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The Girly Comic 17 What I feel is the most impressive thing about The Girly Comic is that it has been running for as long as it has and still maintains a high quality. I picked up a copy of number 17 at Bristol, as usual, and, after reading it last night, enjoyed it a lot, as usual. Its only downfall might be that we all start taking it for granted. If anything, issue 17 is an improvement. Regular features Spacegirl by Motodraconis and the strips by Lee Kennedy seem to be getting better. However, one off Sisters of The Head written by Daniel O'Mahoney and illustrated by Terry Wiley is a particular stand out. Seeing Terry back in The Girly Comic anthology feels a bit like when a Brian Bolland Judge Dredd story used to appear in 2000 AD; It didn't happen as often as you would have liked but you knew that 2000 AD was the only place that you could guarantee this was going to happen. Publishers Seleina Lock and Jay Eales are rolling out all the strips that have appeared in The Girly Comic and guy equivalent, Violent, onto their website. There is some good stuff there. I recommend that you take a look.
Paul Rainey 17/05/08 Lost Shoe 4 Something else I've mentioned here before is Lost Shoe Comics by Alex Potts. Over the weekend I met Alex for the first time and got a copy of issue four. Unlike issue three which features a long and self contained narrative, four has a collection of shorter, punchier and entertaining strips hanging from the lead, Turd Party, Alex's entry into the Graphic Short Story Prize of last summer. For me, Alex is the small press find of the last year. His art is appealing, his sense of humour strong and his timing faultless.
Paul Rainey 16/05/08 Buffalo Roots Buffalo Roots by John Cei Douglas was published a couple of years ago but I at last got to pick up a copy after being seduced into it by a chocolate brownie. Buffalo Roots is a beautifully illustrated tale of the love affair between an artist and his muse. (Don't panic, Real Cliff, if you're reading this; it's only a story). A very affecting tale that takes full story telling advantage of the landscape format and mixes full colour work with black and white illustration in an innovate way.
Paul Rainey 15/05/08 Crazy Pants 1 Five minutes walk from the Comics Expo’s main hall at the Ramada hotel sat a small group of self pressers. Amongst them were Peet Clack and Pete Rajski, the creators responsible for Crazy Pants. I've mentioned Crazy Pants here before, when I talked about the substantial and free promotional edition they did over a year ago, so it's great to see the comic officially released at last... along with another substantial and free promotional comic (?!). Undoubtedly, Crazy Pants is a lovely looking comic containing great artwork, excellently reproduced, usually with some toning at least and often in colour. How they managed to do all of this, along with the free editions, and charge just £2.50, I would love to know. Some strips, such as Wong-Tong work as intriguing and visually impressive openers to longer stories whilst others, such as Over-Reacto, are entertaining tales in their own right. What I find particularly compelling is the dynamic between the two Peters. At least one strip is obviously a jam but others look to me like they've helped each other out with the art, the story or both. The result is a comic greater than the sum of its parts by two very accomplished writers and artists.
Paul Rainey 14/05/08 Space Babe 113 4 Continuing my run down of cool comics I purchased at this years Comics Expo, I picked up a copy of Space Babe 113 no. 4 by John Maybury. Space Babe 113 is described as a young woman's erotic adventures in space but this doesn't really do it justice particularly if this conjures in your mind images of jaded old cartoonists without the stomach for pornography rendering their sexual fantasies in comic strip. Instead, Space Babe 113 is a flirtatious, funny strip which oozes energy. Undoubtedly, the art is both simple and excellent at the same time, but the strip also contains sharp dialogue and the story a strong momentum. As far as I am aware, all four issues are still available. Visit the dedicated website for details.
Paul Rainey 13/05/08 West 5 Thanks to everyone who bought stuff from me or just came over and said hello at The Comics Expo in Bristol over the weekend. I had a very enjoyable if shattering time. Over the next few days I intend to use this space to mention many of the cool comics I picked up starting with West No.5: The Last Bounty. As regular visitors to this website will know, West creators Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable have been my convention-table buddies for the last few years. However, just because we are friends it doesn’t mean that I am only just saying what a good comic West always is. Its considered dialogue, beautiful pacing and classic artwork make it not just a necessity for those with an inclination towards good westerns but also for anyone who likes good comics. Highly recommend by everyone here at pbrainey.
Paul Rainey 12/05/08 Fatty Writer Thomas Cochrone and artist Alan Tanner have made the first fifty pages of the their graphic novel series, The Fat Man, available to download and read in a .pdf file for free. The first book in the series isn't available until November but if the story continues to bomb along and the art maintains the high standard demonstrated in the preview, then I predict that The Fat Man will be a big success.
Paul Rainey 24/01/08 Iraq Writer Sean Michael Wilson and artist Lee O'Conner of Boychild Books have produced in conjunction with War on Want an informative comic called Iraq Operation Corporate Takeover. I strongly recommend that you have a look at this not just because of the issues that it illuminates but also because of the strength of the strip itself. Iraq Operation Corporate Takeover retails for £5 and can be obtained from War on Want, Amazon and all good book shops.
Paul Rainey 20/12/07 Good Lost Shoe I'm
fascinated by the notion that a series of comics can be set around the
premise of a lost shoe but, having just read
Alex Potts'
Lost Shoe
number 3, I'm surprised that strips based
around missing items of clothing aren't more common.
Lost Shoe
3 is a brilliantly drawn, excellently crafted and genuinely funny tale
about losing a shoe and moving a grandfather clock.
Paul Rainey 21/10/07 Space Babe 113 Just in
time for the release of issue three of his comic
Space Babe 113,
creator John Maybury
has launched
a website. It's a good place
to go if you have only heard of John's work before and are intrigued by it
(which you should be). See samples of his artwork and find out answers to
questions like "why do Space Babe's knickers talk?"
Paul Rainey 18/10/07 Crazy Pants! "They
said it couldn't be done! At long last, to universal fanfares, the
Crazypants website is active!
Naysayers from across the globe ate their mealy-mouthed words as they were
struck dumb by the audacity of this thrilling new venture!”
Paul Rainey 18/09/07 Logical Comics If you like good comics then please check out the latest issue of Robert Brown's Dream Logic. After eighteen months in the making, issue four is now available. It features the usual high standard of writing and art all discerning readers should expect from their comics. Contact Robert here for details on how to get hold of a copy.
Paul Rainey 06/07/07 Giant Clam Rock You can be forgiven for thinking that all being funny means these days is big business. Well, forget about your tedious corporate comedy like Little Britain and Catherine Tate, the second issue of the funniest thing currently happening is available. Ralph Kidson's Giant Clam number two is brilliant. The funniest skits rendered in comic strip form and collected beneath a genuine cover by Major General Dave Sim. Contact Ralphie K here for details on how to get a copy.
Paul Rainey 13/06/07 Ethel Sparrowhawk A special mention for the best comic that I picked up at the Bristol Comic Expo last weekend, Ethel Sparrowhawk. I have always enjoyed artist Steven Tillotson's Banal Pig, but I think this, with Jemima Von Schindelberg, is the best this he has done so far. I didn't read it with a clicker in each hand but it seems to me that Ethel Sparrowhawk manages to be both funny and sad in equal measure.
Paul Rainey 22/05/07 West: Tall Tales Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable premier the latest issue of their comic, West, at this weekend's Comic Expo 2007 in Bristol. This issue contains a pin-up section among which is an illustration by me. If you can't make the event but would still like a copy then it can be ordered via the Angry Candy website.
Paul Rainey 10/05/07 Redeye review In the recently released sixth issue of Redeye magazine, parts 4 to 6 of There's No Time Like The Present are reviewed. "The storytelling is never short of classic, simple storytelling coupled with sharp witty dialogue. I can't think of a better example of the quality to be found today in independent UK comics." Issues of There's No Time Like the Present can be ordered from the Shop section of this site.
Paul Rainey 20/03/07 Monkey Marc Magic Ten years ago, I produced a comic called Love Bomb which was part of the Abaculus network of titles that included Gyre written by Martin Shipp and beautifully drawn by Marc Laming. Together, Martin and Marc were responsible for two of the best comics of the nineties; Gyre and Six Degrees. After our association, Marc went on to draw Vertigo's American Century written by Howard Chaykin. It is great to learn that Marc now has a blog called Monkey Marc. If you think that your eyes deserve a feast then may I suggest that you go there for a look.
Paul Rainey 07/03/07 Rol Hirst Returns During the nineties, one of the most consistently enjoyable comics published was The Jock drawn by a variety of artists, but principally Nigel Lowrey, and written by Rol Hirst. Since then, Rol has continued to write although his comic work has been sparse to say the least. Now, thank the Lord, he has set up a website where visitors can read plays, comics and TV shows he has written. Fool You Are, a sitcom about a hypochondriac who can foresee the future, is particularly excellent. I strongly recommend that you go and have a look around.
Paul Rainey 22/01/07 Flack After months of me nagging them, my friends have at last set up a Myspace website for their band Flack. I insist that you go there and listen to the songs. They're great. Paul Rainey 27/11/06 Local Girl I'm really enjoying going through Caroline Clifford's website, Local Girl. Stand-up comedian Caroline also draws comic strips, all of which that I have read so far are very funny. (There's so much stuff there that I haven't managed to look at it all yet). Book of Lists recommend that you go and have a look.
Paul Rainey 24/11/06 A Great British Comic I might think of myself as being modern, I have my own website for starters, but I still think, at some level, that being mentioned in print is longer lasting and more meaningful somehow. Which is partly why I am delighted to inform you of There's No Time Like The Present's mention in the new book, Great British Comics. I'm referenced along with The Eagle, The Beano and 2000 AD. What's especially pleasing about this is that it's co-written by Paul Gravett (with Peter Stanbury), the UK's most highly respected comic journalist. Next time you're in a book shop, seek it out. Not because it features a page on artwork by me from part 3 exclusively in colour, but because it's a gorgeous book despite that.
Paul Rainey 09/11/06 Kidson Returns I have been an appreciator of Ralph Kidson's strips ever since I first read Sad Animal. So I was delighted to discover Giant Clam, his first new comic for years. From the first strip, Robot Temps, to the last, I don't know what it's called, I laughed like a shameless girl. Kidson is the funniest cartoonist of the last ten years. Like many great artists, his work isn't always easy to get a hold of, so please take advantage of Forbidden Planet mail order having a stash. You won't be sorry.
Paul Rainey 25/08/06
Shiznit List I'm very pleased to be able to tell you that the list Questions appears in the latest issue of Shiznit. Number three is available for free from Ireland or by sending an SAE or original drawing to Bob Byrne.
Paul Rainey 18/08/06 Angry Candy Andrew Cheverton, the writer of West and Synchrony, is going through the process of consolidating all of his various web presences under one website here. Currently you can read his blog there but, in the near future, you will be exposed to all manner of Angry Candy goodness. In the meantime, Synchrony Two made it's premier at this year's Caption and features art by Oli Smith, Justine Shaw and Jenika Loffreda.
Paul Rainey 18/08/06 Comic Spotting I'm still going through my big pile of comic swag that I picked up at this year's Comic Expo in Bristol. I can however recommend Oliver East's fully painted comic Trains Are... Mint. It manages to be both atmospheric and amusing. Copies cost £5.00 and are available from Page 45 and Travelling Man in Bristol and Manchester. Why not go here for more information.
Paul Rainey 24/05/06 Cheverton Comics Writer and illustrator Andrew Cheverton has been productive recently. He premiered two new comics at last weekend's Comics Expo in Bristol. Synchrony One is a collection of stories featuring illustrations by Justine Shaw and the author. Meanwhile, the third issue of the genre bending western West, beautifully drawn by Tim Keable, was also for sale. For those of you who were unable to attend, copies can be ordered from here.
Paul Rainey 19/05/06 Alice's Adventures in Hell Andrew Cheverton, co creator of the West series of comics with artist Tim Keable, has written and drawn a one off titled Alice's Adventures in Hell. This is comics as both object and art. It comes highly recommended from all of us here at Book of Lists.
Paul Rainey 13/03/06 Alternative Lists Bob Byrne contacted me to let me know that I'm not the only cartoonist around drawing lists out in comic strip form. Bob produces a Hate List for every issue of his comic Shiznit which can be downloaded for free from his website. Bob is a very funny cartoonist whose site also contains other comics by himself that can be downloaded in .pdf format for your reading pleasure.
Paul Rainey 19/01/06 West Returns Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable are premiering West: Population 489 at this weekend's Comic Expo in Brighton. This is the follow up to the excellent West Justice published, and promoted here, earlier this year. Copies of West: Population 489 will be available for those of us unable to attend from their website after the event.
Paul Rainey 16/11/05 The Barnstables Will Dawbarn has started posting his new comic strip, The Barnstables, daily on his blog. Those of you familiar with his previous strip will enjoy this especially as it contains all the joy of Wilbur but with a broadened scope.
Paul Rainey 15/09/05 Wicky Wah Wah West Writer Andrew Cheverton, whose recent strips appear in the last couple of issues of The Girly Comic, has a new comic out called West: Justice. It's illustrated by Tim Keable (cover reproduced below). West: Justice premiers at his year's Comics Expo in Bristol on the weekend of the 14th and 15th May. You can buy a copy directly from them at the Silver Bullet Comics table if you're there or, if you're unable to make it, e mail the boys at will@etherore.co.uk.
Paul Rainey 05/05/05 New Comic Journal Gareth Cutter has asked me to let you know about his new blog, Hereos of Lego. As well as being his general blog, this is also where he will be posting any comics he does.
Paul Rainey 30/03/05 Tingley Comics As you probably know, I'm not the only person who posts their diary comics online. Richard Tingley posts his autobiographical strip to his site most days which also contains additional strips and some very entertaining flash animation. Richard's website is well worth a visit because his work exudes a cheerfulness and joy which I find to be very infectious.
Paul Rainey 24/03/05 There's Good News and There's Bad News The bad news is that Wilbur Dawburn is no longer producing his daily dairy comic strips, but the good news is that he now has his own web site. Will won't be updating it every day but he will be often enough for it to be worth your while checking it out at least once a week.
Paul Rainey 09/03/05 Beautiful Things Sean Wilson of Boychild Productions has contacted Book of Lists to let us know that their new book, Beautiful Things, is now available. Beautiful Things contains illustrated poetry and short story comic strips written by Sean and drawn by various artists including Neill Cameron, Pedro Belushi and Juan Chavarriga. Visit the Boychild Productions website for details.
Paul Rainey 03/03/05
Jammy Blob I just want to make you aware of cartoonist Jampot who posts his strange and often daft (it's a good thing) comic strips onto his blog, Jampot Comics. I like them.
Paul Rainey 17/12/04 The Girly Show I feel I have to apologise to Selina Lock, editor of The Girly Comic, for not having mentioned her book before now. I have no idea how that happened. Twice a year she produces two issues of this girl themed anthology which is always very good. Issue six premiered at this year's London Comic Festival and is of an especially high standard featuring, amongst others, the excellent There Was A Divorce by Andrew Cheverton and Justine Shaw. All six issues are still available for £1.50 plus 50p each from Selina Lock, 38 Clarkes Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2BE. If you only want to try one to see what it is like then I recommend issue six.
Paul Rainey 25/10/04
Awakefield 5 Coal yards, Caption, vets, angst, technical pens, stilts, insect bites and sheds. John Welding is pleased to announce that his life continues in 'Awakefield Diary'#5, out NOW! 32 Pages, Colour Card Cover, £3.95 from 36 Grosvenor Street, Wakefield WF1 5BG. Issues 1 though 4 are also still available for £3.95 each from John. Please make cheques payable to John Welding.
Paul Rainey 06/10/04 Paper Tiger Comix Brighton's Sean Duffield has had the clever idea of what I can only describe as a self publishing co-operative in the form of Paper Tiger Comix. Each issue is an anthology of various creators works and the result is an eclectic collection of strips. Included in issue one are humour (R.M. Lowdry's No Way Out), biography (David Goodman's Creative Differences), adventure (Paul Lister and Nomad's Flash Back) and the damn right troubling (Yurt's Terrible Things Have Been Happening). The first issue contains sixty pages of strips and costs only £1.50. Contact Sean for information on how to get a copy.
Paul Rainey 27/09/04 New Louis Book Out Now Metaphrog contacted me, and everyone else smart enough to be on their mailing list, to let us know that the new Louis book, Dreams Never Die, is now available. I have read the previous Louis books and they are all sad, beautiful and essential. Go to the Louis site for more information, sample pages and touching animation.
Paul Rainey 06/08/04 Welcome To Gitland Yes, it isn't a dream. There is such a place. And not only do I bring you the good news I also show you the way there too. Gitland is the highly entertaining web site by the very talented cartoonist Robert Wells. Rob has produced work for Crisp, Slab-O-Concrete's Missive Devices and, more recently, the UK DVD edition of American Splendor. The site runs his excellent weekly strip along with details of how to see his other work. UPDATE 04/01/05: Rob has recently published a comic version of Colin The Rhino (cover below) which I read on the toilet and laughed out loud at. For details, visit Gitland.
Paul Rainey 08/07/04 Mooncat Sketchbook Online Thanks to Pete Ashton at Bug Powder, I learned about Paul Schroeder's online journal today. It's part sketchbook, part diary, all comic. The ink work is beautiful so why not check it out. (Of course, I can draw like that, I just choose not to).
Paul Rainey 01/07/04 World Wide WiLbur WilBur Dawburn, in conjunction with Zum Comics, has made twenty of his strips available on the web for you to read. Some of them are laugh out loud funny and they are all, without exception, flawless. So now you have no reason for not having read any of Will's comics. UPDATE - Apparently, there is a hidden twenty first strip (which I haven't managed to find yet).
Paul Rainey 19/05/04 BugPowder I am so desperate to convince you that producing a panel a day for Book Of Lists will be easy-peasy for me that I am now contributing occasionally to BugPowder's strip blog. I was recently invited to take part by site creator Pete Ashton and my first contribution was uploaded yesterday. In case you don't know, "BugPowder is a collaborative website produced by and for the UK small press comics community." Basically, it's a portal to all that is good and exciting about UK comics today and I can't recommend it enough. Paul Rainey 16/02/04 |
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