DUNE

One of my favourite books growing up was Frank Herbert's DUNE.

I think it was the first book that I'd read that ranged from people, through families to politics. Mixing in their a whole heap of strange characters, some of whom were very sinister, in that they were trying to shape and control everything, without most people knowing.

So, the film. The second feature film to attempt to bring such a large story to the screen. I went to see it early afternoon in an attempt to avoid a busy cinema. Who was I kidding, it was at least two thirds full.

It was fabulous.

It was different in places, which I like as it is a different media, but it maintained its grip on the characters, the world, the tribes, the families, the politics.. I couldn't fault it.

The standout moment for me though was the way the sand moved as the Sandworm moved through it. Like a Red Sea washing up against the rocks.

Fantastic and I'm glad I saw it on the big screen.

London MCM was great.

It was really good to be back at a large convention, behind the table, chatting with people as they stopped at the table.

I learned that a lot of punters missed the Cons as much as the creators.

It felt as safe as it could in current times. They checked your Covid Pass before you could get in (and repeated it each day) and they had even placed dividing walls around pairs of tables to reduce the risk of anything spreading. 

There is always a risk but I really feel that Reedpop did all that they could.

We had two great days and sold a record number of books for London MCM. We met up with friends for food, drink and chat afterwards and made new friends amongst the creators who we were paired up with.

I'm already looking forward to the next one.

London MCM

Colin and I are at this weekend's fist major Comic Con London MCM.

It'll be great to get back out there and try to sell some comics so I can make room in my storage locker for printing some more :)

Please do pop by the table and say hello if you're at the event.

Marleen's last work...

For those of you who have enjoyed Marleen Lowe's wonderful work for AccentUK, you might be interest in seeing the work she did before her untimely death.

It's a children's book called Garden Stories and is available on amazon.

I've ordered my copy and am really looking forward to reading it, and being shown once again what a talent we lost.

Meanwhile in Coventry...

Last weekend we attended our first truly comic convention in almost 2 years.

It was the first ever Meanwhile Comic Convention in Coventry.

It was small and perfectly formed.

It was great to catch up with our friends from Timebomb Comics and Mad Robot Comics as well as catch up with Tripwire's Joel Meadows.

A weekend chatting about comics with other creators, professional and independent, passers by and customers. It felt great to be back.

It was also a pleasure to catch up with John Higgins and thank him for writing the Introduction to the second collected volume of WesterNoir. I also commission John for a Josiah Black portrait and am really happy with the result.

I may well use it for the Kickstarter.

Attended a Drink and Draw for the first time and had a great laugh with David Morris.

We had a great time and have already expressed our interest in attending next year's event.

V2A Fest

 As some of you are aware, this year saw the printing of my collaboration with V2A frontman Drone.

Never one to sit back and wait for things to happen, Drone decided that the lack of events had to be rectified and so he, and his team, created the first V2A Fest.

Set in Nuke City, which is named on the map on the inside cover of V2A - Wasteland Chronicles - Doomsday, the site of a sand quarry had been turned into the perfect setting for such an event.

It was a great opportunity to meet up with post-apocalyptic friends and have a look at the stalls.

Ever the showman, Drone had also arranged for some errant knights to beat hell out of each other in The Arena.

This event will get bigger and bigger over the coming years,
and will no doubt evolve as it does so, but I enjoyed being there at the beginning. 

Newark Steampunk Market

In the absence of the wonderful event that is The Asylum, for a second year, Colin and I ventured to Newark for the Sunday Market. 

About a third of the market was given over to Steampunk traders and it was pretty well attended by Steampunkers and locals alike.

It was a good chance to catch up with my daughter Jemma again, and nice to see her working the table... err... stall.

We had a really enjoyable time and would do that again without a second thought.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the stall for a chat and to those who bought some of our comics, hope you enjoy them.