Accent UK nominated in Tripwire Awards!

Exciting news, our Accent UK comics collective have been nominated in top pop culture Tripwire Magazine’s annual awards, in the best UK small press/independent comic publisher category! 

It’s quite an honour to be included and a great way to mark the 20 year journey that Dave West and I have shared after Accent UK was formed with Barry Renshaw way back in 2002. 

There's lots of other fab nominees across the world of comics and pop culture, so if you’ve ever enjoyed our work, please consider voting, thank you very much :)

The link to the google docs form is here and quick n easy to use !

Full Steam Ahead!

Anna Schiraldi's Lincoln Cathedral artwork from our Enter The Asylum comic

It doesn't seems 3 years but it is since the previous full blown Asylum Steampunk Festival and we can't wait for it to return next week!

It's fast become one of our favourite events with it's friendly atmosphere, immersive environment, packed inspirational programme, attractions and of course all it's splendid people. This will be our 5th time attending and each event has been different, either in it's themes, locations, headline acts or weather! But the constant has been the fun and creative inspiration encountered on almost every corner of the streets of Lincoln where the festival is held, all under the wide all embracing umbrella theme of 'Steampunk'!

There are many definitions offered for 'Steampunk' but for us it's become a fun, friendly way of sharing creative ideas, imagination (and gin) with like minded folk!

A Glimpse of the Steampunk Festival fun!

This year, our regular comics crew are a little depleted but teaming up with our long time pals - and fellow Asylum 5th timers - at Time Bomb comics we are delighted to return and provide a little creative comics corner at the festival with our latest art and releases. This time though, for our sins, we've been 'banged up' and find ourselves, innocent or not, displaying our wares in Lincoln Castle's Old Victorian Prison under the event heading 'COMICS in the CELLS! '.

We will also - parole allowing - be presenting a couple of sessions/workshops during the event;

SATURDAY 27^th August 

Heritage Skills Centre – 12pm     

COMICS CHAT ROOM!

Join comic creators Steve Tanner (Time Bomb Comics) and Colin Mathieson (Accent UK Comics) as they are temporary released from their Victorian Prison Cells to reveal the secrets behind their latest and forthcoming comics. Including the dramatic conclusion of the Flintlock series, the origins of the mythical Asylum Q, the exciting return of an iconic favourite, Captain Scarlet and a graphic novel inspired by one of Michael Caine’s finest! May contain freebies and surprise guests!

SUNDAY 28^th August      

Castle Talks Marquee – 12:30pm             

MAKE YOUR OWN PENNY DREADFUL!

Ye Asylum Chronicle editor is demanding a sensational headline and illustration for their latest issue, can you oblige? Have you been attacked by rats or witnessed an extraordinary scene? Perhaps you’ve been party to a shocking failure of fashion or just misplaced the gin?

Comic artist convicts Colin Mathieson (Asylum Comics, Moments of Adventure) and Dave Morris (Flintlock, Norton The Dragon) are on reprieve from the Victorian Prison and will guide you through the process to create your very own Penny Dreadful broadsheet to take away with you.

Remember today’s gossip is tomorrow’s news!

Paper, templates and pens will be provided in this informal workshop, suitable for all. 

Plus a mysterious 3rd session on Monday afternoon in the Heritage Centre at 2pm which may or may not involve 'Dave and Drawing'!

See the full packed events programme here!

It all promises to be splendid fun, so if you're thinking of attending why not give it a go and if so please stop by the prison and say hello to help prevent any miscarriages of justice!

Oh and did I mention a 'Q'? Thought not!😉

C2E2 - Happy Comic-Con Memories

Seeing great photos and write-up's for last weekend's resheduled C2E2, reminds me of Dave and I's time there in Artist Alley a couple of years ago, before the pandemic.

C2E2 (& MCM!) Show runner Mike Negin snags a selfie at the show opening!

Accent UK's Artist Alley Table!

 

  

 

We had a great time and attracted a little attention with our British comics being well received as we sketched and signed our way through a very enjoyable weekend. We made a few contacts and also saw a few sights across the Windy City before it was time to return home.

 

We said we'd love to return so who knows? International flights are seemingly safer again so now they've announced a return to the show's traditional spring dates for next year, we'll see....

New comics work coming along!

Well when I'm quiet, it usually means there's things cooking away in the background, which is indeed currently the case!

Firstly we're gearing up for the long awaited return to the world's largest steampunk festival, Asylum in a few weeks time, which means work is now finished on Accent UK's third in the trilogy of Asylum themed comics, featuring stories and fun all inspired by people and events encountered at the awesome event, edited by Dave West with many fab contributions.

Not sure I should yet reveal Gary Crutchley's enticing cover, but here's a wee look at designer, Andy Bloor's contents page;

We decided not to kickstart this one, allowing festival goers to be the very first to get their hands on it, with subsquent details and appearances to follow. Where best to find us at Asylum is also subject to final confirmation with strong rumours that Lincoln's Castle's old Victorian prison may be the best place, unless we can find a decent lawyer of course!

Gearing up then for an autumn/fall release will finally be the new collected Zulu:Water Cart rescue graphic novel, inspired by true events during the victorian Anglo-Zulu War at Rorke's Drift. It's been a wee while coming but hopefully be worth the wait for everyone!

More details on these releases and future appearance at events, including Asylum to follow!