tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70479129400114374932024-02-19T16:06:05.249-08:00Owen and the Crazy Fox MachineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-59997491247415719492014-09-06T11:57:00.002-07:002014-09-06T12:07:16.410-07:00The Flamingo Whirligig<i style="font-weight: bold;">looooonnggg time no blog</i>.<br />
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It's been an absurdly busy summer - dallying about with archaeology contracts and rushing around doing this and that has taken its toll on things I try and do regularly. Here's a run through of RECENT LIFE DOINGS....<br />
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<b><i>Glastonbury 2014</i></b></div>
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I didn't take a camera to Glastonbury because I'm a prick but the image above of banners hung above the crowd at the Left Field stage is a strong representative image of Glasto '14. I had intended to do a big fat blog about it all closer to the time but as we are now more than two months after the event I'll just do a wee summary of what went on.<br />
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Jazz and I overcame having no tentpoles (that was a saga) to have a very positive <i style="font-weight: bold;">and very slightly damp </i>year - we were as always, in full debt of the Lloyds and their respective kiwis who bagsied us as lovely spot in the Pyramid field and we were in immediate contact with regular festival friend Darrell who we'd bumped into in the queue in 2012 and always endeavour to pint with. The first night dissolved into what was basically a festival-based friend frenzy - as <a href="http://disconnectedpress.wordpress.com/">Disconnected Press</a> duo the ever-lovin' <b>Boyles </b>and their festival posse collided with ours. There was dancing... and cider.<br />
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Thursday we managed to actually see some music and also bumped into Bez striding through a woodland. Jazz had danced with him the previous year but we neglected to mention it... he's danced with a few people over the years I imagine. Plus now he's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26697322">dancing with politics</a>. The first band we saw of the festival was the <b>Formidable Vegetable Sound System </b>in Emily Eavis's Park field - they were basically a permaculture pushin' electro-swingy-folk thing as is the style at the moment. Very vibrant and a hoot. We then wandered over to the everglorious greenfields to witness didgeridoo prog in the form of <b>Kangaroo Moon </b>which was marvellous - we thought we'd have a gander at nearby Elemental arch-rival and "George Formby clone" <b>Mr B </b>but the tent he was in was stuffed to the gills.<br />
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Friday began with being woken by thunderous glorious noise in the form of Japanese punk drumming ensemble <b>Turtle Island </b>on the pyramid stage. We shuffled out and saw a bit of <b>Blondie </b>then trekked over to see the real-deal chap-hop chap <b>Professor Elemental </b>with Darrell. We formed an impenetrable fan-crust around his pith-helmetted form and went with him to watch <b>Josie Long </b>and <b>Kevin Eldon </b>in the cabaret tent. Both of whom were on particularly scintillating form - Long is brilliantly open and Mr Eldon's thunderously speedy and surreal stand-up is glorious. The Professor then sodded off (likely for tea or gin or a mixture of the two) and Jazz, Darrell and I moved to the Avalon field to see what was possibly my favourite performance of the weekend. <b>Blackbeard's Tea Party </b>are a band that Jazz has been mad keen on for years but I'd never heard them - they were essentially straight-down-the-line very British folk with a convincingly heavy metallic edge. They were very tight and very brilliant - amazing stage presence and I think the whole tent was hypnotised. Definitely try and catch them if they're in your area or on your raft. We then sat in West Holts and were befuzzled by some classical avant-jazz oddness in the form of the <b>Sun Ra Arkestra</b> - which was squeaky squoodly squawky. We then mooched up to acoustic to take in the accappella shantying of <b>Fisherman's Friends, </b>on the advice of Jazz, and Darrell parted ways which was sweet sorrow but the minute he strode out of the tent <i>THE RAINS CAME</i>. A threatening thundery shower hit like a bag of bollocks and the stage's electricity was cut right off - we sat there for a while sipping our horrible cheap alcohol mix (vodka and something) as the rain cascaded down. The group had departed the stage due to the lack of sound and gainfully the sheltering crowd seemed to be shantying all on their own. On crossing the tent to brave the rain though we observed that in actuall fact with beer in hand the burly fishermen were within the throng and the drifting crowd-borne shanties were originating from them. Magical moment really. Shantyliscious. After this I had a bit of an asthmatical episode and absconded to the medical tent. It was nothing too serious though and we returned to reality as the sun set across <b>Elbow</b>'s performance on the Pyramid Stage and although I don't count myself as an enthusiast there was an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAIu98lS0A">undeniable energy to the moment</a> after an afternoon of rain and wheezing. We then found ourselves in <b>Billy Bragg</b>'s Left Field tent watching the man himself in the rather intimidating immediate company of Phill Jupitus who was standing behind us. LOOMING rather. I had seen bits and bobs of Billy over the years but him in full flow was astonishing, galvanising and inspiring. A huge man in the crowd was screaming "<i>Hillsborough</i>!" and when Bragg sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1P6KUyOhBc">Never Buy the Sun</a> I looked back and he was weeping. Very powerful moment and under the fluttering banner of Benn I was encouraged. After that it was time for some brain meltery and <b>Gong </b>is always the ticket - although unfortunately head pixie Daevid Allen isn't well so it was Hillage-fused bit of trance-prog hypnotism with amazing visuals.<br />
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Saturday started with Glastonbury regular-stop <b>Stephen Frost Improv Allstars </b>which I have been going back to since I first stumbled on it in the mid noughties. It's basically Whose Line Is It Anyway and I love it - this year was no disappointment and the finale had Phill Jupitus (fresh from the previous day's Bragglooming) sprawling and helpless with laughter on the stage. We then zipped across the site to witness that massive-handed film critic Mark Kermode and his rockabilly skiffle ensemble <b>The Dodge Bros </b>which was slick and very fun. I didn't think I'd ever be imitating the whoops and wails of a theremin according to whims of Kermode but that's Glastonbury for you. We then had our final Jupitus encounter of the weekend at the poetry stage where he was <b>Porky the Poet </b>and deeply open. His final poem was a tribute to his recently-deceased manager and he fell apart as he read it. It was odd seeing these two contrasting extremes of a stranger on the same day - tears of laughter and tears of sadness. Should I dub Glastonbury 2014 as <b>"</b><i>Tears of a Jupitus</i>"? No probably not. We then went to see the sensationally incredibly astonishingly smashing <b>Daptone Super Soul Revue </b>which was as funklicious as it was DAMP as the second major deluge of the weekend hit. Soaked the bone we retreated tentwards but by the time we reached the main stage the sun was out and <b>Robert "Percy" Plant </b>was on and being charming. I never thought I'd hear that voice live... I don't recall where our evening went after that ... there was something about pie and we saw comicsqueen <a href="http://bintykins.blogspot.co.uk/">Dani Abram</a>, the Boyles and the <b>Manic Street Preachers </b>which was a hoot. After that it was our wont to observe the glorious <b>John Otway </b>and the ever-brilliant <b>Atilla the Stockbroker </b>who this year seem to have fused into one person. Fly-like. Oh also earlier in the day Jazz got to sit in Otway's Sinclair C5... Finally we mounted the hill and saw <b>Metallica </b>on the Pyramid stage which was far too surreal an experience to feel anything profound about. I just literally couldn't believe it was even happening so much so I bothered a pram-wielding lady next to me with my constant outbursts of disbelief.<br />
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Sunday appeared arm-in-arm with a massive hangover and Jazz wandered down to see the <b>English National Ballet</b> doing a WW1 inspired performance. It was introduced with an exceptionally moving rendition of Between the Wars from Bragg but the beeb didn't feel the need to broadcast that. We wandered shakily across the site and witnessed the powerful voice of musical wanderer <b>Kim Churchill </b>and then were enlivened by a performance from educational king and poetlord <b>Michael Rosen </b>whose warm voice literally smoothed the headache from my mind. Enlivened we went to see one-string guitar wonder <b>Brushy One String </b>but found instead slide-guitar feller and Bristolian <b>John Fairhurst </b>who explained that Brushy hadn't got a working visa and so had been flown back to Jamaica. Gutting but Fairhurst is bloody marvellous too so we just stood and absorbed that instead. Jazz got to fulfill an unfinished ambition and saw <b>Clannad </b>perform a Robin of Sherwood medley at the acoustic stage and we walked off site to the strains of <b>Massive Attack</b>. A bloody lovely year actually..<br />
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<img src="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2014/164/2/4/sam_v_shelob_by_crazyfoxmachine-d7m78pd.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></div>
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The image above is for <b>The Weekly Themed Art Blog </b>on Facebook - which has a weekly theme and is really rather smashing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/106316372781752/?fref=ts">Join in, why don'tcha?</a> Can't remember exactly what the theme was for this one.... Spiders possibly. Gamgee maybe.</div>
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<img alt="Cup of O - Small Press Reviews" src="http://i1.wp.com/downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1-Intro.png?resize=398%2C267" height="214" width="320" /></div>
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In other news since my last blog I've been given a regular slot on British comics website <b>Down the Tubes</b> - reviewing the small press, chinwagging about 2000 AD and generally coming across as a bit of a mug-wielding berk. <a href="http://downthetubes.net/?p=16471">My most recent one is here.</a></div>
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<img alt="Cover for 2000ad fanzine Zarjaz
Lines - Patrick Goddard
Colours - Owen Watts" src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/ec42e411966a1c2a6d8c1a3231f2e207/tumblr_n763l5uwJG1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></div>
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Recently as well I was asked to colour this <b>Patrick Goddard </b>cover for the 21st issue of 2000 AD fanzine <b><a href="http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.co.uk/">Zarjaz</a></b>. Absolute dream job I'll never never <i>never </i>get tired of colouring Dredd! </div>
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<img alt="For Justifiedpotato - Judge Hawkgirl!" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/71ddc3b2066fc8cf02b868f0b589fef2/tumblr_n8aot0x52v1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" height="311" width="320" /><img src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/7479aaabc1f1eac4d282208689dc0747/tumblr_n7aa5oiYYk1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></div>
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A lean summer for personal projects means an especially slow output of <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads</a> </b>and so the only two I've managed in the last while are Hawkgirl and Slash. My request list is still longer than space and I fully anticipate I'll still be drawing them well into the actual era Dredd is set in. Just my brain in a jar with a rusty wacom pen jabbed into it... <a href="http://www.thelifeaquatic.org/images/redhat.gif">here's a clue to the next one</a>.</div>
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" 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Last weekend was the 2014 <b>Melksham Comic Con </b>and it was a belter. Geoffery Crescent and I launched the fourth issue of <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_393702872"></span>The Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel<span id="goog_393702873"></span></a> </b>there and it remains my favourite event on the yearly comics calendar. More of that gushy stuff on an upcoming Down the Tubes blog...</div>
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Since the last blog I've also been a guest (!) at the <b>London Film and Comic Con </b>which was a very interesting and eye-opening weekend. Also sweaty. Major hat-doffs and bowing to chief of Aces <b><a href="http://www.acesweekly.co.uk/">David Lloyd</a> </b>for getting my measly ass on the bill!</div>
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Coloured recently for <b><a href="http://www.thegrantperkins.com/">Grant Perkins</a> </b>- inked by <b><a href="https://twitter.com/AndyLanning">Andy Lanning</a></b>. I've not seen the Guardians film but the buzz around it is quite compelling - good on the massive DisMarvelney empire for getting summat genuinely interesting and different out there and it's a gamble that's clearly paid off. Lots of people seem very enthused by it.</div>
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This is a fairly shoddy attempt to get in on the action on a recent <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/2000adartcomp?ref=ts&fref=ts">2000 AD art competition</a></b> - the theme was "wordless stories". The current theme is <b><a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,41079.0.html">LAWMASTER</a></b> and hopefully it'll be biketacular. Bikelicious. We'll also have art historian and genius artist in his own right Mr <b>David Roach </b>picking some favourites!</div>
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<img alt="Flaubert St Cloud XXVIII by crazyfoxmachine" src="http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/210/0/4/flaubert_st_cloud_xxviii_by_crazyfoxmachine-d7ssjj3.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></div>
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Finally a new page of <b>Flaubert St Cloud (Goat) </b>- ! You don't get many of these a year but this goatsaga will be continuing for the forseeable future - script by <a href="http://lady-geoffery.tumblr.com/">Lady Geoffery</a>.</div>
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Here's hoping the next blog won't be so delayed!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-60425125619157112262014-06-13T07:37:00.001-07:002014-06-13T07:37:16.397-07:00The Magic Hamster Carpet and Other StoriesHELLO!<br />
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The weather has been warm and in the depths of my frosty basement flat (now with a super ventilating ceiling hole) I have been churning out many a thing in lieu of having any bloomin' work. Here be some of those things:<br />
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<img height="193" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/13e710acf12a6a46992c98ff02303363/tumblr_n60wkgJxjs1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="Judicial personnel request for TP acknowledged." height="194" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/82c2d90b093d580ed3823e82197c7b91/tumblr_n6fztmZfoa1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /><img height="194" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/40f3f9e5f693329dc0811251b8ee849a/tumblr_n6t1vurT3n1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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Here are my three latest <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads</a> -</b> the irrepressible Tom Baker, 90s sex icon Cornholio and loft-dweller Michael Stipe. I'm still immersed in my long requests list - and am on the cusp of tackling my one Tumblr request which is DEAD EXCITING. Before that though - <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j2BAnxYGJ1c/TTwgGHuP7iI/AAAAAAAAFjE/YylHE-Bd_fc/s1600/2011+001.JPG">here is a canine-themed clue to the next 'un</a>. </div>
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<img height="225" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/143/3/c/captain__broken__britain_by_crazyfoxmachine-d7jezxk.jpg" width="320" /><img height="225" src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2014/151/b/1/tripod_by_crazyfoxmachine-d7kg6rb.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Here are my last two contributions to the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/106316372781752">Weekly Themed Art Blog</a> </b>(JOIN IN) - the first for "Captain Britain" where Jazz and I have dubbed him "Broken" Britain and I follow the "less brown shades" advice given to me from a colouring portfolio review TO THE LETTER. The second is a frickin' chunky tripod for "The World of H.G. Wells" - drawn in the entire length of the awesome Jeff Wayne album (not the new one *shudder*).</div>
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Here's a glimpse of a MASSSIVE pin-up I coloured for the next <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profelementalcomics" style="font-weight: bold;">Professor Elemental Comic</a> with art from the glorious <b><a href="http://gibsonquarter27art.blogspot.co.uk/">Gibson Quarter</a> </b>- rest assured there's some browns in there as well. We'll be seeing the Prof at Glastonbury festival this year and I plan to bombard him with interesting but false tea-related trivia. For example: Wasps piss oolong.</div>
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Also here is the latest part of my four-year-old space epic <b>Crabcake</b> although technically this is the prequally bit. See the whole thing to date (and marvel at the massive font) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460319160628.421373.150183980627&type=1">over here on Facebook</a>.</div>
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My to-read pile is <i>actually </i>miraculously getting smaller - and will also soon be a feature of legendary British comics site <b><a href="http://downthetubes.net/">Down the Tubes</a> - </b>! Below I finish my Bristol 2013 stash, get through some prezzies & Kickstarter rewards, Melksham purchases and start on my haul from the Bristol Comic & Zine Fair.</div>
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<b>Weird Planet (<a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/p/weird-planet.html">Water Closet Press</a>) Richard Worth & Jordan Collver</b></div>
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This thin sliver of a small press project from Ladies & Gentleman chaps Worth 'n' Collver might be one of my favourite con purchases of 2013. Being as it is a moderately portentous self-contained 8-page sci-fi tale adapted from a short story - it has a smack of early Trek about it focussed on the human voyager meeting the vastly superior alien intellect... yet all is NOT as it seems. Collver's deeply organic sepia-washed art brings the story to life - every page being imacculately constructed and wildly inventive. Not sure if you can still get these physically but a huge A4 hard-back edition would be glorious. FOR AN EIGHT PAGER? Yes. It's that good - <a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/p/weird-planet.html">otherwise it's free to view on their website</a>.</div>
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<b>Lazarus Churchyard: The Final Cut (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lazarus-Churchyard-The-Final-Cut/dp/1582401802/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402668516&sr=8-1&keywords=lazarus+churchyard">Image</a>) Warren Ellis & D'Israeli</b></div>
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I was 13 when Lazarus Churchyard was reprinted in the Judge Dredd Megazine. I was far too young for it - it made no sense to me and was as brutal as it was bewildering. It spoke of a cavernously confusing future - of deep and terrible apathy - but I thought it looked cool as fuck. D'Israeli became my artgod - and his ruined and nasty characters and environents I longed to replicate. Reading it now 13 years later in a handsome Image volume (printed before its first Meg appearance in 2001) given to me as a birthday gift by my oldest friend Robbo - I find it's not as dense after all. The story, whilst slightly "it's 1991 and this is dark adult comics fuck all you guys" gratuitous, is still brilliantly inventive and entertaining - and D'Israeli's art - although not as polished as it is now is still startingly unique. He even manages to sneak Fishpaste in. Which I get. There's still an evil mystery to this distant future - these hidden edges make Lazarus's character shine through and it makes me yearn to dive into the hideously <i>off</i> future of Ellis' Transmetropolitan which shamefully I've read very little of. Very happy to own this. I think I now nearly have everything D'Israeli has done in trade form. ...soon I will build a half-man, half-graphic novel homunculus <b>AND WE WILL TAKE OVER THE GLOBE</b>.</div>
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<b>God Hates Astronauts (<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1334937359/god-hates-astronauts-the-completely-complete-editi">Self Published</a>) Ryan Browne</b></div>
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How exactly I fell into Ryan Browne's fabulously silly world I don't remember - but this was the first Kickstarter project I ever funded. I'm a sucker for those that offer affordable physical copies as rewards and are (shock horror) wholly finished and just want money for printin'. The campaign was a huge success and severals weeks later this handsome hardback volume found its way to me across the seas - packed with additional stretch-rewards, a bookmark - a sticker, some hilariously placed glossy bits on the cover. GHA started as a webcomic and is a shamelessly open love letter to the freedom of the medium. The story is stream-of-conciousness, the characters ridiculous, the horde of nonsense literal SFX is magical ("De-FENESTRATE" as a character flies from a window) - it is liberated from the choking continuity cake and posturing melodrama of mainstream superhero fare. What makes it even more compelling is Browne's skill - he's a ridiculously good colourist and a brilliantly solid sequential artist which lends everything a bizarre weight and legitimacy despite the surreal madness. In the back of the volume are eighteen or so two-page origin stories for the main cast, as well as a similar number of random pin-ups - all from an enviably diverse roster of some of the hottest and most individualistic artistic talents in modern American comics. Tradd Moore, Cody Shibi and Kyle Strahm particularly are art kings. There's a potted GHA history (basically: blame Darick Robertson), two brilliant 24 hour comics (one birthed GHA) and a smart reference guide.</div>
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The only issue (and it isn't one really) is that the subtitle "completely complete edition" has been rendered invalid by Browne being snapped up by Image for a new on-going GHA series. The infectious popularity of the world is a testament to its undeniable freshness - lovingly made clearly not giving a fuck and damn but that's fun.</div>
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<b>Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 11 (<a href="http://shop.2000adonline.com/products/judge_dredd_the_complete_case_files_11">Rebellion</a>) Various</b></div>
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This was a gift for me by one Miss Shepherd and is my only Case File actually (so far) - they're handsome volumes and all-on-one shelf is the glory of many a bookshop and 2000ad fan... THE SPINES. Wagner and Grant are on fire in this stretch of Dredd's history - taking place in the year of birth 1987 through to early '88. There's a rustling of PJ Maybe, a tussle with martial arts master Stan Lee, the dark early dawning of the democracy movement, some hilarious self-contained stories of mega-city one activity and the big daddy of late-eighties epics: OZ. The art throughout is extraordinarily strong - particularly showing off the monochromatic mastery of Liam Sharp, John Higgins and Steve Dillon. Brendan McCarthy's amazingly complex 'n surreal Oz pages are especially memorable.<br />
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My only criticism of the collection would be the darkness of some of the (originally coloured) 'centre spread' pages - some of which are so murky you can't actually read the credits box. A bit of contrast adjustment there needed possibly. Also in my copy there's a bit of a printing error and the first twenty pages are repeated in the back. WHICH IS FUN.<br />
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<b>The Heavenly Chord - Part 1 (<a href="http://www.jonlock.com/heavenlychord">Self Published</a>) Jon Lock & Nich Angell</b></div>
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This ultimate small press mash-up from perennial indie nice-guys Lock & Angell is a pleasing, if brief, foray into mixing their two chief universes (Afterlife Inc. & 7String). Lock deftly manages to mix them without bombarding the reader with continuity cake. Angell's art is nicely cartoony and very glowy - the animated kineticism of his fight scenes is hugely compelling. There's a tantalising glimpse of 7String's characters as drawn by Afterlife's Ash Jackson as well which sets the mind racing. And always a special mention to demon letterer Michael Stock who does a brilliant job here. </div>
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Bought from the enthusiastic duo at the very enthusiastic Melksham convention in 2013 - it's hard not to be bowled over by the sheer exuberance of it all. The two clearly loved every moment of it - it doesn't matter that the free Heavenly Chord playlist you're directed to in the issue is maybe eighty times longer than it takes to the read it - the fact is they MADE A FUCKING PLAYLIST. There's a QR code linking you to it and everything. The UK small press scene would be a dark and hollow place without the spirit and passion of these two bonafide auteurs - long may it continue! In fact... a I type a teaser has just gone up for the incoming second issue...</div>
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<b>Sentient Zombie Space Pigs (<a href="http://disconnectedpress.wordpress.com/sentient-zombie-space-pigs/">Disconnected Press</a>) Liz & Conor Boyle</b></div>
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The subject of one of the finest Kickstarter campaigns I've ever seen - with a gloriously simple brief and a refreshingly tiny target - Sentient Zombie Space Pigs does what it says on the tin and delivers on the glorious promise of that long-ago campaign. The story by Lizzie Boyle is suitably dark - crammed as it is with Whitesnake lyrics and rambling rednecks - although whether it would have been more satisfying as a single self-contained tale is a matter of debate - although I'm perfectly happy to see this tale continue on. Conor Boyle's shadowy art is utterly brilliant throughout and his porcine portrayals are perfect - he even handles the lettering with no small skill. This porky volume from the Disconnected Press duo is a startlingly satisifying small press KS success story - and I've only just heard that the second issue (of a proposed four) will be out this August! <b>OINK</b>!</div>
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<b>Hey, You Going to Read This, Chuck? I Got Places to Be & Things to Do (Freebie) <a href="http://pourlafrime.blogspot.co.uk/">David Ziggy Greene</a></b></div>
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This freebie was being handed out by master artist David Ziggy Greene (Private Eye, Time Out London etc) at the Bristol Comic and Zine Fair 2013 and is extraordinarily charming. Made up of six short cartoony stories that had largely previously been published in various French comics it is a fantastic promotional tool - Greene's art has a European animated feel to it and every panel - no matter how small - is a joy - full of life and character. The punchlines are fairly predictable but the ride towards them is fantastically unique. This brief booklet made an instant fan out of me and I got his book <b>Where's North From Here</b> without hesitation - I'll give that a review hopefully afore the next blog rears its ugly head!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-52598404763884380922014-05-22T15:39:00.001-07:002014-05-22T15:39:06.507-07:00May Goings-OnIt's been a busy (and until now) sunny <b>May </b>and since m'last blog post I've been all over the shop. Well - to Birmingham anyway for the fantastically Dreddy <b><a href="http://www.rule32promotions.co.uk/news.php">Lawgiver</a><u> </u></b>and then the <b>Bristol Comics Expo </b>just after flogging <a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">The Psychedelic Journal</a>. I also had a birthday which was <i>a bit of a lark</i>.<br />
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I'm knocking up posters for a fabulously fuzzy monthly noise night in Bristol known as <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/noiseannoysbristol?fref=photo">Noise Annoys</a> </b>and the inaugural gig a month ago today (blimey) was as smashing as it was deafening. As you can see above the next 'un is a <b>fortnight from now </b>and should be grand! All hail King Tansey</div>
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Sov Judge Ivan Drago" height="194" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/10e0c826dd8cfba562c7c9136a802e34/tumblr_n4v8j6V1vT1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /> <br /> <img alt="Judge Tyres - Murphyville transfer to the Brit-Cit Rave Squad. BE LUCKY." height="194" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/85b8d994fe188b3a8325716788c6472c/tumblr_n592br9ppV1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="Psi-Judge Delia Smith" height="194" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/f4abebd7940024f10cd26173b7343e4c/tumblr_n5md6u7EOd1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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Catching up with my big fat Dreddheads backlog a bit this month - a moderately unsuccessful <b>Ivan Drago </b>from Rocky marks my first foray into Sov territories, a fun "ravejudge" as in <b>Tyres </b>from Spaced was retweeted by the brilliant Michael Smiley and my first ever Psi judge <b>Delia Smith </b>probes into your mind for baking tips or just to judge you on why you're not as candidly passionate about Norwich City FC as she is. Pretty big clue for the next one (due very soon) would be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9yJrrm2tk">this</a>. Also a big hurrooh and halloof to former housemate and possible king of reality <b><a href="http://rednightdog.tumblr.com/">Chris Nolan-Rennie</a> </b>for creating this wonderful pixelart portrait of Dreddhead O for my birthday :D</div>
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If you’ve not seen them already, check out the strangest collection of Judges you’ll ever lay eyes upon!
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Finally - I got another wee stash of comics from <b>Bristol Comics Expo </b>this year to add to my massive ever-increasing rarely-decreasing pile of to-read comics. The next review is indeed from the Expo last year "ah, so by Bristol 2015 you'll be reading this year's comics, right?" ahahahaha probably not.</div>
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<b>Tales From the Gentry (<a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/p/emporium.html">Water Closet Press</a>) Richard Worth/Jordan Collver/Mike Pasquale </b></div>
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This slim volume from the Ladies & Gentleman crew features four or so short stories related to mysterious Victorian-era vigilante group "The Gentry". It works well as a companion piece to the main volume, and those hankering for more of the universe and more of Jordan Collver's singularly brilliant artwork won't be disappointed. Collver is a difficult act to follow however - and the final story "A Victorian Noir" is illustrated by Mike Pasquale whose linework seems shaky and awkward in comparison - but he uses bold shadows well and clearly has a strong nose for design. A nice taster comic for the unitiated or an appetiser for those longing for more. Looking forward to reading their bulky anthology from later in 2013!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-48783854475377557012014-04-30T08:46:00.001-07:002014-04-30T08:46:45.743-07:00The Busy Year ContinuesIn my last post <i style="font-weight: bold;">over two months ago </i>I said that 2014 was going to be busy. Certainly it's proving that way and the last few months have seen me travelling, zero-houring and PLOTTING THE DESTRUCTION OF HUMANITY. Not the last one. Either way it's been absurdly dense - but I'll clamber through it the best I can:<br />
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Here's a Dreddhead of <b>Hunter S Thompson </b>- wi' psychedelic eyes and likely a herbal cigarette of some kind. Welcome to judge country. Like this blog the next one has been a long time coming but <a href="http://translate.google.com/#en/ru/I%20must%20break%20you">here is a clue</a>. You can see all the Dreddheads here: <a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/</a> and for extra recent Dredd-related fun <a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.tumblr.com/post/81231326538/http-youtu-be-xriqffz9nic-t-54m46s-urban-vs">here is Karl Urban impersonating Sylvester Stallone</a>.</div>
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Above is some leisure-colouring (WHAT) on some Hellboy pencils by the ultra-talented king of all creation <b><a href="http://society6.com/berncampbell">Bern Campbell</a>. </b>Check out his stuff the man <i>is art</i>.</div>
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That is me. For the last month or so (and for the next fortnight) I've been adding to my list of <b><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/list/CrazyFoxMachine/the_100_albums_that_enliven_my_brain_at_26/">100 Albums That Enliven My Brain at 26</a> </b>over on the glorious RateYourMusic. It's mainly thrash, stoner and 70s hard rock but m'lord I love it all. Take a gander you may find something interesting - or at least learn to despise the way I RANDOMLY CAPITALISE THE END OF SENTENCES FOR COMIC EFFECT. <i>If he knows it's annoying why does he still do it? </i></div>
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Enshrouded in an amazing <b>David Frankum </b>cover - Massacre for Boys's new Picture Library issue also features the feeble drawing talent of me on the brilliantly funny "<i>Jimmy Baker: Animal Hatmaker</i>" It really is a classy small press volume. Those <b>Denton </b>bros make good comic! <a href="http://www.massacreforboys.co.uk/">Buy it here</a></div>
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<img height="200" src="https://24.media.tumblr.com/a72808cdf35d42323898010074bfdb4a/tumblr_n3fdhrwXWV1qfidh8o1_500.jpg" width="140" /><img height="200" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/11ab9ccb166ffacfa48dbe7aca2fe656/tumblr_n46g5zKcR11qfidh8o1_500.jpg" width="140" /><img height="200" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/7b4927bade62b8c9f792db3fe22d725e/tumblr_n4lc4wS2j61qfidh8o1_500.jpg" width="140" /></div>
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Around mid-March I took over <b>The Weekly Themed Art Blog </b>or 'TAB' as it is sometimes known as - it's a <i>very informal </i>Facebook-based (although used to be a blog hence the title) artjam group with a new theme every week - 99 members and PERPETUALLY GROWING. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/106316372781752/?fref=ts">Join in the larks here!</a> Above are my recent contributions for "Miracleman" - "Exosuits" and "HULK SMASH". The current theme is Star Wars which - despite its extreme obscurity - is attracting many many fine drawings.</div>
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Above is my quite poorly constructed and a-bit-too-aqua entry for the latest month of the 2000ad forum art competition - the theme was classic Dredd story "The Day the Law Died" and I was attempting to express the contemporary state of Mega-City 1 and Cal's current redundancy within it. Although by crikey they'd miss the wall if it wasn't there I'll say that. The other entries are <i>far</i> more interesting and <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,40443.0.html">can be seen here</a> although voting ends <i style="font-weight: bold;">tonight</i>.</div>
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Here is the latest page of <b>Flaubert St Cloud (Goat) </b>an epic length saga (because its taken 4 years to do 27 pages) written by the very patient <b><a href="http://palantirqueen.deviantart.com/">Geoffery Crescent</a> </b>and drawn by meself. The question is - just what <i>is </i>Meep?! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=1">See the whole thing to date her</a>e </div>
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Finally on to some small press reviews - still mired in my last year <b>Bristol Con </b>haul - and we're only a week away from this year's Bristol!! </div>
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<b>New York Park (<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/andrewscaife/store/products/new-york-park/">Self Published</a>) Andrew Scaife </b></div>
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A purchase from Bristol Expo 2013 - local Andrew Scaife's one-off tale of a group of future high school students and their trip to ancient New York is bright, irreverent and full of character. It suffers occasionally from a lack of gag pay-off and Scaife's bold cartoony art is sometimes slightly off the mark but it is an impressive début and a consistently engaging and very funny read. I know he doesn't intend to carry on this universe but another similarly styled volume would be definitely worth pursuing!<br />
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<b>Razarhawk #2 (<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/razarhawk/">Self Published</a>) Ian Matthews & Dani Abram</b></div>
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Brought from the creators at Bristol 2013 - this second issue of Razarhawk did just as I hoped it would and delivers brilliantly from the set-up in the first. The majority of the issue is concerned with a punch-up between this gurt monster and a giant robot - and it's done brilliantly. The pacing is excellent and Abram's dynamic animators-eye for motion gives the lengthy fight-scene some bonafide clout. The duo's eye for character moments continues to be very strong as a single glimpse between man and ape had me hooting with laughter. The lettering is a great deal more consistent this time around as well as the art itself which gets the balance between detail and lack of detail more-or-less right. A particularly gruesome scene (no spoilers!!) is stunningly rendered and actually made me wince - although the stark lack of detail on some of the more bare pages is still a little jarring. Beyond that the only thing I could criticize really is the slight over-use of the "liquify" tool to generate a smouldering effect in a few panels - and the continued lack of anything on the inside cover, inside back cover and back cover which are really crying out to have Dani & Ian saying something on them... or a letter's page... or well... ANYTHING beyond a copyright notice and a little chibi!<br />
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Issue 2 draws the storyline set up in the first to a satisfying and fun close but the potential for more is definitely there, let's hope it's not too long before we see the return of this character who seems to me to be as determined and spirited as her creative team. The small press would be a much colder place without them.<br />
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<b>Skal Prologue (<a href="http://www.jenniegyllblad.com/skalcomiccom/index_skal.html">Self Published</a>) Jennie Gyllblad</b></div>
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The Skal Prologue is a handsome self-published book I bought from the creator at Bristol Con in May 2013. Being as it is just a taster really it's quite light on story but the short sequence present is engaging enough and definitely leaves you wanting more. Whether a twelve-page story really needs acknowledgements or not is a matter of debate and the few pages dedicated to this and creator credits/online links may have served better as giving some background detail on this interesting new world but really it functions well enough without it. The real draw here is Gyllblad's art - which is of the beautifully painted variety and even features some mixed-media elements. The thick paper stock makes this even more grand and the asking price for such a slim tome seems justified as its clear that a great deal of creative effort has gone into it - not at all shabby for something claimed inside to be a mere experiment whilst Gyllblad isn't working on graphic novels by "people who actually know how to write stories properly". The story has been continuing online but let's hope its not too long before someone snaps it up for a physical printin'</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-44862894208447133782014-02-17T06:56:00.001-08:002014-02-17T07:59:54.258-08:002014: The Busy YearIt's been a while since my last blog - and this is because right now my life is busier than a busy beetle busying its business along a branch.<br />
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For one: <b>I've got a job. </b>My stunningly unproductive stint as a freelancer left me with less money than a horse with no money so I've gone back to the trenches of archaeology and all is muddy and <i>busy</i>. It's the perfect weather for that kind of thing. Digging big holes below sea level in the South West of England is a <b>GOOD IDEA RIGHT NOW.</b></div>
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I've managed to squeeze in some activities though in the last month and a half and here be some of them:</div>
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Two recent Dreddheads - that being my annual Santa Claus and Ash of Evil Dead fame. Catch all of them on the <a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">tumblr there</a> and yes you <b>can </b>request one but bear in mind the next one I'm doing (<a href="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/48/345912685_6b467bab18_o.jpg">clue</a>) is a request from the end of 2012 so that's how slowly I'm getting through them! <br />
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Here's a <b>Scott Pilgrim </b>commission I did recently - it was for a chap called Theo hence the "the" in the K.O. there. I'm still taking commissions if you want anything drawn - <a href="mailto:owen.watts@gmail.com">drop me a line for a quote</a>.</div>
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<img alt="Logo" src="http://www.newhavencomics.com/smitten/S00Acover.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></div>
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In the autumn of last year I coloured <b>Smitten </b>- which is now live over on the <b><a href="http://newhavencomics.com/comic.php?c=3&p=1">New Haven Comics</a> </b>website. Two new pages every week! It's a rollicking manga tale with giant robots and magic schoolgirls and guitars and all that sort of thing. It was written by New Haven's <b>Aaron Walther </b>and <b><a href="http://sergioapodaca.deviantart.com/">Sergio Apodaca</a> </b>who also pencilled it and the whole thing was inked by <b>Jesus Salas</b>.</div>
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<img alt="Crabcake 6 - 1 (Captain Cosmos) by crazyfoxmachine" src="http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/300W/i/2014/011/9/3/crabcake_6___1__captain_cosmos__by_crazyfoxmachine-d71r8re.jpg" /></div>
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Oh yes and <b>Captain Cosmos is back</b> in the first of the ... sixth bit of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460319160628.421373.150183980627&type=3">Crabcake</a>. WHO IS CAPTAIN COSMOS I hear literally nobody asking apart from those capital letters just then. He's a superhero from a story I wrote in college a decade ago - and I'm tying his whole bullshit nonsense into Crabcake because <b>CONTINUITY IS GREAT. </b></div>
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Embarrassingly several years ago I took it upon myself to <a href="https://myspace.com/crazyfoxmachine/music/album/captain-cosmos-14359705">read the Cosmos story</a> out loud like an idiot. The prelude will be the first time I've actively drawn it - just what the world was waiting for. How will that ridiculous tale weave into the Crabcake tale though? Hmm?!</div>
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Drew this house thing on the train through the crazy crazy damp countryside the other day - I may give it a bit of a digitizin' if I'm in a mind to further down the line. The tree-bound pub is called "ye olde tree".</div>
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But where was that train going <i>to, </i>eh? LONDON. I went to see Swedish stonerkings <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lowriderrock" style="font-weight: bold;">Lowrider</a> and<b> </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dozer/520384321330341?fref=ts" style="font-weight: bold;">Dozer</a> which was a blummin special gig actually - the two had played at Desertfest last year but had both been plagued by sound problems and the dreaded "truncated set for a festival" syndrome. Meaty English foursome <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/steakuk?fref=ts">Steak </a></b>supported - and the small amount I caught was grand. Lowrider pulled out some new(ish) songs (some of them older than their lone 2000 release) - it had me longing to hear more from them really as they were clearly having a whale of a time. Their sound was atrociously flat at Desertfest so it was amazingly good to hear their riffy tunes played louddddddd. Dozer were something else - and crowd were euphoric throughout which made for an unforgettable bit of jumping about. Even a great few moments of happy stoner moshery which is always welcome. They overran by a bit and you could tell that even when they finally finished they were ready for more. I had a train to catch so I couldn't stick around for afterparty. Lets hope these two groups don't stay quiet for quite so long after this!</div>
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Oh yes and I drew a Lego version of <b>Deadwood </b>which is the best television series there has ever been. Will probably do up some prints of it in the future. All tinned peaches go to Rob "Sol Starr" Phillips and Jasmine "Seth Bullock" for the ideas and assistance.</div>
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Right - my small press pile has benefited greatly from time away from the blog - so there are quite a few reviews to get through - </div>
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<b>Ladies & Gentlemen #2 (<a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/p/emporium.html">Water Closet Press</a>) Richard Worth & Jordan Collver</b></div>
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<img alt="Curse of the Were-Hyena and Other Horrible Hybrids" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2boMZccb_qPkD8bziOEHouPYDiyFOoKhC9Qc8BFlzMg5YnpqX3sqIyd7wXBWuP5fn7Wy3iZrtKQjUvxMfIUJV-Rjw2IEEGdW81dRpD9Ka9NNlWFvSCVEHfN9QyvX8OPfe5fkQAWlAu1TS/s200/FRONT+Cover.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></div>
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The second Ladies & Gentlemen is a huge step up from the first - with both Worth & Collver in stupendously confident form throughout. There are a few playful narrative techniques used and the two of them are clearly having a ball - the amount of attention & effort gone into the composition on some pages is genuinely breathtaking. Storywise, it takes the form of straightforward thriller, heavy on Victorian derring-do but solid characterisation and good pacing prevents the appearance of some well-tread tropes from lingering on the mind and disrupting enjoyment. It's a profoundly solid comic and easily one of the best American format small press books I've seen - if you're a fan of Victoriana or absurdly well-drawn action comics then this is for you. Here's hoping their new anthology can continue on from this strong start.</div>
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<b>Porcelain - A Gothic Fairy Tale (<a href="http://www.improperbooks.com/projects/porcelain/">Improper Books</a>) Read/Wildgoose</b></div>
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Porcelain made a bit of a buzz at Thought Bubble '12 due to an enormous amount of free samplers gushing like a flood from the Improper Books table. It's a tactic that paid off as I don't think I saw a single person that year that wasn't wielding one - it was a mesmerising little booklet thanks mainly to the beautifully fluid artwork of Chris Wildgoose and the delicate muted palette of colourist Andre May. Even without the intriguing setting and the haunting white porcelain automatons it would be a buyer. They didn't have any copies there though and it wasn't until the spring after at Maidstone's Demoncon (the fifth one) that I snagged an issue off of Chris Wildgoose who seemed alarmed that it was such an easy sell. It easily justifies the hype - and as a statement of intent for new publisher Improper Books it is thoroughly convincing. A stand alone story in a mysterious universe - writer Benjamin Read wisely sticks close to the main characters and allows only slight peeks at the world outside the walls of the house where lives the only man who can make Porcelain move... With a boisterous cockney urchin as our guide the narrative rattles along at a brilliant pace to a startling conclusion. The heavy-handed "a gothic fairy tale" subtitle is perfectly apt as this is just what Porcelain is. An absorbing and thoroughly professional-looking book with not a panel or speech bubble (cap permanently doffed to letterer extraordinare Jim Campbell) seems out of place. I was sat opposite Improper Books at the Thought Bubble after - and their endless tide of samplers this year was to promote Read & Wildgoose's next offering: Briar. Even without reading the freebie I'm thoroughly sold.</div>
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<b>Ann and The Majestic (<a href="http://cargocollective.com/karolineachilles/Ann-and-the-Majestic">Self Published</a>) Karoline Achilles</b></div>
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I got ahold of this little book from a "Laydeez Do Comics" event in Bristol last spring. It's by a local art student and I was taken with its loose expressive style. A rather sparse story centered around Ann - a small girl that lives at a hotel. It was put together and illustrated over a single 24 hour period and its rough simplicity is nicely evocative. An effective short comic and an artist to watch.</div>
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<b>Britten and Brülightly (<a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/9780224077903">Jonathan Cape</a>) Hannah Berry</b></div>
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Another purchase from the Bristol "Laydeez Do Comics" event last year from speaker Hannah Berry. This, her first graphic novel, is a dark noir following a morose private investigator (Britten) and his partner who is a talking teabag (Brülightly). There is an underlying absurdity that pulls the gritty and twisting mystery into a unique and appealing world. Visually it's stunningly rendered and has a palpable physicality - Britten resembles a character from Chomet's Triplets of Belleville (and is frequently mistaken for being French presumably as an acknowledgement of this resemblance) - the moody greytones never quite spill over into full black-and-white and some of the more rainwashed scenes are breathtakingly atmospheric. The lettering is all freehand as well - and mostly works well although Britten's inner monologue is in a fussy joined-up handwriting that is sometimes difficult to decipher - and also the placement of occasional passages go against the reader's eye. This doesn't occur frequently however and it is not enough to prevent it being a thoroughly absorbing and remarkably unique graphic novel that marks Berry as a name to shout about. Her second book, an out-and-out horror called Adamtine, is going straight on my to-buy list.</div>
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<b>LOAf #1 (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoafMagazine">Self Published</a>) Various</b></div>
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The last thing I bought from the "Laydeez Do Comics" event - by the first speaker Rosie Faragher - co-creator of LOAf which is an arty anthology zine aimed at kids. I'm a sucker for anthologies and this sturdy thickly-papered and nice-smelling (underrated comics quality that) little comic was impossible to resist. Filled as it is with condensed sequential tales by a wealth of children's illustrators. There are some puzzles as well - mazes, spot-the-differences and other kid-friendly fodder and also, most pleasingly, two pages dedicated to three stories conjured by children themselves. The theme of this first issue is "Fears" - so there is a fair amount of "under the bed" type stories but the standouts are:</div>
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Joff Winterhart's opener about his scary Thatcher teacher which is wonderfully fluid, Mike Smith's hilarious and beautifully simple silent two-pager consisting of tiny boxes, Dawn Cooper's lovely "comfort zone" image which has a wonderful message, Becky Palmer's "Speed Demon" which is enthralling and brilliantly drawn (I'd read a full book of that), Melissa Castrillon's "Through the Night" which is enchantingly lovely ending with a bedsheet transforming into landscape, Daisy Hirst's hilarious "Lesley and Marvin and the llamas de meurte" and the hypnotically detailed "Magic Manfred's Earth Park" which is more of an activity than a story.</div>
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Some stories fall into the category of obscure symbolism or "hipster pretentiousness" that a lot of DIY zines/comixs sometimes dip into - it's not something I dislike particularly but it would certainly be beyond the comprehension of most child readers if not childish adults like myself. Some stories just simply don't have endings which frustrates me - and it's something the three young contributors ("Sebastian, Summer and Elizabeth") manage so there's really no excuse! </div>
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Overall though it is a strong comic and a bold piece of art - the fact that it's aimed at children and promoted heavily through public workshops is incredibly admirable. Their second issue "Friendship" came out shortly after although I'm yet to purchase it. With this and the face-blisteringly incredible Phoenix the children of 2013 were utterly spoilt!</div>
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<b>Amala's Blade #0-4 (<a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-562/Amalas-Blade-0">Dark Horse</a>) Horton/Dialynas</b></div>
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I won a signed copy of the zero issue by random chance by liking the Facebook page for Amala's Blade. I ordered the rest of the issues from my local comic shop - without even reading it really - I just dug the look of it and you can't get stronger incentive than that really (winnings aside). Amala's Blade is about an island nation separated into two warring factions: the "Purifiers" (Steampunk) and "Modifiers" (Cyberpunk). In the middle is the mercenary Amala - literally haunted by the ghosts of her past that hang around her. The five-issue miniseries is a nice self-contained story that whips along at such a breathless pace that it sometimes leaves you swimming - but there are some strong characters and some very memorable set-pieces. This is all very much helped by Dialynas's outrageously vibrant art - with a strong sense of movement and an amazing feel for colour - the atmospheric intricacies of every panel evoke a hand-drawn point-and-click adventure. Mr Dialynas is a serious talent - and the comic is a keeper for the extraordinary art alone - never mind the immersive world it ushers into your brain.</div>
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What is odd format-wise (and bear in mind this is the only Dark Horse "monthly" I've ever picked up so I guess I'm just not used to it) is that in the back of most issues there is dedicated maybe two or three pages just to the author Steve Horton replying directly to the lavish praise that's been piled on the series. Which just seems... off to me. </div>
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<b>"HI THIS IS BARRY GOODMAN, RENOWNED US COMICS WRITER, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THE PROMO COPY OF ISSUE ZERO YOU SENT ME WAS GREAT." </b></div>
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<b>"WOW, MR GOODMAN, THANKS FOR SAYING THAT - IT REALLY HAS BEEN FUN TO WRITE. STEVE".</b></div>
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Just... seems like something that should be in private correspondence really. Seeing all this just after you've read the issue makes it seem like Dark Horse think "if we don't put PRAISE in there the reader won't know WHAT to feel about it!" It's not that I don't like hearing behind-the-scenes babble from the creators, I just like having the thing stand for itself and then CHOOSING whether or not to seek out other people's opinions. Call me a nutter. Go on.</div>
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So as I decide where to put my other prize (a giant glow-in-the-dark poster on awesomely thick card) I must say I don't regret following the competition through to the product and getting involved with it. It's a beautiful comic and I'm very happy to have read it. Although I'm also now very much aware that I'm not the only person who feels that way...</div>
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<b>Broadcast: The TV Doodles of Henry Flint (<a href="http://www.markosia.com/titles/broadcast-the-tv-doodles-of-henry-flint/">Markosia</a>) Henry Flint</b></div>
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Markosia's astounding collection of Henry Flint's nonsense scribbling is an absolute must-buy and a no-brainer when I spotted it and Flint himself sharing a table together at Bristol 2013. Cy Dethan's well-judged commentary is fluidly constructed and self-aware enough to avoid coming across as purely sycophantic or overly leading and Sharman's stark design is wisely unobtrusive and lets the doodles speak for themselves. Really though the star of the show is Flint - one of the most visually striking British artists and easily one of the brightest talents from the already-blinding pages of 2000ad. His transcendentally cluttered inky confusions are appealing in the extreme - even some of the most abstract have some minuscule anchor into logic that makes them instantly accessible and endlessly absorbing. His collaborations with his daughter Rosalie are a joyful highlight - but the whole book is outrageously good. Markosia have done a grand thing putting this out and it's the pride of my bookshelf. Just knowing that at this very moment Flint is likely drawing up a storm somewhere makes me absurdly happy.</div>
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<b>The Goose (<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/danielbellcomics/">Self Published</a>) Daniel Bell</b></div>
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The second of my Bristol 2013 haul is a moderately successful attempt to merge kitchen sink drama with superheroics. It follows the solo adventures of The Goose, a psychic female superhero from "The League of Powers" which as I understand it was another small press book by the now-defunct Underfire comics. A lot of the weight within this story relies on you having read these adventures before and the single "see League of Powers" caption within doesn't really do the job that maybe a paragraph or two of backstory in the inside front cover would have done. As such it's a slightly confused read and lacks the punch of a real ending. It's not without charm though - particularly with some strong visual moments from Bell and the essentially likeable central character. The contrast between her mysterious (for me anyway) superheroic past, her mundane day-to-day and the sinister machinations of the background antagonist is compelling and I'd definitely pursue the story if it continues - although Mr Bell is currently busying himself producing some truly epic viking pages for Time Bomb's "Defiant" <a href="http://timebombcomics.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-little-taste-of-something-defiant.html">which should occur later in 2014</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-2415940990409749412013-12-21T09:44:00.001-08:002013-12-21T09:48:34.714-08:00Festive BlogMy one concession to the midwinter season is <b>THIS</b><br />
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Bah wotsitbug. It's been a very busy and long time since I last blogged and I suppose the biggest news is that I've decided to go <b>freelance </b>- so I've been busying away on commissions and suchlike. On a completely unrelated note this is probably the most impoverished I've ever been at Christmas so I'll be eating coal and giving the gift of laughter. <i>Huzzah!</i><br />
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<img alt="Flaubert St Cloud XXVI by crazyfoxmachine" height="640" src="http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2013/335/c/b/flaubert_st_cloud_xxvi_by_crazyfoxmachine-d6wedxz.jpg" width="451" /></div>
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This is the latest part of <b>Flaubert St Cloud (Goat)</b> a sprawling saga that will likely go on until the end of the world. It is written by my partner in crime <b>Geoffery Crescent </b>and you can see the whole thing <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=3">HERE</a>.</b></div>
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<img alt="Commission for Neil - featuring the UNLIKELIEST SUPERHERO TEAM.Karl Marx, Dredd, Neil’s brother & g/f, Batman, Grimes (Rick) and Omar Rodriguez Lopez of the Mars Volta" height="282" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7ae89adffda7c262951b5adb0ca4f6c9/tumblr_mxnyqngXTk1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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One of the aforementioned commissions for a Mr Neil. It features an unlikely superhero team composed of (L-R): Karl Marx, Dredd, Neil's brother & girlfriend, Batman, Rick Grimes & Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of the Mars Volta. I'd actually very much read a comic based on this team's exploits. I can't even imagine what their base would look like... would it be a <i>caravan</i>?</div>
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A similarly odd roster is that of the <b>Great Lakes Avengers </b>which I drew for <a href="http://weeklythemedartblog.blogspot.co.uk/">TAB</a>. The idea is from Geoffery and they are an odd bunch. L-R: Mr Impossible, Dinah Soar, Flatman, Big Bertha, Doorman & Squirrel Girl. There <i>have </i>been a few comics with these fellahs in, and doubtless they are marvellous. </div>
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Above is one of the most amazing things I've been involved with: Colouring <b><a href="http://tuggingyourcoat.com/">Mick McMahon</a></b>. The 2000ad legend did these images as pencils and <b><a href="http://bhuna.deviantart.com/">Neil "Bhuna" Roche</a> </b>took it on himself to ink them and requested I give 'em colour. We decided to do them as a treat for the <b>2000ad forum advent calendar</b> - where the boardfolk present creative outpourings every day of December. It's one of the best things about the forum and is always mind-blowingly brilliant. With McMahon's blessing we put them up and all was well - it also got shared about by 2000ad itself which is a bit magic :D All in all - one of the more satisfying things I've done recently!</div>
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Sadly this month saw the demise of <b>Blam </b>- a local comic networking group that I started in the early summer of 2012. We regularly met at a good local pub and we had many many larks. Much was doodled and drunkenly discussed. Out of the boozy ashes will spring a new thing in early 2014 but that's still in development. It will take the form of, initially at least, an art centric jammy type drawing thing in my favourite ever Bristol drinking establishment - but more of that later. For now... farewell sweet <i>Blam</i>.</div>
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<img height="194" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d1988eb3c2b80412043c6dfbd30b4b3b/tumblr_mwhif19L921snmaklo1_500.jpg" width="200" /><img height="194" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/df30c2fcff4218ecfbd33eb0b7974d3e/tumblr_my5k6oTON81snmaklo1_500.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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Above are the latest <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads </a>: </b>Barnabas Collins from the cult soap <i>Dark Shadows </i>and the <i>bard of Ayrshire</i> Rabbie Burns who is my first ever "Cal-Hab" judge - without the fabulous stony helmets that they have in the comics and... uh, I was going to put a union jack beneath the lion like the Brit-Cit armour but I think I'll keep from rustling that hot <strike>haggis </strike>topic. Next Dreddhead <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGAyNufCC9k">CLUE</a>.</b></div>
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Everything has slowed down since going freelance - and my ever-neglected "to read" pile of small press comics remains as lofty as ever. It seriously towers. If that thing collapsed on me I'd be a <i>goner</i>. Anyway - I did manage to get my chops around two of them in the last month. The first is my last from <b>Cardiff 2013 </b>(so... like, March) and the second from just after. </div>
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<b>Zarjaz #17 (<a href="http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php">Futurequake Press</a>) Various</b></div>
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The most appealing element of any anthology is variety - and although this March 2013 issue of Zarjaz is mostly concerned with a four-part Flesh Extinction story this is stretched between some of the most striking one-offs I've ever seen in the legendary fanzine.</div>
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<b>Cover (Nigel Dobbyn)</b></div>
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I'm a huge fan of Mr Dobbyn, and the brilliantly relevant Robo-Hunter wraparound cover is a knockout. I love the sharp colours on it, and the spectacular rendering of interior characters is brilliant. Zarjaz's covers are easily the best in the small press and this fits easily alongside their amazing others.</div>
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<b>Judge Dredd: All the Wrong Moves (John A Short, Alex Paterson & Bolt-01)</b></div>
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It's a bit of a cliche in a Zarjaz review to say "this could easily be in the prog" but this fun and absurdly well-illustrated Dredd tale wouldn't bat a reader's eye if it they found this in there. Alex Paterson's art is phenomenally good although there is a slight problem with the reduction on it - some of the more intricate details of the artwork are fuzzy or pixellated. Which is irritating, because otherwise I'd say it was the best in the issue!</div>
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<b>Flesh Extinction: Extinctionville (M.J. Howard & Chris Geary)</b></div>
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I'm a huge fan of the idea of Flesh Extinction (Flesh's Transtime head forward to the distant ravaged future Earth rather than backwards) although apart from Claw Carver I don't recall any of the characters from before so a lot of this was lost on me. Chris Geary's art is nicely sparse, some of the action scenes are confusing but the copious character moments work well, the intriguing "porpo sapiens" look quite silly and the colouring on the center-spread is very basic. Geary's lettering throughout is exceptionally good - some of the bigger FX looking absurdly impressive. Extinctionville is not terrible but it lacks the immediate context to justify filling the majority of the issue with a big finale - perhaps the interesting "found material" collage on the first page could've been a big simple "previously on Flesh Extinction" type thing. Either way I'll endeavour to go through my back issues and re-read this.</div>
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<b>Shakara: Loose Ends (David Withers, Matt Herbert & Bolt-01)</b></div>
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Easily the best story in the issue, the excellent Matt Herbert draws up a storm and for a six pager it is packed with iconic moments - a one-page fight is extraordinarily well rendered and the whole thing really needs to be seen to be believed. It's not easy to give an actual thrill a run for its money but Withers & Herbert have managed it here!</div>
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<b>Robo Hunter: The Best Man (Paul Thompson, Cuttlefish & Bolt-01)</b></div>
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Quite a weak story here, accompanied by cartoony art that misses the mark. It's an enjoyable enough caper and nice to see Sam Slade in the issue, but it doesn't really have a proper ending. The art doesn't help, being confusing and far too blocky. Stogie in particular is distractingly off model - it's an admirable gamble giving Robo Hunter to such a stylistically bold artist but it doesn't pay off.</div>
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<b>Artie Gruber's Electric Dream (Don Franco)</b></div>
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A nice bit of art and a solid little story - really good to see Harlem Heroes making an appearance although a strong bit of sequential is always preferrable. </div>
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<b>Ladies & Gentlemen #1 (<a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/p/emporium.html">Water Closet Press</a>) Richard Worth & Jordan Collver</b></div>
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I bought a copy of the first and second issues off of artist Jordan Collver at a Bristol creators event in Spring '13 and since then Water Closet Press have been busy compiling a weighty anthology of in-universe stories which I bought at the most recent Thought Bubble (so I'll get around to reading it in March 2091 most likely). Ladies & Gentlemen is a essentially a penny-dreadful. What helps enormously in this illusion is the lavishly physical artwork and lettering of Mr Collver. It is beautifully kinetic and sells the book instantly - I could go on about it for hours. In terms of story there is a nice group dynamic between the central protagonists although most of the issue is wisely dedicated to progressing the story rather than giving general exposition. Here's hoping the aforementioned anthology fleshes them out further and adds more weight to the world and characters. My only complaint really is some jarring advert placement towards the end of the book that disrupt the flow of the story somewhat. So - in conclusion - Ladies & Gentlemen #1 is a solid piece of Victoriana that, thanks largely to the unique and stunning artwork of Mr Collver and an interesting cast of characters, stands out in the saturated small press steampunky market.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-69891063832224348942013-11-13T04:13:00.000-08:002013-11-13T04:13:06.311-08:00Aces Weekly, Bruce Lee, A Dwarf & Razarhawk<div style="text-align: center;">
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The biggest news in the past few weeks is that I've got the immense privilege of colouring the fantastic <b>Santa Claus vs the Nazis </b>for David Lloyd's <b>Aces Weekly</b>. I've taken over from the hugely talented Miroslav Mrva who's coloured the majority of the book. It's a brilliantly fun tale that does what it says on the tin AND HOW - written and lettered by the amazing <a href="http://www.bendickson.co.uk/"><b>Ben Dickson</b></a> and illustrated by bonafide artgod <a href="http://gavinmitchell.blogspot.co.uk/" style="font-weight: bold;">Gavin Mitchell</a>. It's currenly running THIS VERY MOMENT over in the seventh volume of Aces Weekly which is cheap as chips and chock full of hits - <a href="http://acesweekly.co.uk/shop">http://acesweekly.co.uk/shop</a></div>
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Above is my <b>Bruce Lee </b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddhead</a> - the first (that I know of) "Sino-Cit" version of the Judge uniform. <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/McNulty/Sino-CitJudges01.jpg">Based on this bit of Dredd continuity cake</a>. *Shudder* Apologies for the Millar, not sure if the look was designed by artist Paul Marshall or whether Millar in a fit of stereotyping madness scrawled it on the back of a greasy napkin. Either way, canon it be. I hope I get the chance to adapt some more world judge uniforms soon, the next one will hail from <i>Collinsport</i>.</div>
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I have drawn a <i style="font-weight: bold;">dwarf </i>- needless to say the central idea came from confirmed fantasynut Geoffery Crescent - but the <a href="http://weeklythemedartblog.blogspot.co.uk/">theme was "weaponry"</a> so a heavily-armed dwarf was called for! This will show up as a print at <b>Thought Bubble </b>and beyond so if you fancy this on a bit of card then hunt me down and harpoon me through the face with coins. Over half a year ago 'twas the mighty Cardiff con - that sadly it was recently announced <i>wouldn't </i>return in 2014. Which is a shame and it'll be a much-missed date on the calendar. Either way - I'm still working my way through the small press stash I got there so here's another review...</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.razarhawk.com/p/price-inc-p-uk-4.html">Razarhawk #1 (Self-Published) Matthews/Abram</a></b></div>
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There was a lot of buzz already surrounding Razarhawk before it launched at Cardiff '13 - the story having been in development and teased long beforehand. I snapped it up without hesitation. What you get is a solid bit of likeably punchy small pressery - that is deceptively simple on the surface. It manages to tell an engaging story without filling you in on any background details whatsoever, which is a difficult trapeze to walk but Razarhawk #1 manages it admirably. The action is well-handled and it rattles along at a brilliant pace, but here's hoping Issue 2 (still deep in my to-read pile) fills in some of the gaps and gives this fun and open start a bit more weight. It's not perfect however; Dean's constant use of "shit" falls on the wrong side of funny repetition and becomes irritating quickly - also a few irksome memey manga moments aren't to my taste like using action words in asterisks in dialogue *cringe*. Abram's art is a great fit, being refreshingly straightforward and also brilliantly emotive at once - the sense of movement and expression seems effortless and make it clear there's an animator at work here. There is a problem with line-thickness though that make some locations particularly look a little too clumpy but nothing is unreadable or unclear which is an enviable skill. The colouring ranges from the subtly shaded to the flat, and I much preferred the panels with shading than without - the most striking images being the ones with harsh or bold lighting. Dani's lettering is solid, managing a range of effects smartly and using a neat squarish box for dialogue although SFX instead of boxes for the screams of some pedestrians may have fitted better. It's printed with a nice thick cover and there's tons of space on the inside front, inside back and back that could've been used for exposition or explanation but instead leaves three nice big canvases for Dani to doodle on at conventions! A solid and likeable read from Matthews and Abram - I'm greatly looking forward to getting further into Kitty Hawk's world.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-5379836764979047222013-10-25T04:37:00.000-07:002013-10-25T05:12:11.460-07:00October Goings-On<div style="text-align: center;">
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Pictured above are my two latest <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads</a> </b>- Maurice Moss of the IT Crowd and a rather bruised and unconvincing looking Gene Hunt from the BBC's time-travelling-cop-turned-sappy-romantic-supernatural series. Can't win them all! <a href="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/8/85763/2707923-sinocitjudges.jpg">Here's a clue</a> to the next one. Apologies for the Millar.</div>
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It was the <b>Lakes Comic Art Festival </b>last weekend in Kendal and very memorable it was to - I'll do a full report on it and who was there and what we did etc etc on the <a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">Psychedelic Journal blog in the next few days</a>. I will say this though - the legendary Carlos Ezquerra did say "ciao" to me which is probably the highlight of my life. I've also added to my teetering pile of comics to read - the two reviews below mark the tail end of my <b>Thought Bubble '12</b> stash and the beginning of my <b>Cardiff </b>haul from earlier this year. So we're getting through it - very, very slowly.</div>
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<b>Zarjaz #16 (<a href="http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php">Futurequake Press</a>) Various</b></div>
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2000ad is the best anthology comic on the mainsteam market - and its fanzine Zarjaz is the best anthology comic in the small press. This issue is another worthy addition to their absurdly consistent canon and although it isn't their latest it'd be worth seeking out alone for it's nice roster of unique stories. It manages the fanzine art of telling nice one-off stories that could easily slot into 2000ad's world whilst still maintaining a unique difference from the prog itself. Richmond Clements & Dave Evans are worthy small press avatars for the Mighty Tharg!</div>
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The Slaine-ified logo is perfectly done - :<b>EDIT: </b>Mr Clements has informed me that it is the fabulously talent Michael Carroll who designed this. I can also vouch first-hand for his logo-making talents as the <b><a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/crazyfoxmachine/">Dr WTF</a> </b>logo was by him The Haward wraparound cover is amazingly good - due in part to the wonderful shine of one of my favourite colourists Nigel Dobbyn. A striking image and a perfect cover - TMO should get these guys on a prog cover together!</div>
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<b><i>Slaine: Night Moves (Richmond Clements, Jon Haward & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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A fun little Slaine battle penned by the ever-lovin' editorial Clements and although Haward is a bonafide droid and could easily relax in the small press setting his art here is more intense and detailed than I've ever seen it. The splash page warp spasm is breathtaking. This could be in the prog easily - with the exception of a spelling mistake or two in Bolt's otherwise brilliant lettering.</div>
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<b><i>Judge Dredd: Sleepers Awake (Tom Proudfoot, David Broughton & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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Split into two over the issue (not sure why) - this Dredd tale has got some nice continuity cake and some solid visuals from the small press ninja that is David Broughton. The splash page of Mayor Ambrose block exploding is brilliant. Was nice to see the now-absent murderous Megmayor appear in Zarjaz. </div>
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<b><i>Bad Company: Krool Intentions (Mark Pexton & James Newell)</i></b></div>
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A nicely manic Bad Company story - with dark and complex art from James Newell. The lettering is tiny - but adds to the claustrophobic feel nicely. An effective strip.</div>
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<b><i>The Hills of Hellfire, My Love (Mick Cassidy)</i></b></div>
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Perhaps the highlight of the issue for me - Mick Cassidy weaves a spellbinding Helltrekkers tale that's evocative and irresistible. His art is loose, cartoony and utterly perfect. I'll remember this for a long while after putting the issue down.</div>
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<b><i>Flesh: Future Shock (Andrew Cheverton & Dave Frankum)</i></b></div>
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A fun nostalgic tale that fits perfectly into Fleshlore (perhaps a little neater than recent excursions to that realm in the prog itself). The art by Dave Frankum is hypnotic, even the smallest panels containing mountains of detail. It's unique and enthralling - and gives the story a brilliant clarity.</div>
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<b><i>Tales of the Genetic Infantry: In the Zone Part 3 (Michael Carroll & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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Doing multi-part stories in small press anthologies is always a risky business but the script from bonafide droid and Dreddgenius Carroll is sharp and the art solid and <b>::UPDATE:: </b>I've been informed by Bolt that you can find the first and second parts online <a href="http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/tales-of-gi-in-zone-01.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/tales-of-gi-in-zone-02.html">here</a>. </div>
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<b><i>Sinister Dexter: Doctor Maybe's Museum of Death (Tony McVeigh, Chris Askham & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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A neat SinDex story that perhaps could've been a little cleverer (I was expecting there to be a twist but there wasn't) but the stylish and stark Askhamart is grand.</div>
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<b><i>Anderson PSI Division: I, Death (Lee Robson, Dunk Nimmo & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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The most easily progworthy of the lot in terms of both art & story - a very solid Anderson caper (I haven't seen one of those in a long time - I'd almost forgotten she could be in good stories) flawlessly drawn by Dunk Nimmo whose confidence with solid blacks is astounding. More of this sort of thing. And I don't just mean in Zarjaz!</div>
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<b><i>Whatever Happened to Sancho Panzer? (The Emperor, David Broughton & Bolt-01)</i></b></div>
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I've not actually ever read the original Sancho Panzer - which is one of those rare and basically unforgivable gaps in my progknowledge - so this tale's context and deeper meaning is lost on me. I miss the Emperor though - where did he go?! Broughton is on amazing form here I don't think I've ever seen him this inspired - everything crackles with energy and detail. It's not easy to follow on from the Living God of Art that is Henry Flint but Broughton gives it an admirably good shot.</div>
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<b>Copperopolis #1 (<a href="http://www.sccassemble.co.uk/p/copperopolis.html">Swansea Comics Collective</a>) Various</b></div>
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7QD_VR8yn6F1LRfMuoKVv8bqcOHOjAhStDobr-2_b_Pt-FTlrMq56tcMScO4Y4uyDb5WDf7Z_9APb7_FLOiA4aaIS9Py3v85mS8Vy-9ijOxh5z_PQDCynFYFfOuLitLMwojKitGg2C5l/s200/Copperopolis-1-Cover-SCC.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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A remarkable achievement from the absurdly well-organised Swansea Comics Collective - having run a city-based comic group I know how difficult it would be to get something like this off the ground with a group of mates and it's amazing that this volume is as coherent as it is. Ricky Webber & Adam Wilmot's story is compelling although less mythologising and more general world/character-building would have benefited it enormously. The two pages written by Kevin Rahman-Daultrey in the middle is a little jarring and not hilarious - but when the story resumes afterwards it seems more together and rattles along sharply to a nice cliffhanger. The epic beginning is served well by the bold-if-not-a-little-rough art of Lee Phillips although it screamed for colour in certain points. The general story art by Taylor & Trantor is solid and cartoony - perfect for the funny bits, maybe a bit much for the more serious segments. Artwise I longed for a bit more of Mark Hughes who draws the fun 3-page separate story "Bard Ass" scripted by Pete Taylor. The lettering throughout by artists Taylor & Trantor is solid and serves the story well - with a good use of blambot fonts which is a damned good resource that a surprising amount of small pressers unwisely ignore. A strong and admirable effort for a comic collective and a bold comic in its own right - I hope it's not too long before #2 appears!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-92226824242896133782013-10-07T14:01:00.000-07:002013-10-07T14:01:19.014-07:00Summarizing September<div style="text-align: center;">
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Above are a yearworth of Dreddheads - A lot of good requests and I've still got mountains more to do! I've done a bit of a redesign on the basic look and the second year of it is going to have more detail and <b>the size of the heads is going to be far more consistent</b>. Hurrah. </div>
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<img alt="New template for year 2 - slightly more detailed :S" height="311" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/59fda33561a6d9e5af3faa96adc32f7c/tumblr_mtaokd8LgM1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="320" /><img height="311" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/55243b0d7701bd205865ef5136b74b37/tumblr_mth24iOcjr1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Here's the new template with the first of Year 2's lot - Arnie. Next up - a redesigned <b>Brit-Cit </b>uniform and the first ever <b>Sino-Cit </b>judge - ! Remember all the doings go on most visibly on the <a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddhead tumblr</a>.</div>
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Here's the latest page of <b>Geoffery Crescent </b>and I's <b>Flaubert St Cloud (Goat) </b>saga - now on it's twenty-fifth page. I hope that while the journey <i>is </i>slow moving it's also worthwhile. It has an end, there is a plan and more bizarre and unsettling characters litter the purgatory trail ahead... You can read all of it up to now <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=1">here</a>.</div>
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Announced recently at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewHavenComics">New Haven Comics</a> </b>- this manga webcomic I've been colouring called <b>Smitten </b>is coming very soon. Co-written and pencilled by <b>Sergio Apodaca </b>- co-written by New Haven honcho <b>Aaron Walther</b> - inked by <b>Jesus Salas </b>and coloured by me. There's some Kaiju there's battle suits and explosions and it's been very fun to colour - !</div>
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Above is "Flight of the Ostrich" written by <b>Geoffery Crescent </b>and featured in the sixth issue of the Bear Pit Zine - a local Bristol comix featuring the great and good (not including myself) of the local area. You can find out more and buy copies online here - <a href="http://bearpitzines.tumblr.com/zine">http://bearpitzines.tumblr.com/zine</a></div>
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The last weekend gone was the <b>Bear Pit Zine Fair </b>in the centre of Bristol and Geoffery and I went along to peddle our wares - the above photograph was taken by <a href="http://www.ruthgarnerphotography.com/">Ruth Garner</a> at the very beginning of the show when we were fresh-faced and happy. I'll write more about it who else was there and other matters over on the <b><a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">Psychedelic Journal blog</a></b> shortly. But first... some comic reviews and *ahem* yes they're both still from my Thought Bubble haul nearly a year ago!</div>
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<b>Western (<a href="http://www.cinebook.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4032">Cinebook Ltd</a></b><b>) Rosinski/Van Hamme</b></div>
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Dark and melancholic self-contained western tale beautifully drawn by Grzegorz Rosinski and written by Jean Van Hamme - the duo behind Thorgal. Interspersed by stunningly beautiful paintings by the artist.</div>
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<b>Who on Earth Was Thaddeus Mist? (<a href="http://www.accentukcomics.com/ThadMist.html">Accent UK</a>) Various</b></div>
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Compiled and edited by Owen Michael Johnson this is an absurdly entertaining and darkly engrossing Victoriana anthology of interconnected tales. Each separate encounter with the titular character is told by a different artist/writer team and they vary from dashing adventure to dark melancholy. Each artist's style is unique but it hangs together very consistently due in no small part to the solidly brilliant lettering of Jim Campbell, the incredibly intricate editing of Owen Michael Johnson and the in-between tales reappearance of the sparse and beautiful art of Conor Boyle. For fans of gothic Victoriana and intelligently laid-out themed anthologies. A unique and unforgettable volume.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-151086404482977602013-09-03T13:10:00.005-07:002013-09-03T13:10:50.841-07:00Late AugustWell it's been a very hectic fortnight - jobhunting, conventioneering and generally buzzing like some manner of busy bee. Here are some recent things -<br />
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This gentleman is a bastard. Pure and simple - for encouraging a growing violent anti-LGBT movement in Russia by enforcing nonsensical hate laws. Boycott the winter Olympics, the companies that sponsor it and encourage our unelected Dave when he's not warmongering to actually ask Vladimir what the fuck he thinks he's doing. *breathe* Pride and peace.</div>
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<a href="http://31.media.tumblr.com/8a8d93b7164a9b01e22a3eae2f9a00b1/tumblr_ms9kaz2VS51snmaklo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/8a8d93b7164a9b01e22a3eae2f9a00b1/tumblr_ms9kaz2VS51snmaklo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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So my <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads</a> </b>have been getting a bizarre amount of press recently. Most alarmingly from <b><a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/08/dreddheads-casts-showbizs-finest-as-future-cops/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Comic Book Resources</a> </b>of all things! Whilst I was at Melksham someone saw a Dreddhead on my table and accused me of plagiarising myself which is a first... The one above is of course <b>LeBrock </b>from Bryan Talbot's amazing <a href="http://www.bryan-talbot.com/grandville/">Grandville </a>series. I've heard the magnificent Mr Talbot himself liked it, even so that's my decade made. Remember if you like them to support the petition for <a href="http://2000adonline.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6e40236aa24d482cfff600d2&id=62906ebdcc">another Dredd film</a> and keep yer eyes out for a continuation of the film in <a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1234128_10151586055846366_1957910458_n.jpg">the Judge Dredd Megazine this month</a>.</div>
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Here's the latest and last page of the fifth part of <b>Crabcake</b>. You can catch up with the whole long saga here - now we're going to get deep into the continuity waltz and I'm going to wrap up the series by weaving it into a short story I wrote a decade ago. Why? Because why the balls not. </div>
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Here's another off my to-read list which is only getting bigger and bigger thanks to glorious cons like <b>Melksham </b>(keep an eye on<a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/"> the Psychedelic Journal blog</a> for stash dissection and coverage). Nearly at the end of last year's Thought Bubble hoard - and it's nearly time for Thought Bubble again :O </div>
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<b>Thorgal 1 - Child of the Stars (<a href="http://www.cinebook.co.uk/index.php?cPath=183">Cinebook Ltd</a>) Rosinski/Van Hamme</b></div>
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Engrossing collection of short strips revolving around the youth of <i>Thorgal</i> - borrows heavily from mythology and reads much like a great historical fiction itself. Beautifully drawn - another gem from Cinebooks - a company whose back catalogue alone I could spend forever in.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-85583133958328793622013-08-11T08:03:00.002-07:002013-08-11T08:03:53.073-07:00SummerthingsIt's been a crazily hectic few weeks since the last blog - partially because of the build-up to the release of the second <b><a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel</a> </b>and partially because of <b>REDUNDANCY</b>. But these are matters for other blogs and other days - <b>FIRSTLY</b><div>
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I've changed the order in which I do <b>Dreddheads </b>so hopefully we'll have a lot more of them and the long list of requests can be cut down. In the last couple of weeks Rebellion <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MakeADreddSequel">have officially endorsed</a> the campaign for a Dredd sequel which is enormous - hopefully it's not the last we've seen of these uniforms on screen! The most recent one, above, is<b> </b>Kitty Hawk from small press book "<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/razarhawk/">Razarhawk</a>" by <b>Dani Abram </b>& <b>Ian Matthews.</b></div>
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Here is the <b>TWENTY FOURTH </b>page of goat-in-purgatory webcomic epic "Flaubert St Cloud" written by the formidable <a href="http://palantirqueen.deviantart.com/">Geoffery Crescent</a> and drawn by me. You can catch up on the whole saga on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crazyfoxmachine">Crazy Fox Machine Webcomics FB Page</a> - not the most updated page on the internet but the most Goatlike.</div>
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<img alt="For The Bag of Nails a Bristol pub - based on the Bristol coat of arms" height="282" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/158ec1c125e158991137ea4f973d4a13/tumblr_mqi2060mHY1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Recently drew this sort of vague representation of the Bristol city coat of arms for local pub <b>The Bag of Nails </b>- I gave them several variations and above is the most OTT one - the final poster was more minimalistic:</div>
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All words and colours and the like on the final poster were designed by pub landlord <b>Luke.</b></div>
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<img alt="El Bigote. Drawn by SKD coloured by me" height="400" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1adc4f235e2c7205c2fb152e1313b910/tumblr_mqin32yNLU1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" width="272" /></div>
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Another recent thing I did was the colouring on this <b>El Bigote </b>pin-up - the original art is by the faultless SKD - check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elbigotecomic?fref=ts">Facebook page</a> for further <i>detalles.</i></div>
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Above is a page from <b>Final Death Race </b>a comic I'm lettering that's due out soon from Bluewater productions - this and a lot of other pages were shared in an intereview with writer <b>Paul H Birch</b> and artistic director <b>Gary Crutchley</b> recently on <b><a href="http://www.indiecomix.net/mind-meld-with-paul-h-birch-and-gary-crutchley-pt-1.html">IndieComix</a>. </b></div>
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Now, back to the job hunt - </div>
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Turrah!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-73379437504108391492013-07-16T16:34:00.001-07:002013-07-16T16:55:16.967-07:00Glastonbury etc.It's been a good while now since we hosed off the mud (figuratively anyway) and our sore and burnt skin has healed over. All we have left to remember Glastonbury '13 is some loo roll, a battered list of bands, two disposable cameras worth of images (still being processed) and a very pretty dress which is Jasmine's not mine. Although I'd look fabulous if it fit me.<br />
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<b>WEDNESDAY</b></div>
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I owe everything to the Lloyds who kindly tented for us in the frenzied ruckus that has become Wednesday morning. Previous years the keenest would get in midday and set up their tent to avoid palaver, but since '11 when they let people sleep in the car parks it's become a bit of a piranah feeding frenzy. The Lloyds and co were up at three or thereabouts - just to get a tolerable spot in the Big Ground. Absolute madness really and I see why a lot of folk just plump for working there, getting a secure spot without the fuss seems like a fine exchange for shifts and free entry. Either way we were fortunate enough to have folk looking out for us and managed to get in fairly scot free. Needless to say the majority of our burden comprised of liquid rewards for our saviours - I mean, not a <a href="http://www.forfolkssake.com/news/23467/news-no-wheelbarrows-full-of-booze-for-glastonbury-goers">wheelbarrow</a> full, but a large quantity.<br />
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Wednesday day normally gets swept aside by shell-shock and Burrow Hill - although we'd bought plenty with us it wasn't long until I saw those famed yellow cups saunter into view. Off we went to one of my favourite bits on site - The Avalon Inn which is a old-style two-story carven wooden pub wot do local ales and cider. It was heaving. Everywhere was heaving. On leaving in the morning we heard the radio say that the site was at sixty percent capacity "and growing". A side effect of the new Wednesdayscrum and I predict that it won't be too long before Glastonbury applies for the relevant permits and becomes a full five-dayer. As it was, Wednesday the site was heaving, all the bars and food places were open but the only stages fully playing music were in Green Futures.<br />
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The best of these was Small World<b> </b>- where in the afternoon of Wednesday we caught <b>De Fuego </b>a neat flamenco duo. This was actually the set we saw but we didn't record it - I'll try and find relevant videos for everyone. In terms of solid reviews<a href="http://joltmagazine.co.uk/2013/07/13/live-review-glastonbury-festival/"> Jazz has done a load of them here</a> - I'll just gab around that. Green futures also holds the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tinvillage">tin village</a> which is a sustainable eco-community thing that is just a quiet and lovely place to sit in. We spend the majority of the first evening in there - suppin' cider and waiting for <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/philliphenryandhannahmartin?fref=ts">Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin</a> </b>who do slide guitar/fiddle blues folk stuff. They didn't end up showing up for whatever reason be we did catch the end of a furious <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Turbans/139693301108?ref=stream">Balkan gyspy group</a> that had a bonafide mosh pit going on. For all Glastonbury's eclecticism there were a shit ton of "Balkan gypsy punk" bands on - it's the popular festival thing I suppose. That, native American headresses and endless moustaches. Moustache umbrellas, moustache suits, fake moustaches, real moustaches. Maybe I wouldn't mind the meme so much if I could grow one...<br />
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<b>THURSDAY</b></div>
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Sleep in the Pyramid field is rarely uninterrupted - and there was such a saga of woe that went on early Thursday morning that I can't avoid relating it. I was awoken around four or so by the righteous shriek "MY WALLET'S GONE" from a woman in the tent behind. Tent robbery is a bit of a thing at any festival and never pleasant. I felt sorry for her and expressed this by returning to sleep. Not for long, as the police were fetched and she related the tale to them "IT'S GONE" she yowled, over and over. They reassured her that more than likely the thief would dump it and just take the cash but she wasn't to be silenced. She was righteously angry now, it didn't matter that it was half five everyone had to know she'd had something terrible happen to her. "WHO THE FUCK WOULD DO THIS" She bellowed "WHO THE FUCK WOULD TAKE SOMEONE'S WALLET AT A FESTIVAL?!" Then logic kicked in and she began to think about her missing bank cards. Nearing six "IS THIS BARCLAY'S? YES I'VE HAD MY FUCKING WALLET STOLEN. NO I DON'T KNOW MY SORT CODE. YES I DO MY ACCOUNT NUMBER IT'S 71561-" At this point her friend interrupted saying that the whole campsite could hear her number. It wasn't the number I was annoyed about overhearing, but this whole sorry saga. Now well over an hour in it was losing it's drama. Finally things subsided and sleep was painstakingly re-achieved. Then less than twenty minutes later sleep was shooed off for good with an ear-shattering yelp of "...OH WAIT HERE'S MY WALLET - !"</div>
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We had a great many veggie breakfasts at Glasto, Jazz and I. She runs a blog of meatfree majesty called <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/500ThingsToDoWithFacon">500 Things to Do With Facon</a> </b>where she talks extensively about <a href="http://facon500.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/veggiebreakfasts/">what we had for breakfast at the festival</a> so I won't go into it here. Our mission on Thursday post breakfast involved heading up to The Park - the festival was truly heaving as we wound our way up there - we witnessed a procession of Alice in Wonderlandesque characters which seemed alarmingly impromptu and found ourselves a wooden iron throne which Jazz managed to get on with surprisingly little bloodshed.</div>
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Our first band of the day was <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plucky-Purcell">Plucky Purcell</a></b>, a SHOCK HORROR actual bonafide rock band who were very funky and seemed to have their own version of Bez who shook a maraca for the whole set. They gave out moustaches (there's that word again) and were quite energetic. Lawdy mama they were repetitive - though good fun and there are few venues as intoxicatingly batty as the Rabbit Hole. </div>
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<b>THEN THE RAINS CAME. </b>Now to be fair to the rains, they didn't come back after they'd gone and they didn't bugger up the site but for twelve hours solid it rained. I was unprepared. I had to buy one of those crappy cellophane poncho things that cost four quid and you never use again. We retreated back to the tin village and under dripping corrugated iron watched the afternoon roll away with cider in hand. Not unpleasant but we couldn't stay as we went to seek <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sevenlittlesisters?fref=ts" style="font-weight: bold;">Seven Little Sisters</a>, a hyperactive folk rock band who were due to be on in the Rocket Lounge. It wasn't open, and drenched we decided to flee. </div>
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'twas a soggy evening and not the best time to explore the new layout of the south east corner but we did it anyway - drifting through the new Glasto Latino bit with its churros stands, seeing that cave thing with the waterfall in The Common, and through "heaven and hell" which is what Shangri La has become. Quite extraordinarily detailed as ever - on one side the gleaming padded nightclub of heaven - and the other a twisted blackened forest of spikes that is hell. We perched next to the Hell Stage and waited for <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/asakusajint6">Asakusa Jinta</a></b> a Japanese gypsy punk band who were energetic and fun but as you can see from their on-stage photos they were playing to a sopping audience and I was getting the blues. We opted out of seeing<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kangaroomoon?fref=ts"> <b>Kangaroo Moon</b></a> - a space rock band who were a decidedly cosmic-seeming distance away back in Green Futures and rolled back around to The Common to see Bristolian slide guitarist <b><a href="http://www.johnfairhurst.com/">John Fairhurst</a> </b>who I adore. Unfortunately the sound in The Rum Shack was fucking appalling. We were hanging around with a lovely sound engineer named Darrell and I turned and saw the rain on his face. Not rain. Tears. THE RUM SHACK'S SOUND WAS SO BAD IT MADE DARRELL WEEP. Unless that was rain.</div>
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It had killed the day for us really - all the rain and the sound and the trudging and my crappy poncho and instead of hanging around to see <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/3daftmonkeys?fref=ts">3 Daft Monkeys</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scallywaggin?fref=ts">Duncan Disorderly and the Scallywags</a> </b>and<b> </b><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thejohnlanganband?fref=ts">The John Langan Band</a> </b>we retreated to the tents<b>. </b>We felt genuinely folking cut up about missing them all (see what I did there) then on returning to reality we discovered that two of them were playing quite soon in Bristol. Hurrah.</div>
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<b>FRIDAY</b></div>
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No wallets were lost or not lost or anti-lost or underlost that night and it was all spectacularly peaceful. First order of Friday was <b>Amanda Palmer </b>who Jazz is a huge fan of. I'm new to Palmerworld and although she has a habit of wanting artists to work for nowt she is spectacularly and profoundly open as her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPDWEjjN3Q">post-Glastonbury</a> Maildebate has showed. We had seen Mr Gaiman do a talk in Bath only weeks before and as a couple they must be two of the most blisteringly earnest people on the planet. Which is either grating or heavily endearing depending on how you view it.<br />
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Then <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/goatsweden?fref=ts">Goat </a></b>on West Holts whose heavy psychedelic stuff was probably the most appealing noise of the festival. We were far off consuming things at the Brothers bar - so unfortunately didn't take it in as much as maybe we could have done but the above hour-long vid shows what we were missing. We also caught them purely by chance on the Hell Stage later in the day - which their demented stage show suited beautifully. It must be the vague world music schtick that allows this Swedish psych rock group a place above its contemporaries at Glasto. Grateful for it - but more acts with this kind of riffage would be grand on the Glasto bill. NO. MORE DUBSTEP AND INDIE ELECTRONIC. SHUT UP.<br />
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We then went and saw a bit of <b>Craig Charles </b>DJ'ing funk and soul which he's assuredly good at although he'd been playing for a few hours at that point and seem a little woofed. A nice atmosphere and a dryer Hell stage meant for a larkful boogie. The next afternoon we saw him in the Avalon Inn and I said I liked his set and he said "ROBOTS ACTIVATE" and bit my spine.<br />
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Next was <b>Tame Impala </b>which again was uncharacteristically riffy for Glasto and the tiny amount we scooped in was great. Also look at the size of that guy's guitar. It's bigger than Saturn. We then trekked up to Acoustic and caught a fair chunk of <b>Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings </b>which was pleasantly old fashioned rock 'n' roll and played host to the largest audience of olds I'd ever seen at Glastonbury. Not complaining it was rather reassuring that folk of that boogying vintage come to Glasto and dance themselves into a frenzy. I can see it now - 2053's Glasto's Golden Oldies stage serving up Indie Electronic, Brostep and Twee Folk Pop to a room of swaying greying hips...<br />
<b>WHILST A RESURRECTED JIMI HENDRIX HEADLINES THE PYRAMID STAGE.</b><br />
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Next we whipped back to West Holts and saw the evergreen <b>Seasick Steve </b>now slightly star-tinged (and dare I say it a little convoluted) by the inclusion of the living legend that is John Paul Jones. His voice still rings true and his songs still have heart and weight. Lovely to see him at Glasto again - seems moons since I first saw him hop off the Pyramid stage to shake people's hands in the rain...<br />
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After this we wandered up and had a gander at a friend's reggae rock band <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HotSisterMusic?fref=ts">Hot Sister</a> </b>who had an extraordinary amount of energy although they accidentally walked into a trope pointed out in the little Glasto guide around everyone's neck by ending on a Jefferson Airplane cover...<br />
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We managed to see maybe the first half an our of <b>Portishead </b>on the Other Stage and it was revelatory - extremely atmospheric and quite captivating... but we had a queue to join for the South-East corner. Cattled up a corridor and up to the Rocket Lounge were former Crystal Maze and Tenpole Tudor man <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQLNOLoulK4">Ed Tudor-Pol</a>e </b>was playing a furious acoustic set. As detailed on Jazz's <a href="http://joltmagazine.co.uk/2013/07/13/live-review-glastonbury-festival/">review blog</a> Bez was there and Jazz danced with him. Which most people pay good money for - ! On an unrelated note good sir Bez later broke his teeth on a doughnut. I'm not saying blame Jazz...<br />
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...but I did see her buying a load of doughnuts. On the Saturday we'd made grand ambitious plans to see a bearded wonder called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCasualSmokers?fref=ts" style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Caplan</a>. In this day and age where beards are more of a marketing tool or a hipster accessory I'm uncomfortable just defining a musical artist as bearded. However go and look at that beard. THAT IS A BEARD. 'Neath the beard there is also a hell of a voice as well - so if it were to ever burn off in a fire he'll be alright. We wandered down to cabaret thinking that<b> </b>we might sneak into the <b>Infinite Monkey Cage </b>recording with the power of blasé. Didn't work though, the thing was rammed as it had been in 2011. So off we buggered to <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bob-Malone/49377277106?fref=ts">Bob Malone</a> </b>at Croissant Neuf - gloriously out of place a sort of Gary-Moore lookin' blues piano feller who was like some manner of ivory wizard. Midday on a sunny Saturday he found himself irritatingly bereft of audience though.<b> </b>Which is an arse of a shame.</div>
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Then it was time for the thing I ALWAYS see - <b>Stephen Frost's Improv Allstars </b>- which is essentially Whose Line but a thousand times swearier and a billion times more festival frazzled. I've seen it every festival since time immemorial when a younger improv obsessed O stumbled into Astrolabe and was blinded by it. Phill Jupitus was part of the line-up again and did some quite impressive on-the-spot songwriting.</div>
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We didn't know but afterwards he was headed in the same direction as us because at our next thing: <b>Billy Bragg's Radical Round-Up </b>Mr Jupitus showed up and sang the above hilariously nasty song. We were there to peek at Amanda Palmer again and didn't expect it in the least. The radical round-up was just several singer/songwriters doing their own tunes - Bragg, Palmer and some other Bragglites.<br />
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We wanted to but just couldn't fit in <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gypsyhillmusic?fref=ts">Gypsy Hill</a> </b>(another Balkan band) and went straight to West Holts to see <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BadBadNotGood/215708555125814?fref=ts">BadBadNotGood</a> </b>a sort of jazzy instrumental hip-hop band that are marvellous. Unfortunately like most bands on during a sunny day in West Holts they served largely as background music to a really fantastic couple of pints of Brothers. Brilliant background music though. After that was the relentless and hilarious <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtNTvVXc9pg">Kevin Eldon</a> </b>in cabaret whose thunderously quick surreal material didn't translate so well to the screen this year. His stand up <a href="http://www.gofasterstripe.com/cgi-bin/website.cgi?page=videofull&id=10233">DVD from GoFasterStripe</a> is worth a gander though.<br />
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Next was <b>Alabama Shakes </b>- good southern rock 'n' soul with incredible vocals and good wailing guitars. Perfect on a sunny afternoon and a really vibrant festival memory.<br />
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The intention was to next see the reassuringly bonkers <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCorrespondents">Correspondents </a></b>which looked to be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151534965371523&set=a.10151534957841523.1073741826.72941256522&type=1&theater">brilliant fun</a> but a hog roll and a large cider got in the way and we ended up just moving straight on to MC5 LEGEND <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/waynekramer?fref=ts">Wayne Kramer</a> </b>who performed to frustratingly empty Left Field. He was sweet and very game but needed a backing band I think. Then, my friend, some jams would've been kicked out. As with all the videos I didn't film this, but you can see me and Jazz down the front at the end of it. I look like someone's draped a purple shirt over a boulder.<br />
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Then on to see the final few songs of the everglorious <b>Steve Winwood </b>who never seems to be anything less than the ultimate chap. After that back to the tents which proved to be the perfect vantage point for the <b>Rolling Stones </b>who did a nice Glastonbury song and seemed good enough but a lot of people thought it was far too quiet. It was predictably as busy as a very busy thing and some harsh methods were in place to keep folk "out of the arena" once they'd deemed it full. A long wall of security and just constant constant fights, didn't seem worth it really! S'only rock 'n' roll, like. Anyway our day finished up in the Dance Village witnessing the full force of funk fury that is <b>The Family Stone </b>- a fantabulous and uplifting performance recorded seemingly by no one but it'll not leave my noggin' for a while. We'd intended to see <b>Otway: The Movie </b>which was screening at the Pilton Palais cinema but our minds had deserted us and demanded we sleep...<br />
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...which I would of done if not for some drugruined ballbag of a man who spend the entire night yelling and whelping outside our tent. Fie and arse to him. </div>
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Blearily then Sunday began with the truly filthy <b>Cassetteboy </b>at Spirit of 71 - which was brilliant really but the sound came out of synch towards the end. Which was a trifle embarrassing - so we buggered off.<br />
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Although we missed out on <b>Otway: The Movie </b>we did catch THE MAN HIMSELF on cabaret - who, as you can see from the video above is a force of nature. A very silly force of nature. He's probably the single most endearing cult figure in all of music - and there are a lot of them. A bloody lot.</div>
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We only caught a tiny bit of them but <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MOFROBAND?fref=ts">JJ Grey & Mofro</a> </b>were again, one of those rare good 'n riffy rock bands playing. Southern style with some soul and blues mixed in - very tight and very groovy. Want to see more of them for damned sure. But the Professor was calling... <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-Elemental/220071498035746?fref=ts">Professor Elemental</a> </b>that is. Despite seeing him a thousand times before it's always lovely and he seemed in particularly furious form in the sweaty afternoon sun. His fanbase were all there in force as well which warms my cockles. Then my heart. Then my cockles again. Then <b>Simon Munnery </b>- cult comedian extraordinare who I've seen supporting the mighty Stew Lee before now. His set seemed very dashed-out though which was irritating, how many comedians do I have to hear talking about what it's like to be a fucking parent? Hmm - get your free ticket in another way Mr Munnery - !<br />
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Then... that was it. We hauled up our rucksacks and made our way back out into reality - but not before seeing <b>The Smashing Pumpkins </b>whom <a href="http://joltmagazine.co.uk/2013/07/13/live-review-glastonbury-festival/">Jazz is a massive fan of</a>. I lay and watched the rucksacks and the clouds and it was all rather peaceful. A very positive year it was - lots of sunshine and good music - lots of larks and good folk. Here's to 2014 and beyond - !</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-6193239545488669972013-06-24T18:11:00.001-07:002013-06-24T18:16:57.916-07:00Pre GlastoI wrote <a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/godzilla.html">a blog entry back in 2010</a> about Glastonbury - it was a magic year that one. In only a MATTER of hours I'll be back in that place and I can't say it better than I did three years ago...<br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 22px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Mostly it is known for being host to hordes of corporate-approved superbands and flash-in-the-pans that attract thousands upon thousands of musical fucks who think Scouting for Girls are the best thing that happened since MOZART FUCKING DIED - which makes it appear to unknowers as just a fatter corporate shindig like Reading or Leeds. Which it clearly isn't. </span></b></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 22px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Those who dollop their betrilby'd forms exclusively in front of the main pop stages are depriving themselves of what makes me love Glastonbury festival. I love it so utterly that were I to cop it at this moment I could think of no better place to summarise the happiest days of my existence than that sprawling valley - the dust and the mud and the moments and the people. I'm always happy there. The dicks swarm - the terrible bands play - and I grin on, knowing that for a week out of the year I am home."</span></b></i></div>
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Although I probably would use a different example than <i>Scouting for Girls </i>now.<br />
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Anyway. More about that next blog - what's been happening up until this point?</div>
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Well as you all know <b>Rory Kinnear </b>has been officially announced as the new Doctor. </div>
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Ahaha. No he hasn't. But did you think it for a minute then? No? Oh well. This is what it'd look like and it would be marvellous. Who do I really think will be the next Doctor? I don't care, I just want it to be written by people who are actually capable of telling stories that aren't shit.</div>
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<img alt="Flaubert Page 23 - Written by Geoffery CrescentMore here" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/0847ca961c86db6964ba3b2428f26f79/tumblr_mo56qtawG71qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" width="451" /></div>
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Here's the <b>twenty third </b>page of Flaubert written by <b>Geoffery Crescent</b> - here revealing the origin of Laura Dora and her Siamese pig. The whole thing before now can be seen <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=1">here</a>.</div>
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My <b><a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">Dreddheads </a></b>aren't as frequent as they once were but hopefully they still have their value - I have a request list longer than the written-out human genome so it'll probably be actual Dredd timeline by the year I've finished. </div>
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My reading pile is still FIRMLY stuck in all the things I bought at Thought Bubble last November...</div>
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<b>Lilly MacKenzie & The Mines of Charybdis (Self Published) <a href="http://simonfraser.posterous.com/pages/lilly-mackenzie">Simon Fraser</a></b></div>
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I'd previously read this serialised as a webcomic Judge Dredd Megazine but in one lump it's eminently readable and brilliantly structured. Fraser, one of my favourite artists of all time, delivers a solid sci fi tale with many a twist and turn. Accompanied by the gracefully subtle colours of Gary Caldwell (who collaborated so brilliantly with Fraser on the majority of Nikolai Dante) and the progworthy lettering of 2000ad's Simon Bowland. Here's hoping the follow-up gets a similar physical tome that I can plop next to this 'un on the shelf.</div>
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<b>The Lovecraft Anthology Volume II (<a href="http://www.selfmadehero.com/title.php?isbn=9781906838430&edition_id=206">Selfmade Hero</a>) Various</b></div>
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Despite being unfamiliar with Lovecraft's work this anthology is absorbing, unsettling and almost infinitely readable. If not for the stories then for the sheer mind-buggering wealth of talent on show. Particular highlights being Spurrier & Timson, Lockwood & WJC, Mills & Futaki and a collosally amazing turn from McMahon & Ben Dickson. Worth getting, worth reading - worth eating. I mean... well, don't eat it. I get the feeling tentacle'd beasts might start spawning from ye.</div>
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<b>MOA-192B (Self Published) <a href="http://www.decadencecomics.com/Home/moa-192b-1">Tesemberidis</a></b></div>
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I saw premier art droid Dave Taylor flicking through Stathis Tsemberlidis' pile of comics at Thought Bubble which was a bit of an indicator - they're really weird. Moebius like. Crammed with detail and mind-buggering but gloriously drawn. Recommended.</div>
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<b>Rainbow Orchid, The Complete (Egmont) <a href="http://www.garenewing.co.uk/rainboworchid/shop/shop.php">Garen Ewing</a></b></div>
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Thick with detail and remarkably well told - a ripping yarn and easily one of the best adventure comics I've ever read. Like his style of art the story is simple, edible yet deceptively dense. Every character, no matter how briefly they appear, are brilliantly rounded. Hugely fabulous.</div>
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<b>The Scorpion 1 - The Devil's Mark (<a href="http://www.cinebook.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=3995">Cinebook</a>) Marini/Desberg </b></div>
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Despite some unnecessary censorship, The Scorpion is a rollicking tale - recommended to me by the redoubtable Bolt-01 I'd heard of this long before I'd even investigated Cinebooks. It is pure swashbuckle with Vatican conspiracies and heaving bosoms - damned men and thrilling setpieces. Marini's artwork is enthralling - every bit the model of French sequential excellence - his environments and archicture in particular are breathtaking. I long for more.</div>
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<b>Stiffs # 1 (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/StiffsComic/app_251458316228">Formerly Dead Star</a>) Davies/Montgomery/Glass/Mitchell/Cadwell</b></div>
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Smartly told fresh zombie story featuring talking monkeys and some foul-mouthed Welshmen. It's well paced and manages to introduce quite a lot without seeming overwhelming. Mitchell's artwork is irrestiably expressive as always and Cadwell's flat colours suit it well. A confident and fun book.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-3869951051817453142013-06-08T06:26:00.003-07:002013-06-08T06:41:50.554-07:00Achilles Last StandYeah I'm back to doing titles that have bugger-all to do with the blog itself, what of it?!<br />
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Here we go - my page from a multi-artist story written by <b>Chris Mole </b>for the second <b><a href="http://professorelemental.com/fr_thecomic.cfm">Professor Elemental Comics</a></b>. I was following the absurdly brilliant<a href="http://www.jenniegyllblad.com/"> <b>Jennie Gyllblad </b></a>and being followed by the ridiculously amazing <b><a href="http://neilmcclements.deviantart.com/">Neil McClements</a>. </b>So... no pressure. The script called for a "psychedelic eye" and I couldn't get the 13th Floor Elevators out of my mind.<br />
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<i>Yes that's Billy Gibbons. Gibbonsyes.</i></div>
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Above is the winner of the <b>May 2000ad Forum Art Competition </b>- the extremely talented and ridiculously ridiculous <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JonTaylorArt?directed_target_id=0">Jon Taylor</a></b>. The nigh-on twentyfour entries we got in May are literally all fantastic and can be seen over on the FB group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.147735835408650.1073741832.133526380162929&type=3">here</a>. June's new competition is <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38672.0.html">here</a>. </div>
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Here's a chameleon in a hat from a <b>Jimmy Baker Animal Hatmaker </b>story I'm drawing for small pressers <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://massacreforboys.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/hats-off.html">Massacre for Boys</a></i> masterminded by mssrs. Denton & Denton. I'm in love with chameleons, and have been for some time. I used to dream of having a house with glass walls in which chameleons would live. Which is as practical as it is feasible. </div>
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Finally here we go... I'm still getting through my reading pile this week actually snuffling through things I bought at <b>Thought Bubble </b>last November. Phew! Still got a way to go.</div>
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<b>Town Mouse (Zine) <a href="http://cargocollective.com/mrgjohnson">Graham Johnson</a></b></div>
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A pleasant small format zine biographically documenting the author as a mouse </div>
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on holiday in Much Wenlock. Charming and meandering the art is bold and honest.</div>
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<b>The Un-Manned Manned Craft (Zine) <a href="http://mis-comp.com/">Nick Soucek </a></b></div>
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Easily the most narratively clear and the funniest of the four full Soucek comics I've read yet still very melancholic and otherworldy. Cleverly told and featuring my favourite of all subjects: TIME TRAVEL!</div>
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<b>Afterlife Inc. - Near Life and Other Stories (Self Published) <a href="http://www.jonlock.com/afterlifeinc">Lock/Jackson/Tempest</a></b></div>
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An absurdly slick and confident volume - a profoundly readable and </div>
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open world full of stories and characters. Lock has managed to deftly lasso an </div>
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absurd amount of talented creators, whose varying styles all fit into his </div>
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brillantly realised world perfectly. Irresistable.</div>
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<b><i>- Writing -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jon Lock is a versatile and enthusiastic creator. His stories are brimming with</div>
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imagination and crucially he's able to turn out both long and short scripts of high quality. His</div>
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conviction to his creation is what makes Afterlife the treat it is.</div>
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<b><i>- Art -</i></b> </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ashtmjackson">Ash Jackson</a> is the star of the volume, with vibrant well-coloured cartoony artwork of great consistency. A bit of a coup to get him for so much of it. On the Dead Days story where he's inked </div>
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by the brilliant Nadine Ashworth you can see the possibilities if he chose to reign in his pencil lines.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://teahermit.co.uk/">Jade Sarson</a> provides a lovely cityscape in Dead Days but her colouring is</div>
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markedly rougher than others in the volume</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://hemaniscool.blogspot.co.uk/">Mark Pearce</a>'s clean kinetic art is hugely edible - I recommend his RONIN DOGS comic </div>
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completely - he works a dream in this world I'd love to see him do more</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.warwickfrasercoombe.com/">Warwick Fraser-Coombe</a>'s Dead Days art is arguably the brightest gem in here - reminiscent but distinct from of a good handful of the most striking 2000ad artists - Siku, Jock, Cam Kennedy... bold intricate and beautifully coloured. WHERE IS HE FROM, SPACE?</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.thegrantperkins.com/">Grant Perkins</a> has a fantastically individualistic style of art and is a perfect match for </div>
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Temperance. <a href="http://hostage-fiver.deviantart.com/">Nadine Ashworth</a>'s colouring works particularly well here - and again is deployed</div>
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brilliantly on Ochroid's story.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://jackdavies15.wix.com/jackdaviesartcom#!comics">Jack Davies</a> is quite chunkified artwise but the subtle flat colours give it a nice nineties air and it's reminiscent of Marc Hemple's work in The Kindly Ones (Sandman)</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://willtempest.tumblr.com/">Will Tempest</a>'s sombre realism works brilliantly in the final Dead Days - and makes the</div>
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"real world" quite a stark one. I wonder what'd be like if all the real world was drawn by realistic</div>
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artists and everything on The Empyrean by bright cartoony ones? </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.seanmcsorley.co.uk/">Sean McSorley</a>'s intricate indie art is a dream here - and another bold and clever stylistic </div>
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interpretation of Lock's world. The first page alone is a masterpiece.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://jdtempest.blogspot.co.uk/">Jack Tempest</a> is the perfect foil to Ash Jackson's bombastic Afterlife world - and his flat </div>
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simplicity heralds doom in the final tale of the book... I really can't wait for more of this</div>
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<b><i>- Lettering & Design -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.michaelstock.co.uk/">Michael Stock</a> deserves much credit for his consistent and solid </div>
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lettering and bold book design. A treat to read.</div>
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<b>Disconnected Vol. 2 (<a href="http://disconnectedpress.wordpress.com/">Disconnected Press</a>) Various</b> </div>
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A thoughtful and melancholic short anthology featuring dark and moody tales of "small towns" - </div>
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every story is perfectly illustrated and the standard is incredibly high throughout. All stories lettered </div>
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by the superb and peerless <a href="http://clintflickerlettering.blogspot.co.uk/">Jim Campbell</a>.</div>
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<b><i>- Cover (<a href="http://mygrimmbrother.blogspot.co.uk/">Matt Soffe</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Masterfully handled by the magnificent Soffe, like issue 1's Timson cover it is bleak </div>
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and mysterious. On the heavy card stock it's practically edible. </div>
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<b><i>- All Roads Lead to Hell (<a href="http://pmbuchan.com/">P.M. Buchan</a> & <a href="http://www.simmonds-illustration.com/">Martin Simmonds</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A satanic road trip - the realistic art is breathtaking and the Buchan's story strikes a bleak </div>
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parr with Jon Lock's as the most chilling of the issue. </div>
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<b><i>- Plans (<a href="http://alexiconman.blogspot.co.uk/">Alexi Conman</a> & <a href="http://hostage-fiver.deviantart.com/">Nadine Ashworth</a>) - </i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Afraid this one left me rather cold - despite reading the story through a few times I just didn't seem to get it - and despite being a fan of Nadine Ashworth's colouring her mangastyle artwork left it all feeling rather flat. A change of pace perhaps but not for me.</div>
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<b><i>- Pests (<a href="http://www.thematthewcraig.com/">Matthew Craig</a> & <a href="http://neilmcclements.deviantart.com/">Neil McClements</a>) - </i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The versatile Neil McClements who's ironically produced some amazing dark and shadowy stories for me over the years gives a remarkable turn as a bright and breezy cartoonist in this hilarious centrepiece written by Matthew Craig. It might seem utterly out of place surrounded by the contemplative and eerie but I think that only serves to enhance it. Brilliant.</div>
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<b><i>- The Remarkably Normal Man (<a href="http://www.jonlock.com/">Jon Lock</a> & <a href="http://www.girlintherain.net/">Sarah Jones</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Transcendentally dark greywashed horror from Lock & Jones - the art is incredible</div>
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and the story is bottomlessly creepy. Provoked a strange mood - which is a good sign.</div>
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<i><b>- No Sign of Nathan Keeler (<a href="http://lizzieboylesays.wordpress.com/">Liz Boyle</a> & <a href="http://pencilmonkeymagic.blogspot.co.uk/">Conor Boyle</a>) -</b></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A rather open ended story but atmospherically realised by Boyle & Boyle. Conor Boyle's art continues to climb steadily into the realms of greatness, the bleached colours are incredibly effective.</div>
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<b>Futurequake #22 (<a href="http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php">Futurequake Press</a>) Various</b></div>
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A strong issue with lots of variety - my favourite small press anthology and absurdly consistent. </div>
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Edited by Dave Evans & Richmond Clements, two of the most passionate people in the small press - </div>
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they know what they love and it shows in everything they do. </div>
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<b><i>- Cover (<a href="http://jimlavery.wordpress.com/">Jim Lavery</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jim Lavery's cartoony style looks a little stretched and rough across A4 here and the colours are very basic. Not the best cover Futurequake's ever had but bold enough.</div>
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<b><i>- Incarnation Shift (<a href="http://bountyquest.blogspot.co.uk/">Dirk Van Dom</a> & Jim Lavery) -</i></b></div>
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Dirk Van Dom's script is caption-heavy but smart and the Lavery's art works much </div>
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better here - solid and shadowy. A well constructed spin on time travel. </div>
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<b><i>- The Ndoki (Alec Robertson & <a href="http://dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/">David Broughton</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Alec Robertson's script is cumbersome with terms and the ending is a little flat but Broughton's bold art pulls it through and makes this a striking little tale of rural African mysticism. </div>
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<b><i>- X=21 (Alec Charles & <a href="http://neilmcclements.deviantart.com/">Neil McClements</a>) -</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Alec Charles' script is dark and ponderous and only very slightly different from an old Alan Moore Time Twister from 2000ad. It's brought to life by Neil McClements' (this time with his serious hat on) outstanding layouts and bold graphics. I love that man.</div>
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<b><i>- Evolutionary Psychology (Alec Charles & <a href="http://jaredsouzaart.blogspot.co.uk/">Jared Souza</a>) -</i></b></div>
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Very cleverly structured short intricately illustrated by the brilliant Jared Souza. </div>
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<b><i>- Spike (<a href="http://derekhamill.blogspot.co.uk/">Derek Hammill</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JonTaylorArt?fref=ts">Jon Taylor</a>) - </i></b></div>
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Jon Taylor's remarkably detailed artwork. A large splash of his partway through would've worked </div>
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wonders as a cover - simply breathtaking.</div>
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<b><i>- Self-Psych (<a href="http://www.vtals.co.uk/">Virgil Yendell</a> & <a href="http://www.lalimey.com/">James Evans</a>) - </i></b></div>
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fine lettering (which is on all other stories in the issue) </div>
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<b><i>- The Day the Earth Struck Back (<a href="http://paullmathews.blogspot.co.uk/">Paul L Mathews</a> & Jim Lavery) - </i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jim Lavery's art is again solid here and Mathew's script is full of chunky retro sci fi (Captain Swagger is a brilliant protagonist name) but I'd anticipated an entirely different ending - the one here seemed a little flat.</div>
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<b><i>- Love Is Hell (Alec Charles & <a href="http://brunostahl.deviantart.com/">Bruno Stahl</a>) - </i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The third Charles story in the issue is slightly heavy handed (the Morrison & Millar gag <i>groan</i>) but the setting is original and atmospheric - ably brought to life through the demented and gloriously characteristic art of the marvellous Bruno Stahl. </div>
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<b><i>- And Death Will Have His Day (Ed Berridge & <a href="http://thedodecscrawls.blogspot.co.uk/">George Coleman</a>) - </i></b></div>
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Helped in no small part by the flawless, insane, incredible art of George Coleman - one of my favourite artists of all time, let alone the small press. Colours on the back are mine.</div>
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<b>The Last Days of Man (<a href="http://www.midlamminiatures.co.uk/books/LDoM.html">Omnivistascope</a>) Scott/McCaffrey</b></div>
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Absurdly professional - this is a compilation of Scott & McCaffrey's work from the peerless </div>
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Omnivstascope. I'd learned from Keegan Jask that Scott's writing was dense and brimming with character - and coupled with Paul McCaffrey's outrageously stunning art it makes for an absorbing and unforgettable read. Highly recommended.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-76740058473941452762013-05-21T09:35:00.000-07:002013-05-21T09:35:18.682-07:00CowThis'll be an update that spans the last month as my last post was entirely devoted to <b><a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/lost-in-riffs-desertfest-2013.html">Desertfest</a> </b>the effects of which are still letting themselves be felt 'pon me psyche. I'm now upwards of thirty percent riff. AND CLIMBING.<br />
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Here's me with the amazing <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmalasBlade">Amala's Blade </a></b>print I won - Michael Dialynas is an extraordinary artist and I'm looking forward to reading it enormously.<br />
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Like this portrait of a stag? Own a pet stag called Jeremy Bentham and want to commission a similarly glorious painting or drawing of it's likeness? Own any animal called Jeremy Bentham and want to commission a similarly glorious painting or drawing of it's likeness?! Well YOU AND JEREMY BENTHAM ARE IN LUCK because this was drawn by my friend <b>Helen </b>who does glorious animal-based commissions and ye can find her here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtByHelen">https://www.facebook.com/ArtByHelen</a> (she will accept animals not called Jeremy Bentham although I can't imagine why)<br />
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Here was my stash from the <b>Bristol Comic Expo </b>- normally I do a dissection but I did a sort of ... prestash con write up beforehand which largely covers it over on the <b><a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/pre-bristol-expo-comics-to-buy.html">Psychedelic Journal blog</a>. </b>With the exception of finally purchasing Henry Flint's amazing <b>Broadcast </b>doodles book, being given <b>Hard Vacuum </b>by small press god <a href="http://dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/">David Broughton</a> (a rare zine of his from '93) and the free comic book day edition of <a href="http://www.markosia.com/titles/endangered-weapon-b/" style="font-weight: bold;">Endangered Weapon B</a> by the amazing Bob Molesworth.<br />
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<b> </b>Here's the last <b>Dreddhead </b>I did for the glorious Jasmine Woods - it's Michael Praed as flicky-hared faux-pagan eighties Robin Hood. Remember you can now seem them all in one place on Yahoo's Tumblr - <a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/935785_459086744179621_1479924817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/935785_459086744179621_1479924817_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
This is a doodle that I did at the last <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>meeting which was marvellous and rammed full of friendly folk - we also did a ton of collaborator comic things that were not in any way <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325483040873326.77453.251440854944212&type=3">disturbing</a>. The next meeting is <b>June 11th </b>and is likely to be a jolly affair --> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/149200088600020/">https://www.facebook.com/events/149200088600020/</a><br /><br />
Finally I've decided to hack through my "to read" pile and actually start getting through it - these two are purchases from the <b>Bristol Bear Pit Zine Fair </b>which was in like, fucking September last year so you see how far behind I am!<br />
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<b>The Day I Met a Fatty (Zine) <a href="http://bagleybooks.com/">Rebecca Bagley </a></b></div>
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A colourful screen-printed meditation on modern culture. What we're fed and what's actually true. Bright and refreshing. A very glossy wee book.<br />
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<b>Falling Away & To Share Is to Divide (Zines) Nick Soucek </b></div>
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<img height="181" src="http://miscomp.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/falling-away.png?w=720" width="400" /><br /><img height="186" src="http://miscomp.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/toshare_promo_cover_06_071.png?w=720" width="400" /></div>
Falling Away is Soucekesque introspection at it's most boundless - stark and completive it leaves you with a feeling of deep melancholy. Whereas To Share Is to Divide is quite playful – a ramble through loneliness and the roaming thoughts of the single mind - both are brief but transformative zines. Highly recommended.<br />
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More next blog - !<br />
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<b>O</b><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-62736512342926686012013-05-04T01:45:00.000-07:002013-05-04T01:45:45.394-07:00Lost in Riffs: Desertfest 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend I spent a hell of a heavy weekend in<b> </b>Camden. Saw some amazing bands and drank some terribly terribly expensive cider. I've never been to Desertfest before - but I adore the genre (s). For those who don't play the genregame the bands at Desertfest fall between riffy hard rock (<a href="http://rateyourmusic.com/genre/Stoner+Rock/">stoner</a> rock) and all-out face busting heavy heavy heavy heavy metal that is very heavy (doom/<a href="http://rateyourmusic.com/genre/Drone+Doom+Metal/">drone</a>/stoner/<a href="http://rateyourmusic.com/genre/Sludge+Metal/">sludge</a> metal). Call it what ye will - most bands on the bill are irresistible, irrepressible and amazing. My travelling companion and fellow riffeater was <b>Aidan Barnard </b>gentleman of Bristol town and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Default86?fref=ts">artist</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SATURDAY</span></b></div>
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We missed Bristol's own <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/turbowolf?fref=ts">Turbowolf</a> - </b>erring on the more danceable edge of the spectrum I'm sure they would've been a hoot but given they're local the time will arise to check them out on home turf. After getting our wristbands and such we discovered the Electric Ballroom. I've never been to Camden - so it was all completely new to me, as were we ourselves to the people at Camden market who probably didn't expect to be surrounded by so many beards (author excluded sob). The Electric Ballroom was our first port of call, just to scout it out more than anything. Very interesting venue altogether - the large balcony above the stage was grand and afforded amazing hassle-free views of the stage if you couldn't be bothered to get into the scrum. What was the deal with the man in the bathroom handing you paper towels, though? Awkward. We hadn't intended to see them but <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HOBPMUSIC/info">House of Broken Promises</a> </b>were playing - formed out of ex-Unida members they were livelier than they sounded on record but nevertheless came across just like a radio friendly "hard rock" band not terrible but not very Desertfesty.<br />
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We then scooted over to the Underworld - which has amazing sound and is a dyed-in-the-wool snakepit of a venue. Terrible facilities, beautiful performance space and the kind of prices that makes your wallet want to die. Two pints for just under £9? I COULD WEEP. Anyway - we managed to see a good half of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABRAHMAMUSIC">Abrahma</a> - </b>heavy psychedelic riffing from Paris but the singer was a little weak. Not bad though would certainly see them again.<br />
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On the lead up to Desertfest I listened to all the bands playing and <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lowriderrock">Lowrider</a> </b>were easily one of my favourites. Essentially picking up where deserty bands like Kyuss finished in the late nineties they came out with one phenomenal album and split. Reforming exclusively for Desertfest they were top of my list and so I rushed over to see 'em at the Ballroom. Unfortunately the sound was cock. Which is a bit of a bummer really - as they themselves played magnificently. Let's... uh... hope they exclusively reform again?<br />
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After AN INCREDIBLY SPICY FALAFEL at a place just next to the Underworld we drifted into see <b>Pagan Altar. </b>One of the older bands there - they were culty, very British and a little flaccid. Everything was a trifle nwobhm and I found myself scuttling off and leaving Aidan to it.<br />
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I don't remember how or when exactly I got into <b><a href="http://www.dozermusic.com/">Dozer</a> </b>but I've been listening to them for years and years. Swedish epic stoner metal with astonishing catchiness I love 'em to pieces. Again exclusively reformed for Desertfest I got in early at the Ballroom and planted myself right at the front. Amazing from beginning to end it was just brilliant to finally hear it live and the crowd seemed stuffed with people who were equally as enthusiastic as me. More than an hour of it would've been marvellous. Unfortunately due to bollocks timing I missed out on seeing <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wofatriffage">Wo Fat</a> </b>at the Underworld afterwards but Aidan managed to catch the last quarter and said their blues-infused riff doom boogie blew up the Underworld. Not literally. That would be horrible.<br />
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We moseyed back to the Ballroom to catch a bit of desert rock legends <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UnidaBand?fref=ts">Unida</a> </b>who, whether through genuine lack of spice or our worn-down riffglands after the day (surely not) but they just didn't spark much interest in us - so we retreated to the balconies to watch the heaving crowds from above and convalesce. On the Sunday a bandana'd Geordie called Luke asked me quite directly if I thought they "seemed bored" on stage - I said I thought it was John Garcia's "thing" to be motionless throughout and Desertfest was lucky to have him sans giant sunglasses. I'd seen him with the unbeatable <b>Kyuss </b>moons ago but his inactivity worked for them then...</div>
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We drifted back to the Underworld for a glance at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/UFOMAMMUT/83336386071?fref=ts">Ufomammut</a> </b>who turned out to be one of the highlights of the day, if not the weekend, if not the year, if not etc. Full to the brim the room was humming with noise, the long slablike riffs melted into the air and everything was bathed in red light and sound. Deeply meditative - from a higher vantage point you could see everyone nodding in slow perfect unison. It's the closest I've got to profound religious (riffligious?) experience - an entire room enraptured in an overwhelming fog of drone generated by three awesome Italians. More of that. Need more of that.</div>
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We didn't get into the last band <b>Bong </b>as the huge queue to the afterparty seemed to take forever to shorten. When we finally got in - The Black Heart had sold out of decent booze and it was too crowded to move. We did meet John though. Not sure who he was but his Swedish friend ranted to me about how appalling the music scene was in Sweden despite the sheer wealth of good bands that seem to come from there. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SUNDAY</span></b></div>
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Despite an early start we got mislaid (blame the <a href="http://www.eustontap.com/">Euston Tap</a>) and missed <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thronemusic">Throne</a> </b>whose "Heavy Lies the Crown" single has been playing on loop in MY MIND FOR WEEKS. Early on in the day we bumped into supremo heavyking <b>Ed Gane </b>- the man behind <b><a href="http://www.mixcloud.com/BeyondTheWallOfSleep/">Beyond the Wall of Sleep</a> </b>and a chap very much in the know. He told us that we'd missed out on a great act in Throne (fucking Euston Tap and your awesome spiral staircase) but that his schedule was all about <b>Bongripper </b>who we should endeavour to see.</div>
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We caught a good chunk of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Glowsunmusic?fref=ts">Glowsun</a> </b>who Aidan decried as "by-the-numbers stoner rock" which isn't too much of an insult given that by-the-numbers stoner rock is about twenty times better than most modern music. They built up some good atmospheres and had a gorgeous light show - worth seeing again and I think they created quite the buzz.</div>
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After that it was time to get truly heavy - and so down to the Underworld to witness <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/conandoom?fref=ts">Conan</a></b>. We weren't alone. In fact, the Underworld was full to bursting - they perhaps would've fitted better in the Ballroom but their mind-crushing soul-destroying ultra heavy deathy doom works much better with the Underworld's sound. Their slow torturous crunching was like an inversion of yesterday's Ufomammut - the sound of the bowels of the earth. Horrendous and terrifying and captivating. Very good basically.</div>
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We hung around the Underworld for a stoner onslaught from both <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tonerlow?fref=ts">Toner Low</a> </b>and <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BelzebonG/67860307012?fref=ts">Belzebong</a> </b>playing one after the other. It was rifftastic. Rifftacular. I literally am unable to come up with a better description for both than the title of Belzebong's album: "Sonic Scapes and Weedy Grooves". Aidan procured a t-shirt of the album art - or thought he had. It's a long story, but needless to say, he didn't have the last laugh.</div>
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After this came <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/truckfighters?fref=ts">Truckfighters</a> </b>who I'd heard a bit of before and knew them to be good but had apparently came unprepared for how absurdly energetic they are. The guitarist was like some feral Angus Young beast - hopping and jumping about. After hours of brilliant yet motionless riffing it was amazingly compelling - I'd see them again in a heartbeat despite not knowing the songs so well. Although hopefully the next time they roll around I'll have boned up.<br />
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<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/13/02/1302996708-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/13/02/1302996708-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After this we hopped quickly over to <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theshrinefuzz?ref=ts&fref=ts">The Shrine</a> </b>- regrettably the only band we saw upstairs at the Black Heart. Again, their energy was intoxicating and they VERY QUICKLY got the whole room jumping and thrashing about. Utterly without pretension - very pure rock 'n' roll.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJECOD36YGc/TVUW8BekjZI/AAAAAAAAARU/ENJB9-YHl7s/s1600/Colour+Haze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJECOD36YGc/TVUW8BekjZI/AAAAAAAAARU/ENJB9-YHl7s/s320/Colour+Haze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite some stiff competition I think Germany's <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/1TEMPEL?fref=ts">Colour Haze</a> </b>were one of the highlights of my weekend. Very precise songs - performed beautifully. I was completely spellbound - I recommend you go and absorb them immediately. I could've watched them for hours and hours. Afterwards we hung around for awhile to catch the legendary <b>Pentagram </b>who are the forefathers of this entire scene and for whom we owe everything. Unfortunately the well-travelled Bobby Leibling seemed lost and the whole thing was a bit awkward.</div>
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<a href="http://files.gottagrooverecords.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2010/07/bongripper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://files.gottagrooverecords.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2010/07/bongripper1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cutting our Pentagram visit short Aidan and I finished off Desertfest with Ed Gane's hot tip (pardon the innuendo) <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BONGRIPPER/283936697383?fref=ts">Bongripper</a></b> - a doom band of no small renown who stormed the Underworld. At the time I seemed to feel that they combined the earlier Underworld bands perfectly - the weight of Conan and the long epic riffy odysseys of Toner Low and Belzebong. It was masterful really - but due to some unfortunate tube timings we couldn't stay to the very end. </div>
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What an amazing festival that was, the first of it's kind I've been to and definitely not the last. A weekend of supreme heaviness and the glorious joy of likeminded silly folk. On the tube back we spied a group clutching a Bongripper vinyl and made conversation and they turned out to be in the band <b><a href="http://torpornoise.bandcamp.com/">Torpor</a> </b>a magnificently heavy bunch that I hope drift down Bristol way soon. Also a load of kids in Kreator shirts who seemed terrified of us. Lord knows why, I essentially just look like someone's drawn Matt Lucas's face onto a bewigged potato. Actually I see why that's frightening.</div>
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<br />Next up for Mssr Aidan & Owen's riffy adventures <b>Acid King </b>& <b>Earthless/Atomic Bitchwax </b>are playing Londontown in Mid-July and after the glory we saw this weekend it's easy to see us venturing back to<b> </b>the capital.</div>
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!!!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-36213066490828293942013-04-21T06:47:00.004-07:002013-04-21T06:47:35.918-07:00Mid April Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswrJBALWZ1p8XqOduumWAMJYTw0BM-NQiigeOIo9CA4kXXmRW72L25wlPNoLTWzfaYOyH5K5b5YbVJ5VyMdu-nEq1F3PFmpW6dvMEFbD0IgYHIDFIRQ8AuvNNJs2FonyCu17GdEOD7ek/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswrJBALWZ1p8XqOduumWAMJYTw0BM-NQiigeOIo9CA4kXXmRW72L25wlPNoLTWzfaYOyH5K5b5YbVJ5VyMdu-nEq1F3PFmpW6dvMEFbD0IgYHIDFIRQ8AuvNNJs2FonyCu17GdEOD7ek/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
This is from the last meeting of the <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>- the theme was "cosmonaut" so I drew Spider-Man doing shit ventriloquism. As is the way of drunken artjams.<br />
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The next one is on <b>May 14th </b>as always at the Golden Guinea and it's OPEN TO ALL - the FB event is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/101410353393700/">here</a> RSVP if you fancy it - !<br />
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<a href="http://geeksyndicate.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/comicsy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://geeksyndicate.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/comicsy.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over on <b>Comicsy </b>I did an interviewy type thing about inspirations, philosophies and that sort of thing - you can read it all <a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/blog/2013/04/09/spotlight-on-owen-watts/">here</a> - and I hope it doesn't make me sound the enormous douche that I am.<br />
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<a href="http://home.btconnect.com/nicolastreeten/Layd_images_09/laydeez_col.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://home.btconnect.com/nicolastreeten/Layd_images_09/laydeez_col.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Laydees Do Comics </b>had a splendiferous <a href="http://www.laydeezdocomics.com/">event</a> the other week in Bristol town and I hobbled along and had a gander. Put together by <a href="http://paulaknight.wordpress.com/">Paula Knight</a> it was a nice speaking-cake-and-comics type thing and I highly recommend it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/news/becky_uses_her_loaf.Maincontent.0002.Image.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/news/becky_uses_her_loaf.Maincontent.0002.Image.gif" width="140" /></a><a href="http://www.anjansarkar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bagnold_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://www.anjansarkar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bagnold_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://hannahberry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BrittenBrulightly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://hannahberry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BrittenBrulightly.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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The three speakers were <b>Rosie Faragher </b>of <a href="http://loafzine.blogspot.co.uk/">Loaf</a>, an amazingly enthusiastic <b>Joff Winterhart </b>wot did "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Bagnold-Summer-Joff-Winterhart/dp/0224090844">Days of the Bagnold Summer</a>" and the hilarious <b>Hannah Berry </b>who has done <a href="http://hannahberry.co.uk/">bloody loads of awesome stuff</a> and did quite an informative mini-lecture on the mechanics of making sequential art scary.</div>
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cfa2e1287e5d1b33f7168d11a924c459/tumblr_ml5eklGUXZ1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cfa2e1287e5d1b33f7168d11a924c459/tumblr_ml5eklGUXZ1snmaklo1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another <b>Dreddhead </b>- this time of Zippy, I've done two since the last blog and NOW there's a central place for all of them - <a href="http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/">http://dreddheads.tumblr.com/</a> - I'll be slowly uploading all of them and all the new ones will go there. So if you want your finger on the DREDDHEAD PULSE... then. Well follow it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HYhxpUrfeZ0/UTtAWls_XXI/AAAAAAAAC7s/d7D8gIRf_sU/s1600/BAU-Ep02-pp11_inks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HYhxpUrfeZ0/UTtAWls_XXI/AAAAAAAAC7s/d7D8gIRf_sU/s320/BAU-Ep02-pp11_inks.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Finally - I've been doing a bit of flatting for the glorious <b><a href="http://www.kevlev.co.uk/Kev_Lev_2.0/home_2.0.html">Kev Levell</a> </b>& <b><a href="http://mygrimmbrother.blogspot.co.uk/">Matt Soffe</a> </b>for "Banned Across the Universe" by ROK comics written by the legendary <b>John Freeman</b>. Very psyched to be involved in this, even in just a flatting capacity. For folk that don't know flats are basic colours laid down before proper colouring (shading, lighting etc) are laid down. It's a fiddly and time-consuming task and so the job is often outsourced. It may seem dull but even flatting Kev's stuff is a bloody joy and I can't wait to see what the amazing Mr Soffe does with it :D</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-90450015108957268392013-04-05T14:29:00.001-07:002013-04-05T14:29:38.422-07:00MarchdustMarch has buggered off and the last fortnight has been rather quiet. Well, extremely hectic, but quiet in it's own sort of way.<br />
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FIRST OFF, I'm going to do a bit of <b>Pimpage </b>to three things I think people should be looking at.<br />
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<a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/000/458/545/c4673ceb84ba444f107d80bc0cf61c26_large.jpg?1363805507" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/000/458/545/c4673ceb84ba444f107d80bc0cf61c26_large.jpg?1363805507" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>1: Sentient Zombie Space Pigs</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/657603937/sentient-zombie-space-pigs">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/657603937/sentient-zombie-space-pigs</a></div>
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One of the rarest of things: a <b>tolerable </b>Kickstarter. With a modest goal and unpretentious rewards - SZSP (as it isn't known) is a truly refreshing thing. I support it whole-heartedly. From those lovely folk behind <b><a href="http://disconnectedpress.wordpress.com/">Disconnected Press</a> </b>- Liz and Conor Boyle. </div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/734441_491618920905703_1543099814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/734441_491618920905703_1543099814_n.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<b>2: Flotsam</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/FlotsamComic">http://www.facebook.com/FlotsamComic</a></div>
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A new webcomic on Facebook by the brilliant <b>Jonathan Taylor </b>who is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JonTaylorArt">brilliant</a>. Atmospheric and beautiful, go and like it, watch as the story grows!</div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/2517_501762789885923_1395238740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/2517_501762789885923_1395238740_n.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<b>3. Space-Mullet</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Spacemullet">http://www.facebook.com/Spacemullet</a></div>
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I literally don't remember where I bumped into <b>Daniel Warren Johnson</b>'s Space-Mullet but it's swiftly become one of my favourite things in the universe. It's a damned good story told with the kind of absurdly edible art that wouldn't look out of place in a mainstream book. Can't recommend it higher.</div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64111_519638794754903_1575672929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64111_519638794754903_1575672929_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the winning entry for March's 2000ad art comp. Despite <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bob-Molesworth-Illustrations/515666125152170?fref=ts">Bob Molesworth's</a></b> Mongrol<b> </b>winning by a landslide, it had absurdly tough competition and the <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38278.0.html">runners up</a> were absurdly close. This month I also set up a home for the art comp on <b>Facebook </b>so you can see the folk behind the amazing entries and have them all in one easily-browsable location: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/2000adartcomp">check it oot</a>. Keep your eye on the page for something new as well in the next few weeks ;) </div>
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<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1a17fb43116fa7c7f60fe9392e76998f/tumblr_mk6evcC5el1qfidh8o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1a17fb43116fa7c7f60fe9392e76998f/tumblr_mk6evcC5el1qfidh8o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's <b>Jack Harkness</b> as a Judge for a Torchwood Megafan. I'm still doing these! Day by day by day.<br />
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/97ea848ac1c683817a552a05200bfadf/tumblr_mkdxwvNjcP1rat43jo6_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/97ea848ac1c683817a552a05200bfadf/tumblr_mkdxwvNjcP1rat43jo6_1280.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
Here are some bears. I doodled them in Bristol one cidery evening with <b><a href="http://drinkingcreative.tumblr.com/">Drinking Creative</a> </b>a group that combines two of the loveliest things in life that aren't Jazz (the human), riffs or cheesy garlic bread. All five things together equals the most profoundly good evening. Ahem. Here's another bear:<br />
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/80db417cd2f59531ada4576417ddd8e4/tumblr_mkdxwvNjcP1rat43jo7_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/80db417cd2f59531ada4576417ddd8e4/tumblr_mkdxwvNjcP1rat43jo7_1280.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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and finally the 22nd page of Flaubert written by <b>Geoffery Crescent. </b>If you want to see all Flaubert then ye can on my Facebook webcomics <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crazyfoxmachine">pppaaaage</a><b> </b><br />
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<a href="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/094/5/a/flaubert_st_cloud_xxii_by_crazyfoxmachine-d60e4hx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/094/5/a/flaubert_st_cloud_xxii_by_crazyfoxmachine-d60e4hx.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
O</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-81939735614115633812013-03-20T17:16:00.000-07:002013-03-20T17:23:40.792-07:00Post Demoncon<b>OH CRIKEY THE 2000AD FORUM ART COMPETITION HAS EXPLODED.</b><br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64111_519638794754903_1575672929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64111_519638794754903_1575672929_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With talent. Sorry if that was misleading. Yes, we've had ANOTHER world-beating month and are due to go to the vote <b>at midnight </b>on Sunday 24th. Should be a tight vote - the picture above is the latest by <b>Bob Molesworth </b>a <a href="http://roboticfische.daportfolio.com/">hugely talented</a> gentleman - but it's only one of the many amazing entries we've had this month... <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38075.0.html">http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38075.0.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.kidvinyl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tumblr_ma72zqou3d1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://www.kidvinyl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tumblr_ma72zqou3d1qfidh8o1_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Dredging up this old <b>Wet Nuns </b>picture because Geoffery and I went to see them in Bristol recently - a review was written up by the aforementioned Crescent and posted up on Kid Vinyl here -- > <a href="http://www.kidvinyl.co.uk/2013/03/08/live-review-wet-nuns-the-croft-bristol-3rd-march-2013/">http://www.kidvinyl.co.uk/2013/03/08/live-review-wet-nuns-the-croft-bristol-3rd-march-2013/</a>. I really do love those chaps, I really do.<br />
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This is a cover I did for <b>Sarah and Richard </b>a jazztacular duo from Glastonbury way who I adore. Their page is here ---> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SarahAndRichardClassicJazz">http://www.facebook.com/SarahAndRichardClassicJazz</a> and the full list of pe<span style="font-family: inherit;">ople featu</span>red is: <span style=""><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2c3635;">a</span> manic end of the world protestor, a pearly king, a dementor (Harry Potter), Brian Butterfield, Ray Winstone, Vision, The Fat Controller, a bad Nicholas Cage in a wig, John Prescott, Father Christmas, an astronaut, Picard having his bald bit chewed on by a tiny Klingon, Flaubert St Cloud (Goat), a Chickenman, Marmalad, Me and Geoffery, Marc Bolan, Judge Dredd, Nightcrawler, a chap, a pirate, Marvin the Paranoid Android, a creepy vampire thing, Gollum, a Clint Eastwood style character, a pipe smoking stove hat fellow, a monocled zombie, a mustachioed dungaree wearer, a happy man, the caterpillar from Labyrinth.</span></span><br />
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<span style=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then this happened.</span></span><br />
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<span style=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">...and this. Walter here, my entry for the art competition (and the sole exception in the wall-to-wall amazing entries this month) - it's Walter the War Wobot and his pile of skulls. Not sure where this came from, it just fell out of my head. ALL I KNEW, is that I wanted to draw Walter sitting. Then... then this. Oh the huge manatee.</span></span><br />
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<span style=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">THEN DEMONCON HAPPENED. We went orf to Kent, bolted down with the lovely </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://daveyf.co.uk/blog/?p=871">David Frankum </a></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">and sold stuff in Maidstone. It was a rather marvellous event, got me a copy of Porcelain by Benjamin Read & </span>Christian<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wildgoose. Had been desperate to do so since the free promo handed out at Thought Bubble last year. Truly beautiful looking book. Not sure who won the raffle prizes depicted above but Grinning Demon's heroic Graham Beadle who put the show together lost out by getting this weird Destro sketch from me:</span></span><br />
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<span style=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dude's got a metal head. Me, the Geoffery, the Sammy, the Frankum and the Boyles went for a drink at <b>Ye Olde Thirsty Pig </b>afterward. You have to see it, it was the most amazing building.</span></span><br />
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<span style=";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow. Also there's a video of the event where I refer to it as "Grinning Demon" rather than DemonCon and utterly fail to market my time travel comic:</span></span><br />
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Ahem.<br />
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Anyway before all that happened we had the <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>March meeting - where such things were drawn:<br />
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The first by <b>Jordan Collver</b>, the second by me - the comic by <b>everyone</b>. An unabridged version of events can be found here <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BristolComicCreators">http://www.facebook.com/BristolComicCreators</a> and April's mind-bending expedition into the world of cider-fuelled drawing will happen on the NINTH. More Details here - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/363665293747885">http://www.facebook.com/events/363665293747885</a><br />
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Finally - Crabcake had another bit. The whole caboodle is collected <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460319160628.421373.150183980627&type=3">here</a> ...<br />
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OAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-1797070931050282262013-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:002013-03-06T17:08:34.355-08:00Post CardiffWhere to start... where to start...<br />
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AH YES. </div>
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The February 2000ad art comp was amazing - the theme was "masterpieces" and we had a bumload of really beautiful entries. Congrats on our winner <b>Allister Mackrell </b>and <b>Tim West </b>who got "Tharg's Choice". Runners up and that can be seen on this page <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38073.0.html">here</a>. March's theme is "Rise of the Robots" and you can enter <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,38075.0.html">here</a><br />
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As <b>Cardiff </b>was rapidly approaching I decided to do up my portfolio cover. Now it bears my gurning resemblance but still contains UNDERWHELMING ARTWORK. There's also a colouring one!</div>
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The Blankface/Dreddhead odyssey continues with this charming image of DA (FORMER) POPE. The reason for his evil black and red caped appearance is a reference to the grand continuity cake of Dredd's world. Mark Millar and Mick Austin did a story with "vatican judges" back in... oh... you know when Millar was terrible on a small scale. The nineties. They wore that kind of thing so I Dredd movified it. I look forward to doing it with other judge universe uniforms so far I think we've just got Emerald Isle, Brit Cit and this (not including made-up judge types) - very soon we'll be in Calhab though.... oh yes. </div>
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<b>Short version for non-2000ad readers: </b>LOOK, IT'S BENEDICT XVI</div>
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This is the seventh bit of <b>Misery Wizard </b>- a webcomic written by Rob "The Master of Misery" Phillips and drawn by me. And lettered by me. The French naval ghosts' bubbles were a bit of an experiment and given you can barely read them I'd call it - A FAILED ONE. All of Misery Wizard can be seen on <b>Crazy Fox Machine </b>on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150970548995628.500210.150183980627&type=1">here</a><br />
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That there is beautiful glow-in-the-dark print I inadvertently won from the glorious <b>Amala's Blade </b>FB page (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/AmalasBlade">http://www.facebook.com/AmalasBlade</a>) and the comic, which I haven't yet read, looks spellbindingly beautiful. Cheers to the wonderful Michael Dialynas - I'll certainly be shouting about this for a while!</div>
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This is a picture of <b>Professor Elemental </b>(wot I'm in) and <b>Jamella & Marmalad </b>(wot me and <a href="http://palantirqueen.deviantart.com/">Geoffery</a> created) sitting RIGHT UNDER "proper" comics in <b>Excelsior, Bristol. </b>If you're a local go in and BUY 'EM, support your local comic shop and support your O. He needs food. To the left of us there is <b>Ladies & Gentlemen </b>by local creator Jordan Collver and Richard Worth -- it's a rollicking good comic and Issue 3 is looking for SUBMISSIONS find out more here --> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladies-and-Gentlemen/302970856398746">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladies-and-Gentlemen/302970856398746</a></div>
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Reflecting my current financial situation my stash from <b>Cardiff </b>is quite minimalistic - but blimey it's all good some words will follow but I haven't read any yet (still yet to even get into the stuff I got from <b>Thought Bubble!!!</b>). We had a beautiful weekend, I managed to finally see the amazing Judge Minty (which was amazing) and I spoke on my first panel! Kudos to <b>Iz </b>and the team for keeping it together, it was brilliant con full of passionate folk and I'll be at the next one with bells on. Literally. I will wear several bells.</div>
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First from the stash is the indisputable, undefeatable, utterly remarkable <b>Lou Scannon </b>by Bampfield, Carter & Harris. Mr Dan Harris spoke on the small press panel I was on (alongside <b>Richmond Clements </b>of Zarjaz & Futurequake, <b>Liz Boyle </b>of Disconnected Press, <b>Ian Sharman </b>of Orang Utan and <b>Monty Nero</b>) which utterly floored me as Lou Scannon is without a doubt one of the most solid acts at any con. They know exactly what their doing, and what it is is marvellous. <a href="http://louscannon.co.uk/blog/">http://louscannon.co.uk/blog/</a></div>
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Right next to us I met the amazing <b>Swansea Comics Collective </b>and I had to buy their debut comic because any regionally-based comic enthusiasm troop that can actually put out a solid book and bring it to a con is one worth investigating. It would be marvellous to do something similar with <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BristolComicCreators">Blam</a>...</b> <a href="http://www.sccassemble.co.uk/">http://www.sccassemble.co.uk/</a></div>
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I don't at all think I'm alone in anticipating the living balls off of <b>Razarhawk </b>a comic by Dani Abram & Ian Matthews -they debuted Issue 1 at Cardiff and there was a lot of buzz rolling around about it. I got it, I stashed it, and I ran off. <a href="http://kittyhawkkicksass.blogspot.co.uk/">http://kittyhawkkicksass.blogspot.co.uk/</a> </div>
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In my opinion, the finest small press anthology in existence - the glorious <b>Zarjaz </b>had it's new issue debut at Cardiff and I was LITERALLY itching to get my hands on it. I WAS ACTUALLY ITCHING. As usual it contains the finest in small press talent all paying tribute to the MOTHERPROG. Highly recommended - buy it from here: <a href="http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php">http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php</a></div>
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The sketches up there in the stashphoto were drawn by co-editor <b>Bolt-01 </b>also!</div>
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....and what of The Psychedelic Journal....? </div>
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Well - you can find out all about our Cardiff over on the official blog: <a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/</a> ...in a bit. Not now. In a bit.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-17933575921341705522013-02-18T16:28:00.002-08:002013-02-18T16:28:48.358-08:00Green Jean Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The biggest news of the last fortnight has to be the fact I'm on <b>MY FIRST EVER PANEL </b>at next fortnight's Cardiff Expo. It'll be on the Sunday and here is some more info from the <a href="http://www.sidekickcast.com/?p=10942">Sidekickcast</a></div>
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An insight from a selection of established indie creators and publishers on their small press/self-publishing experiences. You will hear about success stories, possible pitfalls, lessons learned, and words of warning, as well as the enormous sense of achievement once your own project is released into the big wide world.</div>
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Panel members: Dan Harris (Lou Scannon), Owen Watts (Dr WTF & The Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel), Richmond Clements (Futurequake Press), Lizzie Boyle (Disconnected Press), and Monty Nero (Death Sentence)"</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">So blimey. Blimey. Blimey. Come along if you're around to see a babbling maniac in action - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-StQrd0DI5E">I don't interview well</a>. Beyond the panel<b> </b>Geoffery and I will be selling the first <b>Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel</b> as well as Jamella & Marmalad, prints, AN EXCITING SMALL PRESS TOP TRUMPS DECK (more details in a TICK) and copies of the Bristol <b>Bear Pit </b>zine. Blimey, it's going to be a full table. Without the TARDIS and the jellybabies I'm sure we'll fit it all in...</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">What's all this about a <b>SMALL PRESS TOP TRUMPS DECK?! </b>Well - this be it - titled "Off Panel" and featuring some of the best indie folk there is - masterminded by the busiest man in the Small Press <b>Nich Angell</b>. You can find out more on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/offpanel">Facebook page</a>. Jazz & I's contribution are three cards depicting the main folk of <b>Jamella & Marmalad. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYfwjjZ7UN5iK1xhEjffvr4BCKUEyzsC_7B7WJ2ZiU-k-sIExVla81JLyuBiMDHwxAfWjy50KZ3JVgcLxmQkk9Dm9BVvu4x6K7IsfP7tlBBwhyphenhyphenbUfhzFW7LwjMdmBH9COFMmDdAI8Yk/s1600/Jamella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYfwjjZ7UN5iK1xhEjffvr4BCKUEyzsC_7B7WJ2ZiU-k-sIExVla81JLyuBiMDHwxAfWjy50KZ3JVgcLxmQkk9Dm9BVvu4x6K7IsfP7tlBBwhyphenhyphenbUfhzFW7LwjMdmBH9COFMmDdAI8Yk/s200/Jamella.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDW6YzC3GYeaBlsoE4xnKk8zASYSR7IPg2tk63qQ_adE5NXpSiCQZPp5C3nIT5JQsBCb6Bv1c125ULBXJqGN8ivCZKYjFW7AbGku0rD1t0s2FaQ0TLPo9i5By_7HmEPWZusH_MTrbD0M/s1600/Marmalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDW6YzC3GYeaBlsoE4xnKk8zASYSR7IPg2tk63qQ_adE5NXpSiCQZPp5C3nIT5JQsBCb6Bv1c125ULBXJqGN8ivCZKYjFW7AbGku0rD1t0s2FaQ0TLPo9i5By_7HmEPWZusH_MTrbD0M/s200/Marmalad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzSlUnYmwfOAQbd3b1_chuYc7NBcpPuTJWsYswySRchgth9_omJyY_zEWoSsg53Jgpzte4kmjL1vz4etMyfKkPMH2UFKBl68HbRDYsnMV819czEJd1qbQ11Yc8qXtameHW9pzQjl2akc/s1600/Jammy+Dodger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzSlUnYmwfOAQbd3b1_chuYc7NBcpPuTJWsYswySRchgth9_omJyY_zEWoSsg53Jgpzte4kmjL1vz4etMyfKkPMH2UFKBl68HbRDYsnMV819czEJd1qbQ11Yc8qXtameHW9pzQjl2akc/s200/Jammy+Dodger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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"WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS JAMELLA AND MARMALAD?!" I hear you scream. First, <b>stop screaming</b>. Secondly - <a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/crazyfoxmachine/store/products/jamella-marmalad-vs-the-legion-of-jammy-evil/">buy it why not</a>. Buy one for a friend, buy two for an enemy - buy twenty for every atom in your body but first <b>stop screaming</b>. Seriously. You'll wake everyone.</div>
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My Dreddhead/Judge Blankface ramble continues - here's <b>Uncle Albert </b>a recent from the last few days but I also did a Spongebob wot was posted up on the glorious <b>Everything Comes Back to 2000ad </b><a href="http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/judge-squarepants/">here</a>. Remember, if you've requested one I <b>have </b>written it down and it <b>will </b>get done. Just not now. Now I'm writing this blog.</div>
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The <b>2000ad forum art competition </b>for February is rolling along - looking a bit fabulous as always - the theme be "2000ad masterpieces" - the one above by the faultless <b>Allister Mackrell </b>who's just a bit bloody ridiculously brilliant. More <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37892.0.html">here</a> but it ends on Sunday so get yer skates on if you want those prizes!</div>
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The February meeting of the <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>happened the other week and our doodletheme was SEA MONSTERS - this glorious beastie was done by <a href="http://waterclosetpress.blogspot.co.uk/">Jordan Collver</a>. If you're local and fancy getting involved our next event is on the <b>12th of March </b>(more details <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/510398092332823/">here</a>) and if you fancy seeing other sea monster wot were drawn that night check oot the FB page for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325482250873405.77452.251440854944212&type=3">more</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/047/1/9/flaubert_st_cloud_xxi_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5v5fg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/047/1/9/flaubert_st_cloud_xxi_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5v5fg1.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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Here's the latest <b>Flaubert </b>page - the twentyfirst actually. Was a bit shocked the other day to see that page eleven was done in February '12. So... yeah that's a professional turn-out. Not even one a month! Rest assured though - when the thing be finished you won't know WHERE to look. Apart from ASTONISHED. Which is not a PLACE. It was written, as always, by the glorious <b><a href="http://palantirqueen.deviantart.com/">Geoffery Crescent</a>.</b></div>
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<a href="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/049/9/8/el_bigote_cover_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5vdn4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/049/9/8/el_bigote_cover_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5vdn4c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Finally </b>I got a bit of overdue colouring done for Matt McLaughlin's madcap <b>El Bigote</b>. Pencils by bonafide comics titan <b>Shaky Kane </b>and inking by that legend of letters Mr <b>Jim Campbell! </b>Utterly honoured to colour over the two of 'em. Keep your eyes peeled over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elbigotecomic">El Bigote HQ</a> for more information!</div>
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O </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-10345372402818542172013-02-04T09:04:00.000-08:002013-02-04T09:04:26.857-08:00Monkey Changes Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlmykcU4SHrIAzz48r5hk44YpgDuXXIqH8SO5i-cZfiyksQp_1GBe7SWC_xFDJOZxww7VMY38BVttPT8p-7Ll4EPAcAoKOy6rIs0PGWFFSc-CdKRrB1yQeV9PU-QoHCy44fzjH6bIcHQ/s1600/Psychedelic2a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlmykcU4SHrIAzz48r5hk44YpgDuXXIqH8SO5i-cZfiyksQp_1GBe7SWC_xFDJOZxww7VMY38BVttPT8p-7Ll4EPAcAoKOy6rIs0PGWFFSc-CdKRrB1yQeV9PU-QoHCy44fzjH6bIcHQ/s320/Psychedelic2a.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Recently updated <b>The Psychedelic Journal </b>blog - the issue is completely finished and things are rattling along nicely. Take a peek at our more detailed comings and goings here: <a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/</a>.<br />
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The fifth issue of the <b>Bear Pit Zine - </b>a Bristol anthology - is nearly upon us, and<a href="http://palantirqueen.deviantart.com/"> Geoffery Crescent</a> and I did a one-pager for it. More importantly, it's rammed full of amazing comics by glorious Bristolians. I'll have it on my tables at <b>all cons </b>this year, Cardiff and so on. Give us a shout if you fancy getting your hands on one. More details at their tumblr - !<br />
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The <b>2000ad forum art competition </b>went mental in January - and the winner, <b>Jon Taylor</b>, is representative of how ridiculously brilliant it's become - all that detail! Second place was <b>Chris Askham</b>, whose eerie halftones chill the bones - !<br />
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<a href="http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae307/chris_askham/zombiedreddfinished_zps0b0b4db0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae307/chris_askham/zombiedreddfinished_zps0b0b4db0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In third was the mysterious newcomer <b>STEVONATRON </b>whose breathtaking digital painting of Hammerstein wowed the lot of us -<br />
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Walking away with the smashing "most honourable mentions" nod is <b>Matt Herbert</b>'s fantastic zombie Dredd sculpture. The chap swung himself Tharg's Choice for <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=37370.0">another awesome Dredd sculpt </a>back in October. </div>
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<a href="http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/DeadRez/ZombieDredd2_zps83bda7d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/DeadRez/ZombieDredd2_zps83bda7d8.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Blimey. Finally the Mighty Tharg's Choice went to small press legend <b>Leigh Shepherd </b>- and his atmospheric interpretation of The Moses Incident.<br />
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That's not the end of the zombie fun though - not by a long shot - all the entries were amazing, and a gander at the <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37856.0.html">voting thread </a>makes it fairly obvious that this has been the greatest bunch in years. It's going to be hard to top, that's for damned sure. But we'll give it a go - ! <b>February's has already begun <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37892.0.html">HERE</a></b><br />
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Finally - this brief update ends with the <b>return of Crabcake</b>. Finally after three years I'm getting round to the origin of the mysterious (and dead, or maybe not dead) Gastleas. Oho! See the whole thing on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460319160628.421373.150183980627&type=1">here</a> - and lest ye forget I did a big blog about <b>WHAT CRABCAKE IS </b>last year: <a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-infinite-return-of-crabcake.html">http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-infinite-return-of-crabcake.html</a><br />
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OAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-37752248809678496742013-01-19T08:00:00.001-08:002013-01-19T08:00:12.748-08:002013It's that time of year again!<br />
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...the start of it, I mean.<br />
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<a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25024/2KADCompJan2012_Forum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25024/2KADCompJan2012_Forum.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
This. This is one entry for this month's <b>2000ad forum art competition</b>. I'm not going to say anything too hyperbolic but IT'S THE BEST ONE THERE'S EVER BEEN. This entry, by <b>Jon Taylor</b>, is just one example of how completely ridiculously brilliant it's gotten - pop over to the forum and take a peek - MAYBE EVEN ENTER!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37666.0.html"> http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37666.0.html</a> Entries close <b>27th January </b>and there are AMAZING PRIZES to be won.<br />
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<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8c9192d1662884acae2baf8732064154/tumblr_mgb4svD1jM1rnw2jxo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8c9192d1662884acae2baf8732064154/tumblr_mgb4svD1jM1rnw2jxo1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's the sixth ever <b>Misery Wizard </b>in all it's cynical glory - written by the astounding <b>Rob Phillips </b>and TIRELESSLY illustrated by the adequate O. You may have noticed that it's gone Grayscale. Why? Why not! Now go and feed the dog. All of Misery Wizard is available on Facebook here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150970548995628.500210.150183980627&type=1">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150970548995628.500210.150183980627&type=1</a><br />
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This went a bit batshit mental in the last fortnight. I regularly draw movie Dredd judges for various folk (you can see most of them on the <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,36966.0.html">forum</a>) - and this one, <b>Brian Blessed</b> was shared by his page on FB. As it stands it has around 1,100 likes. Which is fucking crazy. You might ask "what was the upshot of this, Owen - Thousands of people liking your artwork?" and I'll say this and only this: Buggery sausage-all. <b>Onwards!</b><br />
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This is the last mention here of <b>The Journal </b>as it now has it's own dedicated blogspot here: <a href="http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thepsychedelicjournal.blogspot.co.uk/</a> - so for updates, teasers and the like that's the blog to be watching. We've got one entry up already - a significantly brilliant <b>submission tips</b> thing by the assistant editor. Which is amazingly invaluable! Go take a bloomin' peek.<br />
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That there is <b>Excelsior </b>comics in Bristol - and as of this month there are some issues of <b>Professor Elemental </b>and <b>Jamella & Marmalad</b> in there. If you're local go and have a gander - support your independent merchants and your O!<br />
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Here's one of the jam comics that the <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>come out with when we meet - it's always a lark and our next meeting is on the <b>12th February </b>- FB event here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/462510340463236/">http://www.facebook.com/events/462510340463236/</a> RSVP if you can make it - !<br />
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<a href="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/012/5/1/aladdin_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5r9xtv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/012/5/1/aladdin_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5r9xtv.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
I've done me a bloody picture of<b> Aladdin </b>for the Weekly Themed Art Blog. I've never drawn an original Aladdin before, and I MAY NEVER AGAIN. So. Lesson learned.<br />
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Finally revealed on FB - but this is a thing I've been lettering for months - it's a comic continuation of the original <b>Death Race</b> due out from <b>Bluewater Productions</b> this summer. Written by <b>Mel Smith</b> & <b>Paul H. Birch </b>- layouts were by the phenomenal <b>Gary Crutchley </b>- pencilled by <b>Manuel Martinez </b>inked by <b>Mats Engesten</b>,<b> </b>coloured by<b> Antonio Cesar Argolo </b>and lettered by me. This may be the last thing I ever letter so witness the car crash (pun intended) that is my lettering while you can!<br />
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<a href="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/015/c/9/asteroids_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5rkh3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/015/c/9/asteroids_by_crazyfoxmachine-d5rkh3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And finally - my laptop died HORRIFICALLY this fortnight and I'm using the madam's knackered old one. This was a wee test to see if I could still adequately draw on it... the conclusion? No. But then I never could anyway ;)<br />
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OAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-85035456839906222642012-12-31T05:24:00.000-08:002012-12-31T05:24:50.023-08:00Festive FusticationsHello!<br />
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It's been a damp, damp, damp, damp festive fortnight. Stuff happened though - STUFF ALWAYS HAPPENS. There's stuff happening right now at this very second in time!<br />
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Here is a really amazing bit of fan art for Geoffery and I's <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=3">Flaubert St Cloud</a> </b>by the glorious <b><a href="http://ghostpockets.deviantart.com/">Ghostpockets</a></b>. It'll be back, rest assured, large as life and sweary as ever in the new year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGm3GiQuQGudODowoUnIboCmdUx-rujwQczYZWISSvoVbwgNv4QpnqHAOhfmAXfPSsqdpSXG53kfcq5Fjw-ScbFFsAD1YwLOYeK5EKGmD-M4D9Dxmp2o51t4EWrmO3UkOUnEfkUroqr8/s1600/Demoncon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGm3GiQuQGudODowoUnIboCmdUx-rujwQczYZWISSvoVbwgNv4QpnqHAOhfmAXfPSsqdpSXG53kfcq5Fjw-ScbFFsAD1YwLOYeK5EKGmD-M4D9Dxmp2o51t4EWrmO3UkOUnEfkUroqr8/s400/Demoncon4.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
This is the poster for the fourth Demoncon in Kent - I've just been announced as a guest at <b>Demoncon 5 </b>in March - !!! (event here <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/413330588721907/?fref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/events/413330588721907/?fref=ts</a> ) It should be a massive, massive lark. Can't wait!<br />
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This is the <b>dean</b>. Community is coming back (probably) in February and I cannot wait. Unless NBC decide to postpone it until SPACE COLLAPSES. Which is a POSSIBILITY.<br />
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Here's a bit of artwork (!) I did for GCSE art just over a decade ago - it's Mega-City One and it's not very good. The Cursed Earth was all pastels, and the city all pencils. What a concept. No wonder I didn't pass it ;)<br />
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This is a one-pager for the next issue of <b>Bear Pit </b>- a Bristol 'zine that'll be out in the new year (details here: <a href="http://bearpitzines.tumblr.com/">http://bearpitzines.tumblr.com/</a>) - written by <b>Geoffery Crescent </b>and drawn by me.<br />
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Here be a <b>Santa</b>-themed Dreddhead for Christmas. I wanted to put this up first thing on Christmas morning but the day got carried away with me - ! Hope everyone had a good 'un and that this helmetbeard chap didn't smash his way into your house and shoot everyone. Stomm.<br />
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Here's some people cameoing in my story for <b>the Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel </b>- now finished! <i><b>phew. </b></i><br />
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Blinkin' blimey - <i style="font-weight: bold;">this </i>is a sneak preview of super-star mega-awesome artist <b>Neil Ford</b>'s contribution to the Journal - the roughs alone are spellbinding. Oh I've got the gloryshudders.</div>
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A proper teaser here for <b>Jamie Lambert </b>& <b>Chris Askham</b>'s Source of Infection. It's only a few months until the launch of issue 1 and there are going to be many teasers between now and then. See them on the Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/psychedelicjournal">here: http://www.facebook.com/psychedelicjournal</a> and our new Twitter here: <a href="https://twitter.com/Psych_Journal">https://twitter.com/Psych_Journal</a></div>
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Happy new years!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047912940011437493.post-2944110561635574442012-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:002012-12-15T08:18:16.832-08:00December DoingsShivery salutations!<br />
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It be a cold December and MANY THINGS have occurred in this last freezing fortnight -<br />
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<a href="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/335/b/d/nemesis_the_warlock_vs_shakara_by_allistermac-d5ms2lw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/335/b/d/nemesis_the_warlock_vs_shakara_by_allistermac-d5ms2lw.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
The <b>2000ad Forum Art Competition </b>ended the other day, and the winner was the above AMAZING drawing by the incredible Allister Mackrell. The picture is just a scratch on the surface of what amounted to an amazing competition though - and the other finalists can be seen here: <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37573.0.html">http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37573.0.html</a>. We start up again in January but until then, the most creative and enthusiastic forum on the net has more treats in the form of the <b>Advent Calender</b> which is <a href="http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,37527.0.html">here </a>- and amazing!<br />
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Jamella & Marmalad is now on <b>Comicsy! </b>It's an interesting format and by JOVE it's a fine read - if you fancy buying a copy saunter over this way: <a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/crazyfoxmachine/">http://www.comicsy.co.uk/crazyfoxmachine/</a> - Also on Comicsy is <b>The Last Ride of Henry Holden </b>- a Western one-shot that I coloured for Time Bomb comics this past summer -<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/t1m3bomb/store/products/the-last-ride-of-henry-holden/"> http://www.comicsy.co.uk/t1m3bomb/store/products/the-last-ride-of-henry-holden/</a> - so if you're in a comic-buying mood I'd be muchly chuffed if you checked them out!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-StQrd0DI5E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Above is my uncut interview with <b>The Geek Show </b>from Thought Bubble. Quite rambly and not as informative as I'd intended it to be, but there it is. Cheers to the chaps for all the kind words and fine effort that went into putting together the show, I'll definitely be listening again!</div>
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Here's an illustration teasing the next Elemental comic which is drawn by the amazing Jennie Gyllblad - in Prof comic news there's a brilliant new FB group set up by<b> </b>Elemental writer-king and originator of the project <b>Chris Mole </b>- <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profelementalcomics">http://www.facebook.com/profelementalcomics</a> keep your eye on that for comings and goings with the upcoming second issue! Also the first issue got a fantastic review from <b>the SFX</b> <b>blog</b>!!! <a href="http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/12/14/blog-professor-elemental-review/">http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/12/14/blog-professor-elemental-review/</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pBx99GqWYN1dzHKu5Q4pecstJlfbrl_TiWlExlMJ601bkxQWqO4qT0InaD2hZTamWh5t_qUKkFE4j4aXgEMKov5PA5SmVdRotuDfPS3nvP8a48v4BR6hHTDf5UC1i0rU-IQ-hRVE5Rw/s1600/January+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pBx99GqWYN1dzHKu5Q4pecstJlfbrl_TiWlExlMJ601bkxQWqO4qT0InaD2hZTamWh5t_qUKkFE4j4aXgEMKov5PA5SmVdRotuDfPS3nvP8a48v4BR6hHTDf5UC1i0rU-IQ-hRVE5Rw/s320/January+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>8th January </b>is the date of the next <b>Bristol Comic Creators </b>meeting - if you're local or not, and want to chinwag about creating comics, doodle, have a little cider, <b>RSVP </b>over at the FB event here - or just show up! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/506722316027506/?fref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/events/506722316027506/?fref=ts</a></div>
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The <b>Twentieth </b>page of the goatsaga known as <b>Flaubert St Cloud</b>. At this rate we'll be done in time for Christmas (2020)! Written, as always by the amazing <b>Geoffery Crescent </b>and fully chronicled <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460341915628.421379.150183980627&type=3">here </a><-- p="p"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's an oddity: Spock singing Leonard Nimoy's hit "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins" to the new Bilbo. Why not? The idea is by Jazz - who also wrote this incredibly brilliant and incisive review of the new <b>Hobbit </b>film here: <a href="http://sauteedpotatoesandonions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/a-long-expected-blogging.html">http://sauteedpotatoesandonions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/a-long-expected-blogging.html</a></div>
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Here's a pissed-off looking festive Tharg for the 2000ad forum's amazingly vibrant <b>Advent Calender. </b>You may have noticed that he's sporting the same Dreddbody thing that I've been doing for a while. Lazy? NOT A BIT OF IT.</div>
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and finally to celebrate the last month of production for the first volume of the <b>Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel </b>here is a teaser for a story that'll be appearing in the digital version - "The Journey" by the brilliant Stephen Prestwood. Who is brilliant.</div>
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Have a blimmin' good few weeks orf work, whatever you're celebrating and let's hope against hope that I finally get that GIANT BADGER I've always wanted. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04605973612464073018noreply@blogger.com0