The Final Regrets of Glyndwr Michael

This is a dark story concealing a powerful uplifting message. But to find it, you’re going to have to do a bit of detective work! Here’s my recommendation: read the story once through and then do a quick Google to discover the real life events it is portraying. Once you understand those, re-read the story once more and its big idea will be revealed!

Written & drawn by Adam Westbrook • Published in

A vertical panel showing the London skyline during the blitz
Another air raid...third one this week!
A vertical panel showing the London skyline during the blitz
All this bangin' and racket. It's enough to wake the dead.
A vertical panel showing the London skyline during the blitz
"And death shall have no domininion under the windings of the sea..."
Looking through a tall industrial window into an abandoned warehouse. A small figure walks in silhouette.
"...no more may gulls cry at their ears..."
A high angle view from the rafters of the warehouse. Iron beams cross the view. The figure walks across the room.
"...or waves break loud on the seashore..."
From high up on a steel beam we look down at the figure. A big hairy rat is silhouetted in the foreground.
Hardly the Savoy, but we've slept in worse. Beats being outside at the mercy of Gerry.
At ground level, the man leans against the wall, he's got matted hair and a long tattered coat.
Yes, just rest up here, ol' Glyn.
The man slides down the wall on his back, exhausted. He is illuminated by the moonlight outside with the window panes casting a shadow over him.
Been another long day at life's coal face...
The man reaches the floor, exhausted.
...turned away at every corner, called a draft-dodging pinko!
A low level long shot shows Glyn resting against the wall, framed by the long shadow of the warehose window.
No kindness left, not with this war, that's the problem.
We get closer to Glyn as he sits on the floor.
World's gone got itself wrapped up in its big problems...
A mid-shot of Glyn sitting on the floor. He looks up, his left hand raised into the air in protest.
...Who's got a care for poor ol' Glyn?
A close-up of Glyn as he clenches his fist in anger.
No-one, that's who!
An even closer view of Glyn, staring indignantly at the floor.
Lousy world! Stinking parents! Rotten government!
An extreme close up of Glyn, looking up into the sky screaming.
Didn't get a fair shot, that's what! Not a pot to piss in for poor Glyn!
A midshot of Glyn grabbing his stomach in pangs of hunger.
We've got to eat Glyn, or we'll perish.
Glyn looks to his left. In the foreground a huge rat walks past, catching his attention.
Glyn staggers along the wall, following the rat, holding his hungry stomach.
Come here you little bugger...
From a low angle, Glyn pounces towards us at the rat, but the rodent escapes up a pipe.
Argh cheeky bugger!
Looking up, Glyn seems something behind us and reaches out towards it.
But wait, what's this?
A close up of his hand grabbing an old slice of bread. There is a dark paste on it.
A workman's lunch p'haps? With chicken liver paste!
A close up profile of Glyn as he opens wide to eat the bread.
Smells queer...still, beggars can't be choosers Glyn. Bon appetit!
From the same angle, Glyn chokes and coughs as he swallows the meal.
Definitely not chicken liver! Keep it down fella!
Cough!
A distorted low angle wide shot of Glyn leading against the wall, feeling unwell. The floor and the shadow of the window are all curved.
That weren't right. Still, a meal's a meal.
Another dramatic angle through the tall warehouse window, looking down at Glyn. Bombs explode nearby.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
At ground level, Glyn leans against the wall, rubbing his head, concern written over his face.
Oh dear... face it Glyn... there's no fixing this up...
A close-up of Glyn as he holds his hands up to his mouth to catch a burp.
...This is all you've amounted to. Nothing more to show for yourself.
Hiccup!
A close up of Glyn as he buries his face in his hands, sobbing.
What a terrible waste it's all been!
A close up of Glyn he rocks his head back in dismay.
I wanted to do so much! I had so much to give!
A wider shot of Glyn, his hands reaching up into the sky.
Why do I only see this now?!
A full colour panel shows Glyn as a handsome young sailor before a battleship, saluting.
I'd have been a good sailor! I could have served my country, been a hero maybe...
A full colour panel looks down on Glyn floating in warm calm waters, his eyes closed.
...I wanted to see the sea, I wanted to float in the warm waters of the Mediterreanean...
A full colour panel shows Glyn relaxing on a bench, overlooking a Spanish beach at sunset.
...end my days somewhere warm, like Spain. Yes, Spain would have been wonderful.
Back in the black and whit warehouse, Glyn is slumped against the wall, his head sagging.
But God doesn't care about the dreams of an old tramp like me.
Glyn curled up in the faetal position on the floor of the warehouse, against the wall.
"...And death shall have no domininion here..."
A wide shot of the warehouse in daylight. Glyn's body is against the wall in the background. In the foreground we see two men in long coats.
Workmen found his body this morning, sir.
Any relatives?
Shouldn't think so. Just an old tramp.
Load him onto the truck, carefully mind.
END