Illustrator returns to Columbia for ‘incredibly strange’ book signing and show

Tommy Bishop’s strange, slightly creepy illustrations on Columbia band fliers and album covers have gotten him recognized as the go-to guy for delightfully grim images.

He drew a red-eyed green goblin crouching above an old-school absinthe recipe on an album cover for rock trio The Unawares.

A sharp-toothed shrunken head floating on a yellow background for psychedelic rock band Boo Hag.

And a kooky rodent with orange and yellow ears for Transylvanian Rats.

“Typically for fliers I try to do the dumbest image possible. Just goofy things that would grab someone’s attention,” Bishop said.

The Spartanburg native and University of South Carolina grad is now based in Portland, Oregon, but continues to contribute to the local music scene. He recently designed the EP artwork for Boo Hag, and has done artwork for Los Perdidos, Ghetto Blaster and Grey Egg.

His latest endeavor is a children’s book called “The Incredibly Strange ABCs.”

Bishop will return to Columbia for a launch party and book signing Sunday, Sept. 18 at Tapp’s Arts Center. At 3 p.m., he’ll conduct a reading for kids and at 7 there will be a concert featuring performances by Boo Hag, Los Perdidos and Jackson Spells (sans kids).

“A lot of us who know him have been pushing for him to do some kind of book,” Boo Hag drummer Scott Tempo said. “I think a lot of people in music community are glad to see him taking that step and want to be a part of it.”

“The Incredibly ABCs,” published by Muddy Ford Press, reflects Bishop’s wacky, detailed characterizations.

The book and illustrations are a side project. By day, Bishop is a design strategist.

“I mainly just wanted to create something for my daughter,” who is 16 months old, Bishop said. “People continuously told me I’d scare her with the illustrations, but so far, she likes it.”

For “A” there’s “Albert Appleworm absolutely adores accounting,” accompanied by a pock-faced worm with bloodshot eyes studying receipts.

For “I” there’s “Igor inspects igloos for irregular icicles” next to a manic-looking researcher with crooked teeth and a warty nose measuring icicles.

Bishop said his favorite is “W:” “Wendelin, the wacky witch, wrestles werewolves weekly.” Naturally, there’s a witch pinning a werewolf in a leg hold.

It’s definitely strange, but definitely fun, too.

Erin Shaw, eshaw@thestate.com

This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 9:07 AM with the headline "Illustrator returns to Columbia for ‘incredibly strange’ book signing and show."