Back in the Saddle

Okay, so I wanted to come in here and say a few words about how grateful I am to everyone who looked after me, helped me and generally sent kind words and thoughts while I was in hospital. I was lucky enough to be visited every day by the people I love the most in the world, and their kindness towards me while I was so far under the weather meant so much to me and truly helped me get better. All the kind words sent to me in emails and on the message boards made me smile so much, so thank you guys for your awesomeness, I shall endeavor to return the favour with lots and lots of good stuff in here to make YOU smile.

Right, enough illness talk, let's draw a line under it and get on with the business proper. Please find attached my first piccie back at the drawing board after 4 weeks. This one's for you fine people. Click the image below to see it in it's MASSIVE original form!

Lorenzo!

First look: BAGGAGE!

 

Well, after a month in and out of hospital I'm finally taking my first steps back into the real world, and what better way to return than with one of the most exciting things that's dropped through the mailbox in, like, forever! Yes, as Robin is showing in the photo above, those lovely folks over at DFB sent us through our first two super-advance copies of BAGGAGE, and boy is it a beauty! The book is released in just under six weeks time, so stay tuned for previews, exclusives, and news of launch party goodness!

 Thanks to all who have helped me during my illness, I'll be doing a proper post on that next week!

Lorenzo!

A Comic Memory...

As part of the Brokenfrontier week-long exploration of the British comic book world, I was asked to share a reminiscence from our childhood - something nostalgic that touched on our early discovery of comics.

I was almost instantly struck by a singular experience that has shaped both Lorenzo's career and mine. Here's an excerpt from the article to give you a taster:

"Our Granddad, who sadly passed away many years before we joined the comic industry, used to buy us books from his local library. The library service in the UK often held sales of older editions, damaged copies, or simply less popular books, and Stanley "Buster" Brown (he even had a comic title as a nickname!) never missed an opportunity to grab a bargain. And so, one fateful Saturday, on one of his visits to the family home, Buster presented us with an aged copy of Asterix and The Great Crossing. In French. Now, we had never heard of Asterix, knew nothing of the 21 books that preceded this volume, nor could we speak a word of French, but by the end of that day we had worked out that 'Fin' meant 'End' and that those plucky Gauls where the greatest heroes EVER invented!"

That cover still gives me goosebumps.

I heartily recommend you read the full feature as it contains recollections from Peter Rogers, Cy Dethan and Steve Beckett.

Go HERE for all our words (at the bottom) and more...

Never miss an issue...

There's nothing as irritating as collecting a comic and missing a copy because you forgot to place an order with a comic shop/newsagent/sort out your subscription. Well, one of our blog responsibilities is keep you guys up to speed with everything we've got in the pipeline and on the shelf and unfortunately a cheeky Transformer managed to get away from me!

Volume 3, Issue 2 of the ongoing Titan Transformers series, featuring a brand new strip written by me and illustrated by Horacio Domingues, went on sale in August and I forgot to shout about it ... Lorenzo being ill probably had something to do with it but come on - this is 'FORMERS! What was I thinking?...

Here's a recap of the action in "Gold and Blood":
Having infiltrated a dangerous criminal organisation - known as the Tanto gang - Epps bites off more than he can chew when Soundwave arrives to ignite a three-way battle. With Optimus and Ratchet inbound, a desperate race against time ensues, but who will secure the lost treasure lying at the bottom of the Laguna de Guatavita?

Exciting stuff! You should still be able to grab a copy on ebay if you missed it in the shops!

- Robin
  

BrokenFrontier gives the DFC Library a BIG thumbs up!

Those wonderful reviewers over at BrokenFrontier have just launched a week-long online celebration of British comics and comic creators.

Running from 15th-19th August, the site will feature articles on every aspect of graphic story-telling in the UK. In managing editor Andy Oliver's own words they don't just want to "...shamelessly wallow in the nostalgia of the golden age of British weekly comics, but also to shine a spotlight on the rich diversity of the contemporary UK comics scene." 

A noble desire, and to make matters even MORE awesome they've just posted a rather wonderful article on the complete DFC Library (to date). Every book is glowingly reviewed and Monkey Nuts is lucky enough to receive some rather tasty soundbites:

"Every page is a thing of beauty, with art so detailed that each re-read is a new journey of discovery ... this is a perfect showcase for the talents of the inimitable Etherington Brothers."


HaaZaa!

To read the full magnificent feature, simply click HERE!

A DANDY daze!

While Lorenzo continues his slow but steady recovery, it is up to me (and my forgetful nature) to keep our blog bubbling along with the latest news and info. A task which I have obviously failed to do, as there hasn't been a "DANDY Day" announcement in weeks!

Sorry, sorry, sorry. Sorry.

With only four weeks left to run on their current YORE adventure, Piggy, Doombar and Elfin find themselves in a grubby spot as their search for the missing quest page leads them to the local rubbish DUMP!

Aside from the usual helping of gags, nonsense, comedy violence and pretty pictures, Piggy takes a moment to reflect on mankind's wasteful nature... 

...or something like that. 

You can grab your bonus-sized summer helping of Dandy goodness from any newsagent of supermarket with a little class!

The Phoenix and The Etheringtons UNITE! ... Round 1 ...

After much speculation we are proud to announce that The Etherington Brothers will be joining the remarkable ranks of talent assembling to bring the brand new kids comic - The Phoenix - to life!

Superstars such as Jamie Smart and Neill Cameron will be delivering individual doses of their own brand of excellence to a title that is very much the successor to the magnificent but shortlived DFC.

But I've a sneaky feeling this comic could be even better!

So let's get down to the good stuff! Our first project is a series both drawn AND written by Lorenzo (who wishes to thank you all for your 'get well' messages - he really appreciates the support!). I always dreaded the day when my talented bro realised he could tell stories entirely on his own ... and that day has finally come!
 
The Dangerous Adventures of Von Doogan will be an ongoing series of brain-squeezingly, melt-in-the-mouth-scrumptiously devious puzzles. Von Doogan is a daring explorer who will stop at nothing to uncover foul conspiracies and undo wrong-doing around the globe. He's a living clue-untangling legend ...  but he's still going to need your help to get to the bottom of the mystery!

Needless to say Lorenzo has outdone himself with this one. But don't take it from me - fire up Doogan's very own trailer below and watch (and listen) as the magic comes to life before your spellbound eyes!



The Phoenix will rise in January 2012 ... more news as it breaks!

- Robin

Pain is a VISUAL medium...

The blog's been uncharacteristically quiet this week because it's been an uncharacteristic week!

Lorenzo was admitted to hospital last Wednesday with chronic stomach pain which grew considerably worse. I won't go into any details here (this is a happy blog for happy people) but needless to say my little brother has been dragged through the medical machine backwards. After baffling the doctors for many days and finally being rushed into emergency surgery, they discovered that he simply had a TERRIBLE case of appendicitis. And I do mean terrible.

The good news is that he is on the mend and should be back to his old cheerful self in about 3 weeks.

Anyway, today was the first day he's been able to hold anything other that a cup of water and despite being unable to talk, he was quiet capable of drawing a series of faces to describe the range and extremes of his pain during the whole ordeal. The pics made me laugh, but his drawing - for the first time in thirty years - was relatively crude. Luckily I put in a call to my good friend and world famous recluse, Bill Watterson, described Lorenzo's efforts and he cast a little Calvin magic.

Here for your pleasure, is Lorenzo's week of discomfort, as imagined by another comic master. Click for the full effect.



Get well soon, little buddy!

- Robin

When Writers Draw they Draw Themselves...

A little light relief for a Sunday evening. I found this picture while sorting through my computer's incredibly messy photo files and thought it was worth sharing.

Over the course of the 2011 Bristol Comic Expo, our good friend Jess Bradley ran an activity called Draw Yourself As A Zombie. It proved to be immensely popular, and when she reached our table Lorenzo leaped instantly into action, desperate to capture the essence of his zombie self.

But then something strange happened. For the first time in YEARS I felt compelled to have a scribble myself.

And so, behold ... my first ever pic on our blog!!!

(From left to right: Me, Lorenzo and Jess)

I have to admit I was rather pleased with my effort. Sure, Lorenzo's had cool bone-framed glasses and glowing eyes, but my pic featured an arrow, a sticky plaster and a chunk of exposed brain! Ahem.

More VITAL news as it breaks.

- Robin

Dandy Readers rise to the Yore challenge!

A short while ago the UK's Dandy comic ran a fantastic YORE competition, in which readers were asked to design a monster capable of scaring Piggy, Elfin and Doombar. No mean feat, I can assure you!

After many lengthy debates ten fantastic entries were selected for display in this week's issue.
Here's a little taster of their genius.

Heaps of creative praise are now raining down upon the shoulders of Hamish, Brooke, Adam, Joseph, Joshua, Liam, William, Toby, Flynn and the mysterious tenth entrant who forgot to write their name down (doh!). Well done, one and all.

And remember, folks: today's competition entrants are the comic creators of tomorrow, so rush out, buy a copy and check out the future talent on offer.

Monkey Nuts Nominated for an Award!

We are absolutely over the moon today, as we've just learned that Monkey Nuts: The Diamond Egg of Wonders (currently only £7.30 on Amazon - bargain) has been shortlisted in the 2011 Young People's Graphic Novel Awards as part of the extended Leeds Book Awards!

Aside from the fact that this is basically just completely AWESOME news, we are doubly delighted to receive this nomination as it falls in the same year that we'll be making our debut appearance at the Thought Bubble Comic festival.

To top it all off, last year's award was won by our very good friend, Dave Shelton with his marvelous book Good Dog, Bad Dog. Can DFC lightening strike twice? We won't know until November 18th so fingers crossed, friends...

Stranski: Tanks

More from my Stranski book today, enjoy...!

Lorenzo!