TEQUILA!

Greetings All. No posts for the last week cuz Declan has been rather busy. Last saturday was the launch for my own self-published book; YOUR ROUND: TEQUILA. It arrived in Aberdeen on the Thursday, two days before the signing. YOUR ROUND is an anthology book based on drinking stories. It features stories by myself, Bob Byrne, James Hodgkins and Mike McLean. Jaysus, i must have gone on about this a rake of times already, you should all know bout this by now.





Bob Byrne, my on-off boyfriend came over to share the signing duties, bless him. We signed and sketched from 10 AM till 6PM. We were fairly knackered at this stage, and we were more than happy to stop. Unfortunately, we couldn't. We had a launch party to go to an hour later which included even more signing and sketching. Sigh. We finished up around 11PM!!! Christ, we were knackered. Still, i had a blast with the Bobster.

Oh yes, here's a 'Zombie Gambit' sketch i did for a girl at the signing.






My favourite bit was when i was sketching something for a fan and someone asked Bob if he was doing requets for sketches. He flatly responded 'No. Here, have this one.' And gave the guy a drawing he'd done 5 minutes beforehand. i reckon he was scared of someone askin for a Spider-man. In fact, i'm sure someone asked him for a superhero sketch, but sent 'em straight onto me. No bull, i must have done over 50 sketches that day. Another fun bit was a sketch request Bob made. To draw a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle. I'd say i hadn't drawn one in 10 years, and knocked one one out, lookin the same as i drew them back when i was a kid. But, the absolute highlight was a competition between me and Bob as to who could draw the best 'Zombie Care bear.' I lost, obviously, but it was a close race. Bob took a photo, i'll post it once he sends it to me.






Bob doing sketches at the launch.















Me and Bob, signing our lives away.......

















Me, sketching with come issues of a great comic in front of him.

















This weekend, tomorrow in fact, i've another signing. Robert Curley is coming over here to Aberdeen to do a Freak Show signing. So it'll be another weekend of sketching. etc for me.

Some people have weekends off........


Dec.

BRISTOL COMIC EXPO 2007 MEGA POST!!!

Hello all, this post is a whopper.


Last weekend was the Bristol Comic Expo. My first Bristol convention was in 2004, where i arrived with a portfolio and a bucket full of dreams. It went quite well, got some nice reception to my work and a lot of advice on how to improve it.

Cut to three years later, i have a job drawing comics, a lot of good friends in 'the biz' and an award nominated book under my belt
















This years Bristol Expo was my first time attending as a 'pro.' This was first year where i was a guest, rather than a fan, so i was really looking forward to it. Obviously, there was the whole Eagle thing, so i was nervous about how that would pan out. I'd love to say i was sure we'd win it but in truth i had no idea, the competition seemed pretty stiff.

Well, i got to Bristol on Friday, and once i'd met up with my friends Pádraic and Will, some copious amounts of drinking took place. Which, was probably not a good idea considering the state of me the next day. Was great meeting up with everyone, including Andy Winter (Hero Killers writer), Stephen Mooney(former Freak Show artist who's moved onto bigger things) and his lovely fiancé Jackie, Rob and Brian (from Atomic Diner), John Hendrick and the Millarworld crew, Birmingham's favourite sons Ben, Andy and Shane, as well as Your Round collaborator James Hodgkins.

That night was the Eagle Awards. Myself and Andy had consoled ourselves to the fact we wouldn't win and predicted a FutureQuake win, just so we wouldn't get our hopes up. The dinner and preceeding awards were absolute torture. I was going quietly mad. The closer to the result we got, the more nervous I got. I just wanted to know the result, good or bad. Lot's of people came up to me at our table, wishing us look, which i really appreciated, even if it didn't seem like it at the time.



Then, the nominations list for our catagory. The strangest thing happened. When the Hero Killers nomination was announced, there was this big cheer from pretty much the whole room. I expected a cheer from my mates at the back (at the bar, of course) but lots of people who I don't know (and can only assume don't know me) were cheering for us, and then the next nomination was announced, followed by complete silence. I couldn't believe it. People really liked our little book. The comic i'd drawn in my bedroom in Limerick had just gotten a huge cheer. Wow. I was still in shock when Hero Killers was announced as the winner! Huh? What? Urm? Andy went mental. I was just in shock. We went up to the stage, still in shock. Andy said something to the crowd. Can't remember what he said, but it was quite lovely. All that was running through my head was "What'll i say?" Then it hit me; a mate of mine said something class in a 'thanks message' before. It read 'Thanks to everyone who helped, and to those who didn't? Thanks for nothin!' Thought that would be something funny to cap it off. Unfortunately, everyone was still applauding what Andy had said, so all the heard from me, was "THANKS FOR NOTHING".............

I should have just kept my mouth shut.

Declan Shalvey; Award winning asshole.

I soon brushed that off and had a blast that night, with a permanent grin on my face. Got back to the hostel at five in the morning. I didn't need drink that night, i was buzzing from the whole awards experience.

Sunday was great, was in much better shape to do sketches, did some really nice ones actually, caught up with some more people, got a lot of congratulations off a lot of people, which meant an awful lot to me. Had a very promising interview for future work. Got to finally catch up with David Bailie and spent a great evening with him, Joel Meadows and co., which included a fine steak for dinner.



Finally collapsed from lack of sleep, having had the best Bristol ever.

Here's some more photos....





David Bailie and Joel Meadows on a romantic nature stroll.


















VikThing bringin' sexy back.



















Ben McCool and ...eh i can't remember this lady's name, but she was very nice.














And this my friends, is what an Eagle Award for Favouritr British Black and White Comicbook 20006, looks like. No, not the Magners bottle, the silver thing.















I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who voted for mine and Andy's book. I am so absolutely chuffed. To get this award so early in my career has given me such a boost, and a drive do do the best work i can. I'd also like to thank everyone who wished us well, who congratulated us and a big thanks to the guys at our table for listening to us moan about how we weren't going to win.........

....guess we were wrong.

Dec

SANCHO!



Sancho, the Eagle Award nominated comicbook, brought to you by the good folk at 20,000Leagues have a new issue out soon. Issue 4 to be specific, with a cover done by yours truly.

I drew this as a present actually, just wanted to do something for them cuz they're just genuinely nice fellas. I did't think they'd put it in an issue, never mind use as a cover!

So i'm very flattered they got it coloured and decided to use it as the cover for issue 4.

Big thanks to Alan and Ian!




Dec.

HERO KILLERS MENTION
IN JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE


Yep, In an article on this years Bristol Comic Expo in Meg 258 or this months Judge Dredd Megazine Hero Killers is mentioned as a book to look out for.

Very happy Tharg and his team thought Hero Killers was worth a mention.













And just in case you forgot what Hero Killers looks like, they printed an image of the cover. This one....















Dec.

FREAK SHOW LAUNCH


This is a little late going up, but better late than never...

On the 26th of April, Robert Curley, creator/writer of Freak Show organised a launch for the 3rd Freak Show trade paperback, by himself, Stephen Mooney and Stephen Thompson in the Sugar Club, in Dublin. I managed to fly back for it, to sign with the above and Bob Byrne (my partner in crime on Your Round). Will Sliney, upcomming artist on Atomic Diner's Atomic Rocket Group 66 showed up, as did many fans and friends.

I was thrilled to be greeted by copies of Freak Show Vol.2 Chapter One! Was great to finally see an actual existing copy Of what i've been toiling over for the last few months, and it also made the trip to Dublim more worthwhile.

So, i'd just like to thank Rob for having me, and a big, extra thanks to everyone who showed up on the night and bought a copy.

Thanks!

Dec






Here's the two alternate covers, one by Sean Philips (Criminal, Marvel Zombies) and the other by Stephen Mooney (Angel, CSI)
































And here's a photo of me signing/sketching. Note how i made my eyes glow red to go with my tie.




















And here's a bunch of scumbags:

In the background, the handsome Stephen Mooney talking (or yelling?) across the photo at the lovely Jackie, the charming (when he sticks around) Bob Byrne, the witty(and pen-thieving) Stephen Thompson and the fat Declan Shalvey, ie, me.

YOUR ROUND LAUNCH

You want details? Read the poster.




















Dec

YOUR ROUND all set for Bristol!

Howdy folks, just got confirmation that the TEQUILA issue will be in print in time for Bristol. Which is good news. Very good news.

There's also a launch party scheduled for the 19th of May, a week after Bristol in the BASSMENT in Aberdeen. Some of my story is set in the bar, so it's cool that the launch will take place there. Bob Byrne is making an appearance too, signing and sketchin in the bar with myself, after a day of the same in Asylum Books and Games.

In other news, i'm back on Freak Show after a little hiatus so i could get Your Round in gear.

Here's some pencils from page 1...

















Dec

YOUR ROUND



Yes, YOUR ROUND: TEQUILA is finally finished and off to the printers. Hopefully the book will be in print in time for Bristol, we'll just have to see. Posted here is the absolutely brilliant cover by my good friend James Hodgkins, who also did some design work on the book, the back cover, and a short story too. The book features a short story by my other good mate Bob Byrne, who bailed on me to be with his girlfriend after me flyin back to Dublin to see him and everythin'. Gay.
And me you ask? Well i drew the main story, a 12 pager called Hustle, and also did a 2 page strip, which you can see here as a little taster.

Enjoy!

More updates soon.





Dec.

YOUR ROUND ALMOST FINISHED

Yep, Your Round issue one; TEQUILA is nearly wrapped up. Some technical shennanigans must be involved now, but art-wise, the book is done. If all goes well, the book will see print in time for the Bristol convention in May.

I'll post the finished cover soon, it's a cracker.

Did a back-up story for it, on top of the 12 issue 'masterpiece' i finished recently. Here's a few panels...












Dec

SEPTIC ISLE

Andy Winter, writer of Hero Killers and the forthcoming Blood Psi recently asked me to do a cover for his next book, SEPTIC ISLE.

I really enjoyed doing the last cover for Andy, so i was more than happy to do another for his Moonface Press books. He's always very encouraging of whatever ideas i come up with.

In this case, since this book is a graphic novel, rather than a 20 or so paged comic book, i went a bit further with this design, utilising the back cover as well as the back. I wanted to have a striking front image, and bring in some story elements in the back, where the text/blurbs will be. The way i worked it out, when the image is folded over, the main character will be peering out at the viewer at either side.

Here's the front....






















And the whole wraparound image...

















Dec.

HUSTLE

My aforementioned book, Your Round will be out for the Bristol Comic Expo in May. Due to deadline problems Mike Collins will no longer be in the first book. Instead, my good friend James Hodgkins, who's inkwork has graced the pages of Lucifer, Batman, Jenny Sparks (and many more) is filling Mike's shoes.

The main story, 'Hustle' is illustrated my myself.

Here's the first page, to wet your appetite.






















Dec.

DRINK ANYONE?

A panel from my contribution to Your Round.



















Dec

ANOTHER SPIDEY COMMISSION

Was asked to do another Spider-man piece, that included his black costume somehow. So, i went with a shadowy piece, where he's wearing his traditional red and blue duds, but in his shadow, we can see the black costume.




















Dec.

HERO KILLERS NOMINATED FOR EAGLE AWARD.

I'm thrilled to announce that Hero Killers, written by Andrew Winter and illustrated by myself has been nominated for this years Eagle Award for Favourite British Black and White Comicbook.
To say i'm pleased would be a huge understatement.
I'd like to thank everybody who voted for the nomination, really, thanks so much.
Maybe, if ye all voted for it to win .....it just might.....?

Here's the link;

http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/vote.asp

Thanks again,

Dec

More Pencils.













Dec

Okay, i can officially announce that aside from Freak Show, another title i'm working on is a self-publishing endeavor called Your Round..

This had been on the backburner for a while but slowly making progress. The aim is to have an issue out for the Bristol con in May, but it's gonna take a lot of work on my part.

Your Round is an anthology series set in a pub. Any pub. Everybody has a pub story, Your Round is where creators can tell one. The first issue, 'Tequila,' has 3 stories. One by Mike Collins (artist on Doctor Who, Superman, Star Trek, etc.), another by Bob Byrne (of Mbleh, The Shiznit and 2000AD fame) and one more by myself.

Will have lots more news on this soon, along with some pages, but here's a little taste for now....









Dec

Spidey Comission

Just finished this piece. Was asked to draw a piece that had 'something to do with Spider-man 3, so i wemt with an image with the black costume taking him over.




Dec.

Freak Show 3 in the can.


Just finished up issue three. Still have to do fix bits up and letter a bit but otherwise, all the hard work is done. This news also follows the news that issue 3, isn't actually going to be issue 3. Freak Show, instead of being relaesed in 12 single issues, will instead be 4, 60page 'mini-trades,' if you like. So now, the 3 part story i've just finished will take the form of a collected story arc, in a prestige-like format. I believe issue one, (which was initially issues 1-3) will be out for the Bristol convention this year.



I'm very excited, and can't wait till the book is out.

Dec

The gang.


Scanner hasn't made it's way here yet, so a photo will have to do for the time being.


Dec.

Aberdeen BABY!

Yes my friends, i have left the cold, wet shores of my beloved Ireland, for the ...uh, cold, wet shores of Scotland. Still trying to settle into a routine, for setting up the studio and so forth had proceeded to the detriment of my creative output. The main thing is i have a space, net connection, access to materials and a vast amount of comics at my disposal. Aberdeen seems to be a really nice town. Everyone i've met seems pretty sound. People seem to be generally impressed when i say i draw comics here, rather that the "Heh? Watcha taaaakin' abou'?" i get back home.

It's cold. Colder that home, but nothing of arctic proportions. Some scottish accents have bested me, generally the drunker they are the tougher they are to understand. Much like myself i imagine. Haven't explored the city as much as i should have, but i know my way. around the centre, that's a start, i guess.

Things i've learned since coming here:
I do not fall gracefully. I've fallen twice since i got here.
'Shams' are called 'neds' here.
Animals leave a lot of white hair on black clothes.
6 shots of tequila in one night won't kill me.
Girls like my red tie, but my red shoes impress no one save myself.

Waiting for my iMac and scanner to be shipped over. My entire life is on that thing so hopefully it'll arrive in less than two pieces.

Here's some photos:




Asylum Books and Games, underneath which i toil away in my studio.












Inside the shop. Look at all the comics!!!













And all the sculptures!

















The Bassment. Other than where i'm sleeping and the shop, this is where i've spent every night since coming here. Yes, it's a pub.











And my studio. Ooooh. Look at the nice chair.













My fancy new lamp, with a stand for a drawing board, minus the drawing board.












My laptop, as i write this very post. Ain't technology grand?












Me working away, doing the very little bit of work i've done since i've got here.












My shadow, in Scotland.

















And an unfinished panel, just to prove i've done something.













Well that's me done talking for a while. Go away. Come back later.

Till then, i remain,

Dec.

Freak Show Inks.


Very excited to be nearing the end of Freak Show issue 3. Had some personal troubles recently, and trying to organise the move to Scotland next week has pretty much halted my progress on the book. Getting there though.

Really looking forward to the new story arc too.

As i said, moving to Aberdeen on thursday, so won't be posting for a week or so. Will put up a big report on the move once i've settled.

Dec.

Death, by Zombie.





This is some more work from that aforementioned zombie project. I have a pencilled version below somewhere. Some fool actually wants to buy this piece. He's crazy methinks. Sex-mad also.

Dec.

Freak Show Inks.

You should know who this guy is by now.

Dec.