iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 10h

“What happens when you fall out?” people ask us. Here’s how we make decisions- almost always by consensus! We haven’t yet met any ‘artistic differences’ to fall out about. See the thread for how the fly leaves turned out 🪰

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 29/09/2026

More than a million families are being squeezed by rising private rents and frozen housing support levels, according to @resolutionfoundation.org Rent controls, and better quality standards, would change lives instantly.

A panel from The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel, showing a young woman and her baby in her rented home. She’s saying “The wind used to come up between the floorboards.” The baby is saying “Waaah!”

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 28/09/2026

A romantic moonlit walk from This Slavery graphic novel

A panel from This Slavery, depicting Jack and Hester walking through the woods above the town, in the moonlight.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 27/09/2026

Today we remember Sylvia Pankhurst, who died on this day in 1960. Pankhurst women were each a strong flavour, and Sylvia is our favourite. Brought up by suffragist socialist activist parents, Sylvia trained as an artist (Manchester, then Royal College of Art), noting every exclusion along the way

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 27/09/2026

We’re gearing up for LICAF next weekend, who’s coming? I don’t think we’ll be boating this year, since the festival will be in Kendal and the schedule’s packed with stuff we’re keen to see.

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Rik Worth 👻 @rikworth.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I love this! And this type of stuff. Here is my writer’s (bad) sketch and @jordancollver.bsky.social artist (good) translation. If only it were a reposted thread…

A beautiful purple comics cover in the Tales of Suspense style showing Rose Mackenberg turning to see a zombified hand rise from a grave.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 21/09/2026

In the USA, over 4 million people have lost access to SNAP food poverty support in the last year, and there are more rule changes coming next month

A soup kitchen from The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel. It’s the precursor to British ‘food banks’. A child has brought a jug from home. A wealthy woman is supervising her maid ladling some hot soup into the jug. Everyone looks ashamed except for the wealthy lady, who feels smug about her charitable giving. A better system would be for her to pay tax and for the child to receive dignified state support, but what do we know

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 20/09/2026

Look at this scrappy sketch Scarlett just found in an old notebook! The only real change is the spine, because we soon learned that ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ is practically impossible to say quickly or fit on small surfaces…

Sideways on lined paper, about 10cm by 7cm, a blue pen layout design of the front, back and spine of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel

A finished The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel cover, back and spine as published in the UK in 2020

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 13/09/2026

hbd Annie Kenney (1879) this dog is here tell you facts about his special interest, radical activists with spicy lives, indulge him

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 09/09/2026

real sisters talking about fictional sisters This Slavery graphic novel tells the tale of Rachel and Hester, who take very different approaches to survival but never abandon one another

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 08/09/2026

Bert the unwaged apprentice mixing toxic lead to make paint in The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. France banned its use in 1909 (for the health of the painters). The UK banned it in 1992.

A series of 8 panels from The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel.
1. A barrel of white lead
2. Bert opens it and the powder escapes
3. He scoops the powers out by hand
4. He’s bent right over inside the barrel to get the last bit out
5. He’s bent tips the powder into a big vat
6. He returns the empty barrel to the dray
7. He adds other ingredients to the paint and stirs
8. He’s bent double, saying “it’s just one of my belly aches”
Poor Bert will surely go mad with lead poisoning, and then be just the right age to serve in WWI 😢

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 07/09/2026

A little bit of character design, which always has to include what people do for a living and elements of their home life

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 05/09/2026

What have PG Wodehouse, Raymond Chandler, Bob Monkhouse and Nigel Farage got in common? They all went to this fancy school, Dulwich College. On this day in 1913, the school was subject to an outrageous arson attack 🔥…

A stock photo of one of the UK’s most expensive boarding schools. It’s in South London. If it looks familiar, it’s a filming location for both Legally Blonde and Lara Croft Tomb Raider - nice to see strong women disrupting a boys school hehe

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 04/09/2026

Who wouldn’t enjoy a joyous jammy welcome like this?

A panel from The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel, showing a baby in a high-chair welcoming a man home. It has jammy toast in each hand. There is jam on the tablecloth, the baby’s face, and in its hair. In the background, a woman tends to the stove-fire.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 03/09/2026

Today is brought to you by the letter D - draw faster!

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 01/09/2026

Four years ago, we were marking up our 1910 map of Great Harwood, preparing to go location scouting for This Slavery graphic novel.

Sophie colouring in bodies of water on the map with a blue pencil

Scarlett making a list of locations to visit, using the map to guide us about what was there in 1910

A book cover. The text reads ETHEL CARNIE HOLDSWORTH’S THIS SLAVERY, a graphic novel by Scarlett & Sophie Rickard. The full page illustration shows two women standing back to back in a steep terraced street at sunset. The blonde woman holds a violin, the dark haired woman wears a man’s coat. A young man looks at them from an upstairs window on the left, and on the right there is a perky white and brown dog. In the distance the factory chimneys smoke. It’s all very ‘mills & doom’

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 31/08/2026

The morning after the night before… from our first graphic novel, Mann’s Best Friend

Terry Mann is asleep. A chink of harsh morning light crosses his face

Terry wakes from his drunken slumber. He knows everything is Not Okay

Terry remembers the full horror of his behaviour the night before

Terry sits up in someone else’s bed, drinking tea from someone else’s mug, head in hands. What has he done?

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 30/08/2026

Have you ever been to Rice Lane City Farm? It’s the final resting place of Robert Tressell who wrote The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, as well as some lovely animals 🐐 🐖 🦆

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 25/08/2026

Would you like to hear about keeping fit, hedge-meat, and how pelicans receive bad news? These are among the unlikely topics we strayed upon in our lovely chat with @thingsbydan.co.uk on Make It Then Tell Everybody: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

podcasts.apple.com

The Rickard Sisters

Podcast Episode · Make It Then Tell Everybody · 24 August · 1hr 14min

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SelfMadeHero @selfmadehero.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Who comes? Lo! An Amazon! #LoAnAmazon is the new graphic biography of literary visionary and women's rights trailblazer #MaryWollstonecraft, from the legendary Mary and Bryan Talbot! Out in ONE MONTH! 🔗 selfmadehero.com/books/lo-an-amazon-the-interesting-narrative-of-the-life-of-mary-wollstonecraft

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 16/08/2026

This seems like a useful and relevant concept: Trojan horse propaganda

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Hannah Berry @streakofpith.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Today at @captioncomicfest.bsky.social! Come, let us rant about GenAI and all its bullshit wankery. 👹🖕🤖 Also on a panel just after - “can comics change the world?” - with @myfanwytristram.bsky.social @rickardsisters.com and @richjohnston.bsky.social 💥

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 09/08/2026

Imagining what life might have been like if we hadn’t had to find a disability-friendly way to work… We have such a good time working together, and having each other really helps with the daily grind of pain, inconvenience and fatigue that our condition brings

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 05/08/2026

@levparikian.bsky.social I’m reading Light Rains Sometimes Fall, along with the seasons. Is your camera roll full of butterflies and moths? Might you be persuaded to show us a handful of common garden friends, with their names? I have no clue what I’m looking at 🦋

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 05/08/2026

This was really interesting, I learned so much. Not least that Thomas Piketty is pronounced to rhyme with ‘spaghetti’. The first of many mind-blowing ideas

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 05/08/2026

Would you like to WIN a set of 4 Rickard Sisters tea towels? All you have to do is 🏖️ come to Whitstable 🎨 find the Horsebridge gallery 🎟️ buy a raffle ticket at our free talk* 🤞 be lucky See you there on Thursday evening? * £ to Pilgrims Hospices

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 04/08/2026

What on earth would possess us to think about - never mind draw - a naked Trump? And what’s Timothy Claypole got to do with anything? To find out, get yourself a copy of @selfmadehero.bsky.social Count Binface Comic Book, out on Thursday 6th, preorders from @goshcomics.bsky.social 10% to Shelter

A close up crop of our entry to the Count Binface Comic Book, showing a beatific Trump wearing nothing but a golden crown 👑

A close up crop of our entry to the Count Binface Comic Book, showing Timothy Claypole, the Rent-a-Ghost jester, pointing at his own face

A close up crop of our entry to the Count Binface Comic Book, showing a balloon tie and the words “the power lies with us! Anyone can do it”

The cover of SelfMadeHero’s Count Binface Comic Book, listing the 30+ comic art creators who contributed content

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 03/08/2026

We’re coming to Whitstable on Thursday and then Oxford at the weekend - will any of you be there to say hello? Full details of all our shenanigans at RickardSisters.com

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 02/08/2026

that feeling when your brother and sister gang up on you… 🐝

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 01/08/2026

Do we think Mamdani has read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists? This is a key step in the book’s proposals for a better future: government stores selling the necessities of life at affordable prices

A full page of THE Ragged Trousered Philanthropists graphic novel, depicting a futurist style woman with groceries, as part of a described ‘better way’. The text reads:
“State-owned shops will supply state employees with the necessities of life at the lowest possible prices. At first the stace wil buy from private manufacturers, in huge quantities to get things cheap. There won't be any advertising. The sole aim will be to supply goods at low prices, so they will be cheaper than profit-making private stores.
The national shops will be just
for those in public service, as
they won't take metal money. At first, everyone will be paid in metal money, but public servants could opt to be paid all or part in tokens for the national shops, hotels restaurants, and so on.
The national shops will sell practically everything for low prices, so it wont be long before people will prefer tokens. Anyone unemployed and willing to work will be employed cultivating land or making food, boots, clothing, furniture, and all the necessities and comforts of life.”

A book cover: on a bottle green background a man is painting an ornate sign which reads Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, graphic novel by Scarlett & Sophie Rickard. A young lad sits by his feet and is passing him a cup of tea in a tin mug. An older man in a painty bowler hat is reading a comic.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 31/07/2026

🚨🗑️ new @countbinface.bsky.social comic drops 06.08.26 🗑️🚨 from @selfmadehero.bsky.social with 10% going to @sheltercharity.bsky.social Pre-order NOW from @goshcomics.bsky.social Crafted from contributions by 36 comic creators, including…

A book cover with a large cartoon Binface in a powerful pose. The Count Binface Comic Book with 36 contributors listed. Here goes:

Nick Abadzis, Krent Able, Steven Appleby, Andrew Attwell, Rachael Ball, Becky Barnicoat, Henny Beaumont, Hannah Berry, Abbigayle Bircham & Bobby Joseph, Paul Ashley Brown, Grazia Caleo & Louis Netter, Darryl Cunningham & Jonathan Edwards, Dix, Kate Evans, Babak Ganjei, Fraser Geesin, ILYA, JAKe Detonator, Rich Johnston, Rebecca K. Jones, Jonesy, Dave McKean, Peter Morey, Rob Murray, Woodrow Phoenix, Anna Readman, Scarlett & Sophie Rickard, Martin Rowson, Mark Stafford, Bryan Talbot, Edward Taylor, Myfanwy Tristram

A very zoomed in glimpse of our pages of the Count Binface comic, here showing the Count himself, celebrating in front of a somewhat demonic looking Farage holding a pint. Above Farage the letters FASCI appear before being cropped by the edge of the frame

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 29/07/2026

When we adapted This Slavery into a graphic novel, we set the action in the town where the writer, Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, lived and worked. That meant several joyous trips to Great Harwood in Lancashire - including this one after the book was finished ☔️

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 28/07/2026

Whitstable friends! Would you like to come and see us at the Horsebridge on Thursday 6th August? It’s free, and we’ll show you how and why we make our books. Tickets at thehorsebridge.org.uk

A book cover: on a dark inky blue background a five women stand together holding up an ornate protest banner which reads Constance Maud’s No Surrender, a graphic novel by Scarlett & Sophie Rickard. They are dressed in Edwardian clothing and VOTES FOR WOMEN sashes. The girl in the centre, who wears the shawl of a working woman, holds a loud-hailer

A pair of panels from No Surrender graphic novel, in which an older suffragette explains why they do ‘stunts’ for the press. “It's the only way.” she complains, “Not a single paper reported that deputation to the Home Secretary about the treatment of women in prison.” The next panel is a newspaper cutting with a big photograph. “But they couldn't resist "Suffragettes chained to the railings in Downing Street"

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 22/07/2026

Kitchens are the heart of a home, and in this case at the heart of a story. Kitchens are also workplaces, where labour happens and important meetings take place. We love kitchens.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 21/07/2026

thank you for the shout out @mrjamesob.bsky.social, and for recommending our graphic novel adaptation of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists to your listeners! Available in all good bookshops etc etc rickardsisters.com/product/the-...

rickardsisters.com

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

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Myfanwy Tristram @myfanwytristram.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

#SLCZF is TODAY at the Stanley Arts Centre - nearest station Norwood Junction, from 12-6. I’m chairing a panel on making change through comics, with @hollycasio.bsky.social @rachaelhouse.bsky.social @spellingmistakescostlives.com and @cartoonkate.bsky.social at 2-2:45pm. No ticket required.

Talks at SLCZF including 2-2:45pm How to change the world with comics

We all know comics are a brilliant medium for storytelling: what happens when that story is one of a better future, a vision of the way the world could be? Four artists come together to discuss their very different approaches to making political change through their work.

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 13/07/2026

Hahaha please no this would be such a disaster

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 12/07/2026

This one’s all about where silk comes from and what it does next. Including how Jaquard weaving was the precursor to 8-bit programming (and is all about consent) Come with us to Macclesfield 🧵 🪡 🏭

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 10/07/2026

One week until the end of term, and look how much love this book has had! Y4 absolutely loved Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Egypt @rikworth.bsky.social @jordancollver.bsky.social

The teacher holding the book Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Egypt in front of an empty classroom (the kids have gone home)

The same teacher holding the same book, but so you can see that it’s been incredibly well read, loved and used by 30 x kids

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 08/07/2026

This is a great idea that might suit some of you - and worth clicking through, even if it’s only for the link to Ursula le Guin’s essay, ‘the Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction’. I had not come across it before and loved it so much I had to read it again

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 05/07/2026

Who’d like to come to Darcy’s house, get dressed to the nines, admire his satin bed, interrogate his tapestries, shoot his balls and marvel at his massive clock? Thank you for having us @nationaltrust.org.uk 🎩

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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Apropos of basically everything, was just reminded of this quote from the brilliant Renni Eddo-Lodge: "The mess we are living in is a deliberate one. If it was created by people, it can be dismantled by people, and it can be rebuilt in a way that serves all, rather than a selfish, hoarding few."

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Commoners Choir @commonerschoir.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Original art and chat this weekend as part of Commoners choir DIY weekend. Just come along.. Also workshop and music slots. Book yr tickets at shorturl.at/qP0KV #BoffWhalley #GeeVaucher #JeremyDeller #CarolHodge #ActsOfResistance #JonnyHannah @rickardsisters.com #LeftCultures

Flier with text:
Speak Up

FEATURING WORK BY GEE VAUCHER, JEREMY DELLER, ANTHONY BURRILL, RICKARD SISTERS. EXHIBITION OPENS AS PART OF COMMONERS CHOIR'S DIY WEEKEND WITH PANEL DISCUSSION AT 12 NOON, SATURDAY 27 JUNE, FEATURING JONNY HANNAH, RICKARD SISTERS, MARTA (ROCKAWAY), PHIL WRIGGLESWORTH (LEFT CULTURES) & BOFF WHALLEY

Rockaway

EASTCOURT ROAD TEMPLE CLOUD BS39 5BU FULL DETAILS & TICKETS FROM ROCKAWAYPARK.CO.UK

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 21/06/2026

Hey, people of Bristol and thereabouts! Do you want to DO SOMETHING about the state of the world? Or hang out with people who do? Come to Rockaway Park next weekend for a festival of getting on and doing something www.rockawaypark.co.uk/whatson/do-i...

An amazing poster for the DIY festival featuring the Commoners Choir

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 21/06/2026

It turns out the most useful character to put in your graphic novel might be a pet…

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 18/06/2026

This Slavery graphic novel is a story about Lancashire weavers and about two sisters who find very different ways to resist and a very good dog

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Commoners Choir @commonerschoir.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Come down to #RockawayPark to celebrate the true meaning of DIY. We're bringing together wonderful artists for workshops, talks Fri/Sat; Sat gig with us, #CarolHodge, #SteveLake, #ActsOfResistance; Protest art exhibition. Tix n info at shorturl.at/qP0KV @rickardsisters.com #JeremyDeller #Bristol

ALT TXT
COMMONERS CHOIR & ROCKAWAY PARK PRESENT A WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF DO-IT-YOURSELF WITH MUSIC, WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS & TALKS

GETTING SHIT DONE

FRI, SAT, SUN 26-28 JUNE 2026

SAT EVENING CONCERT WITH COMMONERS CHOIR, ACTS OF RESISTANCE & CAROL HODGE

Rockaway, EASTCOURT ROAD, TEMPLE CLOUD BS39 5BU

FULL DETAILS & TICKETS FROM ROCKAWAYPARK.CO.UK

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Rickard Sisters @rickardsisters.com · 16/06/2026

Happy Bloomsday, fellow nerds Hands up who’s had Ulysses on the shelf for years and never made it past page 3 (so far) 🙋‍♀️

A bookshelf with the paperback of James Joyce’s Ulysses amid others

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