Oh, yeah, Captain America punches out a sabre-tooth tiger.
And if that wasn't enough, Cap goes back to finish it off...
OK, so it was only Skrull-Cap, but come on! Stuff like that's the reason why people love comics in the first place!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Some one-up manship...
Following on from Bryan Coyle's post about Nancy Drew fighting bears, I thought I'd one-up him with this:
Oh, yeah, Captain America punches out a sabre-tooth tiger.
And if that wasn't enough, Cap goes back to finish it off...
OK, so it was only Skrull-Cap, but come on! Stuff like that's the reason why people love comics in the first place!
Oh, yeah, Captain America punches out a sabre-tooth tiger.
And if that wasn't enough, Cap goes back to finish it off...
OK, so it was only Skrull-Cap, but come on! Stuff like that's the reason why people love comics in the first place!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Fury of SHIELD
Every now and then, you stumble across something that makes you just shake your head in disbelief and wonder what was going through the minds of the people involved.
This weekend, this was what made me do that:
Yeah, Marvel's very own Super-Spy Nick Fury gets a 90's makeover, complete with cybernetic implants over where his eye patch should be, and it's all done in that faux Rob Liefeld style.
It doesn't get much better inside, though:
That's pretty much where I drew the line with this, to be honest. Even though it's written by Howard Chaykin, I couldn't even bring myself to get past that first page.
I loved Steranko's Nick Fury; it was campy fun that perfectly caught the spirit of the 60's spy genre. I have to confess, I'm enjoying what Jonathan Hickman's doing with Fury in Secret Warriors. In fact, I think it's fair to say that anything with Fury in it, I'll give it a go.
However, Fury Of SHIELD is, frankly, something Marvel should hang their heads in shame for.
This weekend, this was what made me do that:
Yeah, Marvel's very own Super-Spy Nick Fury gets a 90's makeover, complete with cybernetic implants over where his eye patch should be, and it's all done in that faux Rob Liefeld style.
It doesn't get much better inside, though:
That's pretty much where I drew the line with this, to be honest. Even though it's written by Howard Chaykin, I couldn't even bring myself to get past that first page.
I loved Steranko's Nick Fury; it was campy fun that perfectly caught the spirit of the 60's spy genre. I have to confess, I'm enjoying what Jonathan Hickman's doing with Fury in Secret Warriors. In fact, I think it's fair to say that anything with Fury in it, I'll give it a go.
However, Fury Of SHIELD is, frankly, something Marvel should hang their heads in shame for.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Daily Mail Song!
Dan & Dan present The Daily Mail Song! Or, in their own words:
"We're aware this video won't mean an awful lot if you've never heard of The Daily Mail, but on the plus side, you've never heard of The Daily Mail."
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
On the shelf...
There's just something about walking into a comic shop and seeing something that you've been involved with sitting on a shelf. It gives you a strange sense of accomplishment, even though you've only been a very small part of it.
It happened to me on Thursday, when I had a quick look in Travelling Man in Newcastle and I saw a copy of Accent UK's ROBOTS sitting on the shelf. I kind of grew a massive grin and couldn't get rid of it until I walked out of the shop. If I walk into a shop and I see Babble on the shelf, I'll be fucking insufferable.
Of course, I'm now regretting not snapping off some pictures to post here and prove it to the world...
It happened to me on Thursday, when I had a quick look in Travelling Man in Newcastle and I saw a copy of Accent UK's ROBOTS sitting on the shelf. I kind of grew a massive grin and couldn't get rid of it until I walked out of the shop. If I walk into a shop and I see Babble on the shelf, I'll be fucking insufferable.
Of course, I'm now regretting not snapping off some pictures to post here and prove it to the world...
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thoughts on writing, yeah?
One thing I tend to avoid, if possible, is talking about writing. I don't mean me talking up my own work (which I can do like no one's business when I get going), I mean the technical side of it, the nuts and bolts of putting a story together.
The glib answer to why I don't is because I don't want to get found out as being a chancer, but I think the main reason is that I seem to have a very different view on the concept of writing as a whole, which doesn't always sit well with others.
I keep saying that I'm just a simple working class lad that can sometimes put words together into pleasing sentences. I haven't done a university course that's taught me this, I haven't attended any creative writing classes. This will probably set a lot of people after me with torches and pitchforks, but I've never read a "style guide" or any books on writing. I'm not saying that you shouldn't read those, mind! Just that I haven't. The closest thing I've ever come to studying writing in any way is reading stuff and then actually writing.
The majority of writers I've met always seem to cleave toward the more romanticised version, being a bit tortured and overly arrogant, convinced that they're the best thing since Tolstoy, making notes in the margins of their battered old copies of War & Peace, while all the time dismissing other writers because they don't like the look of them. For a long time, it made me wonder if I was just an outsider that would never be a part of this wonderful world, and I pretty much backed away from sharing my own thoughts and feelings on the subject with them, and anyone else for that matter.
Since using Twitter and getting involved with Insomnia, my view has changed. Via Twitter, I've met and chatted to some great writer types, people who seem to share my viewpoint on the whole subject, and it's become clear all those pretentious writer types are actually in the minority. It's hard to talk to people like Matt Gibbs or R.F. Long and not get swept up in the passion they have for their craft, and, for me, it makes a world of difference. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel as if I'm being left out of some super-secret club that I'll never be a part of.
But I still find it hard to talk about the nuts and bolts side of things with anyone. I guess I still feel that I'm going to be looked down on for not having read Stephen King's guide to writing or my passion for pulp SF. Maybe there's still a part of me that believes that I have to head more toward the romanticised version of being a writer to be fully accepted, even though I think that's the wrong mindset for what I want to get out of this whole writing game.
I think I've still got a way to go before I can wrap my head around it all, and maybe finally break out of my shell and be able to talk about writing properly.
Oh, and what is my viewpoint I don't hear you asking? Well, it's simple: if you're a writer, you need to sit down and fucking write, rather than flounce about telling people you're a writer.
I think I'm paraphrasing Michael Moorcock there, but it's still pretty solid advice.
The glib answer to why I don't is because I don't want to get found out as being a chancer, but I think the main reason is that I seem to have a very different view on the concept of writing as a whole, which doesn't always sit well with others.
I keep saying that I'm just a simple working class lad that can sometimes put words together into pleasing sentences. I haven't done a university course that's taught me this, I haven't attended any creative writing classes. This will probably set a lot of people after me with torches and pitchforks, but I've never read a "style guide" or any books on writing. I'm not saying that you shouldn't read those, mind! Just that I haven't. The closest thing I've ever come to studying writing in any way is reading stuff and then actually writing.
The majority of writers I've met always seem to cleave toward the more romanticised version, being a bit tortured and overly arrogant, convinced that they're the best thing since Tolstoy, making notes in the margins of their battered old copies of War & Peace, while all the time dismissing other writers because they don't like the look of them. For a long time, it made me wonder if I was just an outsider that would never be a part of this wonderful world, and I pretty much backed away from sharing my own thoughts and feelings on the subject with them, and anyone else for that matter.
Since using Twitter and getting involved with Insomnia, my view has changed. Via Twitter, I've met and chatted to some great writer types, people who seem to share my viewpoint on the whole subject, and it's become clear all those pretentious writer types are actually in the minority. It's hard to talk to people like Matt Gibbs or R.F. Long and not get swept up in the passion they have for their craft, and, for me, it makes a world of difference. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel as if I'm being left out of some super-secret club that I'll never be a part of.
But I still find it hard to talk about the nuts and bolts side of things with anyone. I guess I still feel that I'm going to be looked down on for not having read Stephen King's guide to writing or my passion for pulp SF. Maybe there's still a part of me that believes that I have to head more toward the romanticised version of being a writer to be fully accepted, even though I think that's the wrong mindset for what I want to get out of this whole writing game.
I think I've still got a way to go before I can wrap my head around it all, and maybe finally break out of my shell and be able to talk about writing properly.
Oh, and what is my viewpoint I don't hear you asking? Well, it's simple: if you're a writer, you need to sit down and fucking write, rather than flounce about telling people you're a writer.
I think I'm paraphrasing Michael Moorcock there, but it's still pretty solid advice.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
RIP John Hicklenton
This morning, I heard about the passing of artist John Hicklenton after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.
If there's one person I'd credit with getting me into 2000AD, it would be Hicklenton. I remember reading a copy when I was a kid, and seeing this image:
I remember being equal parts fascinated and freaked out by that when I first read it. The idea of this weird demon with a guitar stuck with me for years, until I tracked down Nemesis The Warlock: Deathbringer, and I could read the whole story and bask in Hicklenton's wonderful artwork.That book turned me into a lifelong fan, and it's sad to think of a world where he won't be producing more art.
My condolences to his family and friends.
You can find out more about Hicklenton's struggle with MS via his short film Here's Johnny, which can be found at http://www.heresjohnnyfilm.com/.
If there's one person I'd credit with getting me into 2000AD, it would be Hicklenton. I remember reading a copy when I was a kid, and seeing this image:
I remember being equal parts fascinated and freaked out by that when I first read it. The idea of this weird demon with a guitar stuck with me for years, until I tracked down Nemesis The Warlock: Deathbringer, and I could read the whole story and bask in Hicklenton's wonderful artwork.That book turned me into a lifelong fan, and it's sad to think of a world where he won't be producing more art.
My condolences to his family and friends.
You can find out more about Hicklenton's struggle with MS via his short film Here's Johnny, which can be found at http://www.heresjohnnyfilm.com/.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Telephone by Pomplamoose
I admit, I was one of those people that watched Lady Gaga's new video (and, my God, that's 10 minutes of my life that I'll never get back!), but then I found a cover of it by Pomplamoose, which, I have to say is actually better than the original, and my faith in the world was restored...
I know nothing else about these two, other than they are fucking awesome, and that's all I need to know, frankly.
I know nothing else about these two, other than they are fucking awesome, and that's all I need to know, frankly.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Baywatch Nights Season 2
After watching the opening credits to the aforementioned series, I asked myself a very important question: Why the hell have I never seen this?!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Are you a terrorist?
This is, apparently, a real radio advert from Talk Sport...
By that rationale, I'm actually a terrorist, because I don't socialise with the neighbours, and I tend to pay for things in cash (although I do have a bank card, but, you know, paying for a packet of Polos with a bank card would be taking the piss, I think).
I can only assume that the MI5 bods that came up with this piece of "profiling" did so at 4:45 on a Friday afternoon.
Way to build a climate of fear, MI5. I mean, really.
By that rationale, I'm actually a terrorist, because I don't socialise with the neighbours, and I tend to pay for things in cash (although I do have a bank card, but, you know, paying for a packet of Polos with a bank card would be taking the piss, I think).
I can only assume that the MI5 bods that came up with this piece of "profiling" did so at 4:45 on a Friday afternoon.
Way to build a climate of fear, MI5. I mean, really.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
More Video Game Classics
Following on Olly Moss's rather excellent re-imagining classic video games as books, those people over at Something Awful have done their own...
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
"Hey, kids! Free comics!"
I've updated the Portfolio page to include links to my previously published strips (the ones I'm allowed to post on-line, anyway). Read and, hopefully, enjoy. And if you don't like them, hey, they were free, so stop complaining.
I'll update that page with more links or possibly ebooks as we go on.
I'll update that page with more links or possibly ebooks as we go on.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Save 6Music!
The Chance Collective enjoyed Jeremy Paxman taking apart the BBC Director General over the BBC 6 Music fiasco so much that they had to give it the Malcolm Tucker treatment...
The Carrie Nations!
I make no bones about my love of Russ Meyer's insane Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, so I thought I'd share this with the world...
I think it's worth watching the whole film again to see the incredible looking cast of extras that Meyer assembled for it. Personally, I'd Meyer up there with Sergio Leone as knowing how to use the facial features of his cast as part of the visual landscape. Only with boobs.
I think it's worth watching the whole film again to see the incredible looking cast of extras that Meyer assembled for it. Personally, I'd Meyer up there with Sergio Leone as knowing how to use the facial features of his cast as part of the visual landscape. Only with boobs.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Babbling on...
As Babble inches ever closer to the end, and we get ourselves geared up for the previews, I can't shake this weird feeling of dread.
This is a big thing for me; it's the culmination of a lot of work and the chance to get a story out there that I've had kicking around my head for an obscenely long time. Because it's been a part of my life for so long, I'm determined to get it right, but there's a part of me that feels as if I'm compromising, that I'm not doing the characters and the story justice, but there's also a part of me that has to wonder if people will like it...
This is not going to turn into a huge "love me, love me" post. I've had positive reactions about my work before, I know that I'm getting better as a writer with each piece I do; I'm learning from my mistakes, as any writer worth their salt should. I have enough ego to get my work out there in the first place, but not enough to believe that I'm The Greatest Writer In The World and you should all bow down before me (although, that will happen one day...).
Babble is my first full length work, and it's harder to let something like this go off to face the public, than a five page SF short. Babble is me staking my claim, if you will, a declaration that says I'm here and I'm ready to take on the world.
Babble is a first step on a new path for me.
Or at least, I hope it is.
This is a big thing for me; it's the culmination of a lot of work and the chance to get a story out there that I've had kicking around my head for an obscenely long time. Because it's been a part of my life for so long, I'm determined to get it right, but there's a part of me that feels as if I'm compromising, that I'm not doing the characters and the story justice, but there's also a part of me that has to wonder if people will like it...
This is not going to turn into a huge "love me, love me" post. I've had positive reactions about my work before, I know that I'm getting better as a writer with each piece I do; I'm learning from my mistakes, as any writer worth their salt should. I have enough ego to get my work out there in the first place, but not enough to believe that I'm The Greatest Writer In The World and you should all bow down before me (although, that will happen one day...).
Babble is my first full length work, and it's harder to let something like this go off to face the public, than a five page SF short. Babble is me staking my claim, if you will, a declaration that says I'm here and I'm ready to take on the world.
Babble is a first step on a new path for me.
Or at least, I hope it is.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Sign Language
Even though I'm a hard-bitten cynical, hate-filled bastard, I did feel quite touched by this...
Monday, March 01, 2010
"There are two types of people in this world..."
Honestly, I really have no idea what to make of this...
However, I am intrigued... Please, tell me more Les - in fact, give me some of your Les-sons...
Hold on! I'm writing this down... OK, so... Hawkpanther? Where did that come from?
Aw, man, I hope my mid-life crisis is as epic as this when it comes... But, wait! The Hawkpanther system in a success! Just look here. Think I'm ready for the quiz now, Les...
Aw, nuts... Guess I'm just not ready to be a Hawkpanther yet. :(
[And, yes, I know all of that nonsense is viral marketing for Dante's Inferno, but a part of me wishes it were all real...]
However, I am intrigued... Please, tell me more Les - in fact, give me some of your Les-sons...
Hold on! I'm writing this down... OK, so... Hawkpanther? Where did that come from?
Aw, man, I hope my mid-life crisis is as epic as this when it comes... But, wait! The Hawkpanther system in a success! Just look here. Think I'm ready for the quiz now, Les...
Aw, nuts... Guess I'm just not ready to be a Hawkpanther yet. :(
[And, yes, I know all of that nonsense is viral marketing for Dante's Inferno, but a part of me wishes it were all real...]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
