For John Biggs, an illustrator based in Brighton, United Kingdom, narrative artwork has always been a fascination, whether explored in the multiple panels of comics or condensed into the singular moments of artists such as Aubrey Beardsley, Tomer Hanuka or the masters of ukiyo-e. “Narrative is at the core of everything I make,” he says. “I believe there are universal truths at the heart of all stories that help us unravel the mysteries of being human.” Biggs’s entrance into illustration came naturally from his connections to his local music scene as he produced artwork for his friends’ bands and shows; this led to him landing a residency at King & McGaw, a UK-based fine art printmaking and framing shop. “I put on shows, delivered workshops, and had time to develop my personal style and practice,” Biggs recalls. “Then, in my first few years freelancing, I said yes to any opportunity no matter how small. Learning by doing!” Continuously drawing and developing his style, he has recently expanded into writing and illustrating his own comics, exploring how depicting longer narratives can help him refine the stories he wants to tell. “My more recent work in comics is influenced heavily by history, local communities and the lived human experience,” Biggs explains. “I look for magic in everyday experiences and add those elements into my illustration.”