RAPTORS WIN!

Wow! Go Raptors Go! NBA Champions for the very first-time in their history!

While I'd be the first to admit to not being a big basketball fan or really following the sport, I can't deny that Dave West and I fell a little in love with the Toronto based team during our visit there for the TCAF, comic art festival last month.

We caught a couple of their regional play-off games against the Philadelphia 76ers including their captivating last second 'basket bounce' victory in a wonderful atmospheric bar where the entertaining bar manager kept us informed of not only what we were witnessing but also their history. It seems that the Raptors are 'serial chokers' when it comes to the big games and regularly put their fans through torture before failing to deliver yet again.

This time was different though as Dave and I were there to add our considerable support and expert knowledge on the sport - well what an Englishman and Scotsman don't know about basketball isn't worth knowing frankly :) So when Leonard's winning shot went in, the bar and Toronto exploded in emotion as history was made. The following day was our last before flying home and it was clear what the victory meant as Toronto was buzzing, so much so we went in vain to buy shirts as a souvenir - demand had meant stores had run out of our sizes!

A Jubilant Kawhi Leonard after his history making shot (photo from Toronto Star)

It worked and not only did they put those Pesky 76ers to the sword, the Raptors continued to progress through the seemingly endless regional play-off finals until the Big One, the grand final against the fancied San Fransisco Golden State Warriors where last night, history was made with the Raptors finally delivering on their promise and it seems Toronto and maybe much of Canada went wild with this long promised but tantalisingly distant victory.

Go Raptors Go, you did it - We The North!!

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!

Scottish Spring Tour!

Quiet on here but not here after my various wonderful trips which are hard to describe! However, the comic convention season is already on the way with two shows under my belt during last week's Scottish Spring Tour!
 

The Dunfermline set-up inside a giant marquee!

Different set-up and stock for the Edinburgh show!

This took in both my Dunfermline Comic-Con debut and a welcome return to Edinburgh Comic-Con, where once again, Gary Crutchley ably manned the table during my infrequent absences (!) and sold his WesterNoir and recently launched Hard Country trades, to great success.

It's always great to catch up with the Scottish comic contingent and even though it was hard on my own at Dunfermline to do my normal socialising, I did see a great deal of familiar faces, many of whom I saw again with more time to chat in Edinburgh.  
 

With the shows being a week apart we took the opportunity to stay in Scotland, catch up with local cousins for a fab meal, then head North and catch up with the family - and Mother's Day, our first we shamefully realised since the year before we moved, 1986, Eeek!! - which was fun as always but the weather was pretty changeable this time of year.

We also made a welcome stop at Kemnay's finest, Geek Bothy Store where we caught up with Emma and Morgan, fresh from the shop's latest award-winning accomplishments and ahead of the following week's Scottish awards! The store is a delight and all awards are highly deserved for the hard work and attention that Emma, ably supported by Morgan, puts in :)
 

Geek Bothy's Current Comic Corner!

Gone but not Forgotten!

 

 

As the new year gets under way, there's already a lot to say 

but not from me as I've gone away,

To a land you know where, a place in my heart I do care

and always dreamt to return there,

So don't worry about this chappy, I'm just away being happy

while wearing a new hattie,

But in case you miss this face of mine, here's a pic or nine

and I'll see you back here in no time!

For those I miss don't be sad, I'm doing something which makes me glad

even if you think me mad :)

P.S If you want to see more check out previous year's posts from 22 January, starting here :)

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?

Winter is coming (in Wales!)

Aha, just when you thought we'd finished for the year here's one last sneaky secret appearnace at the widely popular Wales Comic-Con this weekend in Wrexham!

The event is held twice a year and celebrated it's 10th anniversary earlier this year and has been on our radar fora  while but it's tough to get into but a little perseverance finally paid off with recent confirmation that we'd been accepted - Yay!

Having formerly lived in North Wales for a number of years, it was always slightly odd that despite exhibiting far and wide, Dave and I as Accent UK had never done any shows in Wales, North or South despite the Principality boasting several events, so I'm pretty excited to be making the small trip over the border this weekend!

The show is primary a 'pop culture media' event boasting many big name actors rather than being a comics focused event but from speaking to various people who've been previously there should be a decent interest in comics, including independent ones so we'll see.

Please say hello if attending, I should be in the trader's marquee on the AstroTurf!

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!