Books published by publisher Selfmadehero

This graphic biography documents the brief and intense period of creativity Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) spent in Arles, Provence, in southern France. Here van Gogh dreams of setting up an artists’ studio—a haven where he and his friends can paint together. But attacks of mental illness leave the painter confused and disoriented. When his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin refuses to reside permanently at the Yellow House, a distraught van Gogh cuts off part of his own ear. Throughout this period of intense emotion and hardship, Vincent’s brother Theo stands by him, offering constant and unconditional support. Writer and illustrator Barbara Stok breathes riveting new life into a fascinating episode of art history, creating a vivid portrait of one of the world’s most beloved and legendary artists. Praise for Vincent: "Stylistically, Stok is almost faultless... [Vincent] leaves us aware of a small breath of fresh air blown into the world of art history" The Times Literary Supplement "Stok does a brilliant, sympathetic job of picturing the artist, whether jagged with madness or sitting amid the wheat fields and sunflowers of Arles" The Guardian

Josephine Baker (1906–1975) was nineteen years old when she found herself in Paris for the first time in 1925. Overnight, the young American dancer became the idol of the Roaring Twenties, captivating Picasso, Cocteau, Le Corbusier, and Simenon. In the liberating atmosphere of the 1930s, Baker rose to fame as the first black star on the world stage, from London to Vienna, Alexandria to Buenos Aires. After World War II, and her time in the French Resistance, Baker devoted herself to the struggle against racial segregation, publicly battling the humiliations she had for so long suffered personally. She led by example, and over the course of the 1950s adopted twelve orphans of different ethnic backgrounds: a veritable Rainbow Tribe. A victim of racism throughout her life, Josephine Baker would sing of love and liberty until the day she died.

"My only love sprung from my only hate," laments Juliet, the heroine of Romeo and Juliet, the world's most famous love story. A fusion of classic Shakespeare with manga visuals, this is a cutting-edge adaptation that will impassion and grip its readers. Set in modern-day Japan, two young lovers are caught up in a bitter vendetta between their rival Yakuza families – the Montagues and the Capulets. Can their forbidden love survive as violence, betrayal and tragedy explode on the streets of Tokyo? Romeo and Juliet is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from trend-setting Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

"All that glisters is not gold…" Seeking the hand of the rich heiress Portia, Bassanio realizes the need to make an impression – and that costs money. Antonio (his fat-cat friend in the City) is on hand to oblige – but there's a problem with cash-flow, so an interest-free loan is secured from the sinister banker Shylock, whose sole terms require the forfeit of a pound of Antonio's flesh in the ludicrous event of its non-repayment. And now the credit crunch begins to bite, and it is left to Portia to test 'the quality of mercy'... Set in an opulent fantasy landscape populated by elves, trolls and mermen, The Merchant of Venice is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

"Beware the ides of March," warns a soothsayer in Shakespeare's classic portrayal of noble ideals turned to bloodshed. Caesar, grown arrogant on military victory, assumes the people will acclaim his dictatorship. But the staunch republicans Brutus and Cassius conspire to assassinate him. Civil war follows, as Antony and Octavius seek revenge. This manga recreation of Shakespeare's text transfers the action from ancient Rome to a futuristic city-state, once again facing tyranny after its prolonged struggles to establish a democracy. Julius Caesar is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from trend-setting Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" With that misleading prophecy, three witches plant the seed of criminal ambition in the warlord Macbeth. Spurred on by Lady Macbeth, his wife, he embarks on a killing spree of former friends and rivals, until a final confrontation when he realizes too late that the witches have deceived him. In this version of Shakespeare's tale of murder and the supernatural, samurai warriors have reclaimed a future post-nuclear world of mutants. Macbeth is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from trend-setting Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

"The course of true love never did run smooth," complains Lysander, little realising how right he is about to be proved. A fusion of classic Shakespeare with manga visuals, this is a cutting-edge adaptation about four young Athenian lovers and a troupe of amateur actors. Frustrated by modern-day Athens' enduring restrictions and hierarchies, the lovers find their hearts' desire in an enchanted moonlit forest, home to mischievous fairies and spirits. Chaos reigns as jealousy and a powerful love potion combine, plunging all of the characters into romantic turmoil. A Midsummer Night's Dream is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from trend-setting Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

The turbulent life of Vincent van Gogh continues to serve as a source of inspiration for many people. In this graphic novel, artist and writer Barbara Stok takes the reader on a journey to the brief and intense period of time that the painter spent in the south of France. Vincent dreams of setting up an artists' house in Arles for himself and his friends. However, his attacks of mental illness confuse and disorient him, culminating in the notorious incident with his ear and leaving his dreams shattered. Throughout all of this, Vincent's brother Theo stands by him, offering constant and unconditional support. Van Gogh was passionate about his art. His ideas about success, setbacks and how to create a meaningful life provide an interesting counterpoint to our age of individualism and commercialism. Stok has succeeded in turning the experiences of this 19th-century artist into a story that is relevant to our own times.

"O beware, my Lord, of jealousy – it is the green-eyed monster…" Iago's treacherous warning sets in train Othello's terrible descent into a hell of suspicion. Deceived by Iago into blindly believing his virtuous wife Desdemona unfaithful, darkness shrouds Othello's noble soul. And, as in all great thrillers, murder walks by night... In this fantastical manga version of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, the action begins amidst the carnival atmosphere of a re-imagined and otherworldly Venice. While masks may hide some characters' true motives, Othello's terrifying emotions are dramatically revealed. Othello is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from trendsetting Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.

Paris, 1925. Over the course of a single evening, the Mississippi-born dancer Josephine Baker becomes the darling of the Roaring Twenties. Some audience members in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées are scandalised by the African-American's performance in La Revue Nègre, but the city's discerning cultural figures – among them Picasso and Cocteau – are enchanted by her bold and uninhibited style. In Josephine Baker, José-Louis Bocquet and Catel Muller capture the remarkable life and glorious times of a spirited, principled and thoroughly modern woman – a star who dazzled audiences in the twenties, who aided the French Resistance during World War II and who in later years adopted 12 children from different ethnic backgrounds to prove that racial harmony was possible.