Announcing Bedford Street by Ross Murray!

Earth's End Publishing is pleased to announce Ross Murray's new graphic novel Bedford Street, which will be released exclusively in New Zealand on October 5th, and internationally by Fantagraphics on November 3rd, 2026.

Written and illustrated by Ross Murray, creator of the acclaimed Rufus Marigold, Bedford Street is a collection of short stories exploring the lives of the inhabitants of the titular street ─ a darkly comic exploration of social decay, hardship, recklessness and the ways in which we care for one another. 

Ross’s skilful storytelling and combination of pathos and dark humour explores how we navigate life in a disconnected society during the maelstrom of the 21st Century.

Advance praise for Bedford Street:
‘This is one of the most deeply truthful depictions of humanity I’ve ever read. Beautifully bleak and chocka with delicious moments of dark humour, Murray has created a truly captivating cast of (highly) flawed yet loveable characters.’

─ TOM SAINSBURY

Bedford Street will be available nationwide from all good bookstores, comic shops and online retail outlets from October 2026.

Ordering Information:

Copies can be pre-ordered on our website HERE

Retailers can order Bedford Street from our distributor David Bateman Ltd, info@batemanbooks.co.nz

Publishing Details:

Bedford Street
Ross Murray

Synopsis: Welcome to Bedford Street, a darkly comic exploration of social decay, hardship, recklessness and the ways in which we care for one another. Eight loosely interwoven stories create a mosaic of lives lived in the growing maelstrom of the 21st century, where some submit to their worst impulses and others try their best despite it all.

RRP: $34.99

ISBN: 9780473781170
Format: 257 x 184mm, portrait, 196 pages, full colour, paperback

Ages: 18+ Suggested for mature readers

Publisher: Earth's End Publishing
Publishing date: October 2026

 

Ross Murray brings Rufus Marigold to ComicFest!

Above: Ross Murray.

Photo by David Thomsen. Copyright David Thomsen 2019. 

Recently Rufus Marigold creator Ross Murray was a guest at ComicFest, a comics festival held in Wellington on May 2nd – 4th, at the National Library. 

Held to coincide with Free Comic Book Day, a host of local comic guests descended on Wellington for the event including:  Katie O'Neill, Roger Langridge, Dylan Horrocks, Ant Sang, Sarah Laing, Jesse Barrett, Giselle Clarkson, Michel Mulipola, Jem Yoshioka, Paul Diamond, Alex Cara, and Sharon Murdoch! Free comics and a stall of local graphic novels were provided by Wellington's long-time premiere comic shop, GRAPHIC.

From left: Ross Murray, Jem Yoshioka, Alex Cara and Hannah Benbow.

Photo by David Thomsen. Copyright David Thomsen 2019. 

 

Murray took part in a panel discussion 'Stories from Aotearoa/New Zealand' with Jem Yoshioka, Paul Diamond (not pictured), Alex Cara and discussion chair Hannah Benbow. "I had so much fun at ComicFest in Wellington this past weekend," said Murray. 

"There were so many great workshops, presentations and panels which over 2,300 people attended in total. Well done to Monty Masseurs from Wellington City Libraries, Hannah Benbow from the National Library and everyone else who helped organise it. And thanks to GRAPHIC for feeding so many comics to the hungry masses and for hosting me at their store on Friday. Finally, a huge thank you to the National Library for inviting me to speak. You might not be able to tell from this photo but I even came close to enjoying myself."  

Above: The GRAPHIC store at ComicFest.

Photo by David Thomsen. Copyright David Thomsen 2019. 

Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray is available at all good bookstores and comic shops now.

Listen up: Ross Murray talks to RNZ Nine to Noon!

Mount Maunganui based illustrator Ross Murray has produced a graphic novel broaching the subject of social anxiety, a story he tells from his own tough experience. Rufus Marigold is Ross' first book, featuring a self-loathing nervous wreck of a man-monkey chimpanzee, who works in an office brimming with apparently socially competent people.  In comic form we see the eponymous hero of the book, Rufus Marigold continuously facing awkward social situations, enduring sleepless nights, battling with his negative interior voice and struggling with small talk.

As Ross tells Kathryn Ryan, Rufus Marigold is both funny and dark. You can listen to the Nine to Noon show HERE.

EVENT: Rufus Marigold Book Launch and Art Exhibition!

Join Earth's End Publishing for the launch of our latest graphic novel, Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray.

The launch will be held at The Tuesday Club, 42 Airedale Street in Auckland Central, along with an exhibition of original art by Ross Murray, featuring his eponymous character and an exploration of related themes from his book.

Kindly sponsored by Garage Project with refreshments provided. Copies of Rufus Marigold will be available for sale on the night courtesy of Unity Books Auckland.

The Rufus Marigold Art Exhibition will continue after the book launch at The Tuesday Club from Friday 1st of March to Sunday 3rd of March.

You can RSVP at our Facebook event HERE.

So come pick up a copy of the book, meet the author, and view some amazing artwork!

Announcing Rufus Marigold!

Above: The cover of Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray. Copyright Ross Murray 2019.

Earth’s End Publishing is proud to announce our latest publishing endeavor - a collection of Ross Murray’s acclaimed webcomic, Rufus Marigold.

Initially released online in 2016, Rufus Marigold explores social anxiety disorder through the prism of its eponymous character and drew a devoted audience and praise for it’s equally humourous and at times heartbreaking insight into this much maligned subject.

After seeing the initial webcomic online, Earth’s End was quick to reach out to creator Ross Murray and work alongside him to develop this series into a unique and beautiful graphic novel. 

 

The print version of Rufus Marigold will collect all the original material and adds brand new additional vignettes, furthering and deepening the story of man-monkey Rufus and his attempts to define himself as something other than a complete and utter nervous wreck.

Above: Artwork from Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray. Copyright Ross Murray 2019.

 

Ross Murray is known for his sharp art and vintage style illustrations. Recently his work has graced the covers and interiors of the Lonely Planet Epic series. In additional to his commercial work, Murray has also been making comics since 2014 when his Pets Talk Records strip appeared online. In 2015 Murray contributed to the Faction High Water anthology, edited and produced by Earth’s End co-founder Damon Keen. 2018 saw his humourous takes on Star Wars and Home & Away featured on the Vice website comics section. Rufus Marigold is Murray’s first full length graphic novel. 

 

Rufus Marigold by Ross Murray will be released March 1st, 2019 in bookstores and comic shops across New Zealand. Copies will also be available to pre-order directly from our website store.

 

Praise for Rufus Marigold:

“A ruefully familiar, hilarious webcomic turned-turned magnum opus. Rufus Marigold delights and horrifies in equal measure. A must-read for anyone who has ever felt awkward in social situations, and anyone who’s ever had a dream.” 

- Sarah Laing, Mansfield & Me

 

“Rufus Marigold is deliciously funny, uncomfortably honest, and painfully, beautifully human.”

- Dylan Horrocks, Hicksville

 

“A brave, heartfelt story that shows with absolute clarity the devastating impact of social anxiety.”
- Brent Williams, Out of the Woods

 

Ordering Information:

Rufus Marigold is now available for pre-order from Earth’s End Publishing.
Email: earthsendpublishing@gmail.com

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or require further information.

 

Publishing Details:

Rufus Marigold
Ross Murray
Paperback with french flaps
Width: 160mm, Height: 216mm, Weight: 450grms 

Full colour, 200 pages

ISBN: 9780473448035

RRP: $34.99

 

Ages: 16+ Mature themes

Release Date: March 1st 2019