Al Davison is an English comic book writer and artist, known for his autobiographical graphic novel The Spiral Cage, which explores his lifelong struggle with spina bifida and his journey as a comic book creator, martial artist, filmmaker, and performer. Born in Newcastle, England, he currently resides in Coventry, where he runs The Astral Gypsy, a comic studio and shop located in Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street, alongside his wife Maggie.
Career
The Spiral Cage
First published by Renegade Press in 1988, The Spiral Cage later received expanded editions from Titan Books (1990) and Active Images (2003). The graphic novel, which blends autobiography with surrealist and symbolic storytelling, has been highly praised for its introspective and innovative approach to disability and identity. It was also included in Tony Isabella’s 1000 Comic Books You Must Read.
A documentary about Davison’s life, also titled The Spiral Cage, was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson.
Other Notable Works
Beyond his autobiographical work, Davison has contributed to major comic publishers, including Vertigo, Dark Horse, and IDW Publishing. His work spans various genres, from fantasy and horror to science fiction.
In 2015, he was commissioned to create Manga Carta, a 10-page, 30-panel graphic tale exploring the journey and impact of the 800-year-old Magna Carta, as part of the Festival800 event in Lincoln, England. The story was made available for digital download on the festival's website.
Selected Bibliography
Graphic Novels and Comics
Creator-Owned Works
- The Spiral Cage (Renegade Press, 1988; Titan Books, 1990; Active Images, 2003)
- Minotaur’s Tale (Dark Horse Books, 1992)
- Tainted (with Jamie Delano, one-shot, 1995)
- Spiral Dreams (2000)
- Hokusai Demons (Astral Gypsy Ltd, 2009)
- The Alchemist’s Easel (Astral Gypsy Ltd, 2013)
Mainstream Comics Contributions
- Crisis (Issue #34, 1989)
- The Endless Gallery (one-shot, 1995)
- Teknophage (with Paul Jenkins, Issues #7–10, 1995)
- Hellblazer (Issue #101, 1996; mistakenly credited to Sean Phillips)
- Vermillion (with Lucius Shepard, Issues #1–7, 1996–97)
- The Dreaming (Issues #20–21, 1998; Issue #41 with Caitlin R. Kiernan, 1999)
- 9/11 Anthology (one story, 2002)
- House of Mystery (Issue #17, 2009)
- Doctor Who (with Tony Lee, Issues #1–2, #7–8, 2009–2010)
- The Unwritten (Issue #24, 2009)
- Tommy Taylor & The Ship That Sank Twice (Vertigo, 2014)
- The Unwritten Apocalypse (Issues #5 & #7, Vertigo, 2014)
- Manga Carta (2015)
Influence and Legacy
Al Davison’s work has been influential in bringing disability narratives into comics, with The Spiral Cage being regarded as a landmark autobiographical work in the medium. His unique storytelling style, blending personal experience with surrealism, has earned him critical acclaim in both independent and mainstream comics circles.