Stepping up to 176

All done printing and stapling my brand new 24 pager!
Put your best foot forward and stride on down to 176 for a fab day out in Camden and pick yourself up a copy while you're there.

A sneak preview of a tale of treacherous footwear.

Back on track

Back at work and looking forward to LOW ENERGY DAY in Camden on Saturday. It should be a fantastic day with even more creators than at No Barcodes, more punters than ever what with it being summer, and all those people who missed out last time not wanting to make the same mistake twice.
Unfortunately due to events beyond my control, there will not be any addition to the collection of titles I will be hawking but others have been more productive. I'm looking forward to the Dan Lester Mysteries along with several other new releases.
Popped down to the stall to see the lads briefly last week and everyone is gearing up for LED. David Baillie is gathering portraits of and by participants in a gallery. Check out all the contributions HERE, including a Jake Harrold by yours truly.

Summer Madness

Not been massively creative of late, been a bit preoccupied organising the logistics of a large family spread out in several countries taking turns spending time over the summer with parents in varying states of health in separate houses at opposing ends of France. Aaaargh.
Did however get round to creating a logo for the next London Underground Comics event, LOW ENERGY DAY at the end of August. Which should be a hoot even if it's half as successful as No Barcodes.
A toast to Oli's new abode in Camden last Friday night with Sean and Alex and a few others made a welcome distraction from the tedious business of getting things together for friday's departure.
And the best news today is the arrival of little Johnny,the cutest baby in comicsland. Congratulations to Ma and Pa Medway!!!

Oli Rocks!

Did you have to eat that kebab, Oliver?
NO BARCODES was a resounding success. Between forty and fifty exhibitors showed up and mingled happily in an atmosphere of bonhommie and camaraderie, meeting old friends and new faces, checking out each others work, and even selling comics to passers by. I shared a table with the charming Marc Ellerby and sparkly Sally Anne Hickman who did very well with her very tactile productions - fur, flock and glitter certainly draw the punters in, there's a lesson for all of us here... Sean and Oli were on our table too but spent the day being mine hosts, introducing people, recording the event and running the regular stall round the corner.
Due to being stuck in the middle of a row, I had to squeeze past Jake H quite a few times as he beavered away inking his magnum opus. He never complained once and put us all to shame with his cheerful industriousness.
I met Paul Rainey whose excellent No Time Like The Present I had picked up in Bristol, I bought a copy of Tom Humberstone's My Fellow Americans, and sweet Mikey made me sing on camera (view the shame here) .

The very low table price meant there was minimal pressure and I imagine everyone will have recouped their costs,and made a profit, unless they travelled a very long way. The weather was clement and the rain held off and we all wandered round to the pub and downed pints by the canal feeling all warm and fuzzy from the good vibes.
And Ned finally got to meet Gary Northfield.

No Barcodes announced

Things seem to have got busy again, with regular strips and recurring freelance jobs fitting in and around subbing shifts.
Met up with Oli, Sean and Dan on thursday for a little reconnaissance mission in Portobello for a future convention site.
That one will be taking place later in the year,
but the exciting news is the official announcement of NO BARCODES, the London Underground Comics convention on Saturday May 31 2008 at Camden Lock Market.

Should be a fantastic day with all the jolly crowd from the stall plus all you lovely small press creators out there who want to come along and join in the fun. It will be free to punters and only about £7 to exhibitors – much better value than your average convention!
Check out the fabulous trailer video and further details of how to take part at www.londonundergroundcomics.com

Going Underground

Needless to say I haven't achieved any where near as much as I had hoped to last week. but we did catch a preview of the Jack Black/Michel Gondry movie Be Kind Rewind. Very funny idea, and their website is hilarious with the sweded google. Check it out.
Back for another dose of Inn on the Green on friday but this time wisely avoided alcoholic refreshment ( Nick didn't fancy coming out so I had to drive). Also meant I was bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day to drop by Underground Comics in Camden for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful day to be hanging out with Oli, Oliver, Sean, Andy Luke et all with much laughter and a little drawing and I even made a sale.
I continue to deny any involvement in the huge fire at the market later that day.