Pigeon Coup
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For a pigeon coop as used in pigeon keeping, see pigeon keeping.
| Pigeon Coup | |
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 A page from Pigeon Coup |
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| Author(s) | Nicole Skeltys and Aaron Doty |
| Website | http://pigeoncoup.commodius.com/ |
| Launch date | 2001 |
Pigeon Coup is an online comic from Australia, created by Nicole Skeltys (story) and Aaron Doty (art). It is best described as a subversive political satire in which pigeons replace human beings. It began in 2001 in print form and is now published only online.
Contents |
[edit] Format
In its online form, Pigeon Coup betrays its print origins. Each page is presented as a single scanned black and white image, occupying a single webpage. There are seven episodes in all, with each episode averaging 4-5 pages in length. The artwork is characterised by dense cross-hatching done in black pen with a rough-edged feel. Original print versions were distributed free as an insert in the 'Stoner Classix' series of albums created by Nicole Skeltys. Since 2003, the comic has appeared only online.
[edit] Story
Each episode presents a discrete story. Episodes are linked by thematic and narrative elements. The comic centres around two characters - Funky Afro Pigeon and Squabbie - who are unemployed pigeons living together in a warehouse apartment in an unnamed suburb of Melbourne. They engage in various subversive political schemes, with the storylines influenced by contemporary Australian and world political events and issues.
[edit] Characters
Funky Afro Pigeon: Appearing in the first episode as a character called John Pigeon, Funky Afro Pigeon emerges as a kind of superhero alter-ego to John, who is transformed into an afro-sporting, psychedelic throw-back to the 1970s as the result of ingesting an acid blotter given to him at a rave by Squabbie. He then begins to engage in various subversive activities with Squabbie, funded by the savings he accumulated in his former profession as a cost accountant for the Luxury Nest Company.
Squabbie: Squabbie is described as an 'electronic noodler', who, when not engaged in subversive activities, spends his time creating electronic music using his collection of keyboards and synthesisers. He is a regular user of recreational drugs, particularly marijuana, which he frequently ingests in the form of 'camberwell carrots' (in a reference to a scene in the movie Withnail & I)
Mrs Byrd: Mrs Byrd is the forthright and opinionated owner of 'Mrs Byrd's Bar and Grill', an establishment frequented by Funky and Squabbie. Mrs Byrd has a shady past which, in addition to feminist activism in the 1970s, apparently includes former membership of the 'Black September' militant group. She regularly inspires Funky and Squabbie to engage in new forms of subversion.
