Political cartoonist and graphic novelist ‘Polyp’ (www.polyp.org.uk) presents an illustrated talk about the extraordinary, almost hilariously dramatic life and radical ideas of ‘the forgotten founding father’. Learn about Thomas Paine’s many scrapes with death, and the uncompromising books he wrote and ideas he articulated, which launched him to fame, but then turned many of the same people bitterly against him; then get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production of the forthcoming graphic novel, just as the crowdfunder for the project goes live.

Polyp says: ‘You’ll be amazed at the number of political figures and events who weaved in and out of his life, and the surprisingly modern resonances of the story- a hated statue being torn down, vile fake news propaganda slung like mud, and death threats, intense conflicts with furious religious fundamentalists…’.

Polyp is co-author and illustrator of the much-lauded ‘verbatim’ graphic novel ‘Peterloo: Witnesses to a Massacre’.

This talk will be live-streamed; sign-up details will be available at www.wcml.org.uk/events on the day.