NEWS ARCHIVE: JUNE 2004
EAGLE WRITER DIES
30/6/04: Anthony Buckeridge, creator of the schoolboy hero Jennings, has died aged 92 following a long illness. He wrote "Rex Milligan" for the original Eagle, which later was made into a TV drama.
BBC News reports Jennings, was modelled on a boy called Diarmid Jennings, a year older than Buckeridge, who left school at 1928 and moved to New Zealand. Buckeridge never saw him again.
Anthony Buckeridge Official Site: www.linbury-court.co.uk
Anthony Buckeridge and Jennings: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/usrpages/collect/Buckeridge.htm
Quick Bibliography: www.ricochet-jeunes.org/eng/biblio/author/buckeridge.html
Daily Telegraph obituary (registration required): Go
The Scotsman (registration required): Go
TIM SALE: BLACK AND WHITE
29/6/04: Active Images are to publish a collection of the work of Tim Sale. Tim Sale: Black and White is a 160 page hardcover art and career retrospective packed to the brim with pen and ink drawings, pencil sketches, wash sketches and thumbnail drawings from Tim's 30-year career in comics.
STEVE NILES JOINS O-P-P FOR PERIPHERY
28/6/04: Fan-favourite writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Cal MacDonald) contributes two never before published stories to the 48-page 1st issue of Periphery from California-based publishers O-P-P. In "Carsickness" Niles is joined by artist Brian Horton (Buffy, Devil's Footprints) for a gritty tale of a hold-up, with a twist. With "In Deep" Niles is joined by artist Omaha Perez (Bodhisattva) for a comedic tale of two idiots lost in space.
Also featured, the hilarious "Jerry Caveman Inventor" by cartoonist Mark Fearing (Cenozoic), "The Handsomest Man in the World" by Eli 5 Stone (The Tick) and Perez, "Closed Case" by Horton, and a brand new "Bodhisattva" tale by Perez and Richard Raleigh (Shadow's Bend).
Periphery is a 48 page black & white comic book with colour covers with a retail price of $3.50 - available from O-P-P in the July 2004 Previews catalogue.
Previews and ordering information at www.o-p-p.ws
LUCKY BAG LAUNCHES NEW CHARACTERS
26/6/04: Oldham-based comics publisher Toonstastic have added several new characters to their "comic in a bag" title, appropriately named Lucky Bag. Really Heavy Greatcoat artist Nick Miller and Nigel Partridge are just two of the artists joining a creative team that already includes Paul J. Palmer, Nige Kiyching, Tim Perkins and Joe Matthews, aided and abetted by writers such as John Freeman (who?) and Jaspre Brek.
Lucky Bag is selling well despite an apparent lack of penetration into WH Smiths -- you can find it in many supermarkets and local independent retailers and the Co-op.
Web Link: Lucky Bag
CONFESS YOUR SIN TO WIN!
26/6/04: Warpton Comics are running a tie-in competition to mark the launch of Confessional, a new title explaining the real reason behind the Devils growth to the infamous evil he is today.
"We're running a competition to find the worst confession," says Steve Causer, co-founder of Warpton Comics. "We want to know what people have done, we will keep them anonymous if need be, but will post them on the website and once the book is released we will pick a winner."
"Winners will receive a truly unique prize as well." he adds. "Not only will they get loads of Confessional goodies, but we will develop the story into a script and look to publish it under our new "UK Independents" range of titles. They will get to see their confession in print!"
"When I wrote this book I knew it was the biggest confession of them all," says Confessional writer Chris McCay. "Steve mentioned this competition and it seemed perfect. Why not get readers to submit their confessions, and see if they can beat the one in the book?"
Confessional is a 40 page one-shot in stunning full colour, being distributed via Diamond Comics, in the latest edition of their Previews Magazine. It is available to order from any comic book store now or direct from the Warpton website at www.warpton.com.
FIRST TRIGAN COLLECTION DUE SOON
18/6/04: The first of the 12 volumes of Trigan Empire - The Collection headed off to the printers earlier this week and should be with subscribers around the end of the month.
The current volume contains four previously unreprinted stories, 'The Masked Raiders', 'The Prisoner of Zerss', 'The Miniature Killers of Zelph' and 'The Wish-Fulfiller', originally published in Look & Learn between September 1971 and July 1972. About 90% of the pages have been reproduced from Don Lawrence's original artwork and, thanks to modern digital production methods, the colour and sharpness of Lawrence’s artwork will finally make it to the printed page.
Eventually the complete run of Lawrence’s classic strip will be reprinted in chronological order.
This volume follows the publication of two volumes of Storm - The Collection. Steve Holland, who is working on the translations for this series, told downthetubes.net, "I'm currently working on the third volume. Each volume contains two of the original books and Book 5, 'The Battle for Earth', is finished. I should start work on Book 6, 'The Secret of the Nitron Rays' in the next week or two. After that I'll begin work on the next volume of Trigan Empire.
"The fantastic response to the request for Trigan artwork some months ago means that Rob and Meerten, the publishers, now have about 800 pages of original artwor k out of the 950 Don produced. Personally, I can't wait to see the finished books. They’re going to look spectacular!"
For more information visit the new website at www.donlawrence.co.uk. You can access the text in English by clicking on the flag at the bottom right of the page.
WARPTON LAUNCHES NEW SCHEMES TO HELP COMICS CREATORS
16/6/04: UK comics publisher Warpton has launched an new imprint to support creative talent.
As an add-on to our range of one-shot titles the company is developing they're also launching a unique opportunity for creators who have a comic book ready for publication and/or want to hold control over their work, but need support to help get their book to market.
The "Warpton independents – all yours" project is
looking to expand Warpton's titles by providing a printing and marketing
service for new titles. The basic idea is that for a small fee Warpton
would cost effectively print a creators comic book, for them to then
sell. It would carry the Warpton name and for all intense purposes
be a Warpton Comic, but Warpton would not take the money for the
sales, the creators would.
The fee creators pay would cover the printing, marketing, some distribution of the comic and a place in the Warpton online shop, whilst giving them the freedom to promote and sell their title how they wish and take all the money made on what they sell.
Warpton are looking at charging around £200 per 100 copies
Black and White interior with colour cover in and out, 32 pages.
Warpton's other initiative is "Warpton Development", a
scheme where Warpton look at helping those who have an idea and want
help in developing it.
" We recognise that there are loads of people who are looking to get into the comic industry," says publisher Steve Causer, "who
enjoy writing and those who are artists and want to show what they can do but
do not have anything to illustrate and so need to create a story and this is
not their strong area. Warpton will look to help in developing a story for
those people who want help, as well as help new writers with their scripts
and stories.
" For this we only ask for a share in the rights of the story. We would
look at the possibility of publishing it if we felt it fitted with what we
were doing, but otherwise they can take it anywhere they want."
Link: www.warpton.com
WARPTON HELPS THE DEVIL TAKES REVENGE!
14/6/04: Having spent the last 4 million years as an outcast, the Devil has had enough! Tired of his role, and with no desire to act as God's Adversary any longer, he confesses to a priest that he wants to die!
This summer a truly unique tale will hit comic stores. Written by Chris McCay an awe inspiring comic book writer, and illustrated by the talented Lee O'Connor, British publisher Warpton Comics has done it again.
"Throughout history I have been painted as the greatest evil in existence. No one cared to find out if this representation was correct". states the Devil. "I was portrayed as evil as humanity is too hypocritical to admit the truth".
The truth that is revealed in Confessional is that mankind is the ultimate evil -- not the devil.
Chris McCay takes us through a world that we all know but for the first time tells the story of the true reason the Devil has become the lonesome and loathsome figure he is depicted as.
Confessional is a 40 page one-shot in stunning full colour, being distributed via Diamond Comics, in the July edition of their Previews Magazine.
"This is an exiting story that shows you can be completely unique with a tried and tested idea", exclaims Steve Causer, co-founder of Warpton Comics. "As soon as I read the script I knew this had to be made".
"If you want to know why the Devil wants to die then get this book, I have read it and am hooked, it epitomises the classic story in a one book that comics is all about".
Says Steve.
Confessional is available to order from any comic book store from July or direct from the Warpton website.
A UK publisher of comic books, Warpton is heavily involved in the UK indie scene and has a range of schemes that support creators. Publishing its titles internationally Warpton is all about creativity and involvement.
• For more information about Warpton see
the Warpton website at www.warpton.com
DIY COMICS FOR MOBILE LAUNCHED
10/6/04: UK web publisher iComic Press has launched a service providing comics for mobile phones.
Users choose a comic from the iComic website and order by sending a text
message (SMS). Comics cost £1.50 each and are paid through SMS billing.
The comics only display correctly on a limited number of mobile phones at present, and do not work on black and white phones.
Readers can also use the site to design new comics with other writers and illustrators, and will earn 40p from the sale of each comic.
"I don't know of anyone who is publishing comic books for mobiles, let alone opening up their development tools so the public can create their own," founder Adam Priest told DotJournalism. "We
are publishing these independent stories in a similar way to underground print
comic book publishers."
Links:
• iComic Press: http://icomicpress.com
• iComic Press WAP site: http://wap.icomicpress.com
DJs BUILD HOLMES ON THE WEB
10/6/04: The details for Digital Jesters' latest adventure game Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring have, until now, remained as vague as the clues unravelled by the Great Detective himself. But the UK publisher has now unveilled the official Website for the first original Sherlock Holmes adventure in years.
Located at www.sherlockholmesgame.com, the site offers a heady mix of tantalising screens, downloads, links and its own dedicated forum in which fans can discuss all aspects of the great man himself.
Playing as both the detective Sherlock himself and his no less loved sidekick Dr Watson, the player will investigate their way around massive, sumptuous levels rich in graphical detail, which are sure to delight knowledgeable fans and newcomers alike. An expansive adventure that spans the globe, The Silver Earring promises to deep and involving experience that will, in all likelihood, completely destroy any social life that hopeful PC owners aspire towards.
• If you're a detectives and comics fan,
check out www.thrillingdetectives.com with plenty of online strips and information on the genre.
MY HERO WRITER AT FARINGDON FESTIVAL
2/6/04: During the first weekend of July 2004, more than 100 events
from the brightest local and national talents in Music, Literature,
Dance, Art and Drama will be presented in Faringdon,
Oxfordshire, staging the biggest arts programme the town has
ever seen.
My Hero writer Paul Mayhew-Archer is among the guestswhich
also include Rory Bremner, Inspector Morse creator Colin
Dexter, new Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat, Rob Shearman,
Nev Fountain and many, many more.
Web Link: www.faringdonartsfestival.org
| THE RESULTS of the DIAMOND NATIONAL COMICS AWARDS 2004
COMICS INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR COMIC OF THE YEAR 1 2000AD 2 Judge Dredd Megazine 3 Sleeper 4 Fables 5 The Losers 6 Fray 7 New X Men 8 The Ultimates 9 The Beano 10 Warhammer Monthly BORDERS BOOKS AWARD FOR GRAPHIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR 1 Necronauts (Gordon Rennie and Frazer Irving) Rebellion 200AD 2 Sandman: Endless Nights 3 Button Man: The Killing Game 4 Blankets 5 League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 2 6 Fables 7 Hewligan's Haircut 8 Lucifer The Divine Comedy 9 Asterix And The Class Act 10 The Filth INCOGNITO COMICS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented by the festival to the late Don Lawrence BEST RETAILER AWARD presented by a panel of industry judges to Page 45, Nottingham with special mentions to Forbidden Planet, Shaftesbury Avenue Gosh Comics, London Ace Comics, Colchester ACE COMICS AWARD FOR BEST ARTIST 1 Henry Flint 2 Jock 3 Bryan Hitch 4 Clint Langley 5 Fraser Irving 6 Richard Elson 7 Mike Mignola 8 Chris Weston 9 Glenn Fabry 10 Humberto Ramos RED ROUTE AWARD FOR BEST WRITER 1 Brian Michael Bendis 2 John Wagner 3 Gordon Rennie 4 Andy Diggle 5 Grant Morrison 6 Alan Moore 7 Ed Brubaker 8 Warren Ellis 9 Pat Mills 10 Judd Winick SFX MAGAZINE AWARD FOR BEST COMIC-BASED FILM or TV 1 X Men 2 2 American Splendor 3 Smallville 4 Hulk 5 Justice League Adventures 6 Shaun Of The Dead 7 Hellboy 8 League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen 9 Belleville Rendezvous 10 Teen Titans Go KNOCKABOUT AWARD FOR BEST SELF-PUBLISHED OR INDEPENDENT COMIC 1 Solar Wind 2 The Girly Comic 3 Patient Zero 4 Phobias 5 Bear 6 Strangehaven 7 The Rainbow Orchid 8 Jack Staff 9 No More Mrs Nice Nun 10 Thrud The Barbarian BEST NEW COMIC 1 The Losers (DC Vertigo Comics) 2 Wanted 3 Ultimate Fantastic Four 4 Patient Zero 5 Conan 6 The Matrix Comics 7 2000AD Extreme 8 Batman Legends 9 Formerly Known As The Justice League 10 NYX TRIPWIRE AWARD FOR BEST NEW TALENT 1 Dom Reardon (artist Caballistics (2000AD)) 2 Andy Diggle 3 Simon Spurrier 4 Boo Cook 5 Jock 6 PJ Holden 7 Garen Ewing 8 John McLean Foreman 9 Craig Thompson 10 James Peaty BEST ONLINE STRIP 1 The Matrix Comics 2 Sonic The Comic online 3 Spiders 4 Mega Tokyo 5 Fred The Clown 6 Dilbert 7 PVP Online 8 Nowhere Girl 9 Beanotown 10 Juniper Crescent DIAMOND PREVIEWS AWARD FOR BEST SPECIALIST MAGAZINE OR WEBSITE 1 2000adonline.com 2 Silver Bullet Comics 3 Millarworld 4 Redeye 5 Comics International 6 Borderline 7 Comics Forum 8 Art Droids egroup 9 Wizard 10 Comic Book Resources BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER 1 Chas (Hellblazer) 2 Xorn (new X Men) 3 Rico Dredd 4 Nick Fury 5 Jenny (Caballistics) 6 Yellow Dog (Blinky) 7 Wulf Sternhammer 8 Doop (X-Statix) 9 Katchoo (Strangers In Paradise) 10 The Beast (X Men) EA GAMES AWARD FOR BEST CHARACTER 1 Judge Dredd (2000AD) 2 Hellboy 3 Batman 4 Judge Death 5 Slaine 6 Derek The Sheep 7 Nikolais Dante 8 Snow White (Fables) 9 Dennis The Menace 10 Ultimate Captain America |
1/6/04: Taking place at the Institut français and the ICA London , this year's 10-day Comica Festival (5 - 13 June) brings together creators who are at the forefront of the dual trends of autobiography and political commentary.
COMICA includes talks, live drawings and book signings, with, among other artists: Margerin, David B., Dupuy & Berberian and Sfar. There will also be screenings of films based on comic strips: the Blueberry UK Premiere, Belleville Rendez-Vous, Sfar's and Tintin Animations. An exhibition on Tintin displays original sketches and drawings. In the bistrot, artworks by the team of the new comic strip magazine Le Gun will be presented.You can download the detailed programme on http://www.institut-francais.org.uk
Talks and exhibitions are free. Bookings are strongly advised: 0207 073 13 50
YENNY RETURNS
1/6/04: Starting this June Yenny's comic strip will join Modern Tales with a new adventure, and new characters that will join the Villa Los Kubos Neighborhood.
INDY PRESS EXPLOSION!
Enthused by the ever-increasing number of independent press 'zines on the UK comics market, I've added a page of indy press links to this site.
This year's UK Comics Festival in Bristol was awash with an even bigger number of indy press tables than last, from the likes of Martin Eden's cirtically-acclaimed O-Men to the satirical award-winning 'zine Solar Wind.
Small Zone sells many of these titles online -- go and take a look!
