DUBLIN COMIC CON REPORT

So very tired....

Last weekend was the afore mentioned Dublin City Comic Con and i had a bloody great time. It was great to see all the irish lads (except for Will of course), catch up with old mates and make some mates anew....



















Myself and Andy Winter at our table during a quiet moment.

Great news was that we sold all the copies of Tim Skinner we had. Sold a few copies of Frankenstein too, but i was especially delighted with how many Tim Skinner copies went. Got some great feedback too, and a lot of people had seemed to have heard of it beforehand. We attended the 'Launch Pad' panel where we got to showcase the book a little which was a great opportunity so i'd like to thank the organisers John and Dave Hendrick for helping us push promote the book a little more, along with having me as a guest this year. Thanks also to everyone who came by and picked up a book, be it Frankenstein, Tim Skinner or even Blood Psi and Hero Killers, both of which sold out also.





















Myself, Nick Roche and Stephen Thompson practicing our inevitable group model shoot for Playgirl magazine.

Fellow Eclectic Micks did well, Nick Roche seemed to never stop sketching and both Stephen Mooney and Thompson were banging out top-notch sketches. A Marvel panel also revealed an upcoming Fantastic Four short story featuring work from Thompson, so congratulations to him. The bastard.
























I did a sketch or two over the weekend..... well ....actually i did much more than two in fact, but here's two examples of them. A Bizarro above, and a Bullseye below....

























Must go. Need sleep and have lots of work to do....

Dec.

DUBLIN CITY COMIC CON
























As i've mentioned before, this weekend is the Dublin City Comic Con. Featured guests this year include overseas talent like Adi Granov, Olivier Copiel, Jonathan Hickman, Matt Hollingsworth and Esad Ribic as well as two of my favourite artists, Tommy Lee Edwards and Michael Lark. Lets also not forget all the talented Eclectic Micks; Stephen Mooney, Stephen Thompson and Nick Roche.
Also recently added to the bill is new Marvel sensation David Lafuente and ....uh ...me.

I'll be at a couple of panels over the weekend:

On Saturday....

Independent Comics Panel Hosted By Liam Sharp.
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Featuring Stephen Mooney, Stephen Thompson, Nick Roche and Declan Shalvey talking about all aspects of working in the world of Independent comics. This panel is hosted by Mam Tor Editor in Chief Liam Sharp. Who recently published his first novel God killers and is the artist on 2008’s highest selling comic book, Gears of War from Wildstorm Productions.

And on Sunday myself and Andy Winter will be discussing and showing previews of new book Tim Skinner; Total Scumbag in the following panel...

Launch Pad Hosted by Johnathan Hickman.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

This presentation is a spotlight on up and coming independent Irish Comic Books launching exclusively at this year’s Dublin City Comic Con. There’ll be a range of titles and creators talking about their respective releases. Hosted by Jonathan Hickman, writer and artist of the Nightly News, Pax Romana and architect of the new Marvel Universe Cross Over Event Secret Warriors. This is definitely one not to be missed.

There's a full list of all the panels here

I'll be at Andy's Moonface Press table as much as possible, come by to pick up a copy of Tim Skinner, Frankenstein or any of Andy's previous books, including some of the last remaining Hero Killers. Free sketch with every purchase.

Also, thanks to Joe at the Forbidden Planet International Blog for mentioning the con and Tim Skinner.

Dec.

TIM SKINNERED!
























Tim Skinner; Total Scumbag cover

Just heard from Andy Winter that copies of our new collaboration Tim Skinner; Total Scumbag has come back from the printers so we're all set for the Dublin City Comic Con this weekend. Of course, i'll have copies of Frankenstein on hand and i hope everyone gets one, but i'm really looking forward to seeing the reaction to Tim Skinner. Myself and Andy really wanted to do something together again, especially after the success of Hero Killers and i honestly think this is one of the best things either of us have done. From the back cover blurb:

"Soon after Tim Skinner inherited his grandfather's old comic book collection he discovered something extraordinary - it was magic and by making a simple wish he could step into the pages of any of the fabulous four-colour fantasies his heart desired. He could hang out with cowboys, futuristic robots or whingeing adolescent mutants.

Unfortunately, Tim is a loathsome piece of garbage and instead of enjoying fun and frolics in a universe of action and adventure he brutalises and exploits his comic-book chums for his own nefarious ends.

Truly, Tim Skinner is a total scumbag!"
























Page one of Tim Skinner; Total Scumbag

I don't mind showing the first lettered page of the book, as i posted the inks about a year ago! I've said this elsewhere, but when i read Andy's script i was blown away with how sharp and funny it was. Plus, it was a nice change of pace from classical adaptations. Another big reason for doing it was that Andy was keen on doing a book in full-colour; that would mean i could finally have a go at colouring my own work. Obviously, Frankenstein is my first work that has been published in colour but i'm sure you'll notice a dramatic difference in how that was coloured and how this book has been coloured. I finally had a chance to do my own work in flat colour. Who's to say i'll ever get that chance again? Anyway, from all my rantings i'm sure you can tell how happy i am with this project and how i hope all who read this blog pick up a copy at the Dublin con, or order in through Diamond in a month or so.

Dec.

THE DIRECTOR

























Did this sketch of the Director from Freak Show at the Sub-City comic shop a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to David for sending the scan.

Dec.

RÍ-RÁ

I forgot to mention that when i got to the signing back in Ennis, there were copies of the new Irish-language comic that i did a page for ages ago called Rí-Rá
























Cover to Rí-Rá by Aidan Courtney

The comic in question is a free #0 sample and it turned out great. Aidan Courtney, the editor, has compiled the comic in an effort to establish an ongoing anthology Irish language comic much in the same vein as European comics in France, Belgium, etc. The sample has work from top European cartoonist Dab, along with Irish creators like Bob Byrne, Alan Nolan, Ian Whealan and myself.
























"Níl," the one-page strip i did for Rí-Rá.

Special mention must go to fello Ennis creators, writer Mike Lynch and artist John Cullen who also contributed a story. Here's a little known fact; i used to deliver gas and briquettes to Mike in my days as a coalman and i used to be in art class with John back in my days in the CBS (Christian Brothers School)....... good times....

Rí-Rá will be available at the Dublin City Comic Con in just over a weeks time. Be sure to pick up a copy.

Dec.

PUBLICITY TIME!

Not a lot of drawing done of late, but a lot of publicity. As i mentioned in the last post i had a signing in my home town over the weekend and it went really well. Sold about 60 copies of Frankenstein, It was a great turnout and a great day. Big thanks to everyone who turned up and an extra-big thanks to all the friends and family who showed up too. The radio interview seemed to go well and i got a mention (and photo) in the local paper, The Clare Champion.























Gaze upon the face of beauty!

Also, my interview with Liam and Craig of The Comic Cast went up today. Have a listen. I say 'eh' and 'y'know' a lot. Other than that, it's quite funny (and hopefully a little insightful).

Dec.

P.S. Do yourself a favour and listen to the track at the end of the interview. It's a band called Fugazi. Consider it part of your punk education kids!

SWEENEY TODD; PAGE 3 INKS
























Here's the 3rd page of Sweeney Todd. I don't mind showing these pages as they're a good set of intro pages, without giving any of the story away. I think that's all the Todd i'll be showing for a while.

In other news, i'm doing a signing in my home town this Saturday from 3pm, in the Ennis Book Shop. Really looking forward to it. It'll be nice to show folks from home i've done something with my life, or, alternatively prove that i actually haven't. I'll be discussing the book tomorrow morning sometime between 10 and 11am on Clare FM (95.9 & 96.6 FM if you live in the Banner County). You can listen online off their website.

Dec.

SWEENEY TODD; PAGE 2

























Thought i'd show the second page of Sweeney Todd, so you can get a better look at the man.

Dec.

SWEENEY TODD PAGE ONE; INKS
























I've already posted the layouts and pencils to this page, so i thought i'd post the finished inks too.

Also, there's a new review of Frankenstein online. Check it out here.

Dec.

TIM MEETS 'THE CHAPS'
























I've been inking Sweeney Todd all week with nothing scanned, so i thought i'd post an image from Tim Skinner that i've shown elsewhere. Writer Andy Winter has been steadily sending me the lettered pages and while i'm pretty happy with the art, the full impact doesn't hit without the letters. Andy's written some great jokes for this book. Can't wait for it to be out. I have to finish 3 pages next week in order for the book to be out in time for the Dublin City Comic Con in a few weeks.

Update: Should mention i'm doing a signing this Saturday in Sub-City comic shop on Exchequer Street in Dublin. I'll be there from 12 onwards. See ya there.... maybe.

Dec.

PLAIN SIGHT POSTER
























Recently finished a new poster for the Plain Sight video game. The crowd at Beatnik Games were looking for a poster to promote the game at this weeks Eurogamer Expo.
























Here's the inks too. I moved away from the black/white/red colour scheme i had been using for this piece, as i saw some new footage of the game online (It looks great, take a look here) and thought it would be a shame to ignore the great look the game has. So in incorporated more of the game's landscape and varying colours, without actually duplicating it.

Hope it works!

Dec.

MORE BANNERS













Here are the banners i did that didn't end up being used. I like the red one.

Dec.

PLAIN SIGHT BANNERS























Did some more work for the good folks at Beatnik Games. This time i did some banners for their Plain Sight website. The banners change each day, so here's all the ones the website features. I'll post the couple they didn't use later in the week.

Dec.

FRANKENSTEIN NOMINATED FOR AWARD













Good news everyone (said in Professor Farnsworth voice); it seems FRANKENSTEIN has been nominated for a CYBILS award.
CYBILS (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’) are Web awards for children's literature judged by a panel of 100 bloggers.
The 2008 Nominations for Graphic Novels (Young Adult) include the newly released Frankenstein. It's got some pretty stiff competition. In the same category are Classical Comics' A Christmas Carol, Jayne Eyre and Macbeth. Not only that, but the fantastic Y The Last Man, Cameron Stewart's The Apocalipstix and the absolutely stunning Three Shadows by Cyril Pedrosa are all up against old Frankie. Poor Frankie doesn't stand a chance!
A full list of nominations are available here.

Dec.

300TH POST: BATMAN!
























Was just about to post this Batman sketch i did a couple of days ago when i realised this is my 300th post on this blog.
Wow.
300.
I remember when i thought i'd be doing well if i made 30 posts.

Dec.

MADMAN
























Here's another sketch i did last week. I'd never drawn Madman before. Not bad for a first try, i suppose.

Also, Ruth Crean, an old friend of mine from my Art College days just posted an interview we did on her blog. Check it out, there's a page from Frankenstein on it that i haven't posted anywhere else. When you're done reading that, make sure to look through Ruth's great online clothes shop. If only she made clothes for hunky guys like me....

That's right, you heard me. I said 'hunky'.

Dec.

SWEENEY TODD: PAGE 1 PENCILS
























Here's the pencils to yesterday's post. Really worked hard on this page. Hopefully it shows.....

Gonna check out the Irish 24 Hour Comic and Free Irish Comic Book Day events in Dublin tomorrow. If ye see me, do say hi.

Dec.

SWEENEY TODD: PAGE 1 LAYOUT

























Sleeves are well rolled up and getting my hands dirty with Sweeney Todd now. Here's the layout i did for the very first page. One down, 139 to go.....

Also, the first review of Frankenstein is up at ComicBitsOnline.com. They've reviewed all the new Classical Comics titles and says some very nice things about all of them, Frankenstein included.

Dec.

BATMAN SKETCH
























Did this sketch a few days ago. Everyone seems to like the Batman sketches i do, so i thought i'd post it.

Dec.

BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL COMICS SHOW 2008!

Well, what can i say? I, as usual at Brum had an absolutely brilliant time. The highlight absolutely being seeing copies of FRANKENSTEIN in print.



















Both the Original and Quick text versions of FRANKENSTEIN

Not only was Frankenstein out for Birmingham, but so was A Christmas Carol with wonderful artwork by Mike Collins, and Jane Eyre with amazing painted artwork by John M Burns. I'm pleased to say that Frankenstein sold a little more than the other titles at Birmingham, so i hope that means it holds up a little to the other two fantastic books.

























Thanks to Mick for scanning this Frankenstein sketch i did for him at Birmingham.


Birmingham is always great as i get to meet up with old mates, like David Baillie. I finally managed to get a copy of his brilliant Tongue Of The Dead hardcover collection. I also picked up some great books from Andi Watson, and Sean Phillips' Blow Up hardcover sketchbook.

























Thanks to Wade for the Daredevil scan.

Strangely enough, i didn't do that many sketches at Brum, not like i'm used to. Then again, i arrived late on Saturday due to the debauchery that occurred on the Friday night launch party. Still, i did some nice sketches, posted here by those who were kind enough to scan and e-mail them. It was great to catch up with mates, and have some decent conversations too, rather than the meet-and-greet that happens at a lot of cons. Seeing Leah Moore, John Reppion, Rufus Dayglo, Si Spurrier, Frazer Irving, Lee O' Connor and the like was, as always, a great pleasure.
























Thanks to Dave and Dan for the scan of this Joker sketch.

I'm also delighted that i managed to grab Andy Winter for dinner and talk all things Hero Killers and more importantly, Tim Skinner. Andy told me that he has nearly sold all existing copies of Hero Killers, and has no plans to reprint it. Rob Curley was also at the show. He told me he sold all of the copies of the new Freak Show that he brought.























Thanks to Luke for the Director sketch.

The unfortunate thing about doing a 'con report' is that i forget to mention half the people i talked to/ spent time with. Safe to say i had a great time, and an absolute highlight of my career so far was sitting at the Classical Comics table with all the team, including Kat Nicholson, Jason Cardy and Jason Cobley, signing many, many copies of a project we've all spent a hell of a lot of time on. I've looked at both text versions of the book, and they both turned out great. I was originally fearful that the more text-heavy version would be clunky as regards storytelling, but it reads really well. I'm delighted that certain story beats and pauses translated just the way i wanted them too. Without sounding full of myself, i think the finished Frankenstein book turned out great. I hope ye all check it out.

Huge thanks to James Hodgkins, Shane Chebsey and Andy Baker for organising such a brilliant show. Yet again.

Right, that's enough ranting. Back to work.

Dec.