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It’s amazing at how easily you can be ripped off in the comics business. 

I was in touch with an Indian [that’s from the Indian sub-continent] publisher who was a big fan of certain old British comic characters. I mentioned a team-up strip of two characters that he had not seen before and I offered to send a scanned copy to him.  He was very greatful.

 

 

I heard nothing back.

 

 

A month later the strip was being offered to buyers of his companys books as an exclusive “special”!! 

I did a lot of work for Indian companies who wanted new characters in new stories set in India that would up-date their look and image.  About 120pp in total for three companies.  That’s the last I heard –and I hear that some of this work may have been published but if it has,not seen it.  Not been paid for it.

 

 

But India is a hard country to pursue a company legally. 

Europe you might think would be easier?

Ohhhh no!

 

 

Along with the late Art Wetherell I produced a best selling 4 issue mini series for Eros Comics. 

This was reprinted a number of times and the graphic novel version ditto. I’m onlu now finding out to what extent “illegal” copies have been produced in French [for France and Quebec],Spanish and lords knows how many other languages!

 

 

If you read this and know of any foreign language [non English] versions of,deep breath,”Two Hot Girls” please let me know!

 

 

The follow-up,featuring the two characters from 2 Hot Girls,was title Maeve. I’m told there are non English editions but without knowing how the book has been re-titled,searching could take years.

 

 

Now,based on the editions I know of and sales I’ve heard of through contacts,I,Art and Maeve’s artist,David Gordon,have lost a good few thousand £/$ each.

 

 

Here’s a scoop!  Eros were supposed to publish the trilogy but Two Girls went out in 1991 and Maeve not until 1997.  The third part explained all that had been going on –yes,the series was popular because it did have a story!- but no interest from Eros.  The deal was:get an artist to draw 180-200pp for nothing then,and only then,would a decision be made as to whether it would be accepted –but only at 1991 contract rates!!

 

So,no explaining final book.

 

Until now.

 

Yes,I will be writing and drawing the final part of the trilogy –possible title:”Shafts In Time –End Game”.  Yep,then I just have to find a publisher!

 

And the 1984 “classic” Outlaws Of The Urban Forest,inspiration for Brown & Northall’s Outlaws 2540,is going to be redrawn and released! 

Shafts In Time and Outlaws Of The Urban Forest will be major projects with some relief provided by other projects and,hopefully,Maakika artwork.

 

Between this –CBO!

 

And I’d still like to hear your thoughts on what you read here!