What Time Is It?

It's review time!

Oh, go on then, bonus points if you answered either hammer time or adventure time.

Comics Bulletin has posted a review of Vanguard #2. Being a selfish little so and so, I'm going to direct your attention to this bit:

"Halo and the Gryphon" is somewhat less demented, but nonetheless has a hint of the weird about it, due in the most part to Louis Carter's art. It's a blend of bold, thick linework and fine detail, and it should make for an ugly clash, but it somehow works, even if it looks less like what one might expect from a post-2000 AD anthology comic and more like one of those Soviet Bloc cartoons that were used to fill an empty five minutes on BBC2 back in the day. The writing lacks the eccentric feel of the art, but the narrative provides some structure that one might well argue is necessary to prevent things getting too arty and indulgent. "Halo and the Gryphon" was my favourite strip from the first issue, and my favourite it remains; it's unique and odd and so very compelling.

Don't forget, you can read this story here, while I'm working on part three.

Paragon

This weekend, I'm going to be dipping into the latest issue of Paragon. I've just finished the first story, Spencer Nero and the White Spider, by Greg Meldrum, James Corcoran, and John Caliber. Spencer Nero only started one issue previously, but it has fast become my favourite part of the comic. A tightly written story that plays on supernatural themes in a refreshingly original way.

Matt Soffe's cover art.

It would be dishonest of me not to admit that I have a somewhat selfish reason for drawing your attention to Paragon. You see, I also have a story in it; Rise of the Mekkosapiens part 4, written by my regular collaborator Matt Mclaughlin.

So maybe you would like to check out Paragon? You can find out how to get hold of it over at the Paragon Blog. It is available in both super-cheap-digital-format, or much-more-meaty-planet-destroying-paper-format.

More About Lost: Boys!

The other week I talked about the forthcoming release Lost: Boys. Well, now we are in the future, and the forthcoming release has become an unleashed upon the world leaving chaos in its wake release. A few days ago, my copy landed on the door mat and I got to enjoy the fruition of everyone's work. It really is a wonderful little package; quality stories, quality art, quality paper stock. Why not check it out for yourself? They're working on a super swish interweb ordering service, but until then you can find out how to get a copy here.

Lost: Boys cover by Conor Boyle

Viking Family Fun

Following a little bit of a laptop meltdown, I may well be absent from the net for a short while. While I'm away, please enjoy these sketches of an Anglo-Scandinavian family that I have been drawing for a project at work.

Lost: Boys

Disconnected Press is an independent publisher of comics and graphic novels, headed by Lizzie and Conor Boyle. You may remember that I worked with Lizzie last year on Storage, a comic for Hallowscream. This weekend, she's back with not one, but two new comics, both being released at Bristol Comic Expo. You can find out more by following that link at the start of the paragraph, but just to whet the apatite, let's talk about the one that I've drawn some art for.

Remember when you got your first bike? There was something about that first bicycle that mattered. You could go further, faster than ever before. You were free to roam. You lived in a bigger world.

But a bigger world can be daunting, harsh. A bigger world can lead you to things you never expected. In a bigger world, it’s much easier to be lost.

This is Lizzie's introduction to Lost: Boys. The stories all focus on young lads who find themselves wandering from the more oft-trodden paths of life. Lizzie says she wanted to work "with a group of artists who are starting out in comics and whose work merits a wider audience." It feels pretty good to have found a place among such a number. Over on their site, you can learn more about my fellow collaborators, as well as checking out my first ever interview!

If you want a copy, get in touch with Lizzie at lizzie@disconnectedpress.co.uk

Dr WTF?! 2012

Colin MacNeil's cover

Dr WTF?! 2012 is complete, and has already been seen hitting the conventions. Neither time nor space is big enough to contain the awesomeness that is Colin MacNeil's colourtastic cover, and the contents within are pretty good too!

I went trawling the internet for quotes, and I found that people had the following things to say about it:

"I RATE THIS COMIC 10/10... IT BE AWESOME!" - Alan Lewis

"The Nazi version of the Doctor was my favourite." - Mike Donachie

"Dr WTF is the most psychedelic Doctor Who anthology in existence. Crammed to bursting with amazing artists, glorious writers and RIDICULOUS LETTERING." - Owen Watts (Editor and Letterer)

The next stop in the Dr WTF?! 2012 tour is Bristol Comic Expo on 12-13th of May. Should you wish to beat the crowds, get £4.50 ready, give drwtfcomic@gmail.com a shout, and soon all this shall be yours!

Ron Smith

Ron Smith is an artistic exemplar. Many readers will already be aware of this fact, but I thought I should throw it out there just to be sure we are all on the same page.

Ron has recently retired; compelling comic fans from across the galaxy to rally together in celebration of fifty-five years of brilliance. The ever legendary Mark Howard has defied the difficulties inherent in collaborative artistic endeavour to create a comic expressing our gratitude. It is a comic containing uncontrolled, gushing praise, thoughtful well-wishes, and plenty of pictures of Judge Dredd. It is a comic you can see here, and one that Ron himself has recently received in hard copy.

The other day, Mark Howard sent all the contributors an email, and I feel the following extract speaks for itself:

"I have just received a 'phone call from The Man himself, Mr Ron Smith, and what a lovely gentleman he is to speak to.

He has received the tribute comic we put together for him and is overjoyed with it. He has asked me to pass on to you all his deep and enduring gratitude for putting so much talent, work and love into this project and said he was "overwhelmed" by your generosity and regard. (I must admit to having a little tear in my own eye as I put down the 'phone.) With fifty five years in the comics business under his belt, Mr Smith said that this was one of the highlights of his comic career and was deeply moved by the comic..."

So go follow that earlier link, and check it out for yourself. Here is my contribution to get you started.