Hello folks. Well, I've just pre-ordered my first book of 2011. The Art of SuckerPunch -signed by Zack Snyder. This film looks really tasty indeed. Check out this trailer (If you've not already seen it.

Here's a few half-done pages from the second Madam Samurai gn. More to come soon. Apologies to anyone who may have ventured to Mondo Comico in Nottingham a few weeks ago, the snow put paid to my plans.

Hello again,
If you are in Nottingham this Saturday (27th Nov) then why not visit Mondo Comico, where you will be delighted to see IAN CULBARD and my good self doing a signing to celebrate the shop's birthday. A day of sketching and good comics, what more could you ask for? I'll be picking up my copy of 'At the Mountains of Madness' Ian's latest for SelfMadeHero, and I'll be bringing along my sketchbook for this year, and a few copies of GOTHIC.

MADAM SAMURAI ON THE BIG SCREEN (relax, it's only the
pages of the graphic novel projected on screen at BICS last year) The pages were featured in a talk about comics to film, which is a pretty big trend right now. The screenwriter Gary Young was present, he wrote Madam Samurai as a screenplay intially, then passed it onto me to break down into sequential form, unfortunately I was doing sketches/signing/minding the table, so I didn't get to see it:(

These picture courtesy of Stuart from Stoke, who took these snaps last year and gave them to me at this year's BICS.

Okay, I need to know what you all would like to see on this blog. Would you like to see development material? half done pages and the like? sadly I've not been able to post MS pages, but once I start other work I'll be able to update more often. It's over to you for suggestions:)

cheers
Dave

BICS...and the world's most expensive Iceberg Lettuce.

Okay friends, here's my little BICS rundown (this section has nothing to do with lettuce). As usual the Birmingham show was very busy indeed, I love the venue and I think Shane and crew do a fine job on the organisation side, this year there were talks I wanted to get to see, but as usual with sketching and everything the Saturday went like wildfire, it was great to meet all the old faces and a whole raft of new ones too---thanks guys, seeing/talking to you all make it all worthwhile.

I normally nip back home at night as I'm only 40 miles away, and it's cheaper to get a couple of trains than fork out for an hotel;) but this time was different, yes I was staying over (courtesy of my good mate Shane Oakley, who had booked his hotel, but couldn't make it) boy, this guy knows how live! It was quite possibly the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in ---cheers Shane, thanks for that. I met up with the Accent UK chaps,Gary Crutchley, Jason Cobley and a few others, the general concensus was 'let's go a for a chinese'...once in there, it was a set menu lark, cheapest being 20 notes going upto 40! So, there we were with our 20 note dishes...it was a bit shit to be honest:( I was actually still hungry (as I'd gone through the whole day with nothing, cept a bite on a sausage roll here and there) bearing in mind I'd had about 4 beers---I don't drink normally, so it was a first. Anyhow, not got to the worst bit yet, Steve, the chap next to me at the table asked for a veggie option. Which consisted of Starter: A lettuce leaf, with a bowl of brown rice. Main course was an Iceburg lettuce, taken apart, washed and then placed carefully back together, to resemble... a foo-king lettuce (actually that COULD have been the name I guess). Jeez, by the time we'd finished, we ended up putting 30 each in the bill bowl! Never again.

Anyhow, it was approaching 12 oclock and I'd got a few painted sketches to do, so I decided to retire. The rest went for more beers. I should point out that Shane Chebsey (BICS organiser/Scar publisher) had offered a free meal for guests, but I'd already made plans---bugger. I was a great night of course, except the meal. Got back to the hotel, out with the paints, started sketching away, by the time 2oclock came I'd done four nice ones, but still got more to do...then I felt a bit rum! Best have a lie down I thought, anyhow as soon as I hit the pillow the old stomach started doing a tango, then before I could get to the toilet, up came the beers and bits of rice, and me in the swankiest hotel an' all! quick clean-up and felt loads better--I think it was just the fact I'd gone the whole day without anything to eat that did it. That may have been too much info for you (apologies) but I'm trying to paint a picture here...which is what I went back to doing. Don't worry folks there's no sick anywhere near the sketches;)

Next day, bright and early at the show, I had a chat with Simon Tofield, a really nice chap who was on the table next to me, you will know him from the hilarious 'Simon's Cat' shorts on YouTube. Went to the Charles Vess talk, but couldn't get to the Jonathan Ross TURF talk, turns out it was fully booked anyhow, with a long queue to get in, that's the only problem with these shows, indeed any convention---waiting to get in certain areas, it can't be avoided. This was made more difficult by the fact that I was left on my own, to man Scar's table as well as sketching/talking---big thanks to Owen who offered to step in, then and any time in the future, what a great guy, and I might take you up on that at some point my friend. The other 'must' for me, was to see superstar Bryan Hitch, which I didn't do again, however, in the meantime I was asked for a sketch, and as I started it I noticed the chap I was doing it for had a load of Bryan Hitch's books, I said 'I'd like to see him, but can't get away---he went and got the book, signed to me and gave it me in exchange for the sketch...wow, thanks Yosu:)

All in all a great weekend, as they normally are, it's only at these shows where you can generally get feedback and it helps to boost creativity for weeks to come - thanks everyone. The amount of folk asking for Madam Samurai book 2 was overwhelming. Not long now till ThoughtBubble:)

Well, it's been a while since I got back from Paris Manga, can't believe where the time goes, having said that I've been a bit busy finishing off a short story submission for CLiNT, more pages for book two of Madam Samurai and a few random illos.
Anyhow, Paris, apart from meeting loads of new people, artists, writers and fans alike, the icing on the cake must have been my meal with the Aaltair gang (which consisted of publishers Patrick Chaduc and Guillaume Bresch, Charles Vess, me and Charles' wife Karen----here we are at a very swanky restaurant. Cool.
The show itself was huge, mainly featuring Jap anime/manga stuff (of course) which I think alienated us comics lot a little---Bob Layton, Clint Langley, stacks of european artists, me and Mr Vess, and other were coming and going all weekend, as usual the two days were a sea of faces and names, loads of Springheeled Jack sketches were produced. After a whistle stop tour around Paris I made my way back to the airport, arriving way too early, but better getting to the airport with time to spare I always say.

Good evening all

Been busy sketching on 20+ sketchbooks for the Paris show, got quite a few more to do during the week also. Yesterday I completed a short story for inclusion in an upcoming issue of CLiNT, assuming it's still going strong after six months. Can't show you the page I did yesterday coz it would spoil the twist ending, but really looking forward to seeing it in print--I'm hoping it might appear in colour too:) It's written by a good mate of mine called Mark Peyton. Here's a half-done page to peruse.

Back later this week

Bonjour mon petit pois
Yes, as you can see I've been brushing up on my French. Just yesterday I got my sketchbooks delivered, and last night began the task of producing an original sketch in each one. There will be just fifty books available for the ParisManga show next weekend (18&19th Sept). Here's the first few...

Hello folks
...or should that be 'bonjour'? Yes, my trip to Paris is looming large on the horizon and I've been preparing a 50-page sketchbook for the event. Springheeled Jack is being released in a French edition by the good folks at Aaltair---a fledgling publishing company with big ideas. I've heard that the european market is much larger than the UK so we'll see what happens. Aaltair are producing two limited books initially, SHJ and Peter Pan by none other than the legend that is CHARLES VESS, who will also be in attendance. I've been a fan of his work since the early 80s, I just hope I don't gush all over the place (a little bit will be okay, but I don't want to make a mess):) Here's a new SHJ peice I've done for the sketchbook. The plan is to do 50 copies, all of which will have a painted sketch of somekind. But...I still have to send them to the printers so time is short.

Greetings gang

Just finished a cover for a short story which I illustrated earlier this year. Written by John A Short, it's a tale of tragedy from the streets of Liverpool. THE SIXPENNY MURDER is a true story of a gang of 'cornermen' whose violent antics took a turn for the worse. It's an attempt to try and warn young offenders of today, through the pages of a comic strip, to show how one simple action could lead to tragedy, not just for themselves, but for friends and families too. The brief for this cover was to focus on the boots (cornermen wore worker's boots - a kind of gang motif) and the victim. I wanted a very dynamic viewpoint...this is it, stage by stage.

Greetings all,
Just a quick update this week, here's another drawing featuring everyone's favourite bat-like crime fighter, tussling with TwoFace and some goons on a rooftop. I'll be revisiting SPRINGHEELED JACK again soon... but only for the ex-libris bookplate in the French edition, which will be coming out in September I believe. I'll keep you all posted.

cheers for now,
Dave

A big thankyou to everyone who showed up at the MADAM SAMURAI book launch at Infinity and Beyond last weekend. It seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves, including Gael, Gary and I, Shane had been helping in the shop and organising drinks for everyone, lots of favourable comments and sneak peeks at book two, plus original pages to gleg at. If you intend getting the book it's out everywhere now (Diamond shipped copies in the US are out too) or you can buy direct from Shane at Scar Comics on the address below

http://www.scarcomics.com/madamsamurai/buy.html

Hello all
A week since the Bristol Comic Show already? Although these events are always great to attend, you can never get round everyone that you want to see, despite the fact that it was about a quarter of the size of what it used to be. I was there on the SCAR Comics table with a some advance copies of MADAM SAMURAI, it seemed to sell pretty well over the weekend, I'm gearing up for the launch event now at INFINITY AND BEYOND in Shrewsbury on the 12th June. Hope there will be more than two people there else I'll sulk.

Got another Batman commission whilst at the show, here it is...

I should really be in bed! At 4.30 this morning I'll be getting up to set off to the Bristol Comic Show, on the SCAR comics table, if you get there early enough and buy a copy of MADAM SAMURAI, you could win yourself this framed peice of art! Generous to the end, that's me:) Hopefully see some of you there over the weekend.

Hello gang
Well, with Bristol on the horizon there's not much time left to get anything new done, but I will be bringing some original art to browse through. Here's peek at a promo peice I did for MADAM SAMURAI, I went back to it this weekend and fleshed it out a bit, not finished as yet but I'll have it with me at the show.

I'll be signing Madam Samurai Vol 1 at the SCAR comics table. 80 pages for £7.99Looking forward to seeing you all there.

QUACK!

Well, I'm not certain what kind of noise a penguin would make... but this one's not happy! Just started a comission for a collector who is picking up his penguin at Bristol in a few weeks. See you all there, I'll be at the SCAR Comics table with MADAM SAMURAI.

Good day all
I was just scrolling through some of my images and thought this one might be a good one to post. It's from a fair while back, a couple of years I reckon. I really like doing gothic versions of Batman, tweaking the costume here and there although thinking about it I don't think he's be able to hang onto those roof tiles in those boots. Just had a comment on my last post where someone in the US had just bought my first book SPIRIT OF THE HIGHWAYMAN from their local comic shop...wow, that book is a rarity nowadays. Thanks Lynn, hope you enjoy it :)

Hello everyone...Testing, testing, one two, three...well, it seems like I'm still here (although, technically speaking there is still one hour to go before May 1st is yesterday's news) The warning message is still there, but hopefully it seems ok...whew..

Now I can tell you I did TWO pages of art today, yup a mammoth 13 hour stint at the drawing board....must go an rest my aching hand.

Hello all

The other week I went to the TURF signing in London. Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards were signing their new comic at FP on Shaftesbury Avenue. Mr Ross was an absolute gent and, as most know, heavily into his comics. We had a (very) brief chat about Jack Kirby art and his collection and I gave him and Tommy a copy of my newsprint comic GOTHIC, which they wanted signing. Cool.

On the subject of vampires (very tenuous link) here's that Dracula blank cover I did a while back.

As you all know I'm busy on book two of Madam Samurai, however I cannot show anymore development work from the project, very sorry about that but I'll find something else to fill the space with:)

all the best...

Hello all
I'm not sure what's happening with this ftp lark. For a while now, anyone who has a blog here will have noticed the 'Migration alert' on the intro page. FTP blogs are no longer supported after May 1st--which means I needs to shift , ahem, 'Migrate' my stuff for it to continue, however I've hit the 'start migration' tab and nothing happens, it doesn't really give you a guide as to what to do either so I'm stumped. Anyhow, I'll blog until I can no longer blog.

Recently I was asked if I fancied illustrating a victorianised kid gang tale, written by John A.Short. It's being used as part of a teaching module for the NSPCC, it was set in victorian Liverpool and recalls the Tithebarne Street Outrage, in which a man was killed for sixpence! It's a very strong tale about how things can get out of hand and ultimately end in grief. Hopefully it will give the wayward teens of today something to think about. Thanks for getting me involved John.

I'll be back again soon...

And now for something (a bit) different. I've just started work on a short story aimed at wayward teens. I can't say much about it, but the aim is show how things can get out of hand in a gang-related incident. Our tale begins in Victorian Liverpool (see, it's not just London) with the condemned 'villain' of the peice being abruptly awoken from his last night's sleep by the visage of the Grim Reaper....what a way to wake up eh? Must be a Monday.

Yes, friends it's true, I'm officially Addicted to Amazon co.uk (and sometimes .com) I first started noticing there was something wrong when my local comic shop closed down last year. I needed that weekly fix, flipping through those fresh pages, smelling the paper ahhh... you can't beat it. The nearest comic shop is about 20 miles away in Nottingham, so I don't get there very often. I'm so out of touch with the comics scene and I always like to 'look before I buy' (there's nothing worse than buying a comic with a great cover, then finding crap interiors) so it rules out ordering online.

Now I'm forced to buy collections, which is good in a way as I stacked up comics on a weekly basis and only got to reading a few. So, you see, in a round about way I'm saving money. Well, that's what I tell my wife each time the next cardboard packet/ large box arrives:)

This is a my most recent stash....

Here's a thing. A few nights back I got home from work and there was a packet from Amazon. I thought 'that's weird, I'm trying to kick the habit' anyhow I opened it up and there was a blank cover copy of DRACULA, with a request to sketch on it. It was a fun thing to do, and I may well do some for myself sometime down the line----here's the initial stage, I've finished it, put some colour on it and sent it back, but as it was requested as a B'day pressie I don't want to show it here just yet..just in case

Shredded Shirt: Week 1

Good evening lady and gents, here's a strange one... this drawing is in the process of being done for comic colouring veteran Tom Smith (he's worked for all the big comic companies over his twenty+ years in the business). Tom asked if he could add some colour to one of my recent peices and it kind of sparked a possible idea, which I'll tell you more about if anything ever happens. I've called this blog 'Shredded shirt' simply because Doc Savage could not possibly buy quality when it comes to his shirts. No Saville Row for him. Can't be Primark either coz they're good shirts they are. So, this begs the question, where did he buy his trousers?

As I was drawing this a horrible thought occurred to me... I've (nearly) spent twenty years TRYING to get into the comics biz!

Be back soon with 'Shredded Shirt:Week 2---Wolverine'

What's this....TWO posts in the same day?? Here's a drawing I've done over the past three nights, I'll call it Ferocious Twiglets for the hell of it. I've been reading the Horror Stories of R.E.Howard on and off for a while now, mainly before I go to bed. The other night I read a short tale about forest people, it wasn't a Solomon Kane story, but it sparked off a little idea for a drawing. There's a Solomon Kane film coming out soon and the little bits I've seen look pretty good...fingers crossed it will be a good one.

Parlez vous Francais?

Greetings everyone, this is just a quick note to let off a little excitable steam. June of this year will see a French version of SHJ, to be published by a fledgling company. I have heard great things about the european comic market and I shall be experiencing a show in Paris around June/July when they release Springheeled Jack: Strange Visitor to the masses. Just as a comparison for you, here in blighty a comic show would be considered a mass success if it had 2,000 visitors over the weekend, over in Europe it's 40,000....yikes:)

Happy 2010 everyone:) It's cold outside and with the odd nearby tree ready to go supernova I thought it best to stay inside and do some drawing.