIndoe: “When I first moved to Dalston there were hookers on Kingsland Road but there seemed to be new studio flats popping up everywhere, cranes in the sky, and I imagined that there would be a monstrous consequence to the gentrification,” adding: “I wanted to do a kind of urban Harry Potter where the ethnic characters weren’t just an afterthought but central to the story.”
Mann’s debut begins with monsters having infested nearly the whole of Dalston, most of them popping out of holes dug by developers intent on gentrifying Dalston. Although they terrorize the town, eventually one kid hops on a monster and begins to ride it. This leads to others doing the same and forming gangs that begin fighting over their terrorizes. Meanwhile, a British-Indian named Roshan has just gotten out of prison for stealing a bottle of water. Six months in prison has led Roshan to want only one thing and that is to stay out of trouble. However, when his best friend, Kay, is kidnapped, Roshan is determined to find his friend. Kay had been dating Lolly, the daughter of a suspect businessman named Conrad Vess. It appears that those who took Kay are working for Conrad. Commenting that some of the “regional slang and syntax” may cause some problems for non-British readers, Ann Foster, writing in School Library Journal, went on to note that “familiar emotional beats and action sequences will help provide context.”
Rohan and Lolly have not exactly been friends. It turns out Lolly has a reputation as a bad ass. And, like others in Dalston, has taken to riding one of the monsters, in this case one named Neena. Nevertheless, Rohan and Lolly team up to find Kay. As they hunt for Kay, the duo soon uncover secrets that some would like to keep that way. It turns out that there is a connection between the monsters and the developers. Rich people have captured some of the monsters and imprisoned them in mazes. They then watch as the monsters track people and kill them. Meanwhile, some of the town’s most prominent businessmen have disappeared. Rohan and Lolly find themselves traveling through Dalston on Neena and battling a variety of street gangs in the process. The gangs include the Crying Fives, the Tin Sisters, and the Supper Horses.
“The combination of Mann’s artistry and intriguing premise make it almost impossible to not finish in one,” reading, wrote Fiona McMahon in Booklist. A Kirkus Reviews contributor commented: “Peopled with stylized, even grotesque character renderings, Mann’s vibrant panels perfectly capture the tensions fueling the class battle simmering beneath the narrative.” Several reviewers focused on Mann’s artwork. “His distinct style emphasizes the curves and colors of bodies in motion,” wrote a Publishers Weekly contributor, who went on to note that Mann is just as adept with “conversational moments” as he is with the “action sequences.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 1, 2018, Fiona McMahon, review of Dalston Monsterzz, p. 60.
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2018, review of Dalston Monsterszz.
Publishers Weekly, January 15, 2018, review of Dalston Monsterzz, p. 46.
School Library Journal, March, 2018, Ann Foster, review of Dalston Monsterzz, p. 131.
ONLINE
Dilraj Mann Tumblr Page, http://dilrajmann.tumblr.com (August 3, 2018).
Inkygoodness, http://inkygoodness.com/ (March 1, 2018), Greg McIndoe, “Dilraj Mann on Bringing Dalston Monsterzz to Life,” author interview.
Dilraj Mann on bringing Dalston Monsterzz to life
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
Illustrator Dilraj Mann talks us through the process of creating his debut graphic novel with Nobrow Press.
In the vein of Joss Whedon, Attack the Block, and Saga, Dilraj Mann’s debut graphic novel with Nobrow Press explores friendship and corruption in a vision of the future not far from today. We knew we had to get out hands on a copy of Dalston Monsterzz as soon as we read it’s tantalising blurb…
“Everyone remembers the day the monsters emerged. From deep within the earth, these huge creatures ran riot across Dalston, spreading terror. Then some kid rode one. Gangs formed, territorial battles ensued… and now two friends must fight for their lives as they discover the true depths of Dalston’s darkest secret.”
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz
And once we did get our hands on a copy, we were not disappointed! The story starts with a bang and keeps up an excitable pace throughout. Riveting plot aside, the book itself is a thing of beauty. From the character’s totally on trend outfits to the pattern-covered, pastel-coloured monsters they are fighting against – each element of the aesthetic works to add a contemporary twist to this classic adventure genre.
We caught up with Dilraj to find out more about how he brought Dalston and it’s many monsters to life…
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
A shot of the cover of Dalston Monsterzz
Hi Dilraj! Can you tell us a bit us about yourself and your creative process?
I’m an illustrator and I create comics, prints, animations and other assorted art. I’m all about drawing the human form. I’ve done work for Sony, Image Comics and Kodansha.
My process for Dalston Monsterzz – I write and write until I’m happy with the structure of the story and then I thumbnail it. Next I move on to the final artwork; I tend to rough pencil which I tweak digitally for composition, final pencils and then brush and ink on Bristol board. I scan that and finally colour digitally.
How did the idea for the story of Dalston Monsterzz come to you?
When I first moved to Dalston there were hookers on Kingsland Road but there seemed to be new studio flats popping up everywhere, cranes in the sky, and I imagined that there would be a monstrous consequence to the gentrification.
“I wanted to do a kind of urban Harry Potter where the ethnic characters weren’t just an afterthought but central to the story.”
Dilraj Mann
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
One of our favourite spreads from inside the graphic novel
Have you always been a storyteller?
When I was young my neighbour worked for a paper mill and would give us rolls of wallpaper lining paper so I’d fill those with drawings and stories. My school report one year said I didn’t show any imagination but they didn’t know about me. I always drew which lead me into animation and comics but give me some lino and I’ll bust out a windmill. Music has always inspired me so I really try to find ways to incorporate beats and rhythm into my work.
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
A spread from inside Dalston Monsterzz by Dilraj Mann
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
A close-up of a Dalston Monsterzz spread
How long did it take you to create the book?
Too looong. I was juggling the creation of the book along with doing illustration work and I also edited it a number of times to make it tight.
What were the most difficult and most rewarding parts of the process?
I always enjoy the thumbnail process as it’s when I can be purely visual in my storytelling. It can be a challenge but I enjoy the problem solving aspect and it fills me with excitement as it’s the stage where the story grows in to something close to the final book.
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
One of our favourite spreads from inside the graphic novel
When did Nobrow get involved and what were they like to work with?
I pitched three ideas to Nobrow and they went for Dalston Monsterzz. I then developed it and had regular meetings with them as it progressed. They were awesome to work with and so SO patient with me. I hope to do the other two ideas at some point.
Do you have any advice for illustrators starting out and dreaming of getting a book published?
Try to complete your book or at least part of it as publishers are much more likely to take a chance on something that’s already quite developed – make sure the story is strong.
“Be aware of what’s out there but do your own thing and do it for yourself”
Dilraj Mann
I self-published a zine a short while ago called QUEUE and it’s now been republished in the Island anthology by Image comics, as part of a book, as a record promo and the Spanish version will be out soon – so it really pays to do YOUR thing.
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
A spread from inside Dalston Monsterzz by Dilraj Mann
On of Dilraj’s favourite characters to draw
Did you have a favourite character or monster to draw?
Lolly is always lovely to draw and I really like drawing the monster on the title page with lots of eyes.
Do you have plans for a sequel?
I have plans…. Hope that doesn’t come across like a Bond villain.
Finally, how do you think you would get on in Dalston if you were a character in the book?
I’d be dead in a second.
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
A spread from inside Dalston Monsterzz by Dilraj Mann
Dilraj Mann, Dalston Monsterzz, Nobrow Press, design, illustration, books, interview,
The back cover features a tantalising teaser
You can order a copy of Dalston Monsterzz here
dilrajmann.tumblr.com | nobrow.net
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Print Marked Items
Mann, Dilraj: DALSTON MONSTERZZ
Kirkus Reviews.
(Jan. 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Mann, Dilraj DALSTON MONSTERZZ Nobrow Ltd. (Children's Fiction) $19.95 3, 27 ISBN: 978-1-
910620-35-9
In gang-ridden, monster-infested multicultural Dalston, unlikely allies Roshan and Lolly must fight the
most sinister force of all: the property developers gentrifying East London.
After six months behind bars, all British-Indian Roshan wants to do is stay out of trouble--until his best
friend, Kay, is kidnapped by a gang working for businessman Conrad Vess. Kay is dating Vess'
stepdaughter, Lolly, a pink-haired white girl and self-described "bad bitch" who rides a monster named
Neana. Neana is one of a series of monsters that appeared in the holes dug by developers gentrifying the
neighborhood of Dalston--developers like Vess. Although there is no love lost between Roshan and Lolly,
they form an uneasy friendship as they search for Kay and, in the process, uncover the neighborhood's most
sinister secrets. Peopled with stylized, even grotesque character renderings, Mann's vibrant panels perfectly
capture the tensions fueling the class battle simmering beneath the narrative. He adeptly centers the story on
moments in the lives of characters of color, writing Roshan's father's dialogue in the Punjabi alphabet and
including an oracle who wears hijab. The tropes, however, feel trite, such as an opening subplot in which
businessmen feed humans to monsters for sport. In the end, the familiarity of the plot elements undercuts
the tension created by the brilliant illustrations and complex, well-voiced characters.
The novel ends with a promise of a sequel that has the potential to be a more gripping read than this debut.
(Graphic horror. 14-adult)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Mann, Dilraj: DALSTON MONSTERZZ." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A522643021/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=17989f77.
Accessed 14 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A522643021
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Dalston Monsterzz
Fiona McMahon
Booklist.
114.9-10 (Jan. 1, 2018): p60.
COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Dalston Monsterzz.
By Dilraj Mann. Illus. by the author.
Mar. 2018.80p. Nobrow, $19.95 (9781910620359). 741.5. Gr. 9-12.
Set in futuristic East London, Mann's graphic-novel debut is a feast for the eyes. The psychedelic, bright,
full-color illustrations, featuring bizarrely shaped creatures and characters in a wide variety of skin tones
and body shapes, are as captivating as the story itself, which is a thrill from start to finish. Monsters have
overtaken the city, and businessmen have begun to disappear. Roshan, the protagonist of the series, has just
been released after being imprisoned for stealing a bottle of water. He discovers that life has moved on
without him, including his best friend Raj, who is now dating the effortlessly cool Lolly. Raj finds himself
captured, and Lolly requests the help of Roshan to get him back, using her pet monster as transportation.
Together, they embark through the streets of London, fighting various street gangs to the source of the city's
corruption. While the plot's slightly predictable, the combination of Mann's artistry and intriguing premise
make it almost impossible to not finish in one sitting. Readers will likely be begging for a sequel.--Fiona
McMahon
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
McMahon, Fiona. "Dalston Monsterzz." Booklist, 1 Jan. 2018, p. 60. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525185681/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=ae3b6670.
Accessed 14 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A525185681
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Dalston Monsterzz
Publishers Weekly.
265.3 (Jan. 15, 2018): p46.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Dalston Monsterzz
Dilraj Mann. Nobrow, $19.95 (80p) ISBN 9781910620359
There aren't many books that look or feel quite like Mann's electrifying, candy-colored romp through an
alternate version of East London. The city is overrun by huge beasts, as a heroine named Lolly bounds atop
buildings riding a monster of her own. In a nice twist on the prince-saves-princess template, Lolly's on a
desperate quest to rescue her boyfriend, Kay, from certain doom, and she's chased by gangs with fantastic
names like the Crying Fives, the Tin Sisters, and the Supper Horses. Mann's smooth, fluid brushwork
depicts a vibrating subculture, merging realistic and imagined details and filling scenes with activity
without cluttering up the page. His distinct style emphasizes the curves and colors of bodies in motion, and
he handles quiet, conversational moments with as much aplomb as action sequences. But it's in the later
narrative where Mann falters. While his characters, in the beginning, feel like real people with real
problems, toward the end they start to behave inexplicably, their choices simply in service of the straying
plot. Though his style delights, the rushed finale limits Mann's ability to explore the rich world he was
building, as well as the people that populate it. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Dalston Monsterzz." Publishers Weekly, 15 Jan. 2018, p. 46. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A523888913/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=1bd8d412.
Accessed 14 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A523888913
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MANN, Dilraj. Dalston Monsterzz
Ann Foster
School Library Journal.
64.3 (Mar. 2018): p131.
COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
MANN, Dilraj. Dalston Monsterzz. illus. by Dilraj Mann. 80p. Flying Eye/Nobrow. Mar. 2018. Tr $19.95.
ISBN 9781910620359.
Giant monsters and corrupt businessmen terrorize the East London district of Dalston. Roshan feels left out
when pink-haired cool girl Lolly becomes involved with his best friend, Hay. But when Hay is captured, it's
up to Roshan and Lolly to rescue him. As the unlikely duo search for Hay, they learn more about the origin
of Dalston's monsters and their connection to greedy developers--one of whom is Lolly's stepfather. The
action is fast-paced and the violence more slapstick than gruesome. Mann's vivid, candy-colored panels
masterfully illustrate this disorienting alternate reality. The character designs are reminiscent of Hayao
Miyazaki's, with faces morphing from adorable to grotesque from panel to panel. Some of the dialogue
includes regional slang and syntax, which may be off-putting to those outside of the UK, but familiar
emotional beats and action sequences will help provide context to orient these readers. VERDICT A
beautiful, thrilling graphic novel, likely to appeal to "Scott Pilgrim" enthusiasts or to fans of films such as
Attack the Block and Cloverfield.--Ann Foster, Saskatoon Public Library, Sask.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Foster, Ann. "MANN, Dilraj. Dalston Monsterzz." School Library Journal, Mar. 2018, p. 131. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A529863682/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=634905f7. Accessed 14 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A529863682