With everything going on I forgot to let you know that my ZULU:Water Cart Rescue graphic novel is available at Scott's comic shop in Warrington, Cheshire; Scott's Pop's & Comics in both standard (£12) and signed 'n' sketched print packs (£15) (plus applicable postage).
The above photos were taken on their first day in store and their prominent display attracted a lot of attention as they've now almost gone - Santa and quite a few folk were giving these as Christmas presents this year to the Zulu fans in their families!
Don't worry though, we're arranging a restock so if you're local, why not pop in for a browse or if further afield, message Scott through his Facebook page or leave a message below and we'll take it from there :)
Thanks for everyone's support and interest and don't forget, Channel 4 are showing the movie that started it all this Sunday afternoon, New Year's Eve!
This weekend marks my final event of the year and an enjoyable one it promises to be too, Steampunks in Space at the National Space Centre in Leicester.
This will be my third voyage there and its become a firm favourite, the steampunk spectacle dotted around the amazing Space Museum exhibits with this year's Jules Verne inspired theme Journey To The Centre of the Earth - see Doctor Geof's fun homage to the 1959 James Mason classic movie above!
Saturday also marks #ScottishComicBookDay as a celebration of Scotland's contribution to the comic book industry with a few different events happening on the day across Scotland itself so with apologies to the aforementioned, Doctor Geof, here's my adaptation of his poster for Scottish Comic Book Day!
Well every time we head North we usually end up staying or stopping in Perth so it's a fun wee journey we make there and of course amongst its great history, Perth is home to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society so I think they would approve!
Anyway for those journeying to Leicester, here's a wee map to help you find me and the other fine artists, authors and attractions this weekend including ZULU: Water Cart Rescue (Deluxe) cover artist, Paul McCaffrey and that fine fellow, Doctor Geof himself!
Thanks to all who came, chatted and bought comics at Thought bubble, it really was a great one this year, busy and a lot of fun, much of that from catching up with folk and creators you don't often see :)
As usual, took very few photos but did get a chance to have a look round the other halls for a little bit and be suitably impressed and inspired by the high standards of creative talent on show, bravo!
The Zulu Hardcover was very well received with the signed n sketched edition most popular so thanks again for everyone's support and Paul McCaffrey for his great cover and of course Matt Soffe for his glorious colours.
It's taking me an age to get a shop linked to this page but if anyone wants a copy in the meantime just message me below or through Scott's Pops & Comics Facebook page link !
Always a delight to return to Thought Bubble, the UK's premier pure comics convention and a chance to catch up with seldom seen friends and discover new creators and inspirations.
This year I'm in the Bubbleboy Hall, the last of the three dedicated comics halls in Harrogate's convention centre but all are brimming with talent and temptations.
If you're there please say 'hi' and if not, check out their festival website here and exhibitors list here and consider visiting in the future :)
Jings what happened to 2023? Well it's still here and not over yet, thank goodness! I'm trying to make the most of the forthcoming winter months with a varied selection of events coming up which all promise to be fun.
I've the town wide family attractions Bury Comic-Con where I'm nicely placed in the twon's regimental museum, The Fusiliers alongside Doctor Who and Star Wars actors followed by Thought Bubble in Harrogate, the UK's premier 'pure' comics festival and a great place to discover new works and be suitably inspied, then ending my convention season with the fun packed Steampunks in Space at the National Space Centre in Leicester, a truly 'out of this world' experience!
Links for all can be found on the right so please pop along if you're in the area or need an excuse for a day out, because as someone once said, Winter is Coming!
Really looking forward to a long awaited return to Bristol's Comic Expo this Saturday! This is The comics event from back in the day (was the first in 1999?) which inspired me to make my own comics and put them out there, first fully tabling as an exhibitor in, I think, 2002, after assisting for a bit a Shane Chebsey's Smallzone table the year before.
So, many happy memories and pleased that the guest and exhibitor list includes so many of us who went to those early events and have carried on in the UK comics scene ever since. Just shows the power of comics and following your 'dreams' which can bring great joy and satisfaction if not riches!
The one day event is actually in the same hotel that it moved to all those years ago, so should bring back a few good memories, come and say hi and find out what's changed in the 20 years or so as fittingly I'll have a few more advance copies of my expanded ZULU Water Cart Rescue deluxe hardcover with me, back at the show where it originally debuted!
I'll be in the ballroom, with a bunch of talented folk with guests both there and the Park Suite :)
Well that came and went so quickly! This year's fab Asylum Steampunk Festival just zoomed by but was terrific fun as always! We were based in the Castle Exhibition Marquee this year within the grounds of Lincoln Castle so felt more part of the festival and were certainly more visible compared to last year's prison arrangements which were still fun.
I was delighted that my new full length ZULU: Water Cart Rescue graphic novel arrived in time and had its debut (yes this is the much promised 'Deluxe Edition' with new stories & features etc - watch this space for updates on how to order! :)) and it enjoyed a positive response.
I adapted my Clash of Empires Zulu presentation for the Steampunk crowd, this time called, 'Some You Win, Some Zulus!' to appreciative groans, well I'm sure they were appreciative?
Also David Morris (Time Bomb Comics) and I reprised our successful Penny Dreadful creative art workshop from last year's event with even more takers, fun and amazing headlines and sketches, which sadly I think we forgot to take copies off - ah you had to be there to share the silly splendidness!
I'm short of time (as always) but will attempt to post more pictures from this favourite festival later but in the meantime here's a couple of fab photos of yours truly and Mrs M followed by a great snap by Diana Clark of the aforementioned David Morris with talented artist Paul McCaffrey (Adler, Anno Dracula and Zulu cover artist of course!) and his good lady, Tracey showing some of the finest comics and graphic novels that were available there.
Busy, busy but anyone missing my dulcet tones should listen to Chris Parkinson's interview with me discussing the inspiration and development of my Zulu War Comics! This was our full chat as featured on Chris's You Tube channel as part of the Clash of Empires exhibition.
Download the episode here and check out Chris's library of other interesting military history interviews and discussions and if you've not seen Chris and I's fun video chat here.
Had an absolute blast at the Anglo-Zulu War, Clash of Empires exhibition which still runs to 31st July and well worth a trip if you can. I'll try and write more when time allows but my two visits so far have both been great particularly the 3 day symposium, informative, interesting and fun, catching up with old and new friends alike, even Lady M enjoyed it!
Thanks to all who came and attended my presentation on the 'Water Cart Rescue' comics inspiration and development. I was a tad nervous beforehand with the calibre of earlier presenters and the audience including sundry Professors, Authors, Historians, Military Officers, Serviceman and lots of enthusiastic history and movie fans but talking about my two main passions, Comics n Zulus, soon relaxed me and thankfully, my talk was well received with some great comments afterwards and a nice spike in comics sold, thank you all very much.
All the talks have been filmed and will I understand, be made available on the exhibition's own youtube channel in due course, keep checking it here.
Special thanks to John Freeman of comics news site, Down The Tubes, who gave the exhibition and me a wee plug ahead of my talk, much appreciated!
In the meantime, the hardworking and enthusiastic, Chris Parkinson zipped around doing a few 'on the hoof' interviews for his own excellent Redcoat History channel, which you can find here, including the one above with Tim of the Die-Hards, running through the soldier's campaign kit. Very informative and of course, the Die-Hards themselves have been a constant source of inspiration, support and friendship in my own comic endeavours!
I'm currently set for a third trip there before it finishes, so please treat yourself to a visit if you can, it would be a shame to miss it.
Well this was fun, please check out the excellent job, Chris Parkinson has done of our wee interview chatting about my Zulu Wars comic :)
Also check Chris's own Redcoat History youtube playlists and archives for lots more of Zulu and many other Victorian campaigns, its a real treasure trove of great interviews and historic content you don't find anywhere else, click here for the link or go to my sidebar.
And don't forget that the Clash of Empires Anglo-Zulu War exhibition is now in full swing and is really excellent, if you have any interest in the period or just want to see things you wouldn't normally encounter and chat to folk who are passionate about the history, you don't want to miss out!
Aha, coming round quicker than a fast approaching Zulu impi is the much anticipated Anglo-Zulu War Exhibition, 'Clash of Empires' which opens tomorrow at the Spear Museum of The Royal Philatelic Society in London!
This has been a long road and a real labour of love for everyone involved, but with challenges overcome promises to be very special with the largest public display of artifacts from the period in living memory.
Much more to follow including the special symposium on the middle weekend with loads of authoritative speakers including yours truly making a presentation on my Zulu Wars Comic!
In the meantime, you can find out more and order tickets on their website here , see the youtube channel here and more including a short interview with co-curator, Alex Haimann, at the always excellent Redcoat History channel here
Really looking forward to seeing everything and catching up with many old friends not seen since my last trip to Kwa-Zulu Natal, including this fine looking fellow!
A welcome return this weekend to MCM Comic-Con in London where again I'll be in the heart of Artist Alley, Booth F-08. My show profile page is here :)
The show has evolved a lot since we first exhibited with the original Comic Village morphing into Artist Alley but is still true to its roots of spotlighting artists and creators who bring life to so much which has become popular culture alongside independent makers like me. The quality and diversity of talent on display is continually changing and always inspiring to attendees and 'ol timers alike!
If you're around, please have a good wander around Artist Alley and I'm sure you'll find something you like and if you see me, please say hi :)
That was a fun day! Thanks to Scott of Scott's Pop's & Comics for hosting last Saturday's annual Free Comic Book Day, ('FCBD') at his shop in Warrington Market. This was his 3rd time and delayed a week from the official worldwide FCBD and possibly the smoothest and best so far? It's always hard to judge from behind the table but there was a steady stream of fans, browsers and visitors which certainly seemed to keep all us artists busy, so quite happy.
While the shop opens at 9am, the artist's event was supposed to be a shorter 11 - 4pm day, but most turned up and 'opened' their tables and sketchbooks earlier, some staying a little later too, ensuring that all those patient attendees got to see and chat with everyone they wanted. This made for a really enjoyable steady day with a great atmosphere of artists, fans and newcomers chatting about comics and all related pop culture, making new friends and discoveries along the way.
Sincere thanks to all who came along, supporting Scott, the event and the artists and thanks to all for participating, assisting or spreading word, helping its success - see you next year!
Here's a few snaps Scott took of the day of the happy and busy artists - Rachael Smith was also there but manged to escape the lens!
Delighted to be returning to Scott's shop tomorrow as part of his great line-up of comic artists's for this year's Free Comic Book Day - delayed by a week to avoid the coronation clash.
This will be Scott's third event, (showing how quickly time flies), and one that previously has been a joyful celebration of comics, mainstream and independent, putting the spotlight on local creators who are involved in comic making across the genres whether humour, autobiographical, fantasy, historical or adventure. Showing the diversity and versatility of the comics medium.
If you have time please pop in and check out the cool artists and the range of this year's annual free comics, there really is something for everyone and you won't have to pay a penny unless you are tempted by the many other comics, sketches and goodies on offer!
Ian Knight, Alex Haimann & Me meeting for the first time since 2019!
Wow, that was fun! All that preparation, planning, travelling and then the day itself just speeds by, far too quickly and SALUTE50 was over as quick as it begun!
I was delighted with the response that my new release, ZULU: WATER CART RESCUE received and felt justified in attending the event with the interest and many encouraging comments received. That said, SALUTE is of course a wargaming show with models, figures, paints and the many, many game displays being people's priority, so this remains very much an outreach event for comics and one that I'm willing to invest the time and energy in to see if a successful crossover can be made to justify the expense in attending.
One thing I may have to do is make the fact that my books are comics more obvious, as despite the various signage and displays, many thought that I was selling Zulu War gaming rules and were interested if any figures were being produced or recommending manufacturers existing sets to suite such a venture! Most saw the funny side and were intrigued enough by the comics concept to give them a try but it is something I need to address in future.
Check out Warspite's video for a great SALUTE50 overview and a wee cameo after 09:30!
The event itself was certainly much busier than the previous covid hit 2021 one and everyone was saying that it was 'back' in terms of attendance and atmosphere so it was nice to fully experience the show that had enticed me previously. Certainly the new organising committee seemed to pull out the stops by adding many features such as panel talks, increased demonstration and participation games to give attendees more to do than just shop, which in turn encouraged them to stay at the show for longer so it didn't markedly drop off early afternoon like before.
With Tim and James of the Die Hards in mufti!
A personal highlight was of course catching up with chums that I'd not seen since my last South African trip in 2019, with historian and author Ian Knight and fellow enthusiast (and exhibition curator) Alex Haimann and Tim Rose and James Dix of the Die Hards - although I'd of course seen Tim at Salute in 2021. Our time was brief together but well spent with updates, ideas and more being discussed and shared ahead of July's very exciting Clash of the Empires exhibition, more to follow!
My handy backing table restock and display items
Being kept busy at the table I didn't really get the chance to look round the show myself but there are already a few videos like the one above on YouTube to give you a feel of the event. Not enough time to see everything was a common theme but I guess the additional venue and related costs may make an extension to two days prohibitive but we'll see.
The only game I did see was the really quite wonderful, Battle of Ntombi River wargame display presented by the Hornchurch Wargames Club from, of course the Zulu War! This was fabulous to see and discuss with one of the Club members and of course Ian Knight who I had visited the real scene with in 2010 and 2014, a special moment indeed.
Ian & I at Ntombe in 2014 after wading across the river!
So there you are, over in a flash but a lovely memorable day with a few other highlights and potential contacts made so hopefully worthwhile overall and I do enjoy trying different types of events to spread the word of independent comics so would like to return next time too, fingers-crossed. Thanks to all who stopped and chatted and showed interest in my efforts, very much appreciated and of course sincere congratulations to the South London Warlords on their 50th anniversary, here's to many more.
But overall just delighted to finally get my ZULU comic out there in the wild, USUTHO!
.jpg)
