SHAKA Comic!

While checking on the new rewards and excellent progress of Kia Wordsmith, Accent UK's current Kickstarter campaign, I stumbled upon the interesting sounding SHAKA comic, also currently funding on Kickstarter!

The video and campaign details speak for themselves but this promises to be a fun and dramatic re-telling of King Shaka's legend and the origins of the mighty Zulu nation, both subjects close to my heart! I'm not familiar with the creators, who seem to be based in Australia with South African roots but it all looks amazing.

Comics. History and Zulu's what's not to love, please check it out and remember PDF's are a good economic option if international shipping proves costly.

Salute Ahoy!

Ahoy all! Hope the year is treating you all well so far? Things may appear quiet here within Accent UK Towers but the comic creating machines are in full swing for the convention season ahead - in fact our co-founder and friend Dave west has already kicked the year off with a trip South to Cheltenham and the annual True Believers Comic Festival, see his remarks here. 

While a few events are still to be confirmed for our full 2020 itinerary, we are though taking careful aim at the year with a few shows already scheduled including a very exciting debut in April at SALUTE!, the UK's premier wargaming event at the Excel centre in London - a familiar venue for us with MCM Comic-Con's also held there. Running since 1980, the event is organised by the South London Warlords wargaming club, and is the UK's biggest one day independent wargaming and gaming event and looks like great fun.

It is a bit of a 'throw of the dice' (ahem!) to see how our comics and artwork will be received but since we have several titles covering history, military, steampunk and fantasy subjects, hopefully we'll receive some interest. At the very least I'm sure we'll be inspired ourselves aplenty from the amazing sights and talent we'll see and you never know gamers may be inspired by our comics too!

Watch this space for further information on this and our other 2020 events and in the meantime here's a little flavour of what we'll be taking with us to Salute!

 

Going A Little Further!

The above David Bowie quote is something that I took to heart at the end of January to give me a challenging February and (bit of) March as I ventured into unknown waters and as the man says it was "the right place to do something exciting".

The results of my labours are I believe now out there and I will share here as soon as I can. Needless to say it involves two of my favourite things, comics and history!

History Buffs and ZULU!

With thanks to historian  Ian Knight, just seen this enjoyable overview of the movie ZULU, it's impact and comparison with the facts, for anyone with a passing interest in the movie or African history it's well worth a watch and at less than 20 minutes won't take up too much of your time!

It's from a you tube channel called 'History Buffs' who similarly turn the spotlight on other historical movies such as Gladiator, Braveheart, Waterloo and Saving Private Ryan etc!

This also reminds me that good friend and fellow comics creator Garen Ewing also recently covered ZULU in the entertaining pod cast he hosts with his brother, I previously mentioned this here but you can go direct to their site here, again well worth a listen - makes you almost in the mood for some ZULU comics perhaps :)

A panel from my forthcoming Zulu graphic novel, art by me, colours by Matt Soffe

Splendid Steampunk!

Wow! I think that's (almost) all I can say after our August bank holiday appearance at the annual Asylum Steampunk Festival in Lincoln as I'm still processing it all really!

As you'll know Dave West and I under our 'Accent UK' comics banner regularly attend comic conventions up and down the country (and sometimes further afield) exhibiting our creator-owned comics and graphic novels. We've done this for many a year now so are somewhat old hands at it and even when we try a new show or location we've a pretty good idea what to expect.

The street scenes around Lincoln - early morning!

Asylum was, as we'd been warned, nothing like anything we've ever done before, it really took over the whole city of Lincoln with shop displays, bunting, street stalls, attractions, buskers, full evening programme and 8 or more separate venues all celebrating the world of steampunk to devoted followers and bemused public alike. Then there were the fashions and costumes, most home made and extravagant and very different from our usual comic cosplayers, who base their outfits on established comic strip or movie characters. These were all unique demonstrating the wearer's own individuality, often adopting a 'nome de plume' as their steampunk alter ego!

Gunfighters on way down from Lincoln Castle!

Lady Patricia Fancy-Feather & Baron Von Brucken!

Yes those are real parrots!

Now that's a big gun!

One thing the steampunk crowd did have in common with comic convention people was a shared enthusiasm of their interest and being friendly and approachable to each other, the positive vibe was everywhere, even when the Lincoln weather did it's best to dampen spirits.

Making friends sheltering from rain

We were set up in a new venue to the event, The Cathedral Centre, a 13th century building in the shadows of the magnificent, almost 1,000 year old, Lincoln Cathedral! The Centre had been christened the 'Steampunk Embassy' for the occasion and we were set up with fellow comicers, Steve Tanner (Timebomb), Lauren (Cactus Illustration) & Jade Sarson (Tea Hermit) and in an adjoining room several authors, photographers and role-playing game demonstrations including the delightful Tom, Nimue and James Brown - sorry didn't get everyone else's details or photos!

Timebomb's Steve Tanner or was it a steampunk Willy Wonka?

Cactus Illustration's Lauren and friend (sorry didn't catch name!)

Mr West surveys the scene

We were upstairs, (above the centre's cafe, where the poor ladies were truly run off their feet!) and had responded to the good Major Tinker's invitation challenge to not 'just' sit behind our tables selling, but to create an interesting display and to engage with visitors, (we were after all to be 'ambassadors' for the event!). This request had initially troubled then really inspired Mr West and I these last few months as we dismantled our normal display and started from scratch, scouring our homes, lofts and charity shops for suitable items and we were delighted when the good Major and others congratulated us on our efforts - phew - so much so that we are planning to bring a little of this to our future comic show displays - not sure if Dave will wear the hat again though!

The Accent UK Comics Emporium!

Our little comics corner!

Captain Colin on parade!

 
Hat's not withstanding, our only disappointments of the weekend were not actually seeing or truly experiencing the event as we were pretty much bound to our own venue and access to much else that was available was by wristband or tickets only, of which we had neither. From conversations though we picked up that there was a whole lot more going on, (a whole lot more!) which justified Asylum's claim to be Europe's largest Steampunk gathering.

The Asylum venue map (image by Dr Geoff)

Also, perhaps because there was so much else on offer or because we were in a new venue, a little off the beaten path, we didn't really experience the crowds or footfall that were evidenced elsewhere with only a small fraction of visitors finding their way to our emporium. This wasn't for the want of trying by the event organisers & volunteers who quickly responded by erecting additional signage (including our own WesterNoir banner) and placing friendly 'ushers' outside which did help to increase numbers but not in the volumes that may have been expected.  

Just outside Cathedral centre courtyard

In the shadows of Lincoln Cathedral!

This was a shame as there were some real treats inside and we found that our comics & graphic novels had a warm reception, particularly those with a, not surprisingly, strong steampunk or historical element doing best, so that our launching WesterNoir trade, Stephenson's Robot and Moments of Adventure titles all sold well. Modestly perhaps compared to the larger comic shows but respectful enough for a 'debut' event which effectively this was for comics.

Browsers at the Accent UK table 

A happy Vivienne with her Moments of Adventure!

That said, we had a fun time and enjoyed the delights of Lincoln in the evening and remain inspired by the steampunk genre so are already talking with the organiser's to see what we can do to assist the venue (and comics) achieve their potential next year - watch this space!

And on that note, here's a wee image of us taking tea (& cake) and plotting our return....

Zulu Reflections

I always feel a little melancholy on this day in January (see last year, here), and it's not just the winter blues it's because on this day way back in 1879, the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War occurred, the Zulu victory at iSandlwana and the successful British defence at Rorke's Drift, (made famous of course in the 1964 movie, ZULU).

My own interest in the period of course stems from that movie and has been a passion of mine ever since developing into books, my own comic book efforts and a couple of battlefield and wider Zululand adventure trips.

All this interest, passion and enthusiasm for the period is tinged with sadness on the anniversaries as so many men, both British and Zulu lost their lives and in the course of the subsequent short but decisive war, the Zulu Kingdom and way of life was destroyed. So I will spare a thought today for those brave souls from 137 years ago and share a few sombre photos from my 2014 trip to these famous sites.

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!