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The Waverley Gazette

Alan Grant

It was with great sadness, that on Thursday July 21st, 2022, we learned of the passing of Alan Grant.

We were not part of Alan Grant’s world which embraced Starlord, Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Robo-Hunter and Ace Trucking Co., Doomlord, Joe Soap Private Eye, Computer Warrior, The Outsiders, Nightbreed and The Last American, Detective Comics, Shadow of the Bat, Lobo, L.E.G.I.O.N ’89, Legends of the Dark Knight, and The Demon.

However, in 2006, at Scottish comics artist Cam Kennedy’s suggestion, we tempted Alan back from the future. The proposal was to adapt a story set in 1751 to create a graphic novel to be accessible to many, who would not perhaps otherwise read such a classic. It was Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped. Set during the time of the Jacobite rebellion, a tumultuous and tragic period in Scottish history, Kidnapped had of course already been adapted for film, stage, audio, and published in book form many, many times.

What resulted was an adaptation of the dramatic and epic adventure story that brought together two creative giants from the world of the graphic novel, as the absolute ‘dream team’ – artist Cam Kennedy, and scriptwriter Alan Grant.

The idea turned into a major publishing initiative. Kidnapped was published simultaneously in English, simplified English, Scots and Gaelic and it was the focus of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature’s ‘One City One Book Campaign’ in February 2007. Several publishing companies were involved in the campaign, led by Waverley Books – Black & White, Canongate and Barrington Stoke.

There have been many fitting tributes to Alan from across the world.

Alan Grant will be missed. It was a privilege to know him and to work with him on Kidnapped and subsequently on Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Ron Grosset, 25/7/22

Waverley Books, Glasgow.

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