Zulu War Comic Strip!

Hello there, to help you all through this rather odd time, please enjoy this following short story with my compliments. Modestly it's one of my favourite comic strips I've produced! Scroll down for last week's one too, if you've not seen it! :)

Story & Art by Colin Mathieson             Colours by Matt Soffe

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!

 

Isolation!

I hope all reading this is well and coping with the current situation as best as you can. The coronavirus is impacting everyone in almost everyway and we are no different, so can't really confirm plans for the foresable :(

Most of our intended or booked events prior to Summer 2020 have already been cancelled or postponed and those that currently remain are, quite rightly, subject to continual review as the situation and Government advice continues to evolve.

It is hoped that the post-summer events, (and maybe those earlier?) will be held as close to normal as possible but of course no-one really knows. I will continue to monitor those and update our events listing as and when it appears prudent to do so.

As most creatives are already 'self-isolated' working from home, we can hopefully crack on with our creative endeavours more or less as normal, but without an audience or an income, this will test our resolve more than normal.

Hamba Kahle / Go Well

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!

 

Zulu Time!

 

Sawubona! I'll be travelling on tomorrow's Anglo-Zulu War anniversaries so unable to make my usual post so instead here's a few pictures from last year's amazing experience when I was fortunate enough to return to Kwa-Zulu Natal for the 140th commemorative events at the famous battlefields themselves.

As you can imagine, this was a truly memorable event, a great spectacle in great company with the British re-enactors, the Die Hards joined by their South African counterparts from Dundee and a 500 strong Zulu impi, mustered by the King himself who oversaw proceedings.

I'm not sure I've yet fully processed the event, busy as modern life is, but the many photos, notes, conversations and experiences enjoyed during the trip will live with me for a very long time. A real honour to salute the warriors on both sides at the very places where their bravery was witnessed all those years ago. An ongoing inspiration, uhambe kahle, go well.

Tripwire Comic Awards!

Happy New Year all! Hope all is going well so far? I'm pleased to say that Accent UK Comics has had a delightful start to 2020 with our nomination in the Tripwire Comic Awards!

That's right, Accent UK have been nominated in the Best UK Small Press / Independent Comics category among many other respected publishers.

Some stiff competition there certainly but it's nice to be recognised among your peers which is a nice reward in itself among the many difficulties in being a small creative voice in an often  overlooked medium, so thanks to the Tripwire judging panel for considering and including us.

If you have enjoyed any of our titles and creative endeavours please consider casting your vote in this and the other award categories which are a nice 'pat on the back' for all involved.

Tripwire's site can be linked to here and the voting form here , Voting is I believe open till April I but there's no time like the present if you have 2 minutes! The awards are due to be announced at the Portsmouth Comic-Con early May where Dave West will be in attendance - wonder if he's renting a tux?