News Bites 9 - a quickie

Despite it being ages since I posted a News Bites Blog and despite having loads of news to post its just a quickie this time - another one will follow soon. All together now: This is the newwwws!

ITEM! Emily Carroll's new website is now online - and gooooorgeous!

ITEM! Particle Fiction #13 is out now- and its a crossover with The Mighty Jambo!

ITEM! Reasonably Priced Comics are looking for submissions for their anthology - full submission info HERE. Ollie Masters is looking for an artist to collaborate with.

ITEM! The next part of Laura Sneddon's Women In Comics series is online: Batwomen and the Revenge of the Supergirls

ITEM! Scott McCloud has created a video tutorial in Lettering Comics With Adobe Illustrator

Blank Slate Books announce NELSON

This looks a stunningly good anthology coming from Blank Slate Books in November 2011: Nelson. Edited by Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix, over 50 creators tell one story across 260 pages. And what a line-up of talent! Jamie Smart, Gary Northfield, Sarah McIntyre, Ian Culbard, Philip Bond, D'Israeli, Garen Ewing, Laura Howell, Warren Pleece, Sean Phillips, Roger Langdridge, Adam Cadwell, Duncan Fegredo, Hunt Emerson, Andi Watson and many many more.

"Nelson embraces all aspects of comics storytelling across a wide spectrum of UK-based creators, uniting established talents from 2000AD, DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, The Beano and The Dandy with small press, Web comic and newspaper strip artists in one intriguing story.

Nelson is an unprecedented anthology, a crazy experiment that is part exquisite corpse and part relay race, and best of all, an all–consuming novel like nothing you have seen before."

Check out yon awesome flyer below for more info!

The Making of SPBM part I

Now here's an exciting treat for you faithful SPBMers* out there, a wee peek behind the scenes into the preparations that makes Small Press Big Mouth the well-oiled, professional, SFX Award nominated  podcasting machine that has become the envy of other podcasters and broadcasters the world over. So envious of SPBM are they that they will deny knowledge of ever having heard of it. Why only 5 minutes ago I imagined asking entertainment legend and not-doddery Strictly Come Dancing host Bruce Forsyth what he thought of SPBM... "I ain't never heard of it innit" I heard him reply in my head. That double negative led to proof positive** that whatever it was I was saying a minute ago is true. I'm not sure what my point was to be honest... I've had three Sherbet Fountains and a can of Vimto in the last 20 minutes and I'm feeling a bit dizzy not to mention foamy....

Oh YES! Behind the scenes of SPBM - well for this initial instalment we give you a rare glimpse into the workings of the brains of the hosts of Small Press Big Mouth in the shape and form of their notes for the soon to be recorded Episode 31.

Exhibit 1

See here the rounded writing of Lee, carefully delineated with a chunky marker, tongue stuck out and left arm curled protectively around the page to prevent copiers. See the confidence with which he states his own name and the pride in the way he writes "we ♥ comics"

This clearly indicating a warm, sensitive and caring soul, a magnificent and generous lover, a man of astonishing humour, intellect and talent - yet who is also unbelievably still single, ladies *wink* 

Exhibit B

Now, in counterpoint here are Stacey's notes - see how similar the contents are? Surely an indicator of how in tune the two friends are. See also the passion with which Stace declares that comics "is gorrrgeous". Skipping over the scandalous and slanderous accusation that 'Lee stinks'*** we see her aide memoire to "Do addresses" a very important part of her duties. But look, what treats! We have two beautiful examples of Stace's artistry - on the left another exquisite caricature of Lee, inexplicably expressed again as a cute bunny rabbit and on the right a... er... jeez, i dunno... what is that? Admiral Ackbar or summat?

So there's you go you happy bunch of SPBMers*, I hope you've enjoyed this tiny peek at the magic that goes on behind the curtain. Until next time... keep SPBMing!

(*pronounced "spbummers" regrettably)

(**SPBM loves Clue)

(***I do not stink, smell my armpit, go on smell it. Smell it!) 

What's The Point In Small Press Superheroes?

....is the title of a panel at the Bristol Small Press Expo that will feature the mighty line-up of Pulsatin' Paul Grist (Jack Staff), Groovy Graham Pearce (Sgt Mike Battle), Disco Daniel Clifford (Sugar Glider) and Mangled Matthew Craig (Trouble Bruin, Trixie Biker, Bostin Heroes) - gorgeous and profession-style moderation will be provided by SPBM's own Low-Flying Stacey Whittle. 

From the event's Facebook page...

With superhero comics dominating the mainstream for the last 50 years and countless superhero titles published every month, why would a small press creator spend their own time and money producing more stories in this genre?

Former small press and current Image Comics creator, Paul Grist (The Weird World of Jack Staff), is joined by Graham Pearce (Sgt Mike Battle), Matthew Craig (Trixie Biker) and Daniel Clifford (Sugar Glider) to discuss whether or not they’re adding to an already flooded market or providing an interesting alternative.

The panel will be held on Saturday 14th May at the Mercure Hotel from 1-2pm. A full list of all the events at the Small Press Expo as well as booking info can be found HERE. 

Matthew Craig's NEW STREET TALES needs artists!

We at SPBM mansions love the work of Matthew Craig (Hondle, Trouble Bruin, Bostin Heroes, Tryhard & Tearaway), we love anthologies and we also love it when we can give creators a platform to pitch and recruit for new projects. So we're very happy to hear about Matthew's latest comic, but we'll let him tell you about that. take it away, Russ...

MATTHEW CRAIG'S NEW STREET TALES

THE PREAMBLE

For ten years, I have been writing about haunted robots, intrepid dogs and GoGo PIxies. I have created undead hoodies, bottle-blonde comedians, and an Evil Robbie Williams. My stories have ranged from one corner of this nation to the other, but they always seem to come back to the same old place.

When I began making comics, I took great inspiration from the regeneration of Birmingham. What once was a concrete linguini of diesel fumes and subways has become a shining jewel in the heart of Britain: a city of science-fiction architecture and rich culture.

And superheroes! For the last five years, many of my most popular titles have revolved around the daring deeds of mighty Midlanders, from the bittersweet family drama TROUBLE BRUIN to the knockabout fun of BOSTIN HEROES.

It is for this reason that I would like to commemorate the arrival of a new Birmingham comic show with a celebration of Brummie heroism, both real and imagined.

THE IMPORTANT BIT

Artists wanted for 8-10pg stories of Brummie heroism. Real-life, superhuman and historical/mythological tales of bravery in and around the Second City. All styles welcome. All stories written by Matthew Craig. The finished book will be an A5 B&W anthology (max 64 pgs) with colour cover, printed in time for the 2011 BC comic show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham, on August 27th. Final deadline for artwork 1st August.

There will be no payment for this anthology, but all costs for the initial print run will be met by the writer. After the debut show, a number of copies will be provided for each artist to sell at their leisure.

Matthew wants to make clear that although the anthology will be Midlands-based he's not just looking for local talent. Matt is also looking for artists to collaborate with him on submissions to The Phoenix Comic and Strip Magazine so if you want to get in touch about any of the about you can email him HERE. 

Comic Review: New British Comics #3

New British Comics #3

review by Gordon Robertson

New British Comics latest issue is the third and best yet collection of short pieces from the cream of the British small press and independent scene. A collection of some 13 stories spread over 80 odd pages, you get a decent amount of bang for your buck.

Anthologies are notoriously hit and miss affairs but there isn’t a weak link in this collection. I couldn’t go as far as to say there is something for everyone, as the stories tend towards the darker side, but if that is the sort of thing you like then you will find plenty in here to entertain you.

It's always refreshing to read some work that has been created for artistic reasons alone, without any need to compromise for commerciality. It makes for some weird and wonderful creations. The centre pages of the issue are filled by the work of Craig Collins and Iain Laurie with ‘The Quiet Burden.’ You'll go a long way to find something as truly demented as this tale. Other highlights include the excellent monochromatic stylings of ‘Ink vs Paper’ from John Miers.

While these are personal favourites it's not fair on the other pieces to single them out, each story is as enjoyable as the next. If you like your comics left field then this is an excellent sampler of just how much good work is being done out there in the world of the small press.

New British Comics #3

Available from:

http://newbritishcomics.blogspot.com

http://www.badpressltd.com/buy-nbc.php

***

Huge thanks to Gordon Robertson for this review. Please keep them coming, Gordon. As should you, yes you, out there reading this - if you want to review a comic or small press comics event or fancy contributing to the SPBM blog please drop us an email or contact us via our twitters which are @stace_w and @LovelyLee_G 

You can read more reviews by Gordon at ComicBuzz and GEEKchocolate

Stacey co-hosting ECBT2000AD ep 54 - online now!

ECBT2000AD podcast ep 54

Its Rich and The Whittle this time round getting stuck into progs 1729 & 1730.

As always the progs discussed are spoiled and the language is non kiddie friendly from the start… I believe Stacey’s opening line is “That dinosaur on the cover is f*cking GORGEOUS”

Available through itunes etc or as a direct download from our libsyn page HERE