Artwork from the brilliant and talented James Daniels for a behind-the-scenes comic book project… shhh, we’ll talk about it later in the year…

Why, hello there. It’s been a while, but I have news. In an appropriate flash format. Thar she blows:

– Magic of Myths was chosen as a highlight book for the Comics should be good blog for its Month of African-American Comics. (Yes, we’re aware it’s a mild misnomer given neither Sergio nor I are African American, but the column stated that black people from across the globe were eligible, and the mirror didn’t hold any surprises for me the last time I looked in it, barring a few more grey hairs, so…)

Naturally we’re delighted to have been picked among the many, many entries and the columnist, Brian Cronin, had lots of kind things to say about the series:

“In this series, Brotherson does a strong job with the concept of myths, especially modern myths, like the ones that we make up about ourselves and our lives. Are they any less powerful than the ancient myths? I suppose we will find out as the series continues. 

“Calvet’s work evokes a nice Kirby-esque feel to it that lends the comic a good deal of charm. (…) This is an engaging series with charming artwork from the main artist. I hope to see more of Eve’s heroic journey in the future.”

So we’re happy bunnies indeed. Read more here: http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2014/02/11/month-of-african-american-comics-magic-of-myths-seasons-1-2/ 

– We’ve also announced a new Magic of Myths book, called Magic of Myths: Faerie. This is to help fill the gap of Magic of Myths: season three‘s delay (sorry). The story will be revealed in due time, but it involves William Shakespeare‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream… 
 
An artwork preview fresh from Sergio’s drawing table? Sure, why not:

– After January’s (seemingly successful) guest teaching slot at a Birmingham junior school, I’ve just been asked to do another in a secondary school, this time on creating comic books. Very cool. Also, scary. But mostly cool. Should be a lot of fun.

– A secret project I’m currently putting together is progressing. After a friend and very well respected creator/editor made a few edits/suggestions, it’s time for a re-write. Which is exciting – it frames the story in a new, refreshing way. Hoping to have something to actually *give* – yes, give – to you come San Diego Comic-Con…

– Oh, yes, San Diego Comic-Con. We (myself and Clockwork Watch creator Yomi Ayeni) have been accepted once again to grace their wonderful, busy halls. Which is bloody amazing as it seems even those who have attended a couple times haven’t got in this year. We may even get a panel. We’re super grateful. Hopefully we can drag our super talented artist friend, Jennie Gyllblad, along with us.

– Zombie anthology Dead Roots is on the verge of release [which includes my story ‘Black, White and Red (All Over)‘ – drawn and lettered by the talented Andy W Clift and Mike Stock, respectively] , with a launch party set for 22nd March at the Coach and Horses on Great Marlborough Street. Come on down for book signings and drinks! 

That’s it for now. More to come soon. Promise.

As Etta James might sing….

“At laaaaaaaaast…” 

So, in-between writing Magic of Myths: season two, Clockwork Watch: Breakaway and other bits and bobs, I’ve been secretly working on another project which I’d been signed up to. A secret project I can finally talk about in the open.

Say hi to Dead Roots.

The site describes it as:

“… a bumper-sized zombie comic anthology, published quarterly throughout 2013. Dead Roots brings together top talent from the worlds of TV, animation, film, comics and games to provide an anthology of stories based in the initial outbreak of a zombie outbreak. The anthology focuses on the emotional state and experiences of everyday people and their journeys, as they search to find their loved ones in the apocalyptic setting of a zombie outbreak!”

Dead Roots has picked up some sterling reviews, and I’m pleased to say I’m contributing a short story towards it called ‘Black, White and Red (All Over)‘.

Dead Roots‘ editor and chief, Mike Garley invited me to pitch a story to him last year, and after missing the mark with my first pitch, my second idea struck a chord. So after I put the script together earlier this year, he teamed me up with the talented Andy W Clift (artist) and Mike Stock (letterer) and after a few months of hard work, the results are ready to go. A quick panel preview for you…

You can see this page preview on the site with the other stories in Dead Roots by visiting www.deadroots.co.uk/stories/.

I’ll have news on when the next Dead Roots is available to download but you can buy the current editions here: www.deadroots.co.uk/the-app/.

I’m also working on several other secret projects… but I’ll talk about those in the coming months…

Next – Magic of Myths!

Sergio and I are on the verge of launching Magic of Myths: season two, which will get its debut at San Diego Comic-Con next week. We took pre-orders for the special edition all through July and the regular edition will launch fully on 26th July 2013.

We’re also launching the Magic of Myths combo book, which is both seasons one and two rolled into one edition – perfect for newcomers to the growing series:

If you’re interested in getting a copy, just get in touch – the books are coming back from the printers right about… now.

Also, you couldn’t have failed to have noticed that glowering blue bear at the top of this post. That is a plush version of Byron, the homicidal demon bear from Magic of Myths, hand stitched from scratch by the wonderfully talented Sara Dunkerton. Take a look:

You can see the rest and Sara’s detailed process of how she created Byron, here: saradunkerton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/magic-of-myths-byron-plush-bear-pt-1.html.

So, what do we have to catch up on? Lots of stuff.

Let’s start with Clockwork Watch.

Since the launch of the first book (The Arrival) in 2012, we’ve managed to push the concept across the globe, launched a second event (Clockwork Underworld) and now two more books, Breakaway and Tick Tock IPA.

You can buy Breakaway  – which is our The Empire Strikes Back to the shiny, clean optimism of The Arrival‘s Star Wars: A New Hope – here: www.comicsy.co.uk/clockworkwatch/store/

Tick Tock IPA launches at San Diego Comic-Con next week, but you’ll be able to get your hands on it soon after… 

This one took some work to pull together, but we got there in the end.

After getting a one page article in Bizarre magazine earlier this year, we went to work on securing a larger feature in the alternative magazine. Lots of emails, late nights and worked related sweat later, this was the result – a massive six page feature in Bizarre‘s October issue, talking about the project’s origins, how the graphic novel team was built, and more. Jen’s artwork features on every page, which is fantastic.

You can read the full article in Bizarre (we’re after the Bianca Beauchamp Q&A), which also has a great feature on Judge Dredd as well if you’re looking for more comic book related stuff in the issue. Woot!

I have a lot to announce in the coming weeks and months, at least to justify my silence for the past two months. But let’s get things moving quickly. Here’s a little taster art for the Magic of Myths 2013 preview book Sergio and I are releasing this November…

You’ll see more of these characters – that’s Snow and her burly entourage – in the book, as well as next year’s Magic of Myths: season two. And we have a lot of things planned for the launch of both graphic novels, including the chance for you to win a copy of Magic of Myths: season two. Stay tuned…

I’ve a few secret projects up my sleeve – so I’m happy that I’m able to reveal one of them right now.

Barry Nugent, author of Amazon best selling novel Fallen Heroes and the forthcoming sequel, Forgotten Warriors, has signed myself and super-artist Jorge Oliveira to create a short comic called Fight or Flight. Set in the Unseen Shadows universe, the story will be released alongside audio drama Empire of Blood and features the origin of feisty Icarus Foundation investigator Victoria Sullivan.

Fight or Flight has been a great little project to work on, so I’m looking forward to its release, along with my other Unseen Shadows story, Stolen, which features art by the talented Cormac Hughes.

There’s more news to come in due time, but in the meantime you can read the Unseen Shadows press release on Fight or Flight over at unseenshadows.com.