Breathing life back into Tom Paine’s bones – graphic novel aims to resurrect neglected political reformer

Thomas Paine was a radical human rights and political reform advocate whose work inspired the American Revolution and the formation of a democratic United States.

Artist Paul Fitzgerald is determined to re-tell the story of this forgotten hero whose work still has valid lessons to be learned in these stormy times for democracies worldwide. Kickstarter campaign aims to get this graphic novel project over the finish line. Paul answers The Meteor’s questions on why he wants to graphically re-tell Tom’s story to a new audience.

Lessons from Leigh

Ben Beach argues that in order to revive itself in places such as his hometown of Leigh, the left needs to engage with the grassroots organisations that are currently doing vital community work and re-cement itself as a force for practical, everyday change.