Friday, 29 April 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
The Illustrious Omnibus of Superpowers!
Occasionally something falls off the internet and into your eyeballs that simply DEMANDS to be shared, and the infographic masterpiece below is just such a treat.
Created by Brooklyn based design house, Pop Chart Lab, this visual compendium is a comic book delight.
In Pop Chart's own words it's "a taxonomic tree of over 100 wondrous powers and abilities, with over 200 superheroes and supervillains as examples thereof."
It's a marvelous piece of work and well worth the time it'll take you to click on the pic, zoom in and explore.
(I would also recommend a look at their Evolution of Video Game Controllers poster)
I take immense pleasure from the inclusion of such lesser known wonders as 'Chat', 'Zzzax', 'Ferro Lad' and 'Bouncing Betty'.
The Etherington Brothers ... telling you about stuff you never knew you really wanted to know, but you do now, since 2004.
Created by Brooklyn based design house, Pop Chart Lab, this visual compendium is a comic book delight.
In Pop Chart's own words it's "a taxonomic tree of over 100 wondrous powers and abilities, with over 200 superheroes and supervillains as examples thereof."
It's a marvelous piece of work and well worth the time it'll take you to click on the pic, zoom in and explore.
(I would also recommend a look at their Evolution of Video Game Controllers poster)
I take immense pleasure from the inclusion of such lesser known wonders as 'Chat', 'Zzzax', 'Ferro Lad' and 'Bouncing Betty'.
The Etherington Brothers ... telling you about stuff you never knew you really wanted to know, but you do now, since 2004.
Professor Popalop Season 2 coming...
Whoop! Dandy Day! This week's issue sees the YORE! Gang embark on the Quest for the Key to the Kingdom! Not to be missed! BUT before you rush down to the shops, I wanted to show you this...!
I'm currently working on the second season of my Perniciously Perplexing Professor Popalop Puzzle Pages for the Dandy, one episode of which will feature this "bugs begone" insect repellent cannon. More on this soon!
Lorenzo!
Lorenzo!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
BAGGAGE is coming...
So, it's a few months yet until BAGGAGE launches, but we're already working hard behind the scenes on various bits and bobs ahead of it.
On that note, I thought I'd show you the brand spanking new banner stand that we've just received ready for all the shows and appearances we're making over the next five months in the lead up to the book's publication. Nice!
Oh, and the book is currently on pre-order on Amazon with 20% off! Buy it HERE!
Lorenzo!
Oh, and the book is currently on pre-order on Amazon with 20% off! Buy it HERE!
Lorenzo!
Monday, 25 April 2011
AWESOME Jamie Smart stickers only in the Dandy!
Right, just a quick one, because it's a beeeutiful day here in Bristol and I need to get out in the sun, but I wanted to show you these truly special stickers that are yours with a copy of the current issue of the Dandy!
Drawn by supremo comic GOD Jamie smart, they're simply flippin' awesome and you owe it to yourself to buy a copy and get busy sticking them on every blank surface you can find.
You've only got two more days of this issue being available, so get going!
Lorenzo!
Lorenzo!
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Thank YOU!
So The Dandy's 'Strictly Come Laughing' competition has run its course and sadly we did not win. Some of us took it harder than others ... here's a photo of Dandy editor, Craig Graham, breaking the bad news to Tag Team Tastic artist, Warwick. I don't think Craig was expecting quite such a strong reaction.
But it WAS a close run thing! In the end we were pipped by Harry and his Hippo, drawn by the exceptionally nice, Andy Fanton (many congratulations, pal!)
To everyone who voted for Huggles and Big Thumper - and everyone who forced others to vote on pain of wedgies - we salute you! Your support is worth more to us than winning***.
After all, second place is the FIRST loser, right? Right?
*** - this is a lie.
But it WAS a close run thing! In the end we were pipped by Harry and his Hippo, drawn by the exceptionally nice, Andy Fanton (many congratulations, pal!)
To everyone who voted for Huggles and Big Thumper - and everyone who forced others to vote on pain of wedgies - we salute you! Your support is worth more to us than winning***.
After all, second place is the FIRST loser, right? Right?
*** - this is a lie.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
ZOMBIE SKELETON ARMY!
Lorenzo!
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Sensational Swansea School Session!
Three weeks ago, the Monkey Nuts machine rolled into Swansea for a day of workshops at the Morriston Comprehensive School. This was a particularly important visit as we were the first authors to EVER visit the school! Gulp ... no pressure then!
Our worries rapidly evaporated in the presence of school Learning Resources Manager, Jennifer James, who was even more enthusiastic about the day than us (and that's hard to do!). Despite having returned from a school trip to Poland the night before, Jennifer had delivered the goods. Rarely have we entered an event space to find it so superbly decked with Etherington-related images!!!
(For anyone reading this post and thinking of hosting a children's author event at your library/school/festival, I cannot overstate the importance of creating this sort of display weeks before the writers/illustrators arrive. The kids love it and it helps build a great pre-show positive buzz.)
After a superb morning session in the main hall, we reconvened to the library for a special bonus workshop with the school's Comic Club. 40 lucky creators from across years 7-10 had the chance to delve into our Comic Cookery Workshop. And boy, did these guys have some superbly funny ideas!
The day done, we were about to leave, tired but happy ... but there was one more treat in store. While we had been talking to the children one of their teachers had been quietly, privately sketching a pic of ME!!!! How cool is that???
Thank you Jennifer and all the staff at Morriston for giving us such a warm Swansea welcome. We cannot wait to come back!
Our worries rapidly evaporated in the presence of school Learning Resources Manager, Jennifer James, who was even more enthusiastic about the day than us (and that's hard to do!). Despite having returned from a school trip to Poland the night before, Jennifer had delivered the goods. Rarely have we entered an event space to find it so superbly decked with Etherington-related images!!!
(For anyone reading this post and thinking of hosting a children's author event at your library/school/festival, I cannot overstate the importance of creating this sort of display weeks before the writers/illustrators arrive. The kids love it and it helps build a great pre-show positive buzz.)
After a superb morning session in the main hall, we reconvened to the library for a special bonus workshop with the school's Comic Club. 40 lucky creators from across years 7-10 had the chance to delve into our Comic Cookery Workshop. And boy, did these guys have some superbly funny ideas!
The day done, we were about to leave, tired but happy ... but there was one more treat in store. While we had been talking to the children one of their teachers had been quietly, privately sketching a pic of ME!!!! How cool is that???
Thank you Jennifer and all the staff at Morriston for giving us such a warm Swansea welcome. We cannot wait to come back!
Monday, 18 April 2011
Book signing marathon
So, remember THIS POST? well, when Monkey Nuts sold out we were actually already on the road on our 2nd Liverpool Tour and while some books had been allocated to the tour, we soon got through 'em! So a few days ago we had the very pleasant experience of receiving two huge boxes of books needing to be signed for all the eager Monkey Nutters that couldn't get their paws on a copy on the day!
Monkey Nuts is not yet back in stock for the general public (should only be a few weeks now) but stay tuned for news of it's return!
In the meantime, here's a couple of shots of Robin and I spending a very enjoyable Friday afternoon doing what all authors love to do - signing and sketching in books!
Lorenzo!
In the meantime, here's a couple of shots of Robin and I spending a very enjoyable Friday afternoon doing what all authors love to do - signing and sketching in books!
Lorenzo!
Friday, 15 April 2011
Brand New SERIOUSLY Limited Edition Sketchbook Coming!
Right, here we go. El Sketchbook Lorenzo volume F.I.V.E. is coming, and it's going to be a VERY limited edition, so you gotta pay attention...
We're making just 60 copies of this book, and they're going to be released in two batches of 30. The first 30 will go on sale at the Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo on Saturday 14th May, where I'll be sketching and signing 'em. The second 30 will go on sale online (available for delivery anywhere in the world) through our STORE on Monday 16th May. Once they're gone, they're gone, that's it, they won't be on sale at any other show, and will never go on sale online again.
This brand new sketchbook weighs in at 140 glorious pages in eyeball twitching black and white, is full to the brim with character designs, environment concepts, unpublished secret projects, Stranski artwork and and a host of other good stuff. It will retail at a recession-friendly £9.95.
So, stay tuned, and I'll tell you more very soon, including a VERY special offer we're going to be running at the Bristol show!
Lorenzo!
We're making just 60 copies of this book, and they're going to be released in two batches of 30. The first 30 will go on sale at the Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo on Saturday 14th May, where I'll be sketching and signing 'em. The second 30 will go on sale online (available for delivery anywhere in the world) through our STORE on Monday 16th May. Once they're gone, they're gone, that's it, they won't be on sale at any other show, and will never go on sale online again.
This brand new sketchbook weighs in at 140 glorious pages in eyeball twitching black and white, is full to the brim with character designs, environment concepts, unpublished secret projects, Stranski artwork and and a host of other good stuff. It will retail at a recession-friendly £9.95.
So, stay tuned, and I'll tell you more very soon, including a VERY special offer we're going to be running at the Bristol show!
Lorenzo!
Thursday, 14 April 2011
It's a numbers game, folks!
Two bits of exciting news, tied together (in the loosest fashion) because they both feature, er, numbers.
Ahem.
First up, old readers, new readers, happy readers and blue readers alike will be delighted to learn that the preorder price for Baggage - our next graphic novel - has just dropped from £9.99 to £8!!!
That's one mighty saving for such a delightfully constructed hardback, full-colour, action-adventure-comedy - even if we say so ourselves! Don't delay, order yours today!
In other NUMBER related news, Tag Team Tastic has been battling bravely against the mighty Harry and His Hippo and yesterday we managed to break the 1000 vote barrier!
(This pic is courtesy of Mattias Adolfsson - an exceptionally cool Swedish illustrator who combines a great blend of Lorenzo's mad detailing and the simpler cartoon style of Lewis Trondheim)
In fact, as I type, we've now nearly hit 1500. Madness.
There's still a day or two to go and ANYTHING could happen!
Ahem.
First up, old readers, new readers, happy readers and blue readers alike will be delighted to learn that the preorder price for Baggage - our next graphic novel - has just dropped from £9.99 to £8!!!
That's one mighty saving for such a delightfully constructed hardback, full-colour, action-adventure-comedy - even if we say so ourselves! Don't delay, order yours today!
In other NUMBER related news, Tag Team Tastic has been battling bravely against the mighty Harry and His Hippo and yesterday we managed to break the 1000 vote barrier!
(This pic is courtesy of Mattias Adolfsson - an exceptionally cool Swedish illustrator who combines a great blend of Lorenzo's mad detailing and the simpler cartoon style of Lewis Trondheim)
In fact, as I type, we've now nearly hit 1500. Madness.
There's still a day or two to go and ANYTHING could happen!
YORE! Design a Monster competition in the Dandy!
Remember I said I had an announcement coming? Well this ISN'T it, but this is still pretty exciting, so I'm going to talk about this first! Okay? 'kay. The current issue of the Dandy features a very special competition in which YOU get your chance to show what a truly awesome monster creator you are!
Oh, and the real announcement's coming very sooooon!
Lorenzo!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
A posh gent, some environments and FISH!
Drum roll......It's DANDY daaaaaaaaaaaay! Whoop! Let's get on with it then! Here's a character design I've been working on recently for YORE!...
Okay, that's enough for now, but keep checking in, because in the next couple of days I'm going to be announcing something excitin'!
Lorenzo!
Monday, 11 April 2011
Professor Popalop
A few little pics here of some of my Professor Popalop pages! Oh, and don't forget to ask all your friends and family to vote for Tag TeamTastic by clicking the button on the right, voting closes April 16th!
Sunday, 10 April 2011
The Etheringtons Go NORTH! Chesterfield Workshop Report...
If we're being strictly chronological about these things we really should blog our incredible Swansea School trip first, but we still haven't got around to scanning a particularly brilliant piece of art from the day so instead let's travel up country for some fun in the Northern sun.
And sunny it was! After the longest winter I can remember Lorenzo and I were delighted to discover that our visit to Chesterfield (for a day and an evening of comic workshops) was accompanied by glorious weather. Awakening in the glamorous surroundings of the Whittington Moor Travelodge ... ahem ... we basked momentarily in the celebrity glow of our favourite cook in the whole wide world.
Jamie Oliver? No. Nigel Slater? Uh-uh. Nigella Lawson??? Nope.
I am, of course, talking about the Chef.
Just look at his innocent smile caught beneath a cloudless blue sky ... sigh.
Quick word of explanation for our foreign readers - Little Chef is a chain of restaurants (and I use the word lightly) that exist to serve weary roadside travelers. It has a limited menu but we're suckers for their all day breakfasts. This time Lorenzo selected the veggie version of their 'famous' Olympic breakfast, while I opted for the pancakes with a couple of rashers on the side. Nice.
What's that? You'd like to hear about our workshops? Sheesh ... some people are never happy.
We were met post brekkie by the wonderful Julie Potton (principle Librarian for 16 libraries in the Chesterfield area) who organised the day and took great care of us. We began with a single class workshop (always good to warm up before the main event) - which was great fun - then headed into town to the central Library. And what a building it was. Five floors high and packed to the rafters with an incredible selection of titles it was no surprise to learn that Chesterfield is the 5th busiest library in the country. Aside from computer suites and sound booths and all manner of excellent extras, the building has its very own auditorium which made for a great setting.
During the lunchtime slot we saw three extremely enthusiastic schools and answered dozens of brilliant questions! Then it was off for a stroll and a bite to eat before our final workshop.
In quick succession we learnt that the town lays claim to the oldest bowling green in the world (1294), a ridiculously thin Georgian building (seen below) and something rather special ...
This is the Crooked Spire of the Church of Saint Mary and All Saints.
Apparently it's not MEANT to look like this...
We have been led to understand that this bizarre curvature has been caused by unseasoned timber and poor cross bracing, but I'd rather believe the folklore that claims "a Bolsover blacksmith mis-shod the Devil, who leaped over the spire in pain, knocking it out of shape." Much cooler, I think you'll agree.
After a big, fat panini and a frosty pint of cider we returned, refreshed, to give a lively evening workshop to a reading group aged from 6-16. It was fantastic and the children and teenagers brought a wealth of great ideas to the event.
Many thanks once again to Julie and all her incredible co-workers who helped plan and deliver such a fun day! We look forward to returning soon.
And sunny it was! After the longest winter I can remember Lorenzo and I were delighted to discover that our visit to Chesterfield (for a day and an evening of comic workshops) was accompanied by glorious weather. Awakening in the glamorous surroundings of the Whittington Moor Travelodge ... ahem ... we basked momentarily in the celebrity glow of our favourite cook in the whole wide world.
Jamie Oliver? No. Nigel Slater? Uh-uh. Nigella Lawson??? Nope.
I am, of course, talking about the Chef.
Just look at his innocent smile caught beneath a cloudless blue sky ... sigh.
Quick word of explanation for our foreign readers - Little Chef is a chain of restaurants (and I use the word lightly) that exist to serve weary roadside travelers. It has a limited menu but we're suckers for their all day breakfasts. This time Lorenzo selected the veggie version of their 'famous' Olympic breakfast, while I opted for the pancakes with a couple of rashers on the side. Nice.
What's that? You'd like to hear about our workshops? Sheesh ... some people are never happy.
We were met post brekkie by the wonderful Julie Potton (principle Librarian for 16 libraries in the Chesterfield area) who organised the day and took great care of us. We began with a single class workshop (always good to warm up before the main event) - which was great fun - then headed into town to the central Library. And what a building it was. Five floors high and packed to the rafters with an incredible selection of titles it was no surprise to learn that Chesterfield is the 5th busiest library in the country. Aside from computer suites and sound booths and all manner of excellent extras, the building has its very own auditorium which made for a great setting.
During the lunchtime slot we saw three extremely enthusiastic schools and answered dozens of brilliant questions! Then it was off for a stroll and a bite to eat before our final workshop.
In quick succession we learnt that the town lays claim to the oldest bowling green in the world (1294), a ridiculously thin Georgian building (seen below) and something rather special ...
This is the Crooked Spire of the Church of Saint Mary and All Saints.
Apparently it's not MEANT to look like this...
We have been led to understand that this bizarre curvature has been caused by unseasoned timber and poor cross bracing, but I'd rather believe the folklore that claims "a Bolsover blacksmith mis-shod the Devil, who leaped over the spire in pain, knocking it out of shape." Much cooler, I think you'll agree.
After a big, fat panini and a frosty pint of cider we returned, refreshed, to give a lively evening workshop to a reading group aged from 6-16. It was fantastic and the children and teenagers brought a wealth of great ideas to the event.
Many thanks once again to Julie and all her incredible co-workers who helped plan and deliver such a fun day! We look forward to returning soon.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
A Big Bunch of reasons to vote for Tag Team Tastic...
Lorenzo and I just returned from a superb trip to Chesterfield (full reports from both this, and our recent trip to Swansea coming soon - got to get pic permissions!) to find a delightful email from fellow Tag Team Tastic creator, Warwick Johnson-Cadwell.
As The Dandy's voting for their Strictly Come Laughing competition nears an end (final count on the 16th April!) Warwick decided to whip up a little inspirational sketch to give our readers an idea of the insane amount of good stuff to come ... but only if we win the COMP!
You're going to need to click on this one to see it in all it's magnificent detail!
So if the thought of a weekly comedy wrestling strip featuring Elvis, Cowboys, Chinese Grand masters, Robots, Mummies, Evil Chefs, Circus Pygmies, Flying carpets, Bee-Boys, Prisoners and MUCH MUCH MORE makes you laugh/gasp/punch the air in delight (delete as appropriate) ... VOTE NOW!
Warwick and I (along with Big Thumper, Huggles and the W.A.R.T wrestling league) would be extremely grateful for your support.
As The Dandy's voting for their Strictly Come Laughing competition nears an end (final count on the 16th April!) Warwick decided to whip up a little inspirational sketch to give our readers an idea of the insane amount of good stuff to come ... but only if we win the COMP!
You're going to need to click on this one to see it in all it's magnificent detail!
So if the thought of a weekly comedy wrestling strip featuring Elvis, Cowboys, Chinese Grand masters, Robots, Mummies, Evil Chefs, Circus Pygmies, Flying carpets, Bee-Boys, Prisoners and MUCH MUCH MORE makes you laugh/gasp/punch the air in delight (delete as appropriate) ... VOTE NOW!
Warwick and I (along with Big Thumper, Huggles and the W.A.R.T wrestling league) would be extremely grateful for your support.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Tag Team Tastic takes the lead!
In a shock last minute turnaround, Tag Team Tastic (the comic strip created for The Dandy by myself and Warwick Johnson-Cadwell) has just nipped into the lead! WooHoo!
The current scores are as follows...
Dare Devil Dad - 427
Phil's Finger - 80 (which I think is a hugely skewed figure - this is a corker)
As you can see, there's not a lot in it so if you are yet to vote .... VOTE!
It's all coming down to the wire people...
The current scores are as follows...
Tag Team Tastic - 447
Harry and His Hippo - 443Dare Devil Dad - 427
Phil's Finger - 80 (which I think is a hugely skewed figure - this is a corker)
As you can see, there's not a lot in it so if you are yet to vote .... VOTE!
It's all coming down to the wire people...
Character Design Breakdown
Hey folks...wait for it...wait for it...it's DANDY day! Whooooop!
Here, for your eyeballs to enjoy is a breakdown of one of the character designs from a recent episode of YORE!
If you like this sort of thing, and you want more, and I mean like SIX HUNDRED pages more, then I would like to thoroughly recommend you treat yourself to a copy of my massive MASSIVE sketchbook, available for delivery all over the world, you can buy it from HERE!
In the meantime, here are some more header panels from up and coming YORE! episodes...
More very very SOOOOON!
Lorenzo!
Here, for your eyeballs to enjoy is a breakdown of one of the character designs from a recent episode of YORE!
In the meantime, here are some more header panels from up and coming YORE! episodes...
More very very SOOOOON!
Lorenzo!
Monday, 4 April 2011
The Dandy has been nominated for an Eagle!
There are many awards for comics throughout the world. In America, the Eisner's and the Harvey's hold forth among a sea of contenders, while the Prix de la Critique and the simply ridiculously named le Palmarès Officiel du Festival international de la bande dessinée decide the best of the best in France.
And little old England has the Eagles.
Now the Eagle awards have, and always will have, a very special place in the heart of we Etheringtons. In 2007 we were nominated in the category of Favourite Black and White British Comic book for our debut graphic novel Malcolm Magic (but we woz robbed on the night ... not that we're not bitter ... ahem)
So you can imagine our delight at being able to announce that The Dandy (featuring YORE!) has been nominated for the 2011 category of Favourite Colour British Comic book. The competition is going to be stiff as 2000AD almost ALWAYS wins this one, and the Doctor Who Magazine has about a billion readers (even though it's not really a comic.)
But if you'd like to help us buck the recent trend and finally claim that long overdue award (we're not bitter at all, honest) then simply GO HERE and click randomly for folks in the various categories until you reach Q14 - then pick The Dandy!
YEAH!
And little old England has the Eagles.
So you can imagine our delight at being able to announce that The Dandy (featuring YORE!) has been nominated for the 2011 category of Favourite Colour British Comic book. The competition is going to be stiff as 2000AD almost ALWAYS wins this one, and the Doctor Who Magazine has about a billion readers (even though it's not really a comic.)
But if you'd like to help us buck the recent trend and finally claim that long overdue award (we're not bitter at all, honest) then simply GO HERE and click randomly for folks in the various categories until you reach Q14 - then pick The Dandy!
YEAH!