Chester Brown is commonly regarded as one of the leading figures of the alternative comics renaissance that began in the 1980's. He produced three comic book series, "Yummy Fur", "Underwater", and "Louis Riel" and his work has been collected in four books: "Ed The Happy Clown", "The Playboy", "I Never Liked You", and "The Little Man".

Brown was born in 1960 in Montreal and grew up in a nearby suburb of the city until he was 19, when he moved to Toronto. In 1983, in his somewhat less-than-auspicious beginnings as a cartoonist, Brown tried to sell a stapled, photocopied mini-comic version of Yummy Fur on a street corner in Toronto for 25¢. He quit after one day. However, by 1986, Yummy Fur began publication as an actual comic book, becoming one of the longest-running series in independent comics when it reached its last issue, # 32, in 1994.

Throughout his career, Brown's work has been known for its diverse and unpredictable nature. His stories range from the absurd surrealism of "Ed The Happy Clown", to the deeply personal, understated autobiographical accounts of his youth, to, more recently, the dada-esque, linguistically-challenged oddness of "Underwater". One subject that has remained consistent throughout this creative evolution is Brown's remarkably faithful Biblical adaptations which he has worked on as a back-up feature in his comic books for the past decade.

Brown has won two Harvey Awards, for Best Cartoonist and Best Graphic Album. Brown has recently ventured into the world of "historical biography" with his new, fascinating 10-issue comic book series about Louis Riel, a 19th century Canadian political figure. Upcoming book projects from Brown will include his Book of Mark by 2002, followed by a new deluxe hardcover edition of "Ed The Happy Clown" (once again, with a new ending!).

Pictured below: Chester Brown (center) with Canadian cartoonist friends Seth (left) and Joe Matt (right).