Convention schedule for 2025

I've just added our initial convention schedule for 2025 (on the right).

Hope to see some of you at some of them.

Quantum 10 has hit the shelves.

Having published Quantum for about 2 years I have found that I really understand cashflow for the first time and how important it is for people to pay bills promptly.

I've always done this as a matter of course with my bills but for the first time, as someone waiting for bills to be paid, I've now got first hand experience of the chain reaction when this doesn't happen.

Sometimes this is due to invoices not being received (ending up in JUNK folders etc), sometimes it's the turnaround at the receiver's end (why does it take weeks to do a funds transfer?) and sometimes it's just people taking their own sweet time to get around to doing so.

Regardless, this means that we can't pay people that we owe, be that printer or creators, when we'd like to. When it comes to the printer it means a delay and when it comes to creators it means that they get a little annoyed and we feel bad.

Yes, we should build these factors into our processes but that's difficult when the comic we produce has a 2 monthly publication schedule.

We are hoping to get a little ahead of the money in the year ahead, and get back to a proper schedule...let's see how we do.

Caption returns in 2025

One of the first events I went to was Caption, way back.

It's where I got to meet other creators who were also just starting off making their own comics.

Attended also by some professionals it was a great source of information and encouragement.

I'll certainly be adding it to my calendar.

Copenhagen Comics event in 2025?

I had a great catch up with Colin over the Thought Bubble weekend and 

maybe a thing we go to.. like we did back in the AccentUK days.

Also great to catch up with Paul and Kim from Denmark, it's been a long time since we were over there last but I certainly miss it.

WesterNoir stock ready for Thought Bubble

It's great that the number of WesterNoir titles and extras are growing, but it does mean a lot of stuff to sort out for Conventions.

Everything WesterNoir is ready for Thought Bubble now...

Thought Bubble this week coming.

I must say it is my favourite event.

It's all about comics.

Yes, it's getting bigger and bigger, which results in each creator getting less sales, as there is so much quality competition, but who cares. It's great.

I spent this weekend getting stock together. 

I'm taking all the WesterNoir books and some of the new figures, in their boxes.

Lots of help on these.

Gary Crutchley and his son Jason on printing the figures themselves and Andy Bloor designing and constructing the boxes. I'm very happy with how they turned out.

Writer's retreat.

I've been writing a book for about 20 years. 

It started when my daughter was about 5, I thought it would be good fund to read her something I'd written amongst all those greats by Roald Dahl and the like. It's a Science Fiction tale, of course.

I wanted to see if she noticed 😀

Every year since then I've picked it up once or twice. Re-read, improved what I had and added another chapter.

I realised, and accepted, recently that at this rate I'm never going to compete it. And then I got chatting to a writer at the LFCC event earlier this year. 

She suggested that I needed to get away from the house and leave everything behind except what I needed for the book.

What a great idea.

I did exactly that and booked an AirBnB in Deal, Kent. I chose that as it meant I could also visit my parents whilst I was down there as they would be only 30 minutes away.

My window faced the sea and it was nice watching the waves come in and go out, mesmerising at times.

Despite that lovely distraction I did write quite a few chapters, and managed to get a few nice walks in along the coast.

..usually at night when I'd finished writing.

Did I finish it? 

Well... No.

But I'm closer 😉

WesterNoir Kickstarter Posting

I spent the last week or so making packages for all the WesterNoir Kickstarter Backers.

Quite an ordeal really, and made all the more complicated by the number of Add Ons we were offering.

It all seems to go fairly well though, and hopefully everyone will be receiving what they expected to receive.

The toughest part was parting with my painted Cassidy McRae figure.

She's gone to a good home though and I thank the backer for adding it to their pledge. 

London MCM as a punter

MCM events have become more and more expensive over the last year or so.

We've found ourselves nudged out of what was Comics Village, and is now Artists Alley, as we are seen as Publishers.

This has meant we are being asked to pay about twice as much for a Booth as we used to be asked for a couple of tables. 

Added to this everything has gone up in price and it's just not cost effective.

So, no Time Bomb table or Booth, but I thought I'd go as a punter and experience the event from the other side of the table.

I got a normal entry ticket for Sunday, the quieter day, and queued with those looking to get into the event at 12.01. I arrived at about 11.30am and was in by about 12.05pm, so not too bad really.

I found Artists Alley easy enough, event though they'd moved it the North Hall.

Wandering the aisles I didn't find a lot of comics on sale, each aisle seemed to have at most 3 tables with them, surrounded by artists selling, mostly manga, art. 

Chatting to my fellow comic creators the feeling was, yes, the event felt busy enough but people weren't interested in comics with few stopping at their stalls even.

I bought a few comics, chatted for a will with Titan's Conan comic writer Jim Zubb, and got him to do me a Conan sketch, and then went for some food.

Whilst sat at a table thinking about whether or not to just go home after eating my lunch, I'd been there for a couple of hours by then, I was approached by one of the Con helpers asking if I'd be willing to do a survey, give my feedback on the event and how to improve it.

"Sure." I said.

The survey consisted of 48 Questions, like 'What would you like to see more of at MCM?' with 5 options ... More Guests, More Artists, More Merchandise, More Games and I forget the last one but what it wasn't was More Comics. In the entire 48 Question Survey Comics were not mentioned once.

I guess things change and the event has evolved into what it is today but it feels a bit of a Con to say it's a ComicCon... ah.. unless the clue is actually in the name.

I can't see Time Bomb every selling at a future MCM, which is a shame as we enjoyed meeting the people walking passed our table/booth and chatting about our comics.

Quantum Issue 10 is at the printers

 This issues cover is Peter Thomson by Gary Crutchley and coloured by Luca Mattioni.

Last Sunday I went to the Tetbury Comic Con.

I came across one of those Facebook advert posts, which are so targeted these days that they are pretty much always of interest.

This one was for a 1 day Comic Convention in Tetbury, with special guest Brian Bolland.

Now, I've seen Brian at a number of Cons over the years but there have always been long queues and with the need to man the Con table I've always missed out.

So here was an opportunity that I couldn't really miss, despite the 1.5 hour drive to get there.

A small Con with no TimeBomb table to worry about.

I was surprised by how easy it was to find, and how beautiful the village and its surrounds were.

It was a very small Con.

About 5 comic tables, about 3 times that of other stuff and yes, Brian Bolland.

It was nice to clap Brian's Life Time Achievement award, along with those for the guy who runs the Comic Museum in London and someone from Rebellion.

And it was nice chatting to the few guys in the queue.

Brian was nice to chat to, whilst signing my 7 2000AD collected books, the first Batman - Black and White book and a Judge Anderson poster I bought off him on the day.

I also picked up issues 1 and 2 of After The Robot Apocalypse, a fun little romp which is really nicely illustrated.

The journey home took an hour longer due to a road being closed and SatNav not understanding, or accepting, that this had happened, but it was a nice day out.

WesterNoir TPB 3 and Moon Cursed

These are now being printed and I'll hopefully have them in a week or so and be able to start mailing out to the Kickstarter backers.

It'll also mean that we have something new at Thought Bubble, which will be good as last year all we had that was new were the Quantum issues.

Can't wait to get these in my hands.

MCM - we won't be there this weekend.

We've decided not to attend the MCM event this weekend, it's just become too expensive. We struggle to make enough cash to pay for the booth and when you look back at the event and realise you've worked hard for 3 days and walk away with very little it just doesn't seem worth it..

We'll see if we can get into Artist Alley next year but if we can't then it's unlikely that we'll be going back, which his a real shame as we do enjoy the event.

LICAF - comics in the Lakes

Last weekend we attended the Lakes International Comics Art Festival, attracted to the event particularly by the pre-event day where we could meet foreign publishers, tell them about our books and see if there was any interest / appetite for them to consider any for printing by them in their language.

We did get some interest, and I've sent out pdfs to those who requested them. We'll see if anything happens, either way it was an interesting day and as they say 'Nothing ventured nothing gained.'

The event was held in a marquee, and it was pretty solid and sturdy. No wind or rain entered and whilst not too windy, there was plenty of rain over the weekend.

and we were only. stones throw from Windermere. 

The town and venue were perfect, and it must be said that the town really got behind the event.

Both Saturday and Sunday had decent sales, and allowed us to chat to customers and fellow comic creators alike. It was nice to meet Tony who wrote such a great review of Whatever happened To The Fastest Man? and picked up the WesterNoir trades.

I even found time to get some nice sketches, something I've not done for years, remembering how nice it was to chat with other people in the queues (get catching top with Karl from Diamond and 'that guy who collect Shadow sketches / artwork'). I even got time to buy an original page of art, Judges Dredd and Anderson) from John McRae (which is great).

I stayed over on the Sunday as it's a long drive home and the difference to how busy the town felt was noticeable. 

I really had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year. 

A really well thought out, organised and run event. 

Lakes International Comic Arts Festival

We will be attending this event from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September.

Colin and I attended the first as Accent UK way back in 2018 I think it was. 

We are looking to take advantage of the opportunity to show our books to foreign publishers to see if there's any interest in producing foreign language versions. 

We've produced a special catalog for the event, designed as always by Andy Bloor.

Yes, we're trying to look all professional :o)

WesterNoir TPB3 and Moon Cursed will be off the printer this week.

After a successful, if a little stressful, Kickstarter campaign I can report that the books have now been completed, with all the little extra design-y bits and pieces by Andy Bloor, and will be off the printer this week.

I can't wait to get these books printed and on the table at conventions.

The painted Cassidy McRae

Our 3D printed figures are pretty good. The detail is really sharp and I've been painting one for the table display at Conventions.

Quite pleased with how she's come out.

The face in particular came out really well...

with the scars easy to pain on.

And, thanks to a friend at work we were able to put her 'special' gun on her. You'll learn more about all of that in future stories.

I may add this as a Kickstarter Add-on to try an help hit the target. If I do I'll sign it of course. That said it took a while to paint and would be a challenge to do one that comes out so well.

A challenge.

Good Lords!

This month we treated one of our D&D Gang to a day at Lords (and a hotel and curry the night before of course) as part of his 60th Birthday present.

I arrived separately, and as I don't tend to go to sporting events with the gang I was the final surprise.

Chatting to Shaun he admitted that he'd seen me approaching and thought to himself, 'Hey, they bloke looks a lot like Dave West'.

As we walked around the inside of the grounds (not on the grass of course) I heard a lot of people talking about this being James Anderson's last Test Match and he apparently is a pretty decent fast bowler. I already knew all of this of course as I'd been speaking to a work mate and had all the statistics to hand. I didn't fool the gang for long though, they know me too well.

We had a pretty decent seat, up in the top tier, and whilst it threatened to rain, it seemed to hold off. I was ready though and was wearing the only hat I have really that is suited to sunshine and rain.

I did try on an alternative, offered by Gary (pictured with me below) but I just didn't feel that I could carry it off.

The rain held off and we enjoyed some really exciting innings, and I got to see James Anderson take a wicket (I'll have to see if it was his last (there is another innings)).

The Birthday boy enjoyed his surprise day out...

Oh...wrong picture..

and I must say, had a more fitting hat (in all ways).

Great fun.

WesterNoirs on Kickstarter

 Two WesterNoir titles are currently on Kickstarter.

Volume 3 of Josiah Black's story and the first collection of Cassidy McRae's tale that appeared originally in Quantum.

The double pack is suitably called 

WesterNoir Double Shot!

MaccPow 24

It's been a long time since I've been back to Macclesfield and so I was quite pleased when Steve suggest we give the MaccPow comic event a go.

I thinks it's been going for 7 years now, but this was to be our first.

So, 5am my alarm work me up, 5.30 I set off for Steve's house in Birmingham and we'd arrived before 9am.

Pretty good going.

The first thing we noticed was that there was good signage. 

Steve spotted a nice display in Waterstones, but there were others around the town.

The event itself took place in the Town Hall, and was opened by the Mayor no less.

It was nice to be at a small comic convention again, these things get too big and filled with non-comic stuff, but this has kept true to its roots.

There were two rooms of comic goodness, with professional artists given presentations on the ground floor.

Our table was clearly visible to all.

It was great to be back in Macclesfield and this was a great little convention.

Sold a good number of book, met some new customers and caught up with comic friends, and made a few new ones.

All in all a very enjoyable day.

Nice to see Gary Crutchley who popped in for the afternoon, which allowed us to talk WesterNoir and a possible future project (but that's so far off I'll not mention the details to anyone).

Looking forward t the next one.

Next Subscription Top Trump cards feature WesterNoir characters

As part of our Time Bomb Comics Quantum Prime subscription we throw in some little extra bits and bobs. 

We had a Q sticker, a Q beer mat and also Top Trumps type cards featuring Major Rakhana and Sanjay.

With Quantum 8 subscribers will get cards of the WesterNoir duo of Cassidy (formerly known as Mrs. Jones) and Luther.

We wanted to have them all produced by the same artist and so asked Roland Bird, artist on Major Rakhana to do these. 

I've tried to colour them inn the same way as Dan Harris did for the first two.

They should work very nicely.

London MCM next weekend

Steve and I will be manning the Time Bomb booth at London's MCM event next weekend. 

Please come by for a chat if you're in the arena / area.

Quantum 8

Well, it's nearly time for Quantum 8 to hit the shelves of your local newsagents/WHSmith stores. Once again the over is from Gary Crutchley and this time features Major Rakhana.

and then with titles etc.

Only a week or so to get your copies of Quantum 6...

 ..before it is replaced by Issue 7.

The cover on Issue 7 is of the Clockwork Cavalier and has been produced by Gary Crutchley and coloured by John Charles.

Jemma is interviewed and talks about the way we collaborate...

 ..and I didn't come out too badly 😊

Jemma's Interview on Facebook

ACME Comic Con is Glasgow next weekend.

Our first Comic Convention for 2024.

Do pop over and say 'Hello' if you're in the area.

New special limited printing of Fastest Man

At TimeBomb Comics have a Subscription service called Quantum Prime.

Every issue of Quantum we produce a special variant cover version which is only available to subscribers and also look to include something a little special and also very limited.

with Quantum 6 Subscribers will also get the collected Whatever Happened To The World's Fastest Man? and for the first time it also includes the 5 page prequel, also illustrated by the very talented Marleen Lowe.

Andy Bloor has worked his magic on the design and it's no longer under a The Accent fake newspaper title but has moved to Strange Times.

I'm very happy with the result.

...and if you'd like to know more about the comic then pop over to:-The Mighty World of British Comics  for a very humbling review.

Animal Magic

 I attended a meeting in Paddington today with my day job and came across this.

I love street art in most forms. Graffiti and sculptures being my favourites.

There are a couple of empty seats so that people can join in,

I didn't do that, but I did take a few photos.

On returning home I Googled it and found out that it's call 'The Wild Table of Love' and is by Gillie and Marc. 

Fabulous.

Quantum Issue 1 available for Comic shops to order in Jan PREVIEWS

Yep, Issue 1 will be available in your local comic shop, if you'd like a copy you might want to ask them to order one in for you.

The code for Quantum #1 - JAN241994