Phil Hampton's The Comic Academy may appear gimmicky, but I've been finding his for sale collections of interviews and content analysis with creators worth a while. There's also a bunch of free pdf reports which should hopefully keep folk thinking about the business side of things.

Paddy Lynch has recently completed Big Jim for O'Brien Press. Previews of the story of Trade Unionist and Easter Rising leader Jim Larkin appear on his blog, along with a new video about the Irish independent music/punk/DIY scene that has influenced him over the years.

http://twitter.com/#!/BugpowderComics is a Twitter feed about comics and stuff.

Uproar Comics are releasing this;

Story of Amelia Earhart tells the story of Earhart’s early years and the lead up to her unplanned touch down at Gallagher’s Field in Derry 80 years ago following her solo transatlantic crossing. A Day in May written and drawn by Campbell focuses on Earhart's 24 hour stay there, and is prose, pen and ink illustrations gleaned from first-hand account and reminiscenes from local people. Joe Campbell's artwork is nothing short of solid and delightful. I recommend you keep an eye out for this one when it becomes available to buy next week. Probably here.

If you can't wait, here's some preview.

Jimi Gherkin announces this year's Alternative Press Festival on 4th & 5th August, "with exhibitions planned for Orbital Comics, Gosh! London and TEN (yes, TEN!) venues in the weeks leading up to the main fair at London's Conway Hall. At the main Fair, we'll have three rooms filled with exhibitors from all over the world showing comix, zines, book arts, screen printing and self published art work. We are programming workshops, talks, a spoken word festival-within-the-festival and lots more, so stay tuned for more!"

Via Matt and the Twitter feed of Kieron Gillen:

Poem comic by Tom Humberstone.

Chrissy Williams' thoughts on poems and comics.

From ICN: The Holy Numbers webcomic and website has just launched. It’s the new comic from ICN Dictator Tommie Kelly set in an alternative modern day Ireland where a New Age Spiritual Movement is quickly becoming the most popular religion in the country. A spiritual themed comic that blends political intrigue with the modern New Thought Movement, it centres around a man named Ravensdale.

The Holy Numbers asks the question: What if there is magic in this world?

Follow the father of 911 Truth as he travels in time through American history, faces vaccination and innoculation, resists the attempts of big media to hypnotise his kids and join him. See him advertise water filters and gold seeds, fight enemies foreign and domestic. Witness his trip with David Icke, George Noory, Jim Tucker and Gerald Celente as they cross seven continents.

Hold The Phones, It's Alex Jones! is a new comic by Andy Luke, Professor Octagon, Geoffrey D. Wessel, Benjamin STone, Bisson and Sean Duffield.
It's on sale here and you can also read the preview.

Bob Byrne recently returned to webcomics with Lando In The House - a trademark serving of his retro sweet and sour funniness.

Mike Weller's Songs Our Teacher's Learn Us (pdf) is and of itself itself and many a link too (including brain-melt Songs Of The Data Stream). Feel a song coming on at the back of the bus and go with it.

Meanwhile over in Ireland,

Independent Zine Fair at the Dublin Food Co-Op, this Sunday (22nd), 12-5pm.

An academic conference, Grant Morrison and the Superhero Renaissance, 14-15 September 2012, Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin. Abstracts due by month's end.

An extended interview with Patrick Brown on Cattle Raid, webcomics and stuff over at Shirley-Anne McMillan's blog

Elida Maiques has news of the launch of the Romantic Mayhem Pocketbook, Upstairs at ANSEO, 18 Candem Street Lower, Dublin on Saturday April 14th at 7pm - "Come and see, read, talk, drink with us."

For further details on Romantic Mayhem! check the website.

Tony Hitchman (who you may know from his vast array of small press work or possibly from his wonderful talks / quizzes at Caption) has released an educational book about comics:

Using Comic Art

Gosh. That would be a Malcy Duff comic with a name like that.

Well, I made it. I published sixteen new comics in six weeks. I doubt that's a record, given thirteen were 1-2 pages long and one was a webprint. An achievement, though also wise are the words of Sean Azzopardi, 'Don't work too hard. Work is a pain.' You can view most of these comics at http://newszoom.org

But if you've only time for one, Phil Barrett takes the prize. Check out his St. Patrick's Day scene from forthcoming graphic novel, "Where's Larry?"

New comic from Malcy Duff, it's called:

http://g8uhmm,kl;p[km0pollllllll;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;j88888888888888888888888888888888loooooooooooooo/'{?{?

28 pages,
£4 (plus P+P)

Visit http://www.missingtwinnews.blogspot.com/ for details

The Rotherham Zine Library interviews Bolton-based scribbler Rob Jackson.

The Polish edition of New British Comics Issue 3 is now available to read online:

http://issuu.com/polygobooks/docs/nbc3_pl

On Friday 2nd March at Gosh Comics in Soho, London. 7pm - 9pm.

Lee Kennedy is dreaming about celebrities of the classic ages again, and that always goes well.

Mini-comics creators Darren Worrow and Gary Parkin have recently released e-books, 'The Hargreaves Code', and, 'Phone Monkey The Secret Diary Of A Frustrated Call Centre Worker', respectively.

This post sponsored by NewsZoom.org, which mixes comics art and journalism. Check out our recent coverage of ACTA, the Occupy Belfast bank seizure and much more.

Andy Luke here. I've a comics against the clock exhibition launching in Belfast's Royal Avenue (109-113) tonight at 5pm, and running for six weeks. It's all really rather good and you should follow me on twitter @andrewluke for that reason. Image linked...

I'll be turning the day's news into comics - NewsZoom!

Based on a talk given by Michael (Space Opera) Weller in 2009 to the Research Institute in Media, Art and Design at the University of Bedfordshire, The Making Of Slow Fiction (PDF) is an essay which explores the small press comics scene and the author's singular foothold in it.

Issues 1 and 2 of Rob Jackson's It's A Man's Life In The Ice Cream Business are now available to purchase at his site.

Though certainly not without story-telling guile, Rob Jackson is a cartoonist who reliably works a lack of inventive telling to his advantage when producing stories with absurd complications. Here, however - where the autobiographical subject matter is the relatively mundane business of food-selling at rural markets - the 'this happened, then this happened' approach is not so complementary, and edges the pamphlets toward pedestrian diary-comics territory.

Vitally though, It's A Man's Life In The Ice Cream Business is charming, folksy stuff, and leaves you not just with a hankering for black peas and whinberry-flavoured ice cream, but with a piqued curiosity about the heritage of Jackson's livelihood, too. There's a satisfying sense that Jackson - who at one juncture loses then regains his soup confidence - is preserving more than just memories and the odd recipe.

The Eagle Awards are open for nominations until the end of the month, were you can vote for Jack Kirby as Best Newcomer Artist, and some fitting choices too.Voting begins on 15 February, and the winners are live streamed at the MCM London Comic Con, Excel Centre, 25-27 May. That's sure to be imaginative.

Brian John Mitchell writes to tell us about a new website, Silber Media, a site blending music (some free downloads), read-able comics and web-zines...The store includes his mini-comic collaborations with the likes of Eric Shonborn and Dave Sim.

Rebecca McCarthy asks if we can mention "a self contained one shot comic, mixing romance and superhero genres with hopefully a bit of a twist". AER is drawn by Chris Pullen, 24 pages of b&w A4 and available from IndieManga for £3.50. Rebecca also is looking for good homes for review copies so if you do that, drop her a line. Here's the link.

These BugSlugs brought to you by Andrew Luke; creating a bit of a stir in Belfast. A twice weekly comic sheet, Newszoom, is a live adaptation of the day's news to comics form, updated Tuesdays and Thursdays. It exists as part of In Time, an exhibition of my 24 hour comics which are really good. In Time runs from 2nd February to 15th March from the Arts and Disability Forum, Royal Avenue, Opps. Central Library Belfast. And today I'm promoting the docufilm I made on the Belfast comics scene.

The Invisible Artist from Northern Visions/NvTv on Vimeo.

(Background notes on my LJ)

New mini issue of the comic Monstrum Horrendum now available to read for free online here.

Craig Thompson Talks With Marcel Theroux
Later this month, the American graphic novelist Craig Thompson is in London to promote Habibi, one of the most acclaimed graphic novels of 2011, seven years in the making and published in Britain by Faber & Faber. Craig has kindly agreed to do one ‘live’ speaking engagement for Comica Festival. For this UK exclusive event on Monday January 23rd, Craig will give his illustrated talk and presentation about the ‘making of’ this remarkable book, giving rare insights into his research and process.

Lew Stringer, posts a Whizzer and Chips / Oink cross-over.

Lew Stringer was a huge influence on me as a 1980s comics reader. His humour work on the UK Transformers comic, as well as the ruder 'Oink', and others, made him I think, a national treasure. His blog, "Blimey! It's another blog about comics!", is great too.

Happy Christmas from me, Bug-Karters. Drink and telly now.

Tommie Kelly at ICN: "Just for Christmas, Im giving away all my digital comics to ICN readers. These links will be available until St Stephen’s Day, so get them while you can."

No money very well spent, methinks.

ASHES by Alex De Campi and Jimmy Broxton has reached its threshold, so will be published - There's still 11 days left if you want to be sure of bagging one of the initial print run limited edition hardcovers for $30

Over at Metropoppyfield, a new comic by Chris Reynolds to download: "After Third Stage and Planetfall I thought I'd like to do another "Monitor in Space" type of story. But this time, in place of Planetfall's hardware of 'childhood wonder', I thought I'd use spacecraft more in the line of Apollo and Space Shuttle technology - as if those designs had carried on for just a few more years." - Chris Reynolds

Thoughtbubble is this weekend in Leeds (there's events running this week in the lead-up too), and you can see whats on HERE

'Ashes', by Alex de Campi and Jimmy Broxton is half-way towards being funded. It sounds great, and if like me you want this on your shelf, preorder now!

Aeon Press, book-publishing arm of Albedo One magazine - and Ireland's only dedicated publisher of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror - has recently launched two new collections (at Octocon and at Bristolcon): Box of Delights, edited by John Kenny; and Transtories, edited by Colin Harvey. Print and pdf copies of the titles are now available at Albedo One. (Me, I've read Box Of Delights and particularly loved Priya Sharma's The Show - a flawlessly crafted story, which generates some chilling anticipation. Enticingly, the same author features in Transtories.)

Teares of Ireland on Irish Comics Wiki, wherein is lively presented, as in a map, a list of the unheard of cruelties and perfidious Treacheries of blood-thirsty Jesuits and the Popish Faction: as a warning piece to her sister nations to prevent the like miseries...

Andy Luke's and Carl Boyle's short documentary on Belfast comics creators features interviews with Paddy Brown, PJ Holden, Davey Francis and others, and provides a window onto Northern Ireland's comics scene, past and present.

Over at Irish Comic News, David O'Leary flashes a spotlight on the winners of the inaugural ICN Awards:

BEST SELF PUBLISHED IRISH ARTIST: Alan Nolan

Alan is the co-creator of the popular Sancho with Ian Whelan. Alan had a breakout 2011 with O’Brien Press with three original books aimed at a younger audience. Death by Chocolate was followed in October by Six Million Ways To Die in the Murder Can Be Fatal Series. The Big Break Detectives was also released in October. Nominated for five awards in this years nominations, the Wicklow native walked away with Best Self Published Irish Artist.

BEST SELF PUBLISHED IRISH WRITER: Mike Lynch


The County Clare based writer is the co-creator of Blackstar which launched in the pages of Irish language anthology Rira. Most recently seen in print in Uproar Comics Zombies Hi! #3, the Eagle Award nominated Lynch has a full slate for 2012 that will include work in Zarjaz, Nestor and Wire & Gas among others.

BEST MAINSTREAM PUBLISHED IRISH ARTIST: Nick Roche

Nick is of course best known for his extensive work in the Transformers universe. A regular contributor to the Eclectic Micks blog, Nick is no stranger to licensed work following work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Doctor Who. He won this category having run neck and neck with our runner-up right until the end of voting.

BEST MAINSTREAM PUBLISHED IRISH WRITER: Garth Ennis

Perhaps Ireland’s best known comic creator export. Ennis’ name is legendary in comic circles worldwide. Having struck gold with his Vertigo Comics opus Preacher, Ennis did it again with DC’s The Boys which moved to Dynamite Entertainment early on in its run. Having worked on everything from the Punisher to Hellblazer, he has an extensive back catalogue in the war genre and a number of creator owned books at Avatar Press.

BEST IRISH WEBCOMIC: The Cattle Raid of Cooley

Paddy Brown’s continuing web comic which is part of the Ulster Cycle series, chronicles the fabled Irish epic and running almost continuously since August 2008, it won in a category where any one of four could have nicked the title.

BEST IRISH SELF PUBLISHED COMIC: League of Volunteers

The launch issue of Atomic Diner’s heralded in a whole new era in Irish comic publishing with the aim of realising a shared Irish superhero universe. Written by Atomic Diner chief Rob Curley and art by Barry Keegan, the book hit a ton of critical acclaim and commercial success.

BEST IRISH CREATOR MAINSTREAM PUBLISHED COMIC: Thunderbolts

Written by Jeff Parker and rotating art by Kev Walker and Declan Shalvey, the continuing adventures of one of Marvel Comic’s favourite super hero teams holds a fond place in many fans reading lists with its mix of excellent writing and arresting visuals.

BEST IRISH COMIC RELATED BLOG or PODCAST: The Pubcast

Hosted by Simon and Wayne and Graham and recorded in a pub somewhere inDublin weekly to talk all things geek like, this was another category that went close to being decided by a few votes.

BEST IRISH COMIC SHOP: Dublin City Comics

The first winner of the Best Comic Shop category is based on Bolton Street in Dublin. Renowned for its friendly atmosphere and its ‘Geekeasy’ it will have a job on its hands to keep the title next year in a category where once more the result was very close.

OVERALL BEST IRISH COMIC: League of Volunteers

Winner of two categories for the Atomic Diner property is no mean achievement. With two issues printed and a vital part of the overall vision by Rob Curley, this book is deserving of the title of Overall Best Irish Comic.

HALL OF FAME (individual): Garth Ennis

It seems fitting that out first inductee to the ICN Hall of Fame is our most famous export. A standard-bearer for all who have come after him, Garth Ennis’ name is synonymous with quality comics.

HALL OF FAME (comic): Mister Amperduke

Bob Byrne’s acclaimed silent 2000 panel epic story is a landmark in comic storytelling. Lauded in many circles as a great achievement, it is a worthy entrant to the first Hall of Fame Comic category.

New Comic and Zine Fair in Galway!
ComicsWest is Irelands newest comic event. Hosted by the popular Comic Book society at NUI Galway, ComicsWest celebrates Irish comics and creators as well as offering up talks, workshops and stalls. There'll also be a Q&A with Irish artists and writers.
12 - 10pm November 12th 2011, NUI Galway. Free Entry.
For more info contact: comicbook@socs.nuigalway.ie

A few days left to run on Al's Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for The Alchemist's Easel. Al needs no introduction on these pages, but if you've just come in......Al is probably one of the comics industry's greatest assets. His stories are as real as it gets, his images are mesmerising, and his approach and delivery is as innovative as the UFOs viewed by the primitives.

http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Alchemists-Easel

Orbital Comics in London hosts the 'Just 1 Page' Horror themed exhibition and auction this weekend, Friday through Sunday, featuring lots of comic art from familiar names* to readers of this weblog.

*(Disclaimer: Including mine).

There's a new one-day comics event happening in Newcastle this December: The Canny Comic Con. Keep up to date with guests and exhibitors on the event blog: http://cannycomiccon.blogspot.com/

At Speech Balloons Paul H Birch thoughtfully tackles the sensitive task of reviewing Spirit Of Hope.

Comika Comiket returns in November.

Heres the spiel:

"The spectacular Great Hall at the Bishopsgate Institute is the new venue for Comica Comiket, the Comica Festival’s 6th one-day comics and art fair - bigger and better than ever, offering the best of British creators, publishers, small presses, graphic artists and suppliers under one roof. Throughout the day, top artists will be taking part on stage in the Comica Drawing Parade, with their live artworks and demos projected on a giant screen."

Tickets: Free, all welcome
Where: Great Hall, Bishopsgate Institute, London
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 11am to 6pm

My comic Inside Outsiders is available for viewing at Irish Comic News. The blurb: Psychosexual subtext pervades this League Of Extraordinary Toy Story as action figures undertake the perilous search for a fellow room-dweller who has fled an emotionally complicated relationship with a promiscuous Bratz doll.

Welcome back to FA – the Comiczine.

From the FA editorial team:

2010′s online revival of the former print comics fanzine was one of the things that gave our founding editor, Martin Skidmore, a great deal of enjoyment in what, tragically, turned out to be the last few months of his life.

Three of his friends – Tony Keen, Andrew Moreton, and Will Morgan – have pooled our resources to keep FA alive as a source for comics discussion, history and criticism.

We hope that you will support us by visiting frequently, commenting, recommending us to your friends, and by contributing articles, features, reviews, interviews or short strips. (Submissions guidelines will be published soon.)

We aim to retain FA’s distinctive balance as “the serious fanzine with a sense of fun”, and to produce a website that Martin would have enjoyed – and, that you will too! Please let us know if you think we’re getting it right.

Flying Leaf Creature is out!

Rob Jackson's trademark blend of absurdist, child-like whimsy, sweet-humoured tone and disarmingly naïve cartooning (shades of Mr. Benn here) is present in this full-colour tabloid-format comic. High on the bizarre-o-meter, this one pits a motley team against a criminal organisation with its finger in a hole other reality (sic), to gleefully entertaining effect.

Beguiling stuff! Available from Rob Jackson Comics.