I've been working on a Kia Wordsmith companion book, a Tale of the Arrakans, called Scar.
Once again I've been very fortunate with the artist as Joseph Parangue has illustrated it and I've managed to get into Matt Soffe's busy schedule for colouring.
Andy Bloor has worked his magic on the design, but has given me a choice.
or
I'm torn between the two...
In happier news, WesterNoir Volume 2 has just hit its target and is FUNDED over on Kickstarter. Do pop over and check it out...
Accent UK Comics No More
Accent UK Comics, comprising creator's Dave West and Colin Mathieson, one of the UK's longest established independent comic collectives announce that they are to disband.
Founded in 2001 in the North West, Accent UK united the small press publishing activities of Barry Renshaw’s Engine Comics, Dave’s Deva Comics and Colin’s M56 Comics into a single collective.
A string of themed anthology titles were produced such as Remembrance Days, Phobias and Pirates drawing on submissions from the UK’s then small press community including the likes of Dave Baillie, Jason Cobley, Ben Dickson, Garen Ewing and Dave Hitchcock. Red Eye Magazine, a much loved spotlight on the UK independent comics scene with contributions from Matt Badham, Leon Hewitt and others, was edited by Barry and published by Accent UK until his departure in 2006.
From 2007, Accent UK’s titles were distributed globally by Diamond Comic Distributors leading to contributions to their themed anthologies ZOMBIES, ROBOTS, WESTERN etc. from the likes of Keiron Gillen, Steve Bissette, Frazer Irving, John Reppion, Leah Moore and many others. A series of self-contained one-shot or comic series written by Dave and illustrated by other artists were published, including WOLFMEN with Andy Bloor, the Eagle award-winning WHATEVER HAPPENNED TO THE WORLD'S FASTEST MAN? with Marlene Lowe, STEPHENSON’S ROBOT with Indio, the acclaimed WESTERNOIR series co-written with artist Gary Crutchley and KIA WORDSMITH with Ian Ashcroft. The MOMENTS OF ADVENTURE series collected Colin’s historical fiction strips and a trilogy of works were published from Danish artist Martin Flink; THE MAN OF GLASS, THE TROLL and THE LIZARD.
In recent years, Accent UK returned to their anthology roots with a series of annual comics, THE ASYLUM based on the world’s largest steampunk festival of the same name in which Colin, Dave and Gary Crutchley regularly participated in talks, workshops and events.
Accent UK published around 60 comics and graphic novels, the majority of which were designed by Andy Bloor and featured regular colour collaborations from Matt Soffe.
Regulars on the convention scene with nearly 200 appearances, many overseas including the US, Canada, Finland and Denmark, where since 2004, Accent UK were regulars and enjoyed a loyal following.
Colin says “It is with great sadness that this announcement is made but both Dave and I can take great pride from the respect that the Accent UK name is held in and the achievements of the many writers and artists that we have worked with. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to, reviewed or bought our books over the years and to our families for supporting us”.
Dave says “It’s been a great journey, both Colin and I evolving our styles and perfecting our craft over the years and with Accent UK we both have much to be proud of. We have lots of great memories of collaborations and things that happened at the many Comic Conventions and we will both continue to be involved in the independent UK Comic scene, in our own ways, for many years to come. Thanks to all who were with us over the last 20 years, in whatever capacity, your support has always been appreciated”.
Accent UK's website and social media channels will remain open until further notice to allow outstanding orders and distribution obligations be fulfilled. Both Colin and Dave remain active in the comics community and news of forthcoming projects and activities will be released in due course.
Neither of us are stopping our comic creative output, I have the latest Volume of WesterNoir up on Kickstarter at the moment and Colin is applying finishing touches to his Zulu Graphic novel, so keep your eyes open for us at Cons and the like.
The sad news is that Tripwire's Comic Convention in Bristol has been cancelled.
The good news is that I've managed to blag my way into two others.
Firstly in Taunton this weekend, at the Somerset Library in Taunton itself and then at the ACME comic Con in Glasgow towards the end of September.
Although they've somehow used the wrong cover, WesterNoir Book 1 is now available to buy in the International section of the latest Previews.
What an incredible weekend.
All three days of the Con were very busy, very enjoyable and well sold to a lot of new Customers, as well as returning ones.
I took the post apocalyptic headpiece made by Drone to draw attention to my table, and it certainly worked.
As you can see, I even had a few copies of Robot Shorts available, only 6 issues sadly, and they all sold. I'm not sure I have any more.
WesterNoir was top seller as always, with some interesting new customers coming along for the ride...
The three days were pretty much the same, lots of interest in comics, Saturday was the busiest day but both Friday and Sunday were busier than they have been in the past.
It was great to catch up with fellow creators, some of whom I haven't seen since before the Pandemic.
I know of a number of people who sold out over the three days, include Jed McPherson, who had the table next me, as I bought his last comic (Transmissions).
I just need to recover now...
I'm all packed up and ready for an early start tomorrow so I can set up the table before 10am.
I'll be at C19 in the Comic Village, do pop by and say hello if you're in the area, should be a good one.
