ABOUT SEAN MICHAEL WILSON AND RADICAL ROOTS
The Radical Roots website shows newspaper articles, internet articles and various views on culture, history, art, sociology, etc, from a radical left wing perspective. Specific articles and essays by Sean are listed on the top left.
"Sean Michael Wilson is a Harvey and Eisner award nominated graphic novel writer from Scotland. He has had more than 30 books published with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers. He also writes newspaper and website articles with pieces having appeared in The Japan Times, The Herald Scotland, The London Economic, PRI radio in the US, etc. His books are often on themes of history, biography, culture and various social issues. Although also writing 'western' style graphic novels, such as adaptations of classical novels, he often works with Japanese and Chinese artists on manga style books. He is currently writing books for Japanese publisher Kodansha, being the only British writer to do so. He is also the editor of the critically acclaimed collection AX:alternative manga (one of Publishers Weekly's 'Best ten books of 2010' and nominated for a Harvey Award). The book Parecomic features an introduction by Professor Noam Chomsky, his first involvement with a graphic novel. Sean's strip with Michiru Morikawa about the 2011 Japanese Tsunami was the first comic featured in the Asia Literary Review. His books Musashi and The Book of Five Rings are the only two manga books available in the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum. In 2017 his book Secrets of the Ninja won an International Manga Award from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the first time a British person has received this award.
He has attempted to do comic books that are different from the normal superhero/fantasy brands, working with a variety of 'non-comic book' organisations in the process, such as British universities and museums, Norwegian's People's Aid, the British and American Humanist Associations, Corporate Watch and the Arts Council. His book with the charity War on Want, Iraq:Operation Corporate Takeover was reported on by a variety of mainstream agencies - such as Reuters, CCTV in China and several Middle Eastern magazines. His main influences remain British and American creators - such as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Eddie Campbell and Harvey Pekar. He often gives lectures and talks about comic books in schools and colleges."
Site for graphic novels/comic books:
http://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com
Site for poetry:
http://seanmichaelpoems.weebly.com
List of books, and stories on various social issues:
Clear Away the Clichés: A Guide Book for Students about Communism, Capitalism, Anarchism and Post-Capitalism
“There are various very silly clichés and misunderstandings about anarchism, communism, socialism and capitalism. Many people have almost no idea what these systems are, or believe the most basically inaccurate things. Various studies have shown that only about 25% of people in the UK and USA can give a good explanation of these various systems. If we don't know what they really are, then how can we chose which is best? So, let's clear away the cliches!
This short and accessible book is an attempt to increase basic knowledge about what anarchism, communism, socialism and capitalism really are. And what a post-capitalist society could consist of. It does so by noting various common clichés and making clear what the views and approaches really are. Written in a plain style, and avoiding academic jargon, this book will be especially useful for students on course of economics, sociology, politics and cultural studies.”
Get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCCKP2QC?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
SYSTEMS: Reflections on capitalism, communism, anarchism and what a better economic and social system may look like
The book delves into various debates, cliches, conversations and arguments encountered over a number of years. Following George Orwell’s advice to write in a way that is plain, direct but engaging, Wilson avoids academic jargon and getting bogged down in complicated political or economic theory.
All the issues are laid out alphabetically, covering a wide range of aspects of what system we can use to govern and organise ourselves. Throughout the book Wilson uses his own abbreviation of BESS as a shorthand for a better economic and social system.
March 2023, 224 pages.
Get the paperback here:
https://www.amazon.com/Systems-Reflections-capitalism-communism-anarchism/dp/B0BYRR55SP/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
ARTICLES AND ESSAYS
A collection of my newspaper, website and magazine articles and essays, 2012-2022, on aspects of Japan, ecology, comic books, music, politics and more.
Published by Hand Readers Press, 2022, which is my new self publishing arm. 240 pages.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1387653792
GEORGE ORWELL: SUCH, SUCH WERE THE JOYS
"Writer Sean Michael Wilson and artist Jaime Huxtable bring to vivid graphic life one of George Orwell's most celebrated essays. In Such, Such Were The Joys Orwell looks back on his childhood and on his experience of boarding school, reflecting on the often brutal realities of the regime to which pupils were subjected in the name of class prejudice, hierarchy and imperial destiny. This ground-breaking graphic treatment conjures up how this harsh world looks through a child's innocent, accepting eyes while juxtaposing the mature Orwell's ruminations on what such schooling says about society. The book aims to introduce Orwell's writing to new readers while offering a fascinating new visual dimension for those who already know it well."
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/orwell.html
THE MANY NOT THE FEW
With a mix of serious research and family jokes old union rep, Joe, and his granddaughter, Arushi, go into the complicated history, the ideological battles, the class conflict, a consideration of what unions are for, and what the future of unions may be. Starting way back with the 14th-century Peasants' Revolt, taking in the Levellers and the Luddites, the expansion of the unions in the 19th century, the height of their power in the '70s, the great conflicts and decline of the '80s, and considering the future positive role for unions.
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/many-not-the-few.html
PORTRAITS OF VIOLENCE
A documentary/educational style illustrated book about political violence, featuring 10 key thinkers around the issues of state violence, war, colonialism and terrorism...Introduction by Professor Henry Giroux. Winner of a 2018 Independent Book Publishers Award.
https://newint.org/books/reference/portraits-of-violence/
GOODBYE GOD?
A graphic novel that explores evolution vs. creation and calls for an end to the teaching of creationism in schools. It pans out to consider the negative impacts of religion, and with the active support of the British and American Humanist Association, demonstrates how a concern for humanism, science, and reasoned logical thinking is crucial for the development of society. Introduction by Professor Lawrence Krauss.
https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-God-Illustrated-Exploration-Religion/dp/1780262264
PARECOMIC
Is about Michael Albert and his life's struggle as a US left wing activist, reaching right back to the heady days of 1960's student demos and lifestyle rebellions. From the development of the anti war movement, civil rights, the woman's movement, and the black panthers to the establishment of alternative media like South End Press and Znet. PARECOMIC shows us Michael's story, and at the same time the ideas and issues that influence both our society and the better alternative that we can build via the anarchist influenced system of participatory economics. Michael Albert himself has worked closely with us to check the authenticity of the scenes and info. And the introduction is by his long term colleague, Noam Chomsky, who is also in the book several times. This is the first comic book/graphic novel that Chomsky has ever associated himself with. 240 page book published by Seven Stories Press, NY, 2013.
http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/parecomic-michael-albert-and-the-story-of-participatory-economics
A video for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQqLW6R0F_4
FIGHT THE POWER! A VISUAL HISTORY OF PROTEST AMONG THE ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLES
A new kind of history book: a graphic narrative that explains how ordinary people have fought against oppression across time. Unlike most history films from Hollywood we have not reduced the issues in this book to just: 1. Romance, 2. Great leaders, 3. Violence for the sake of it. Rather, Fight the Power is more about those OTHER folk involved in history –the 99%! According to Gandhi, the Four Stages of Protest are as follows: First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win!". 190 page book published by Seven Stories Press, NY, 2013, and New Internationalist in the UK.Introduction by Tariq Ali.
http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/fight-the-power-a-visual-history-of-protest-among-the-english-speaking-peoples
A video for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCtHuCdoJbI
GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR TOMORROW
Regular illustrations for articles on aspects of society for progressive pan-Asian think tank, 'Global Institute for Tomorrow', late 2011 on, with artists Adam Pasion, John Spelling and Chris Mackenzie.
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
One story in the magazine 'CALEDONIAN PLUS' of GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY, where I did my first degree in sociology and psychology. Autumn 2011. Art by Hanna Stromberg.
BULLYING
A strip criticising levels of violence and attitudes towards violence in the UK and USA and comparing them with the much better situation in Japan, and asking what can be done. With artist Carl Thompson. Published so far in 'RAN' (Nagoya magazine), 'Cartoonist against Bullying' anthology, and in colour in 'Ink+Paper' issue 2.
NORWEGIAN PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE
Three comic strips about the role of Norway in Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories, and divestment in abusive companies there (published May 2012 by Norwegian People's Alliance, in, not surprisingly, Norwegian), with artists Colin Upton, Robert Wells and Robert Brown.
GREEN BENCHES
2010 on - a regular monthly strip 'Green Benches' (a humorous look at ethical practice in politics and business), published in UK environmental and sustainable business magazine, 'Blue and Green Tomorrow'. Art by Carl Thompson, with Strip 6 with art by the great Mick McMahon, a favourite artist of mine since I was 12 years old. Dreams come true...
ASIA LITERARY REVIEW
A strip about the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster, including western help and Japanese government inefficiency - published in charity relief books 'AfterShock' and in the UK 'Spirit of Hope' , 2011. An extended and colour version was published in ASIA LITERARY REVIEW, summer 2011 edition (The first time this prestigious magazine has featured manga/comics). Art by Michiru Morikawa.
CORPORATE WATCH
A strip in a book report about the Separation Wall in Israel/Palestine, the damage it is doing to Palestinian communities and businesses and what can be done to improve the situation (published Nov 2011 by Corporate Watch). Art By Rejena Smiley.
THAI'S FIGHT CORRUPTION
A strip about successful resistance to corruption in the health business in Thailand, published in a collection of socially aware comic stories focusing on corruption, 2009, called CTRL.ALT.SHIFT.alongside strips by Pat Mills, Dave McKean, Peter Kuper etc. Art by Michiru Morikawa.
SWEET
'Adam Smith, Economist' in the journal 'Sweet: a literary confection' Vol 3.2, art by Neill Cameron
IRAQ: OPERATION CORPORATE TAKEOVER.
A book about abuse of business contracts in post war Iraq, an 80 page book published in 2007 by UK activist charity War on Want. Art by Lee O'Connor.
The Radical Roots website shows newspaper articles, internet articles and various views on culture, history, art, sociology, etc, from a radical left wing perspective. Specific articles and essays by Sean are listed on the top left.
"Sean Michael Wilson is a Harvey and Eisner award nominated graphic novel writer from Scotland. He has had more than 30 books published with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers. He also writes newspaper and website articles with pieces having appeared in The Japan Times, The Herald Scotland, The London Economic, PRI radio in the US, etc. His books are often on themes of history, biography, culture and various social issues. Although also writing 'western' style graphic novels, such as adaptations of classical novels, he often works with Japanese and Chinese artists on manga style books. He is currently writing books for Japanese publisher Kodansha, being the only British writer to do so. He is also the editor of the critically acclaimed collection AX:alternative manga (one of Publishers Weekly's 'Best ten books of 2010' and nominated for a Harvey Award). The book Parecomic features an introduction by Professor Noam Chomsky, his first involvement with a graphic novel. Sean's strip with Michiru Morikawa about the 2011 Japanese Tsunami was the first comic featured in the Asia Literary Review. His books Musashi and The Book of Five Rings are the only two manga books available in the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum. In 2017 his book Secrets of the Ninja won an International Manga Award from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the first time a British person has received this award.
He has attempted to do comic books that are different from the normal superhero/fantasy brands, working with a variety of 'non-comic book' organisations in the process, such as British universities and museums, Norwegian's People's Aid, the British and American Humanist Associations, Corporate Watch and the Arts Council. His book with the charity War on Want, Iraq:Operation Corporate Takeover was reported on by a variety of mainstream agencies - such as Reuters, CCTV in China and several Middle Eastern magazines. His main influences remain British and American creators - such as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Eddie Campbell and Harvey Pekar. He often gives lectures and talks about comic books in schools and colleges."
Site for graphic novels/comic books:
http://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com
Site for poetry:
http://seanmichaelpoems.weebly.com
List of books, and stories on various social issues:
Clear Away the Clichés: A Guide Book for Students about Communism, Capitalism, Anarchism and Post-Capitalism
“There are various very silly clichés and misunderstandings about anarchism, communism, socialism and capitalism. Many people have almost no idea what these systems are, or believe the most basically inaccurate things. Various studies have shown that only about 25% of people in the UK and USA can give a good explanation of these various systems. If we don't know what they really are, then how can we chose which is best? So, let's clear away the cliches!
This short and accessible book is an attempt to increase basic knowledge about what anarchism, communism, socialism and capitalism really are. And what a post-capitalist society could consist of. It does so by noting various common clichés and making clear what the views and approaches really are. Written in a plain style, and avoiding academic jargon, this book will be especially useful for students on course of economics, sociology, politics and cultural studies.”
Get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCCKP2QC?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
SYSTEMS: Reflections on capitalism, communism, anarchism and what a better economic and social system may look like
The book delves into various debates, cliches, conversations and arguments encountered over a number of years. Following George Orwell’s advice to write in a way that is plain, direct but engaging, Wilson avoids academic jargon and getting bogged down in complicated political or economic theory.
All the issues are laid out alphabetically, covering a wide range of aspects of what system we can use to govern and organise ourselves. Throughout the book Wilson uses his own abbreviation of BESS as a shorthand for a better economic and social system.
March 2023, 224 pages.
Get the paperback here:
https://www.amazon.com/Systems-Reflections-capitalism-communism-anarchism/dp/B0BYRR55SP/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
ARTICLES AND ESSAYS
A collection of my newspaper, website and magazine articles and essays, 2012-2022, on aspects of Japan, ecology, comic books, music, politics and more.
Published by Hand Readers Press, 2022, which is my new self publishing arm. 240 pages.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1387653792
GEORGE ORWELL: SUCH, SUCH WERE THE JOYS
"Writer Sean Michael Wilson and artist Jaime Huxtable bring to vivid graphic life one of George Orwell's most celebrated essays. In Such, Such Were The Joys Orwell looks back on his childhood and on his experience of boarding school, reflecting on the often brutal realities of the regime to which pupils were subjected in the name of class prejudice, hierarchy and imperial destiny. This ground-breaking graphic treatment conjures up how this harsh world looks through a child's innocent, accepting eyes while juxtaposing the mature Orwell's ruminations on what such schooling says about society. The book aims to introduce Orwell's writing to new readers while offering a fascinating new visual dimension for those who already know it well."
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/orwell.html
THE MANY NOT THE FEW
With a mix of serious research and family jokes old union rep, Joe, and his granddaughter, Arushi, go into the complicated history, the ideological battles, the class conflict, a consideration of what unions are for, and what the future of unions may be. Starting way back with the 14th-century Peasants' Revolt, taking in the Levellers and the Luddites, the expansion of the unions in the 19th century, the height of their power in the '70s, the great conflicts and decline of the '80s, and considering the future positive role for unions.
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/many-not-the-few.html
PORTRAITS OF VIOLENCE
A documentary/educational style illustrated book about political violence, featuring 10 key thinkers around the issues of state violence, war, colonialism and terrorism...Introduction by Professor Henry Giroux. Winner of a 2018 Independent Book Publishers Award.
https://newint.org/books/reference/portraits-of-violence/
GOODBYE GOD?
A graphic novel that explores evolution vs. creation and calls for an end to the teaching of creationism in schools. It pans out to consider the negative impacts of religion, and with the active support of the British and American Humanist Association, demonstrates how a concern for humanism, science, and reasoned logical thinking is crucial for the development of society. Introduction by Professor Lawrence Krauss.
https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-God-Illustrated-Exploration-Religion/dp/1780262264
PARECOMIC
Is about Michael Albert and his life's struggle as a US left wing activist, reaching right back to the heady days of 1960's student demos and lifestyle rebellions. From the development of the anti war movement, civil rights, the woman's movement, and the black panthers to the establishment of alternative media like South End Press and Znet. PARECOMIC shows us Michael's story, and at the same time the ideas and issues that influence both our society and the better alternative that we can build via the anarchist influenced system of participatory economics. Michael Albert himself has worked closely with us to check the authenticity of the scenes and info. And the introduction is by his long term colleague, Noam Chomsky, who is also in the book several times. This is the first comic book/graphic novel that Chomsky has ever associated himself with. 240 page book published by Seven Stories Press, NY, 2013.
http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/parecomic-michael-albert-and-the-story-of-participatory-economics
A video for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQqLW6R0F_4
FIGHT THE POWER! A VISUAL HISTORY OF PROTEST AMONG THE ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLES
A new kind of history book: a graphic narrative that explains how ordinary people have fought against oppression across time. Unlike most history films from Hollywood we have not reduced the issues in this book to just: 1. Romance, 2. Great leaders, 3. Violence for the sake of it. Rather, Fight the Power is more about those OTHER folk involved in history –the 99%! According to Gandhi, the Four Stages of Protest are as follows: First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win!". 190 page book published by Seven Stories Press, NY, 2013, and New Internationalist in the UK.Introduction by Tariq Ali.
http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/fight-the-power-a-visual-history-of-protest-among-the-english-speaking-peoples
A video for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCtHuCdoJbI
GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR TOMORROW
Regular illustrations for articles on aspects of society for progressive pan-Asian think tank, 'Global Institute for Tomorrow', late 2011 on, with artists Adam Pasion, John Spelling and Chris Mackenzie.
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
One story in the magazine 'CALEDONIAN PLUS' of GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY, where I did my first degree in sociology and psychology. Autumn 2011. Art by Hanna Stromberg.
BULLYING
A strip criticising levels of violence and attitudes towards violence in the UK and USA and comparing them with the much better situation in Japan, and asking what can be done. With artist Carl Thompson. Published so far in 'RAN' (Nagoya magazine), 'Cartoonist against Bullying' anthology, and in colour in 'Ink+Paper' issue 2.
NORWEGIAN PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE
Three comic strips about the role of Norway in Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories, and divestment in abusive companies there (published May 2012 by Norwegian People's Alliance, in, not surprisingly, Norwegian), with artists Colin Upton, Robert Wells and Robert Brown.
GREEN BENCHES
2010 on - a regular monthly strip 'Green Benches' (a humorous look at ethical practice in politics and business), published in UK environmental and sustainable business magazine, 'Blue and Green Tomorrow'. Art by Carl Thompson, with Strip 6 with art by the great Mick McMahon, a favourite artist of mine since I was 12 years old. Dreams come true...
ASIA LITERARY REVIEW
A strip about the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster, including western help and Japanese government inefficiency - published in charity relief books 'AfterShock' and in the UK 'Spirit of Hope' , 2011. An extended and colour version was published in ASIA LITERARY REVIEW, summer 2011 edition (The first time this prestigious magazine has featured manga/comics). Art by Michiru Morikawa.
CORPORATE WATCH
A strip in a book report about the Separation Wall in Israel/Palestine, the damage it is doing to Palestinian communities and businesses and what can be done to improve the situation (published Nov 2011 by Corporate Watch). Art By Rejena Smiley.
THAI'S FIGHT CORRUPTION
A strip about successful resistance to corruption in the health business in Thailand, published in a collection of socially aware comic stories focusing on corruption, 2009, called CTRL.ALT.SHIFT.alongside strips by Pat Mills, Dave McKean, Peter Kuper etc. Art by Michiru Morikawa.
SWEET
'Adam Smith, Economist' in the journal 'Sweet: a literary confection' Vol 3.2, art by Neill Cameron
IRAQ: OPERATION CORPORATE TAKEOVER.
A book about abuse of business contracts in post war Iraq, an 80 page book published in 2007 by UK activist charity War on Want. Art by Lee O'Connor.