"That Wasn't Very Nice Michael!"

A page from the Cornelius MacBeth story, Neighborhood Threat from MOMENTS OF ADVENTURE comics collection Vol. 2.  Ghosthunter MacBeth tracks down lost souls and usually does what he can to help them find peace, usually.......

I love creating comics with a historical and mysterious element, often with 'hidden extras' such as why I chose the American spelling of the story's title?

The comics are currently only available direct from me - see convention appearances on the right, or from contacting or visiting Scott's Pops & Comics comic shop in Warrington, UK.

New Artist's Edition Incoming!!

Well I did say that when things go quiet here, it means I'm busy and so it is! The first fruits of my labours have arrived, a fresh batch of my Moments of Adventure Artist's Pencil Edition (or A.P.E for short!).

These are limited edition collections of the pencil pages that go into many of my historical adventure comics in the Moments series and are hopefully both interesting and perhaps inspiring to those wanting to see more of the process of how comics are created? 

In any case, getting ready for my first event of the year, (yes I need to update my diary list, I have 5 or 6 confirmed now, starting this week!), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was down to the last few copies of the second (blue logo) printing, so quickly arranged for a third with a nice green logo this time.

They promptly arrived and I'm busy getting them signed and added to those collectors packs I make up with the Moments comics, prints and watercolour sketch which prove popular at the events I do. I best get cracking then as its a big week with a few other deliveries expected.......

"Hold Yer Beasts Mary!"

The Ghost Girl's lost toys come alive to thwart Mr MacBeth in Moments of Adventure #1!

MCM a Smash!

Wow that was something! When you've been doing events for a long time, it's easy to take them for granted in a way but in this new 'living with covid' world, there's been a certain joy in returning to things and enjoying yourselves again. This was certainly the case with last weekend's London MCM Comic-Con event which, like it's earlier spring show, was a blast!

These fine Father Ted folks kept me chuckling for ages! 

I've not heard any official figures, but it felt even busier that the May event, which itself was a record breaker, with huge crowds and increased footfall in our Artist Alley area, meaning good to great sales for most people. Without my new graphic novel, I didn't quite match May's record-breaking tally, but came close to it, so very pleased.

Scott enjoying his break from selling comics at his shop!

Having Scott, (returning to his first MCM since 2019), really helped so I had some company and assistance at the table which makes a difference. That said, I still didn't wander around the show much, other than my favourite TinTin pop-up shop, so didn't really see the event itself or everyone that I would've liked to have caught up with.

There was near constant browsers and conversations at the table and selling out of the little watercolour sketches I do with the Moments packs, meant I had to work hard to quickly prepare more, some to customer order! All great stuff and it's nice to be popular!

Howard & Vicky smashing it!

As always there was some great cosplay and where I could, I got a few snaps, thanks to all for obliging and posing, particularly long-time readers Howard and Vicky who were cosplaying for the first time and did a great job! There was a real friendly vibe at the show despite the crowds with folks really enjoying themselves.

Arthur & The Tick

The Fat Controller

We stayed over Sunday as well to give ourselves a wee break and easier journey home which we needed after a fun and successful weekend, already looking forward to next year, fingers-crossed, when I'll make sure I have some new material and plenty of art prepared!

Salute Salute!

The splendid tote goodie bag given out!

Well that was fun! Just a brief word to accompany a few snaps from last weekend's SALUTE 2020(2021) wargames show at the Excel Centre, London Docklands. 

It was our first time exhibiting and attending and although we were a little nervous as to how comics would be received at a primarily wargaming event, we were pleased with our reception. Lots of curious browsers, interested persons and several surprises of folks recongising us and our titles from other comic conventions or events.

We sold decently given the circumstances and unfamiliarity but had many positive reactions to our comics, particularly my (mainly) historicaly based, Moments of Adventure series and our Asylum Steampunk books, the first of which quickly sold out of the comics I had! 

A closer look at our two 'special guests' !!

It was odd being at the familiar Excel Centre not surrounded by other comic artists, art stalls or cosplayers - although the Excel also hosted a Star Trek convention, so that at least felt 'normal' to me and I wasn't phased at all !!!

A wee look at the hall and one of the games tables

Thanks to the South London Warlords for being to host an event of this type in unusual and challenging circumstances and, while I understand from others that we were experiencing a very different and scaled back SALUTE, we still enjoyed the day and hopefully can return!

 

50,000 Adventures!

Aha, welcome all as it seems this blog is about to celebrate 50,000 views since first launched a few years back! I'm not sure if that's good, bad or average as certainly blogs seems less fashionable in this brave new instant world, but I'm happy enough with those numbers.

Of course, it's impossible to guage how many are genuine 'hits' and readers as opposed to 'bots' but it remains a milestone of such. My commitment to post updates and news remains but as observed in recent years, this will be determined by my own available time and enthusiasm so it's unlikely that I'll do any lengthy articles or convention reports like in the good ol' days - hey I'm not even sure I know what a convention is anymore!

Comic projects, art and news are though all progressing behind the scenes so I should have more to talk about and announce in the near future so please stick around and a big 'Thank You' for dropping by and sharing my Moments of Adventure!

Watercolours

At or before I attend conventions, I try and do some postcard sized original watercolours of some of my comic strip characters and sometimes I remember to take a picture so here's a few from last year that have all since gone on to find a new home :)

The SteamPaper Shopping Channel!

As part of this weekend's splendid and fun SteamPunk Over Ether virtual festival, support of the contributing artists, musicians and performers is encouraged, all of whom have had their incomes directly affected by cancellation of events and gatherings so if you are in a position to show them any support, please do so.

There will be a dedicated shopping channel featured on the Steampaper page at or around 3pm today  but please check the channel's schedule for confirmation. Don't forget though that all performances, demonstrations and chatter will be subsquently available for 'catch up' on videos on the Steampaper facebook page.

In that spirit, you can also purchase copies of some of our comics in print or digitally by contacting me or checking out the etsy store, any difficulty, please comment below, thank you.

MacBeth Comic Strip!

Hello again and best wishes at this difficult time. In the absence of planned comic convention and festival appearances, please browse another of my short stories, this time featuring the mysterious Cornelius MacBeth. Enjoy and scroll down for previous stories :)
 

 Story & Art by Colin Mathieson             Colours by Aljosa Tomic 

This story and others can be found in the first issue of Moments of Adventure which you can order a special signed & sketched printed copy from our Etsy store, thank you.

Pirates Comic Strip!

Welcome! If you're missing the Accent UK Comics crew from one of our cancelled convention appearances, then please enjoy the following short story with our compliments :)

Story & Art by Colin Mathieson             Colours by Aljosa Tomic 

 

This story and others can be found in the second issue of Moments of Adventure which you can order a special signed & sketched printed copy from our Etsy store, thank you.

Missing Comics?

Aha, well seeing the traffic from yesterday's post and in the need for some postive action, I thought  since people can no longer come to comic conventions, festivals and gatherings, why not bring our comics to the people!

I know not the most radical of ideas, but starting this week I'm going to post the pages from one of my short comic stories so you can see and read the sort of thing I do, much in the same way you may have browsed my work at a convention or gathering.

Also just like at an event, if you like what you see and want to read more, (and support an independent artist!), you may want to buy the whole issue and perhaps have it sent to you and signed for your collection or as a souvenir of your visit!

To that end, I've re-newed my dormant 'etsy shop' containing two of my comics in the 'Moments of Adventure' series from which most of the stories featured will come from. The store can be accessed both here and on the comic cover link on the right. You may even fancy a browse round other etsy comic stores for goodies?

Not quite the same as attending the show you and we had planned but brings a small bit of the trading and browsing experience to you so you know what to expect when normality returns and we meet on the 'convention circuit', whenever that may be.

Now bookmark and watch this space but please don't all rush at once, I've plenty of stock!

 

Comic Packing!

Ahoy there! With the convention season settling in, it's time to catch up with making my special Comic & Print Packs. These include both collections of the self-contained Moments of Adventure comics plus a limited Artist's Pencil Edition sketch comic (or A.P.E as I call it!), two exclusive prints plus an unique watercolour character postcard, all for a very reasonable rate :)

These have proven very popular since I started them as, like myself, folk love picking up something different which showcases an artist's work at a good value price. Each pack, takes a wee while to pull together, particularly the watercolour sketches, so I tend to do them in batches ahead of a few shows.

Although if I run out, I can be seen to do some 'on the spot' at shows which itself is a strange experience when you're not used to drawing in public - everyone is usually lovely and complimentary but it's a side I still struggle over, but as with all things, practice helps!

Anyway, here's a wee glimpse of the pack's contents as I prepare a new batch of sketches!

Some of last year's sketches which, I think, have now all gone!

2019 Season sketches in preparation!

2018 Farewell

A wee panel from forthcoming Zulu graphic novel!

Aha, well maybe substitute 'Eddie' for 'Colin' and this image may sum up where I've been this year with my creative endeavours, struggling away in the face of overwhelming odds?

Well maybe not that dramatic, as it has in fact been a wonderful year of new experiences and travels with rather a few - ahem - Moments of Adventure. In the modern world though, most of these have been shared through my facebook page or Instagram so apologies that reportage has been  a tad slack here.

2018's limited edition release

Do not fear though, work continues on several fronts with an exciting trip and a new studio beckoning early in the New Year which should summon in a new creative burst to produce new material for the convention season - watch this space as they say!

Panel from my 'Life Support' contribution

Thanks to all who've stopped by, had a chat, offered encouragement and bought one of our comics this year, it really is appreciated more than you may realise.

Best wishes and see you in 2019!

Dressed for 2019 - or is that 1919?

Surprise Thought Bubble Release!

Hee! Hee! I like to spring a little surprise here n there, so I've quietly and quickly pulled together a very special, limited 'Artist's Pencil Edition' (APE for short!) of some of my recent Moments of Adventure stories! This has come out very nicely and shows the development of the art and story before the inks, letters and colours are added for the finished versions.

Launching this weekend at Thought Bubble Comic Festival in Leeds where I'll be appearing with Gary Crutchley who himself is releasing his long anticipated Hard Country graphic novel which was recently successfully funded on Kickstarter!

Dave will again be at MCM Scotland at the SEC in Glasgow so catch us somewhere if you want to see our latest releases and see what other surprises and plans we may have!

For those attending Leeds, you can find Gary & I in the Comixology marquee;

The first few of my 'APE' are available in special bundles either alone or with both full colour Moments of Adventure with a special print and an original sketch such as this fellow!