On 22 April 2021, Derf Backderf was our first live guest in a series of master classes by international graphic authors.

Backderf (Richfield, Ohio, 1959) is an American author of graphic novels. He trained as a journalist rather than an artist, which means his drawing style is somewhat naive but it is no less robust as a result. He broke through to the international level with his much lauded, autobiographical graphic novel My Friend Dahmer, about his adolescent friendship with Jeffrey Dahmer, who went on to become a serial killer.

His most recent graphic novel Kent State, describes the tragic events of 4 May 1970 when the National Guard in the US opened fire on students who were protesting against the Vietnam War at Kent State University.

With thanks to the Brussels Region.