“All The World is An Operating Theatre” by Bryan Talbot. Taken from ‘Doc Chaos - The Chernobyl Effect’ (1988). Published by Hooligan Press.

An insanely-detailed and grotesque Bryan Talbot illustration taken from David Thorpe’s 1988 prose novella, ‘Doc Chaos - The Chernobyl Effect’. The book also features pieces by Brian Bolland, Dave McKean, Simon Bisley and other luminaries.

This photo definitely doesn’t do the piece justice. Those scalpels have been individually crafted and stuck on by Bryan, which is a technical achievement in itself.

One of Bryan’s primary influences was the great Robert Crumb, and there is a definite tip of the hat here.

A3 on artist board.