Emily Coady-Stemp,BBC News, South East
A six-year-old’s homemade comic book went viral on social media after he sold it to a neighbour for £1.
Red Smith, from Brighton, wrote a story based on a character called Danger Sausage, originally the creation of author Jamie Smart.
It got more than 1.3m views when the neighbour, Keri Warbis – as well as Mr Smart – shared the comic on social media on Sunday.
Red’s mother, Amelia Smith, said her young son liked the character so much he decided to write a spin off.
The comic opens with the lines: “One time there was a sausage as you can see. He was no ordinary sausage, he was a danger sausage.”
Ms Smith said she didn’t know that Red had sold the comic to a neighbour until the following day.
Mr Smart, the award-winning author of popular books Bunny Vs Monkey and Looshkin, said he hoped Red would be inspired to keep making “brilliant” comics after the “amazing reaction”.
The Kent-based writer told BBC South East: “It’s been so fun watching the reaction to Red’s work.
“He’s not only very talented, but he’s really funny too. He already has a great skill in making comics!
“Honestly, it’s amazing that he liked Danger Sausage enough to tell his own stories.
“I’m very honoured.”
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Ms Smith said Red was using his comic book projects as “an excuse to stay up writing comics when he’s supposed to be going to bed”.
In a post on X, Ms Warbis said: “Bought a comic called ‘Danger Sausage’ from a little kid who was selling their home made comics on my street.
“£1 well spent, I’d say.”
Red is already planning a sequel.
He told BBC Radio Sussex: “There’s a new villain called Timmy Pork Chop.”
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