A CHARLTON writer who is championing creativity will touch down at a major UK comic convention this weekend.

Chris Baker will be speaking at Portsmouth Comic Con on Sunday, May 4, alongside his writing partner Matt Fitch.

The pair have worked together on various comics and last year wrote the full-length graphic novel Apollo.

Apollo recounts the story of the moon landing, with this year marking its 50th anniversary, and will be the subject of Chris’ Portsmouth Comic Con appearance.

“I really wanted to do something with Portsmouth [Comic Con] – I’m a Hampshire boy,” said Chris.

“A lot of these Comic Cons pop up and they end up being market places to buy Captain America T-shirts but this one really focuses on comic books.”

Chris, whose mother was born in the Caribbean, will also be talking about his experience writing about America – the country on which most of his work is based.

He said: “I think America is this amazing universe we can write inside of because we have been programmed since we were kids to see this American culture.”

“The moon landing is this amazing event and it’s so incredible. There’s conspiracy theories, there’s mythologies around it.”

Chris’ book delves into the history of the moon landing, but also offers personal stories beyond the event itself. It explores President Nixon’s views, the astronauts’ relationship with their families, and their own personal battles they encounter.

“It’s not a straight-telling of the story, it’s a bit more of a human story. NASA have this in their library of moon landing books, so it passes their test.”

And even though his book takes place far from home, there remains a local tie-in.

“There’s a lot of connection to Andover with Apollo actually. Just where I live there’s Armstrong Rise, Collins Close, Aldrin Court.”

Chris was born in the area, and after spending time in Australia and London, he is now back in Charlton with his wife, Helena, and their daughter.

“I came back because I wanted to raise a kid in the country.”

He added: “Andover just calls you back, doesn’t it?”

Chris remembers days when Andover was something of a creative hub, artistically and musically, centred around The George before its closure.

“When I grew up there was a vibrant music scene. It came just before the internet really, before streaming and social media. And it all centred around The George.

“People would just get together and do things.”

Though The George is no more, Chris believes that creativity remains and is hopeful that others may follow his lead and pursue more artistic avenues.

“There’s a lot of people out there with ideas,” he said.

“I have considered contacting John Hanson [his old school] and talking to young people and saying you don’t have to go work in some warehouse in Andover or you don’t have to go punch a clock,” he added.

“Writing is a wonderful way to express yourself and form a career.”