SPALTS

# SPALTS!

**SPALTS!** [spalts!]:

a. An accidental rearrangement of the letters in the word “splats”.

b. A failed attempt that began with good intentions.

c. An unexpected reversal of initial expectations that resulted in failure.

d. An accidental rearrangement of the letters in the word “atspls”.

[Etymology: learned borrowing from the ancient Greek “Spalts” (from the comic)]

“Many people will say that the reason I am such a devoted fan of SPALTS is that ‘spalts’ isn't even a word. That has certainly played a part, but the real reason I proudly claim the title of one of the most annoyingly persistent people to have pestered the duo Pagonis and Dilios into publishing the book you are now holding in your hands is that the cosmic alignment that brought these two people together is comparable to the one that united Simon and Garfunkel, Tom and Jerry, Sylvester and Stallone.

A karmic force destined to create the most unpredictable, unconventional and brilliantly stupid (in the best possible sense of the word) comic in the universe.

It is a unique creation, unlike anything else. It follows no one, and no one can follow it.

There are many Greek comics that I adore, but SPALTS is the only one I truly envy.”

— **Antonis Vavagiannis (Kourafelkythra)**, from the comic's foreword.

*SPALTS* experiments on every level of storytelling, illustration, language and meaning. It makes subversive use of colour, incorporates photography into many of its strips and walks a tightrope between surrealism and absurdity, unexpectedly weaving reality into its world. And even when the meaning seems to slip away, it ultimately takes on a whole new dimension.

**Stavros Dilios** is a Greek comic artist, illustrator and writer. He studied cartooning at the Ornerakis School from 1997 to 2000.

He has been highly active in the Greek publishing scene, creating stories and illustrations for iconic magazines such as *9*, published by *Eleftherotypia*, and *Galera*. As a writer, he is the creator of the award-winning comic strip *SPALTS!* (illustrated by Gavriil Pagonis), which was published in *Efimerida ton Syntakton* and later released as a standalone volume by Jemma Press.

Alongside his work in comics, he is also actively involved in creative writing. He has won first prize in the Online Short Story Competition for the Olympic Games, as well as in the MotoComics competition (2004).

His works have appeared in science fiction anthologies, including *The Greek Fantastic Short Story*, and he has exhibited his artwork both individually and as part of artistic collectives.

**Gavriil Pagonis** is a Greek visual artist, comic creator and educator. He studied cartooning at the Ornerakis School before graduating from the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA). He currently lives and works in Rhodes.

His artistic career is closely connected to the Ninth Art. He has illustrated stories for well-known Greek comics magazines such as *9*, *Galera* and *Ble Komitis* (Blue Comet). He also has his own independent comic series, titled *How It Looks Inside*, published in *Efimerida ton Syntakton*.

He has participated in innovative collaborative projects, including flip comics that combine jazz music with visual storytelling, as well as multi-artist anthologies that explore and comment on contemporary social issues.