Sunday 27 May 2012

Announcing... Massacre For Boys Picture Library

There's been a positive response to the launch of the Action Special (and a run of online orders, which is pleasing), but it's time now to turn our thoughts to the future and to our next release...

Massacre For Boys Picture Library will develop the anthology format a stage further, with even more participation by the top names in UK independent comics. Steve and I will stay on as contributing editors, but we'll be doing a bit less of the writing and arting, allowing the variety and the quality to flourish.

To whet your appetites, here's the first page of Zen Fusilier, a fantastic new strip by Massacre debutante Greg Meldrum and second-timer John Caliber:

We are now operating an open submissions policy, and not all slots for this comic are yet filled, so if you're a up and coming writer or artist and you have a love of British comics please feel free to get in touch. All offers in a classic British style considered, and you should make sure you are aware of the Massacre For Boys look and feel to give yourself the greatest chance of success. The best way of doing this - and supporting our efforts - is to buy a copy, but it's not obligatory and we have put plenty of material online for you to peruse at no expense.

If the comic is a hit further issues of Picture Library will follow. The first one is due out early next year. Stay tuned for more - many more - updates....

Saturday 19 May 2012

Bristol Comic Expo 2012

Last weekend I was in Bristol, exhibiting at the annual Comic Expo. Look, I even managed to take a photo:

This was only my second ever Bristol as an exhibitor and my first ever convention spread over more than one day. I was accompanied at the Massacre For Boys table by Steven Denton (as you might expect) and Nikki Foxrobot. We were launching our new title, Massacre for Boys Action Special and thankfully it had arrived from the printers in plenty of time. This was actually not the printer I originally chose, having foolishly decided to go for a company I knew to have a bad reputation the first time around. All I can really say on this matter is that the guys at Ka-Blam stepped in late in the day and did a first rate job, and that if you ever see any claims regarding an Xpress service, take them with a massive pinch of very salty salt.

Bristol was a great occasion to catch up with friends and meet new comics people. The incomparable David Frankum was there throughout and legends Bolt-01 & Richmond Clements as well as the fantastic Owen Watts had their own tables, so we were pretty well covered for MFB contributors! Our stand was located at the back of the old engine shed (a massive hall, no old engines in sight) and next to the wares of the phenomonally talented Aneurin Wright. Over the weekend I got to see several more luminaries, including Steve Tanner of Time Bomb comics (love his Dick Turpin books), Jamie Lambert of Bearded Skull comics (a fellow purveyor of war action, great stuff), Garen Ewing of Rainbow Orchid (breath-takingly awesome) fame and many more.

The great attraction of Bristol is the comfortable inter-mingling of seasoned pros with fans and upstarts. I arrived on Friday night and found myself alone in the hotel lobby with D'Israeli (who vanished as soon as he realized I'd recognised him - don't worry, Matt, I'm a fan, but not a crazed fan!) and I have happy memories of super talented script droid Al Ewing joining in our conversations at the hotel bar. The number of times I clocked Paul Cornell in a 48-hour period was frankly frightening! Highlight of the weekend for the inner fanboy though, was when Simon Bisley bestowed on us some kind words about our work.

There was a major downside to this convention however, and that was that visitor numbers were sorely lacking. It did feel at times more like a social gathering of indepedent British comicdom then it did an actual opportunity to punt our wares to the comic-buying public. The lack of a big name headliner and the scheduling proximity to Kapow were both major factors here, and in this regard the organizers were unlucky. Denny O'Neil's late withdrawal no doubt had an effect and the refusal of Mark-Millar-con to schedule itself politely was bound to force many people to have to choose one or the other. I think this must be a lesson learned for the new team who took over organsising the Expo this year. Spread the risk by engaging three or four headliners, avoid a clash with Kapow or MCM (if that means moving from the traditional mid-May slot then so be it) and do a bit more to ensure the UK comics scene is fully represented. I was very disappointed, for example, not to see Self-Made Hero this year and they've since said that their absence wasn't due to Kapow so much as to not being invited!

However, overall I had a great time and came home feeling suitably energised and inspired. Roll on next year's show!

Friday 11 May 2012

Action Special: Launching Tomorrow

The Massacre For Boys Action Special goes on sale tomorrow morning at the Bristol Comic Expo. Massacre For Boys In Colour has been reprinted especially for the event.

Postscript for bargain hunters: if you're planning on coming along to this year's Expo and you fancy a copy of the very first Walking Wounded comic (Island of Terror) for JUST ONE POUND visit our stall and say the code phrase "Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Hitler?".

Monday 7 May 2012

Action Special: Running Order

Cover: Walking Wounded Eastern Front by Steven Denton (see previous blog entry).

Walking Wounded Eastern Front: Pagan Blood. Script by Chris Denton. Art, Colours and Letters by David Frankum.

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The Crusader: Spoonful of Honey. Script by Chris Denton. Art and Letters by Bolt-01. Colours by Richmond Clements.

Holt Bros: The Locked Room. Script by Chris Denton. Art by Steven Denton. Colours by Dee Cunniffe. Letters by Nikki Foxrobot.

Badland Rules: Spearstorm. Script by Steven Denton. Art, Colours and Letters by Tim Twelves.

Jimmy Baker Animal Hatmaker: Bones. Script by Chris Denton. Art, Colours and Letters by John Caliber.

Walking Wounded: Blackshirts of Exmoor. Script by Chris Denton. Art by Steven Denton. Colours by Owen Watts. Letters by Nikki Foxrobot.

Sample pages don't include lettering so as not to spoil things for you. There are no sample pages for Badland Rules and Jimmy Baker for the same reason.

Oh, and there's a special bonus strip on the inside back cover, but you'll only find out aboout that if you buy the comic...

Friday 4 May 2012

Action Special: Cover Story

Inks:
Painted:
Scribbled on:
Cover By Steven Denton. Massacre For Boys Action Special is out later this month.