There’s an interesting Face Book group on Underground Comix that you can find here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123643827659326&v=wall#!/group.php?gid=123643827659326&v=info
I’ll add a link on the blog roll.
One interesting item:Robert Crumb was offered $3 Million for the art from The Book Of Genesis Illustrated!
Wow.
BLACK MARIA 1 [or "No.616" as it says on the cover]
Black Hearted Press
US comic size
Black and white
16pp
£1.50
According to John Farman,another person introduced to me by Jim Stewart:
John Farman
54 Clifford Street
Kinning Park
Glasgow
G51 1PB
The P&P will be £1.75 [I'm guessing that's the price including p&p]
The book will also be on sale in Glasgow at the beginning of June from :-
Futureshock
200 Woodlands Road
Charing Cross
Glasgow
G3 6LN
AND
City Centre Comics
51 Parnie Street
Glasgow
G1 5LU
We also hope to have some kind of distribution deal with Forbidden Planet Belfast soonish.
Good to know they’ve got those things sorted out -web page next,guys?
I loved the colour cover -a neat strip on the back cover. John Farman writes and David Braysher draws “The Devil You Know”,”Ants”,”We’ll Always Have Paris” and “There’s Something About Maria”. The scripts are good and fun so no doubting the writing skills here.
The art. Now,I do need to mention the art. It was really neat. figures and effects,characters and Braysher knows how to use black! It depresses me when I see some of the art actually drawn by some wannabe artists because they have no idea how to balance out solid black,white areas,etc.. I can see Braysher going on to mainstream comics if the companies have any taste.
If you enjoy super heroes,action,the weird and a little tongue-in-cheek humour then Black Maria is the book for you.
Above:Helen Lord holds up a copy of “Here Comes Everyone” which seemed to be selling well over the Expo weekend. Helen was quite willing to chat with people about the book and showed me some future pages and explained how she coloured them.
Helen’s site,from which you can order copies is:
http://www.carcrashcentral.co.uk/
I’ll add that link to the blog roll later!
Here Comes Everyone! The Balad Of Pat & Mike
A4
Full colour
Perfect bound
72pp
£12.99 including p&p
It was David Gordon who mentioned this book to me and took me over for an introduction. I chatted briefly and then took off with my copy. I’m glad David took me to Helen’s table because after a tiring day this was a great read.
Pat Doyle is a nice lad but “a bit heavy with the prescription drugs”. His friend,Mike O’Donnell,has a heart of gold but it a little too free with it. Not bad lads -just a bit wild and this story is about music,drinking,drugs,sex and plastic dinosaurs. But there is more to it than that.
For one thing,if you are an older woman it may well be easy to pick up a slightly zonked out younger man at the pub but be aware:vomitting may occur.
Also,should you accept rides from a unicorn..that may not be a unicorn?
And if you ever come across a group of leprachauns be polite but walk on. Seriously,they will get you in all sorts of trouble and then bugger off.
This was a very enjoyable book and I can’t wait for the next book. What I liked is that there is no computer art or lettering. Everything has been done by hand using pen and ink and the book was completed after work and over weekends. It really does work with some great page layouts and use of colours that you can only get through working “the old way”. Because of this you cannot say “in the style of —” or “Like so-and-so does”.
It obviously took a lot of time but it’s well worth it. And I hope sells over the weekend helped make this an enthusiastic boost for Helen.
Recommended.
Photographed leaving the Mercure Hotel [or "Death Star 6" as we called it];seperated from his unit and concerned about traffic ["damn land-cruisers!"],this poor fella has no idea that the body armour is no protection. He is on Redcliffe Way and open to attack by assorted drunks,zonkers,Knowle West Tatters and Bedminster inbreds.
If I was him I’d be running!
GANJAMAN Presents 2
A4
48pp
Full colour
£3.50 [£4.50 +p&p?]
Explicit Contents Adults Only
If you missed Ganjaman Presents 1 or The Astounding Ganjaman then you missed out! But there are still copies available via Bad Press [link on blog roll]:
http://badpressltd.com/buy-ganja.php
Or ccheck with Jim Stewart on availability,etc.:
jimstewart65@googlemail.com
This comic is in full colour and it has been worth waiting for because the production is incredible -nice glossy pages and colours so vivid you’ll think you’re zonked. Until Ganjaman and Wasted came along I thought real UK Underground Comix had gone and if you’ve never read an Underground book before this is a treat for you. If you are an old Undergrounder[hey,man -they got rid of Wilson AND Nixon!] there are reasons why you should enjoy this.
Firstly,the legend that is Gilbert Shelton has contributed Fat Freddy and The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers also guest but on this occasion drawn by none other than Hunt Emerson! Hunt also contributes again in the form of the strip Pilgrim..guy looks familiar somehow?
Now,there are two legends -you want more? Now,not an imaginary contribution! Not a dream contribution! But for REAL!! Yes,Bryan Talbot contributes Smokey Bears! Now come on,that has got to make a few of you sit up!
There are Pudsy’s “Single Skinners”. “Last Of The Bummer Weed” -heh.
And John A. Short,who it was very nice to finally meet after so many years [and he gave me a Spliffy badge!] writes and Gabby Noble draws,Spliffy as well as “Fairy Tails”. Very naughty. That said,why do I never get invited to weddings where certain things happen -I’d have paid to attend the wedding in that Spliffy strip!!
Alexander & Sibling contribute a Total Fear strip which was nice to see. There is far more and that’s one reason why you ought to buy a copy!
Of course,I was awaiting part 2 of Ganjaman:Valley Of The Gwanja by Alan Grant [I have heard of him somewhere] and Jim Stewart. Does Galactahash pillage the Earth of its precious pot? Will the Silver Spliffer do right after a toke? Well,the Ultimate Bong sure does look like it means business!
And Wonder Wart-Hog guest stars.
You can be puritanical and miserable but you’ll never be happy if this sort of comic offends you. With political correctness going mad it is good to see some pure fun and you don’t have to smoke pot to appreciate the jokes,art or humour.
Go on -get a copy.
If you run a comic shop and read this or a Head Shop then contact Jim for copies. And below,Ganjaman by various artists!
I was asked by people at the weekend and yesterday,why I’ve no entry on Wikipedia? Well,some kind souls did post an entry under UK comics and UK Small Press they sent me the link but the entries under both had been deleted because I had “Not contributed anything to the subject”.
Who reads Wikipedia any way?
I am on a few European data bases and a couple in the US.
That’s the long and short of it. Jealous people around in comics.
Oh,and “D Structor”:No,I’m not a “selective google ludite” of any sort. Then again,I’m not some ass who uses a false name to be insulting. Raje toys never came up on google when I tried and thanks to your comments I’m now ignoring them. Be a man and name yourself,jerk.
David Gordon holds his Maeve proudly -is that God giving us a thumbs-up?!
Now,I have just one very tiny niggle about the Small Press Expo -it needed better sign-posting and when I got out of the lift one of the people helping out sent me in the wrong direction. However,he did apologise quite nicely and I can’t blame him anyway as all over the weekend I was having trouble [it's me age!].
Anyhow,I phoned David Gordon and within a minute there he was to guide me to the My Excess table which he was running with the help of his young lad [everyone knows I have no memory for names so apologies to him].
Above,you’ll see David holding up a copy of My Excess’ new printing of the David Gordon [artist] and,uh,Terry Hooper classic,Maeve. Part of the trilogy written for Eros Comix years back. A strictly adults only book.
I have a load of reviews of David’s books for tomorrow and if you missed out on any of his books here is good news if you live in Bristol:Excelsior! Comics took a limited stock so get down there or email them to see what’s left!
David’s site is:
http://myexcess.tripod.com
Great to see the man himself since we have talked and written to each other since 1990[?] but I’m not sure if that makes us a couple??
And here follows a price list.
Now I’ve written it before so I’ll write it again. After the weekend Expo I got inundated with friend requests on Face Book. I only use FB for very close friends and family not as a collecting point for everyone!
So,PLEASE,do not be offended if I do not accept your friend request as it is not personal and as I may soon close my FB page it would be pointless anyway.
PEACE & LOVE!
I do not support the Eagle Awards,however,being impartial I present this as I have been asked to.
The Eagle Awards, the British comics honors which are voted and chosen by
the fans, have just been announced. Online voting is now open!
Favourite Comics-Related Book
Comic Book Design (Gary Millidge)
Peter and Max
The Insider’s Guide to Creating Comics and graphic Novels – Andy Schmidt
The Marvel Art of Marko Djurdjevic
War Stories (Mike Conroy)
Favourite Newcomer Writer
Al Ewing
Jonathan Hickman
Kathryn Immonen
Kieron Gillen
Mike Lynch
Favourite Newcomer Artist
David Lafuente
Declan Shalvey
Jamie McKelvie
John Cullen
Matt Timson
Favourite Writer
Alan Moore
Geoff Johns
John Wagner
Tony Lee
Warren Ellis
Favourite Writer/Artist
Bryan Lee O’Malley
Darwyn Cooke
David Mazzucchelli
Paul Grist
Favourite Artist: Pencils
Frank Quitely
Guy Davis
Ivan Reis
J.H. Williams III
Stuart Immonen
Favourite Artist: Inks
Butch Guice
Charlie Adlard
Gary Erskine
Kevin O’Neil
Mark Farmer
Favourite Artist: Fully-Painted Artwork
Adi Granov
Alex Ross
Ben Templesmith
J.H. Williams III
James Jean
Favourite Colourist
Ben Templesmith
Christina Strain
Dave Stewart
Laura Martin
Len O’Grady
Favourite Letterer
Annie Parkhouse
Chris Eliopoulos
Nate Piekos (Blambot)
Richard Starkings (Comiccraft)
Simon Bowland
Todd Klein
Favourite Editor
Axel Alonso
Matt smith
Nick Lowe
Stephen Wacker
Tom Brevoort
Favourite Publisher
DC/Vertigo
IDW
Image Comics
Marvel
Rebellion/2000AD
Favourite American Colour Comicbook
B.P.R.D.
Batman & Robin
Captain Britain and MI13
Chew
Doctor Who
Phonogram – The Singles Club
Scalped
Favourite British Colour Comicbook
2000AD
Spandex
The Beano
The Dead: Kingdom Of Flies
The DFC
Favourite American Black and White Comicbook
I Kill Giants
Scott Pilgrim
The Venger: Dead Man Rising
Usagi Yojimbo
Walking Dead
Favourite British Black and White Comicbook
Chloe Noonan
Dragon Heir
Futurequake
Space Babe 113
Whatever Happened To The World’s Fastest Man ?
Favourite New Comicbook
Batman and Robin
Chew
Doctor Who
Rí Rá
Unwritten
Favourite Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist
GoGo Monster
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service
Pluto
Reya
Favourite European Comicbook
Chimpanzee Complex
Largo Winch
L’Histoire Secrete
Requiem Chevalier Vampire
Rí Rá
Favourite Single Story Published During 2009
Doctor Who : The Time Machination
Doctor Who: Black Death White Life
From the Pages of Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Harker
Phonogram The Singles Club 4 : Konichiwa Bitches
R.E.B.E.L.S. Annual #1: Starro the Conqueror
Favourite Continued Story Published During 2009
Doctor Who: The Forgotten
Judge Dredd: Tour of Duty
Phonogram: The Singles Club
Scalped #19-24: The Gravel in your Gut
Walking Dead #61 – 65: Fear The Hunters
Favourite Cover Published During 2009
2000AD #1631 (D’Israeli/Dirty Frank)
Batgirl #2
Batman & Robin #4 (Frank Quitely)
Batman and Robin #3
Doctor Who: The Forgotten #6
Favourite Original Graphic Novel Published During 2009
Asterios Polyp
Grandeville
League of Extraodinary Gentlemen: Century
Mouse Guard: Winter 1152
The Hunter
Favourite Reprint Compilation
Captain Britain by Alan Moore & Alan Davis Omnibus
Charley’s War: Underground and Over The Top
Doctor Who: The Forgotten
Saga of the Swamp Thing
The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures
Favourite Magazine about Comics
Back Issue
Comics International
Comics Journal
Tripwire
Wizard
Favourite Comics-Related Movie or TV Show
Heroes
Smallville
Surrogates
The Big Bang Theory
Watchmen
Favourite Comics Related Website
2000ad online
Bleedingcool.com
comicbookresources.com
Forbidden Planet Blog
Newsarama
Favourite Web-Based Comic
Freak Angels
Order of the Stick
PVP
Sin Titulo
xkcd.com
Roll of Honour
Brian Bolland
Dick Giordano
Joe Kubert
John Hicklenton
Peter David
Olivier Cadic at Cinebook said that this might be a movement I could support. Well,I have a lot of fights going on but I can always offer moral support!
The face book page is:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=70190490434&v=info
And the official web site:
http://www.comicbookalliance.org.uk/
Just check it out and if you can offer your moral support.
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