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For our 50th issue, we wanted to celebrate what BP has been about over the last 15 years. We also wanted to inspire those who might be picking up a copy of BP for the first time. And so, a list: A list of 50 amazing people across this country who have dedicated important swathes of their lives to furthering the practice of independent culture in Canada. Obviously, there are many others who could have been on this list. If we're missing someone, write in and tell us about them. The people on this list are our heroes. Over the next 50 issues of BP, there will be others. We can't wait to meet them.
Marc Bell
Years Active: 1990-present
Location: London, Ontario
Greatest Accomplishment: Shrimpy and Paul! For decades now, Bell has been inspiring us with his zany, intricate cartoons, showing off his unique blend of '60s psychedelia, '90s slackerdom and post-millennial complexity. And standing with Bell all this time have been his two best pals, the mean-spirited Shrimpy and his fun loving sausage-with-nipples buddy, Paul. While Bell's laudable accomplishments include the groundbreaking anthology Nog A Dod and working with and inspiring cartoonists from coast to coast we'll always love him for Shrimpy and Paul!
Where is he now: Bell's recent accomplishments include the massive art/ comic book Hot Potatoe and a 2010 solo show at Dutch gallery/comic shop Lambiek.
Quote: "At times 1 think [Hot Potatoe's] almost a ridiculous book, and then on the other hand 1 think, no, it's fine... It just has that extra bit of excessiveness going on."
R M Vaughan
Years Active: 1990-present
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Greatest Accomplishment: Vaughan is a poet, playwright, novelist, critic and video artist. We love Vaughan for his fiction (gay-witch comingof-age-novel Spells), his poetry (Troubled, a poetic memoir of his relationship with his therapist) and his many videos and works of criticism. But what really puts Vaughan in a whole different category are his sudden outbursts of sheer weirdness. To whit: his biting campaign against Toronto' s Live With Culture advertising, which featured the man himself slouched in a pair of underwear under the caption: "Live Without Culture."
Where is he now: He recently joined forces with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and...