Raggedy Man Tales. GM Jordan
RAGGEDY MAN
TALES
GM Jordan
Illustrators
Cornelia Abfalter
Amrit Birdi
Al Davison
Mariela Malova
Matt Soffe
Simon Wyatt
Raggedy Man Seal Designed By
Daniel Gough
Raggedy Man ™ & © 2020 GM Jordan & Markosia Enterprises, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this work by any means without the written permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden. All names, characters and events in this publication are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Published by Markosia Enterprises, PO BOX 3477, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 9HN. FIRST PRINTING, March 2020. Harry Markos, Director.
ISBN 978-1-913359-40-9
Editor: Richmond Clements
Book Design: Ian Sharman
www.markosia.com
This Paperback Edition 2020
First Published by Jordan-X Studios 2019
In Memory
Bob Baptie
Special Thanks
This book would not have been possible without the hard work of Richmond Clements & Sam Reader.
The illustrators; Cornelia Abfalter, Amrit Birdi, Al Davison, Mariela Malova, Matt Soffe & Simon Wyatt. They brought ‘Raggedy Man’ to life in so many wonderful ways.
Danny Gough who designed the ‘Raggedy Man Seal’ & our online adverts in record time.
Tim Perkins; an industry legend & gentleman who gave me good advice & encouragement when I needed it.
Finally, I would like to thank my family, Harry Markos, Ian Sharman, Alison Bailey, Iain Mallory, Tim Pilcher, Stephen Saleh, Simon Williams, Sara Stevens, Dave & Karen Lota, Jan & Alan Harding, Sarah Ann Reynolds & David Morris
For Markosia Enterprises Ltd
Harry Markos
Publisher & Managing Partner
GM Jordan
Special Projects Co-Ordinator
Annika Eade
Media Manager
Andy Briggs
Creative Consultant
Meirion Jones
Marketing Director
Ian Sharman
Editor In Chief
Foreword by Tim Perkins
7
Introduction
9
The First English Report
13
The Changeling
19
Tora
27
Scottish Drummer Boy
49
Kayode
63
Charles Dickens
90
Children of the Past
93
Foreword
There are certain privileges that come with being a comic creator, one of them is you get to meet many people that you would otherwise not know and another is you get a chance to see the work of other creators before the general public are able to.
This means that occasionally you see something a little different. When the author, GM Jordan first asked me to write this foreword I agreed, but I had no idea what kind of book it was going to be. I agreed to it, having only read the first page, which did what all good books do when the reader is drawn inside its worlds. Raggedy Man did that with ease – I was hooked from the off.
If you are one of those people who like to read the Foreword first, before reading the actual book content then it’s always difficult to share my excitement with the reader without giving away what to expect Inside it.
So, with this in mind I will instead start by saying, if you are a lover of history, and folk tales and myths and legends, then this is certainly the book for you. If I can find a fault with Raggedy Man, it’s actually not the book’s fault, but mine – because I didn’t want it to end. Not many books nowadays hold my attention with my busy schedule on my own books, but the aforementioned Mr. Jordan’s book did just that. It’s easy to read and full of the types of stories that I enjoy. It doesn’t bog itself down with the need to explain and describe every jot of detail. It does what the greatest stories ever told do, it flows and gives the reader just enough, to allow the story to be told with an energy that doesn’t allow the reader to want to put it down. What’s not to like about a raggedy spirit-like creature that lives across our globe throughout history, peering from beneath its wide-brimmed hat. There are morals to the stories too – not bash them in the face stuff, but subtle hints – like all the best myths and legends.
If I have a favourite then it has to the Nordic Myths story, which had to earn first place, as they are my favourite types of story. Kudos, GM – You managed to keep my attention and got me to read my second book this year. I can see this being a favourite book amongst adults and children alike and I am so glad I was able to read before most.
Now, for those that haven’t read this little tome before looking at this foreword, I hand it over with a little jealousy, as you are about to share the same feelings that I did when I first read it. You can only do this once, so have fun, I know I did. Oh, and just before I go, look out next time you are out on your own in the woods or down the street for someone or something in shadows or out of the corner of your eye dressed in patchwork rags and sporting a wide-brimmed hat, which covers its features – for you may just be about to become another story of The Raggedy Man…
Tim Perkins
From within The Keep February 2019
Introduction
Illustrated by Mariela Molova
As a child I was fascinated by my Uncle Bob’s stories of ‘The Raggedy Man’, a spirit who would appear to children when they were in danger or needed to make a key decision in their lives.
The Raggedy Man has many different names, each part of world has their own set of stories and myths, but all follow the same path. A mysterious stranger appears to offer guidance, wearing a hat wide enough ‘To caste shade upon the face of the stranger, shielding his eyes from all but the most curious’ (Rev. Thomas Burke, 1755, York). The myths also state that the Raggedy Man carried no weapons but instead he carried a flute, penny whistle or nose flute. Whilst the hat size appears to change from generation to generation one thing is consistent: the children say the Raggedy Man’s clothing is made up of patches that change constantly.
Nor is the myth tied to one part of the country or even one religion. Tales of the enigmatic children’s spirit can be found from every walk of life.
In 1190 the Jewish community of York were taking refuge in Clifford’s Tower. The streets were full of people protesting against moneylenders and they blamed the Jewish community for a lot of their problems.
A young apprentice to a Jewish goldsmith was alone, frightened and carefully making his way towards a place of safety, the tower at the centre of the city. Isaac made his way very carefully towards what he hoped was safety, carefully