"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.

"You're Lucky We Found A Log!"

A page from 'Pointy Heads', the epilogue story in my ZULU: WATER CART RESCUE graphic novel, about a couple of Zulu children making the dangerous journey to Rorke's Drift, looking for their missing warrior fathers, who haven't returned from the battle there.... 

The graphic novel is 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.

Zulu: Water Cart Rescue comic interview!

 

With the current Zulu War anniversaries, here's another chance to see Chris Parkinson's fun wee interview with me on his excellent Redcoat History Channel regarding the Rorke's Drift Water Cart Rescue sortie and my adaptation of it into my comic strip!

The expanded deluxe hardcover is exclusively available from Scott's Pop's & Comics in Warrington or direct from me at forthcoming convention and festival appearances!

ZULU Then and Now!

With today's Anglo-Zulu War anniversaries here's a wee look at the movie's location which inspired my interest. The movie was shot in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa but not at Rorke's Drift itself, (which now houses a museum and working church on the original buildings footprint), but at the Royal Natal National Park, some 130 miles away - about 3 hours drive.

It was this location that I started my last SA trip 5 years ago, staying in the park's accommodation, enjoying a traditional braai and having fun exploring some of the parkland, scouting for movie shots.

The natural amphitheatre dominates the landscape and easily matches up with the movie as do several of the surrounding landmarks such as the distinctive knoll which represents Ulundi, the Royal homestead of the Zulu King, Cetshwayo during the opening marriage ceremony scene. 

The landscape hadn't changed much so matching up shots was possible in certain places.

 

Much fun and debate was had walking the ground where the movie that had affected us all was filmed all those years ago.

Didn't quite get perfect matches for some of the famous movie stills, maybe I need to return?

A very memorable trip on a historic occasion, remembered to this day.

Still Shining......

 

ZULUS in Warrington!

 

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!

Journey To The Centre of Space!

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!