More thing

Got round to reading more of my swag; Oliver Lambden swapped Issue 7 of Tales from the Flat with me and it just keeps getting better, from the wonderful cover (I chose Oliver's) all the way to the extra story by Mallorychan at the end. And the anthology is packed full of great stuff really nicely reproduced in full color for those who took advantage of the opportunity (I did for my Retainer story and am well pleased with the result).
Have now redesigned the cover of Party Pieces but decided in the end not to retitle it...

The Thing

It's been a while - had my head down for the last few weeks desperately trying to get the new comic finished for the Thing last Saturday. Printing, collating and stapling until past midnight but was all set for the early start in the morning. Had the good sense to wrap all comics in plastic as it was pissing down on the way there. Travelled from West London with the lovely Richy K Chandler and met up with the excellent Richard Peel at the venue. We were sharing a table and endeavoured to squeeze our wares on to the tiny space.
It was a fun day despite the cold and miserable weather. Didn't spend enough time browsing the other tables but still managed to come home with a pile of purchases and swaps which I am still working my way through.
On top of our usual stock, we were offering Richy's sweet new minicomics (Mish Mash Mosh, Govindra the Meditating Rabbit, and Subject 14d), Richard's bewildering array of £1 comics (as well as Intense Sticker Warriors), and my new opus.
I didn't do too badly but but felt unhappy with the cover which just isn't eye-catching enough. I am now redesigning it. And maybe renaming it.
I should have given it a lot more thought but was so determined to have it ready for the Thing...
The few people who aquired it on the day will have that uber-rare version that will be worth a mint one day.
As well as the above mentioned, I have so far enjoyed Alex Potts' Lost Shoe Comics number 4 (now that's got a great cover- lino cut), Will Kirby's one about getting over his girlfriend in Paris, Cath Arctic's Waterloo Teeth.....
There is lots more I haven't even looked at yet, including the anthology (except to check that my effort printed OK).
David O'Connell had the table next to ours, and, not content with being a thoroughly good egg, has produced the amazing Tozo in impeccable "ligne claire". I loved his hourly mini too.
Managed to catch a couple of drinks with Peter Lally in the pub but pushed off too early to really get stuck into the post-thing thing as I had a scrummy mexican meal awaiting chez Krissie.

TRIPTASTIC

Back in blighty and finally over the jetlag after one of the best trips ever where, as well as driving across the Mojave Desert and all that iconic stuff, I reconnected after twenty years with one of my best mates from art college.






Oh yes, and just by chance, we happened to bump into U2 at the Joshua Tree.

Tescos Go Amerika

The last week has been a whirlwind of new experiences, old friends and breathtaking vistas. Sexy Texy In Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon with Laura and Jess, Nic Egan and family in the Hollywood Hills and the James Gang in Santa Monica!

Viva Las Vegas

Just sent off my contribution to the Thing anthology. Phew. Thought I might have to eschew the theme altogether but Lucy saved the day by reminding me of one of my boring anecdotes and Hey Presto, I had a story incorporating giraffes.
Needed to get a few things out of the way (didn't make it to the dentist, bought a big ass suitcase and attempted a perfunctory tidy-up) before we take off for the States on Saturday – Las Vegas and Hollywood, here we come!
Well, I guess I won't be posting for couple of weeks but you never know...

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.

There's the rub

Krissie and I went to the British Museum again for another bout of statue rubbing and hey presto she got a job a couple of days later so don't tell me they're not magic...
Thursday checked out some comedy at the Masons Arms, Friday back at the Inn on the Green for a few drinks and Carbon Silicon (Mick Jones and Tony James) night. Gary Crowley DJing and Nick on the receiving end of much love (and quite a few drinks) from some excellent chaps who happened to be Members fans.
Then it was off to Paris Saturday to fulfill my filial duty and catch up with family and old chums, back crack of dawn Tuesday and straight in to work.
Phew. Now hoping for a few clear days to get some drawing done.