A double header for our 36th Happy Shopping spree. Innovative UK based publishers Self Made Hero made a splash with their graphic biography of Johnny Cash. The latest in the series of comic book versions of legendary lives is Anthony Hope-Smith and Will Bingley's take on the story of Hunter S Thompson. Bingley supplied the words and Hope-Smith provided the illustrations. The book is out in early December and very entertaining it is too. Meanwhile, enjoy the shopping habits of the creators.
1) What was the last electrical appliance you bought?
AHS: A new iMac, my old one having sadly come to the end of it's lifespan. Five years of near constant daily use is not bad I guess.
WB: An electric razor.
2) How many shoes do you own?
AHS: 3 pairs, 2 of which are black smart wear, and the third my more commonly worn (and worn out) favourites.
WB: Four pairs, so eight.
3) Thinking about only what you are wearing now and including your watch, jewellery and glasses if you wear them, how much would it cost me to get dressed up just like you? And where would I have to go to get the look?
AHS: I work from home, so you could put it all together for the cost of some tatty old tracksuit bottoms, a holey t-shirt and some canvas flip flops. Most, if not all, to be found in the back of a dusty old cupboard.
WB: Right now I'm wearing a pair of charity shop slippers (£5), my old Levi's (£50), a white T-shirt which I found in my apartment (£0), a moth-eaten navy blue cashmere jumper (£10) and my watch is a vintage 1960s Omega Seamaster (£1800). All in all it costs £1865 to look like me today. Money well spent.
As for where you'd have to go to get my look. I recommend any shop that sells jeans, my apartment floor for the T-shirt, an Oxfam store for the slippers and the jumper and the Vintage Watch Company on Burlington Arcade for the watch.
4) What are you going to be eating for dinner tonight?
AHS: Chicken stir fry, I think. Nice,n easy.
WB: I think I've got some steaks in the fridge. But, if I'm wrong then maybe a pizza.
5) What is the most amount you have ever spent on a bottle of wine or other alcoholic beverage and when and where was it?
AHS: Ummm, not a clue. Probably an overpriced bottle of champagne in a bar to celebrate something or other, in a moment of drunken generosity. Happened a few times. Feel robbed afterwards.
WB: £50 or thereabouts on an Arberlour malt. Found at Cadenhead's Whisky Shop in Covent Garden. It was an absolute champion.
6) What and where is your favourite shop?
AHS: Easy! Gosh! comics on Great Russell Street, opposite the British Museum (London, UK). Brilliant selection of graphic novels and art books, and books of interest to artists and persons of discerning taste.
WB: Gosh Comics in London.
7) How do you get around town?
AHS: Being a Londoner, by tube!
WB: Tube, Taxi or on foot.
8) Where is your favourite place to holiday?
AHS: Not really one for regularly going back to the same place over and over. Life's too short. I'll say Amalfi as it is my favourite place that I have been to in the last few years. Incredible food!
WB: Florence, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Cornwall
