Welcome 2022!

                                                            HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Well we may all be a bit battered and bruised by 2021 (and 2020!) but we made it this far so best pick ourselves up and get on with it!

I generally don't announce a lot of the plans I make as, a bit like 2021 (and 2020!), they don't always come off but I am fairly well placed to make the year ahead a special one for all those who have been patient with me in recent times with regards to new comic releases!

Yes this year should finally be the one - or did I say that last year - well a bit like Beetlejuice or was it Candyman?, I don't want to say the name three times but this;

 will;

 finally;

 happen!!

Watch this space!

Viking Comics and Cheese!

Just finished reading Rob Jackson's latest delightful comic, 'Ragnar The Cheesemonger'!

I've known and been a fan of Rob's work for many years now with his French revolution set 'Cafe Le Guillotine' (from 2006?) being the first to attract my attention and I've been a fan of his storytelling ever since. He's amazingly prolific, usually producing 2 or 3 titles a year and always has a project or two on the go, putting most of us indie creators to shame.

Ragnar is his new one, set in Viking times and at 52 b&w pages is quite the epic, but Rob being true to form concentrates his tale on an ordinary fellow, a cheesemonger, who through no real fault of his own finds himself trapped in a potentially deadly situation.

The Fighting ground where Ragnar may meet his destiny

Told in Rob's easy engaging style, Ragnar doesn't disappoint with its moments of tension, humour and absurdity which makes for an entertaining read. If you've not sampled his work before this makes a great starting point and can be purchased for only £6 including UK postage from his shop here -while there, why not take an inexpensive gamble on any of his other titles for a refreshingly honest and rewarding approach to comic making!

For updates on Rob's comic activities, also see his blog or follow the link from my site, enjoy!

2014 Moments in Comics

To finish the 2014 nostalgia, here's my favourite comics & graphic novels from last year. I made it too late to contribute to Forbidden Planet's 'Best Of' articles where I was one of many featured last year, so here's a short summary of what stood out to me;
 

COMMANDO: Great War Stories by George Low & Keith Page, covers by Ian Kennedy

This year, I’ve eagerly followed D C Thomson’s longstanding title as it ambitiously embarked on a monthly tribute to the range of ordinary characters caught up in the extraordinary events of The Great War. The pocket sized Commando format is perfectly suited to these tales across the many theatres of war often highlighting lessor know combatants and conflicts. The stories are necessary stand-alone but, through cameos, contrast the idealistic enlistment dreams of a young newspaper boy with the experiences of those already at war. Although the tales are not the graphic accounts of a Charley’s War or a White Death (see below), they are no less effective in bringing the stories of ordinary soldiers to a wider newsstand audience and that should be praised. Expertly written and illustrated by George Low and Keith Page behind exceptional new Ian Kennedy covers these are well worth seeking out and hopefully will be collected on the series conclusion.

  

WHITE DEATH by Robbie Morrison and Charlie Adlard   

Sticking with the First World War, this is the recent Image Comics re-release of the indie classic to tie in with the war’s centenary. Set in 1916 on the Italian Trentino mountain range it is unflinching in its portrayal of those soldiers caught up in the desperation of war. The futility of conflict is expertly played out through the eyes of a small group of Italian soldiers as their struggles with the enemy and their nihilist commander are dwarfed by the dangerous mountain terrain. The quieter moments really stand out with carefully chosen dialogue and images reflecting the horror of the soldiers experiences without being preachy. Not an easy read for sure but an important one, well deserving of its hardcover re-release from two of the UK’s leading talents.

 

MULP: Sceptre of the Sun #1 by Matt Gibbs and Sara Dunkerton

An absolute delight and a charming contrast to not only First World War stories but all other comics I’ve encountered this year. An anthropomorphic pulp adventure full of mice, mystery and exotic locations, what’s not to like! In the best adventure traditions, it’s rollicking fun with an Indiana Jones vibe as our heroes meet by an (alternative) Egyptian archaeological dig where their finds are under dangerous threat from spies working for a mysterious benefactor. Matt Gibbs clever and quick moving script allows Sara Dunkerton plenty of opportunity to show off her artistic skills with many dynamic locations and action scenes. As a fun first issue from two new creators this promises to be the start of something special.
 

 

Honourable mentions to Letty Wilson's delightful WEIRD MOOSE which I witnessed being created at Glasgow Comic-Con,  Top Shelf’s authentic American Civil Rights Movement book, MARCH, Jonathan Cape's SALLY HEATHCOTE: SUFFRAGETTE, Images Comics entertaining MANIFEST DESTINY and enjoyable indies BLACK FEATHER FALLS and HALF HANGED MacNAGHTEN from Soaring Penguin and Uproar Comics respectively.

Belfast 'catch up' comic report

Okay been busy, busy these last few weeks and sadly no room to properly catch up with many of the fun things we've been up to, so I'll stick to the recent comic shows attended, starting with Belfast!

A Belfast view from City Hall

The trip for the new MCM show there was amazing, I didn't expect Belfast to be such a great wee city nor the people to be so friendly and really into their comics. It's strange as, despite being fairly well travelled, Belfast just wasn't on my radar at all and if it wasn't for the MCM show I doubt I'd ever think about visiting. That's me being honest as growing up in the 70's you have a negative view of the place which, now having been there, I feel really guilty about. I'm sure, like most cities, it still has problems but don't let that put you off visiting its got much to offer.
 

Colin n Dave try to hide the fact they'd not packed the AUK banner!

Dave, as always, did a timely report on the show here, so I'll just add that, yes we did have fantastic sales, second only to the recent MCM London, so were pleased to discover a new audience. Special mentions to MCM regulars Jenika and Jeremy Biggs for also making the trip and being good company and also new friends, Leeann Hamilton, Danny from Uproar Comics (The Voice of Derry!), 2000AD's own P J Holden and Patrick Brown, whom I've long admired his work since his Tamara Knight days and was chuffed to catch up with his long running historical series, The Cattle Raid of Cooley and many more. It seems there's a really healthy indie comic scene in Northern Ireland, although maybe more creators were from Derry than Belfast?

Paddy Brown himself!

Jeremy Biggs surveys his dwindling stock...

The talented Cool Bean lady herself - Leeann Hamilton

Special thanks to our old friend (the original) Jeremy Briggs who had flown home to his native Belfast for the show and cordially gave us an informative tour of the city and introduced us to the delights of its Red Panda Chinese restaurant - see Jeremy's Down The Tubes reports here & here.

When Jeremy's collide - Jeremy Biggs meets Jeremy Briggs!!

Several titles sold out including these last copies of Zulu!

The show had a great atmosphere with many families in attendance and everyone seemed so upbeat that Belfast finally had its own big comic show. Exhibiting there had a great sense of comradery that you don't always get at the bigger shows (although with over 16,000 attendees this was clearly still big!). There was lots of banter amongst punters and exhibitors themselves and both Dave and I found ourselves moonlighting at other folk's tables to gave them a break and there was much sharing of food and coffee runs etc. It reminded Dave and I of the early Bristol shows when you pretty much knew everyone and supported each other and its a credit to both the organisers and the people of Northern Ireland that this big show had the same fun informal feeling. We'll be back!

Dave moonlighting at Jeremy's Subversive comics table

Col moonlighting at Leeann's Cool Bean table

My Belfast haul - all books not just Irish creators but Irish based stories!