Make Mini Comics

We love Newcastle City Library. Largely because it's a place where you can get books and comics and that for free. But also because they let a bunch of like minded comics creators put on the first comics convention in Newcastle in sixteen years. A few of the people behind the Canny Comic Con are getting their comics on again and holding another event at the City Library.

This Saturday, Make Mini Comics day is happening. It's a day of comics making, starting off with a bit of theory in the form of a couple of talks from Paul Thompson and Ingi Jensson (who did the poster above). The two will no doubt have some gems of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing in time for the mini comics making workshops, which I assume are being lead by Cuttlefish. You can make your own comics on any theme you like, a song, a shopping list, a funny story, a half-heard conversation, the end of the world, a chance meeting or just a bunch of words and pictures.

The talks are from 11:45am-1:00pm and the workshops are from 1-5pm. You've got to book a place for the talks at the library or over the phone (0191 277 4100) and everything is free. Libraries are awesome.

There's more info here.

Leeds Alt Comics Fair, Thought Bubble and Canny Comic Con

October, November and December were fun months due to each one taking in a comics event and inviting us along for the jaunt.


First up was the 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair, an event that has cemented itself as one of my favourites because it's in a pub. It's also an intimate affair, deftly organised by Hugh 'Shug' Raine and Steve Tillotson. LACF offers a diverse cross section of the UK small press scene, based mainly in the north, but with guests from much further afield too. As a result, there's something for everyone and a chance to speak to all of the exhibitors, something that's just not possible at the bigger events. I was sharing a table with Andy Waugh and we had a lovely time in spite of freakishly high temperatures and sunny conditions keeping punters away from the venue. You can check out Hugh's photos from the event here.

This little Susie made her first appearance at LACF, and proved to be the most popular thing at the table. As I'm sure you'll remember, it was made by my sister from another mister, Scarlet Pyjamas for my birthday way back in May. Someone suggested, in jest or in a stroke of genius perhaps, that she should come free, Beano-style, with a copy of the comic. As only one is in existence, that may be a bit of a bother...


Back in Leeds for Thought Bubble in November, it was the festival's first outing as a two-dayer. I was going for the weekend, sharing with Andy on Saturday and Helen Entwisle on the Sunday. We had a great one, and struck a nice balance between good sales and meeting comics mates new and old. My Sugar Glider co-creator, Daniel Clifford was also at TB, launching his new venture, Art Heroes, which you should check out. Here's a photo of mine and Andy's work entertaining the troops.

The last event of the year was a new one, the Canny Comic Con is the first comics event that has taken place in Newcastle in over fifteen years, it is the only major comics event in the gap between Inverness and Leeds and it was an absolute pleasure to be at Newcastle City Library to sell our wares. There was an electric atmosphere, with a crowd representing a range of ages and backgrounds. For me it's always a pleasure to sell stuff in Newcastle as that's where all or most of my work is set. Newcastle is essential to Sugar Glider, so it makes sense to get into the Toon and talk to its denizens about their superhero. It wasn't intentional, but our latest title, Sugar Glider Stories 2, even has the new City Library on the front cover! If you want to see what it all looked like, head over here. If you want to hear some interviews with exhibitors and guests head over here. Sales on the day were excellent, but more importantly, we got the chance to speak to returning Sugar Glider fans. Thanks for taking the time to stop by guys! Also a massive thank you to Alex and Stace who organised this wondrous day is such an effortless manner. I'll leave you with a photo of me and Andy at our table.

All in all, it was a great run of events to finish up the year. Three very different cons, but all were essential and I left them all with a great buzz for making comics and I'm looking forward to the next event in 2012.


Hopefully see you then.

Grainger Street

I finished work on a new book this weekend. I think you'll like it.

It's called Grainger Street, it totals 28 pages of quality paper stock and boasts a lino print cover. Top class. Grainger Street runs from Newcastle Central Station up to Grey's Monument and seeing as it's situated there, I've walked up and down it a number of times. The book is an attempt to draw together some of the things that I've encountered, thought about and seen on the way up to the Monument. It's bit of a guide to the city, but through my eyes and memories; as such, it's highly subjective, but you can go to the library if you want a rigorous historical document. It's one for Nightbus completists too, as one of the early stories was inspired by this street.

I'll be launching Grainger Street, to much pomp and fanfare, at Thought Bubble next weekend, do come along to the Paper Jam Comics table and say hello. Afterwards, it'll be available in my online shop, then in actual shops. Remember them?

Robots, Stars & Squares

There won't really be any order to this, so bear with me. Nightbus #01 is back in stock! Go down to the shop and get your good selves a copy now. Or soon. Put don't put it off too much. Carpe that diem.

The fifth anthology from Paper Jam Comics is called Robots... and that. It's so good it will make you break down and weep like a child. The launch party was fantastic, a new venue, the Star and Shadow Cinema afforded us the opportunity to show films and cram a load more people in than on previous occasions. There were new bands, well, different bands, and a new name for Jack's band. Daniel is the frontman for Squares who headlined the event, and we collaborated on a wee comic for Robots... which is previewed above. Previewed is a bit inappropriate, as the whole anthology has already been viewed by folk for about a week now. Daniel is a very talented writer and you should read his blog which also has a few entries on our creative process.

I urge you, if you haven't already, to go to the Squares myspace or facebook and befriend them. Whatever that means. Stalk them, that will be a far more constructive use of your time.

Hmmm... lots of links there. Speaking of which I've updated the links bit at the sidebar. Do enjoy yourself. I'll be back when I think of more stuff to write.

Juvenile Comics Lookalike Mash-ups

Does anyone else think National Treasure and Newcastle's Secretary of State, Cheryl "Chezza" Cole looks a wee bit like a certain creation of everyone's favourite racist, Frank Miller?

And on a slightly more cruel note, that lass from Celebrity Big Brother looks a bit like the Comedian from Watchmen.

Anyone? Just me? Squint a bit.

Images courtesy of MSN, some Marvel fansite, The Sun (yeah, I know), and someone with a Watchmen blog. Cheers folks.

New Nightbus

Nightbus #02 is officially out there in the real world. A few copies were sold at the Newcastle Comics Evening last night and a further ten are on the shelves. I've also just returned from the Post Master's cottage to send copies down to TM's outposts in Manchester and Leeds. More physical outlets will come along in time, and of course, we'll have plenty at Thought Bubble in Leeds. Do come along for that.

The online shop on the sidebar has a new shopping cart facility, allowing you to buy both Nightbus 1 and 2 in one, wise and prudent transaction. Apologies to Europe and the rest of the world, for the astonomical postage costs, but take heart in the fact that the pound has fallen as dramatically as a drunken reveller in the Bigg Market.

Nightbus 2

This one's a favourite of mine. A focus on Conrad for a couple of pages. An error of judgement on my part meant that the print copy was a tad illegible. Kudos to you if you've come over seeking a clearer read.



For those of you who don't know Newcastle that well, this one starts off in the Bigg Market, well, above it. It's toned down quite a lot actually. No stabbings in this. Still, you probably wouldn't believe us if we were entirely truthful. I don't mean for this to start a "my home town's rougher than yours" type debate, for the area of the Bigg Market is a distinct entity unlike anything else. Not so much an area of the city as a collective mentality of "I will glass you if you look at me" localised into a few square metres.