Renegade Arts Entertainment have announced that they will be publishing the first ever complete collection of Alan Grant, Jon Haward and Jamie Grant's long-running humour strip Tales of The Buddha Before He Became Enlightened.
Collecting the entire 66-page saga to date initially for digital release in April, followed by a print release in the autumn, Tales of the Buddha answers the much asked questions about just what this holiest of men got up to before gaining enlightenment.
The strips take a very lighthearted approach to Buddha's journey of discovery as he samples other religions and hangs out with well known religious icons, as well as getting the chance to experience life's pleasures along the way.
"I've been aware of the strips for a long time thanks to Wasted magazine and working with Alan," explains publisher Alexander Finbow, "and I was intrigued when the guys suggested we release the collection through Renegade.
"I sat down with the strips to get up to speed and found myself laughing out loud which was reason enough to say yes straight away.
"I'm overjoyed that Renegade will be releasing Tales of the Buddha as an e-book," says Alan Grant. "I consider it to be my funniest work since the sad demise of Lobo. It contains some of Jon Haward's most beautiful and delicate art, with colouring and lettering by Jamie Grant of Superman fame. Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll...with a smattering of violence. My copy is already ordered!"
“I'm very pleased that after 10 years, the Buddha's tales has a publisher with 'faith' in the crazy funny tales written by my inspirational friend Alan Grant," adds Jon. "It's been a total joy and honour to work on these stories. I have laughed at every story and I hope the collection will entertain and raise a smile for all readers.
"Let the enlightenment begin!”
Alan Grant is without doubt one of the most successful and prolific comic book writers in the industry. Having written many stories for the UK's 2000AD including the man himself, Judge Dredd. His work then found an international audience at DC Comics, with Lobo, Batman and The Demon amongst his many successes.
In 25 years in the publishing world Jon has worked on iconic comic titles and characters including Judge Dredd, Dan Dare, Spectacular Spider-Man, Shinobi, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and Doctor Who.
Renegade is a creator owned publisher of comic books - but only a few and they are very discerning with their choices. Their mix so far has been from experienced A list writers - including Gordon Rennie and PJ Holden's amazing and much-anticpated Monsterology - and artists and newer blood who pitched projects just too good to turn down.
Art directing Hamlet the graphic novel for Classical Comics, drawing Slaine for Zarjaz magazine just recently finished art duties on Tales of the Buddha before he got enlightened collection
First memory of 2000AD?
The first issue, being blown away by Invasion, Dan Dare, Harlem Heroes and Mach 1. Basically I loved it and have been a fan ever since
Favourite Character or Story?
Slaine the Horned God by Simon Bisley. Also, Mike McMahon's amazing run on Slaine, Nemesis by Kev O'Neill - both by scribe Pat Mills. Robo Hunter by Ian Gibson - the first stories I adored by John Wagner and Alan Grant.
Then there's the Judge Child Dredd saga, the Cursed Earth Dredd saga Ron Smith, McMahon, Bolland - genius work.
Gosh, the list goes on - Gibbons on Rogue Trooper and Dan Dare; Wagner and Ranson's Button Man etc .
My most enjoyable job for 2000AD was drawing Tales of Telguuth by Steve Moore - a wonderful, zany dark fantasy.
What do you like most about the 2000AD?
The mix of fantasy, action and sci-fi mixed with black humour dynamite combo
What would you most like to see in 2000AD as it heads to its Forties?
The same energy trying new thrills but build also on its corner stone characters
If you worked on 2000AD, do you have an anecdote you'd like to share about your experience of Tharg and his minions?
Richard Burton was my first Tharg editor (I've worked for Richard, Alan McKenzie, Andy Diggle and Matt Smith). When Richard gave me my first Dredd job, he told me to get it done in 10 days - that's pencils, inks and colouring.
I got the job finished on time. It was a story by Garth Ennis. Richard told me it was my baptism of fire, he was interested in marathon runners not runners that could start the race and not finish it.
Actually Richard was so impressed with my Dredd and my speed he offered me Shinobi Master Ninja for Sonic the Comic!
(with thanks to Clive Bryant and Jon Haward): Classical Comics adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, is to be re-published in China by its Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, along with a number of other titles from the successful range.
First published in 2008 with art from Jon Haward and Nigel Dobbyn, the artist tells us he is "amazed and pleased" for Classical Comics.
FLTRP have produced a two-volume edition for teaching English, with one edition in simplified English and the other in Chinese Language. This allows students to use both to enjoy the story and to learn English better.
The English volume is in colour, while the Chinese volume is in black and white.
Presenting William Shakespeare's full and unabridged "Scottish play" in comic book form, the British edition was published in three formats - in original and unabridged format, and plain text and quick text editions. Set in 11th century Scotland, the story centres on Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, one of King Duncan's greatest war captains. Returning from a battle with the rebellious Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth and Banquo encounter three witches, who prophecy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King - and so begins a descent into villainy, involving murder, hauntings, suicide and "walking woods".
The Classical Comics range has enjoyed plenty of deserved praise since it launched, not least from classical actor Patrick Stewart, who told publisher Clive Bryant he was "fascinated" by the publisher's approach. "I find them gripping, dramatic and, although for me the original Shakespeare is always my reason for turning to these plays, I think that what you are doing in illuminating and making perhaps more lucid, especially for young people, is clever and meaningful."
Macbeth has been Classical Comics top seller since its release, Jon tells us. "I'm very proud for the team," he says. "We all worked hard on that book."
"We're hugely excited about the publications and working with FLTRP in China," publisher Clive Bryant told downthetubes, "and it's thrilling to think that our books are not only helping with the learning of English but are also forming mental imagery of the characters and scenes within these original plays and books. The image of Macbeth drawn by Jon Haward, or Miss Havisham by John Stokes, or Frankenstein's monster by Declan are all entering the minds of Chinese readers. It's mind-blowing!"
This isn't the first foreign publishing deal for the title, either. "We have had editions of our titles published in other languages, too - Swedish, Croatian, Turkish and Portuguese, plus we've had a lot of interest from other territories that we are pursuing," says Clive.
"Macbeth sold out in Turkey in six weeks and it's now out in Sweden," adds Jon. It's going global, which is fab news, not just for us but for British talent being seen abroad. Awesome, exciting times!"
Upcoming British releases from Classical Comics include Staz Johnson's adaptation of Dracula next month, with An Inspector Calls (adapted by Jason Cobley with art by Will Volley) soon after.
Next year should see the release of Sweeney Todd (drawn by Declan Shalvey) and The Importance of Being Earnest (drawn by John Stokes, who did a wonderful job on Great Expectations), followed by Julius Caesar: Original Text, with stunning art by Sean O'Connor, inked by Gary Erskine.
The latest issue of adult comic Wasted (#6) has gone to press, with a cover by Cam Kennedy featuring Jon Haward and Alan Grant's Buddha.(Jon by the way, was recently interviewed here on the title's blog).
The new issue features, amongst other random things, these recurring strips - War On Drugs, Tales Of The Buddha, Lusi Sulfura, Total Fear, S*** The Dog, Junkie Dad, Amber Nectar and RamRod.
Contributors this issue are: Alan Grant, Cam Kennedy, Carlos Ezquerra, Johnny Horney, Dave Alexander, Russ McPherson, Liam Bryant, Craig Collins, Simon Bisley, Jon Haward, Rob Baker, Garry McLaughlin, Nick Very, Gibson Quarter, Ray Manta, John Miller, Robert Smith, Lex, Jamie McMorrow, Adam Smith, Claire Deakin, Jacek Zabawa, John Wagner, Martin Smith, Alan Kerr, James Corcoran, Paul McCann, Kent Taylor, Jules Boyle (ahem, apologies...), Jamie Grant, Jim Devlin and Pudsy (rest in peace).
Comics guru Brendan McCarthy says: "Wasted is the best new comic since Deadline!" And, Bad Press assure us, Brendan has never been known to be wrong!
We've run Mr Matthew Badham ragged with our demands on his multi-layered brain, so he's taking a little break. You will, instead, have to put up with my meanderings around various British comic creators equally meandering (at times, anyway) web site... Special thanks to Matt for doing such a great job - check out his ace article on independent press comics in the UK in the latest Comics Now mag from Future Publishing!
(Which also features a great column on the loneliness of the long-distance comics freelancer by Dez Skinn)
• Jon Haward is one of Britain's best comics artists, with credits aplenty for his work for almost every British comics publisher. Sadly, he's the latest victim of the economic downturn and he's giving up on his freelancing and is looking to relocate to find a full time job. Anyone after an in house concept illustrator /storyboard artist or art director should contact him via his Facebook page before he gets snapped up.
• The Forbidden Planet International blog reports that American cartoonist and respected commentator on the scene Daryl Cagle recently posted a comment about US editorial cartooning and ‘the rest of the world’ which has stirred some debate, not least on the blog of the UK professional cartoonist’s association, the Bloghorn, who have taken exception to Cagle painting the rest of the cartooning world outside the syndicated US mainstream with the same brush, his post appearing to infer that ‘world cartoonists’ spend all their time doing relatively obscure works with the aim of getting them into international competitions, while US cartoonists are busy earning a wage and creating cartoons that use both words and pictures to make a point and create humour.
• Emma Viceli's fab manga adventure Dragon Heir: Rebornis now available to buy online from the Sweatdrop store. For direct copies, you can either contact Emma via her blog, or get along to shows like the MCM Expo, London, where she'll be selling the book at the Sweatdrop stand. "If you pick up a copy, whether online or in person, you have my heartfelt thanks and sincere hopes that you enjoy your purchase," she says.
• Warren Ellisjoined in with the 'Influence Map' meme that has been doing the rounds among creators for a few weeks now. While he didn't create this one himself, he says it's "very close"...
• A quick plug now for the latest issue of the newly Hugo Award-winning StarShipSofa Stories (volume 2) which features an illustration by Leigh Gallagher. "Quite a while back Dee Cunniffe got in touch to see if I'd like to do an illustration to go with one of the many prose pieces, of which I picked a story called 'Bitterseed' written by Ted Kosmatka," he reports via his blog. "They have an impressive line up of talent of this book -- Neil Gaiman for one -- but what's also cool is this nifty trailer which you can find on Youtube here!"
• Metaphrog reports their new graphic album Louis - Night Salad was featured in The Scotsman on Saturday.
• Writer Dan Abnett clearly had a great time at Games Day along with Jim Swallow and many other ace creators and has written up a photoblog entry here.
• And finally... Sarah McIntyre's Vern & Lettuce has just been voted a young girl's favourite comic of the moment over on the Forbidden Planet International blog, which is good enough for us. It's out soon and we've interviewed Sarah here and will be posting our own review later this week...
The latest issue of adult humour title WASTED is now on sale.
It features the usual mix of madcap strips, including 10 pages of Alan Grant and Jon Haward's Tales of the Buddha, Kevin Eastman and Kevin O'Neill and Simon Bisley on S*** the Dog, Gary Erskine inking Gibson Quarter's War on Drugs, Alan Kerr's latest superb Lusi Sulfura, Alan Grant and Jim Devlin's The Dopranos, plus Alan Burrows takes his Fun Guys to the world of Alice in Wonderland.
It's a jam packed issue - and we're told Cam Kennedy is doing the cover of Issue 6. Aces!
The Mighty Tharg has allowed comics artist Jon Haward to show a page from the upcoming Judge Dredd: Fat Fathers story, written by John Wagner, which will feature soon in 2000AD.
Drawn by Jon about 12 months ago - talk about working ahead! - with colouring by Chris Blythe, "I was drawing in in a tribute style to Mick McMahon," Jon reveals. "This page took me three days to draw but was such a laugh drawing it -- see if you can spot [my Wasted character] Buddha in the crowd."
Issue 4 of adult humour magazine Wasted is on sale now, featuring a sexy cover by the ever-brilliant Dave Taylor.
This issue features more War On Drugs, Alan Kerr's absolutely superb Lusi Sulfura ("She was sent to Earth to drag souls to hell... but couldn't be bothered!"), and three fab Tales of the Buddha before he got enlightened strips by Alan Grant, drawn Jon Haward - always a highlight of each issue of the adults-only magazine.
"Buddha is bonkers stuff," admits Jon, "but every one I know say they like it – even Buddhists!"
This issue also see the debut of Adventures in Sherweed Forest: Robin Head and his Merrywanna Men, again written by Alan and drawn by Jon
"I decided to draw this strip in a homage style to humour comic greats Ken Reid and R.T.Nixon," says Jon, "who drew British humour kids comics that I read growing up in comics like Cor!, Buster, Shiver and Shake and Whizzer and Chips.
"All these stories were great fun to draw as they made me laugh all the time as I was drawing them," he adds, and given the above line-up of characters on Robin Head, we can see why!
• Wasted costs £3.25, ISSN 1751-2522 and is available in all disreputable comic stores across the country or you can buy it on line via http://badpressltd.com/buy-wasted.php or subscribe via http://badpressltd.com/subscriptions.php. We're sure copies will also be on sale at the upcoming Comics Expo in Bristol later this month, too.
Classical Comics adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest has been shortlisted for two different awards.
The company will hear this week if it has won a gold, silver or bronze Independent Publisher (or "IPPY") award from Independent Publisher Online: no small achievement, given that some 2000 independent authors and publishers participated in this year's contest.
In June, the company will find out if it wins the Association of Educational Publishers Award for its adaptation of Shakespeare's legendary fantasy romance, realized by writer John McDonald with art from Jon Haward (pencils) and Gary Erskine (inks), with colouring by Nigel Dobbyn.
It's exciting weeks ahead," Jon told downthetubes. "This is all good news for Classical Comics -- but also for UK publishing."
The "IPPY" Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers. Established as the first awards program open exclusively to independents, over 2,000 "IPPYs" have been awarded to authors and publishers around the world. The Awards recognize 12 Outstanding Books of the Year in categories such as Most Inspirational to Youth and Most Likely To Save the Planet, and to gold, silver and gold medal winners in 67 categories, ranging from non-fiction categories like Architecture and Religion, to fiction categories like Multicultural and Horror.
"This year we saw spectacular work in so many categories – so much creativity, so much passion -- so much truth," say the organisers. "It is this dedication to truth and the art of literature that makes these awards worthwhile and inspires us to delve into the massive task of judging each year."
The Tempest is up against Ars Memoria: The Art of Memory by Menton J. Matthews III (Prudentius Publishing), The Vampire Conspiracy by Marc Morgenstern and Adam Gorham (Five Strangers Press) and Hatter M: Mad With Wonder by Frank Beddor (Automatic Pictures).
Classical Comics won a bronze IPPY and a British Book Design and Production award last year for its adaptation of Macbeth.
In the AEP Awards, another Classical Comics title, Romeo and Juliet (also adapted by John McDonald with art by Will Volley and colouring by Jim Devlin), is also being considered along with a number of other titles in the 'Reading and Language Arts' category
Although The Tempest was the first play to appear in the first official Folio printing of Shakespeare's plays, it was almost certainly the last play he wrote. It held pride of place in that first collection, presumably because the editors thought it to be his masterpiece; a crowning glory to the career of the most brightest of playwrights.
• Also at BICS this weekend are Classical Comics, who have just released their adaptations of William Shakespeare's The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet. They've very kindly sent us review copies of both and I'll run a full feature next week - once I've read them - but on first look, both do the plays proud. I shouldn't really pick favourites, but given that The Tempest is, perhaps, Shakespeare's most original play - it was apparently the last he wrote - I have to say the art job Jon Haward has done on it is simply stunning. If he doesn't get a Doctor Strange or Doctor Fate commission on the back of this, the world's gone mad... If you're going to BICS, check out the books there.
• And if you do visit the Classical Comics stand, be sure to check base with colourist team Kat Nicholson and Jason Cardy, who have recently taken the helm on Draw the World Together, an organisation created to unite arts communities in providing possibilities for children who live in communities where they do not have the opportunity for basic healthcare and education.
Comic creator Andrew Wildman who has been running DwTT for the last four years, recently stepped down from the position. "It feels like the right time to do what was always my intention, hand it over to someone who can bring something fresh to the project," he says.
"Throughout the last four years there have been many amazingly talented people who have helped out with the project and together we have raised tens of thousands of pounds to help street children in both Cambodia and India. Two of those who have shown dedication to the project and a keenness to be involved at a higher level are Kat and Jason, whose willingness to contribute their time and talent at comic conventions has been a major contributor to the work of DtWT."
Kat and Jason's first real gig at the helm is at BICS, so if you are going to be attending pop along and say hi to them on the 'Classical Comics' stand.
• The first part of a brand new, huge interview from Pádraig Ó Méalóid with comic artist Bryan Talbot is now live on the Forbidden Planet International blog. As with his Alan Moore sessions its pretty big so editor Joe Gordon has split it into two parts, with the second part to follow soon. The first installment most touches on earlier material, from selling Oz Magazine and doing illustrations for the early Tolkien Society through Brainstorm Comics, The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, The Tale of One Bad Rat, 2000AD and Sandman. The second part will bring us up fully to Alice in Sunderland, Metronome and Grandville. Read it here.
• There are lots of web comic hubs out there, but this one just might offer something a little different. Comic Domination (www.comicdomination.com) is a webcomics publishing site designed for both creators and readers. "The most viewed comic for the week gets featured, so it gives readers a chance to discover new comics, and they can add comics to favourites, comment, and a lot more," explains site runner J.T. Blevins, who's also involved in online animation site Toonjet. "There are tools for creators so that all you have to do is upload and publish comics, and the system creates a webpage for it automatically. The system allows you to install and create your own templates for unlimited options."
• And finally... over on the Birmingham Mail's brilliant Speech Balloon column, they're reporting that the UK'S Classic Comic Store (not be confused with Classical Comics, above) is currently busy reissuing a number of classic comics from around the world. Notable releases include English language versions of the Greek and Joint European Classics Illustrated and a special version of The Grapes of Wrath.
"This is an adapted version of the Philippines National Classic Comics series," explains publisher Jeff Brooks, "a very good adaptation in black and white,' Jeff Brooks revealed. Classic Comics also have a number of other releases, and again, if you're at BICS this weekend, you can find out more there - or visit their web site at www.classiccomicstore.com
• The Hi Ex elves may have been quiet but they tell us they've been busy behind the scenes rushing around the country banging on doors and jumping through hoops to get their next Highlands convention shipshape.
"We're working hard to try and get funding to put on more, bigger and better," says co-organiser Vicky Stonebridge. "We hope to get outreach events throughout the year and in the lead up to the event... watch this space." In the meantime they are now on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/HiExComicCon. Plus, a member of the 2000ad online message board has come up with a transport solution, if you want to travel to Hi Ex 2010 in style... although we're not really sure a minibus really counts, what about a stretch limo for the weekend?
• Indie publishers tell us that since putting our graphic novelJack in the Boxon digital books service Myebook six weeks ago, which includes links to the HD trailer and the full Jack in the Box website, 3,000 visitors have checked out the page. It's impressive but again, aside from a promotional tool, where's the revenue stream for publishers?
• There's a great new interview with Rainbow Orchid creator Garen Ewing over on the Forbidden Planet International blog, which includes a peek at some artwork from volume 2 to enjoy.
• Part 10 Paul Rainey's comic There’s No Time Like The Present is now available. It still costs only £2.50 and, if you live in the UK and buy it from his website: that includes postage to destinations in the UK.
• Top artist Jon Haward reports there are now lettered preview pages of The Tempest (drawn by Jon) and Will Volley's Romeo and Juliet to view in the Previews section of the Classical Comics website. They look gorgeous: Romeo and Juliet graphic novel is out to buy now in three versions - Original Text, Plain Text and Quick Text. The Tempest graphic novel will be out 24th September, also in three versions, and Jon will be signing copies of The Tempest and Macbeth plus posters on the 25th and 26th sept at the Ace Comic Gallery in Colchester, his only sigining this year. More details on his blog here.
• And finally, talking of trailers and promotions, there's a promotion for comics writer Jaspre Bark's new novel, Way of the Barefoot Zombiehere on Youtube.... great fun!
(Comopiled with thanks to Matthew Badham and Joe Gordon)
The second issue of Bad Press' adult humour anthology mag Wasted is on sale now, cranking up the quality several more notches on its launch issue with some terrific strips from a wide range of creators that include Alan Grant, Jon Haward, Martin Hayes, Adrian Bamforth, Jamie Grant, Frank Quitely, Alan Burrows and many others.
Wrapped in a stunning cover of demon teen Lusi Sulfura by Alan Kerr, this 70-page magazine is not for the lily-livered - crammed as it is with strips such as The Dirty Dog (toilet humour extreme from Grant, Quitely and John Wagner) and the brilliant Tales of the Buddha (from Grant and Haward, the Buddha partnered this issue with a very angry Jesus).
Alan Kerr's superb Lusi Sulfura - surely a character of Tank Girl and Nemi cult potential - a wonderful gem, as is Holmes Has It Large by Martin Hayes and Adrian Bamforth; and there's more gems in the form of Fun Guys (by Grant and Burrows, drawing in a much looser style than you'd expect from this line man-extraordinaire, and I liked it), The Dopranos, Space Cabby and tons of other strips.
Anthology titles - especially humour titles - are never going to score on every page, because there's no telling what will make any one person laugh out loud. But when even 'throwaway' strips like Rom McPherson's Amber Nectar raise a smile, the good outweighs the occasional dud.
With full colour throughout for a measly £3.25, Wasted eats rival titles like Viz - perhaps these days over reliant on a trusted formula for its continued success - for breakfast. Yes, there are some rough edges (not literally - it's not that dangerous), but for a second outing, Wasted #2 is another cracking read and well worth tracking down.
• Classical Comics and Panini artist Jon Haward has a new blog, Haward Art House, where he's posting many a splendid piece of art from his burgeoning and impressive portfolio, including this cartoon featuring his Tales of the Buddha character that features in Alan Grant's very funny, over-18s only Wasted comic, which is about to re-launch.
The team sent downthetubes a copy recently, and Jon and Alan's strip is just one of the highlights as the would-be religious icon tries to find the right religion to hang his hat on.
Wasted Issue 1 comes wrapped in a cover courtesy Frank Quitely: the comic is the brainchild of Jamie Grant (propietor of Hope Street Studios and digi-inker/colourist on All Star Superman) and award-winning writer Alan Grant.
The varied comic strips and artists involved in Wasted include:
"TALES of the BUDDHA" Drawn by the aformentioned Jon Haward, a long-time Spider-Man artist.
"WACCY BACCY RACES" Juan McGarcia used to paint Judge Dredd under the pseudonym Xuasus. He is now a top animator, having worked on some of the decade's biggest animated movies.
"WAR on DRUG$" Gibson Quarter is a young Canadian artist fast making a name for himself. This is inked by Jim Devlin and coloured by Derek Dow.
"SPLIFFY the STONER CHICK" John Short is one of the UK's best-known and most successful independent comics creators. His Vietnam war comic is a classic of the genre.
"The FUN GUYS - They Crash Parties" Alan Burrows has drawn Dan Dare, Judge Dredd and many others and the Fun Guys have crashed several other comics and always proved a hit.
"REX the SNIFFER DOG" By Steve Samson, once the regular Judge Anderson artist and who painted many a stunning Overkill cover for Marvel UK, now working in computer games. Hoodies is by his friend Charles Gillespie, also a one-time Anderson artist, now Creative Director for a computer games company.
"HELL's BELLES" Largely the brainchild of Dave Alexander, creator of The MacBams, Scotland's answer to the Furry Freak Brothers. Hell's Belles is inked by Colin Barr. Jim Devlin (The Dopranos) inked the War on Drug$ strip and also works as a colourist for DC Comics.
"The DIRTY DOG" Drawn by Simon Bisley, one of the UK's very top artists - as if folk here needed telling. He painted the first, sell-out Judge Dredd/Batman crossover, and the first ground-breaking LOBO mini-series. Simon now works mainly for Hollywood as a concept artist, but is currently working on a new zombie comic with Alan.
"LUSI SULFURA" Alan Kerr, alias 'Deadboy' is fast making a name for himself in Glasgow's incredibly hot art scene.
“BLACK CAPE” Written by Fraser Campbell and drawn by Iain Laurie is Watchmen meets The Boys from the Blackstuff. Beautifully coloured by Derek Dow.
"FAST as F***" Dave Taylor is a long-time collaborator with Alan Grant on Judge Anderson and Batman: Shadow of the Bat.
It's a great comic if you're a fan of the Furry Freak Brothers, and there's a gloriopus patrick Troughton-inspired Doctor Who parody that has to be seen to be believed!
Out now from Marvel US is Marvel Europe, a collection of strips by some of Europe's top creators from native European Marvel titles such as Panini's Spectacular Spider-Man. The trade comes with a cover by Staz Johnson and James Offredi.
Pride of place in the book for British Marvel fans has to be a story featuring Brian Braddock, the original Captain Britain, back in costume in a story from Spectacular Spider-Man Adventures #114 - but can even he help Spider-Man stop a Red Skull on the rampage?
"I'm well chuffed with this," says Jon Haward, who drew the story. "The story is inked by John stokes and written by Jim Alexander another very talented Scottish writer.
"It would be nice if Marvel US published more of my Spidey stuff – I did about 32 issues in five years on Spectacular Spider-Man, featuring characters such as Sue Storm, Spidey versus Doctor Doom, Mephisto, Ghost Rider, the Black Widow, just to name a few!"
Also in the collection isDaredevil & Captain America: Dead on Arrival, drawn by Italian artist Claudio Villa with colour from Fabio D'Auria, a series of bizarre murders suggests that a long-dead villain has returned from the grave. The desperate New York Police Department turns to the Man Without Fear, Daredevil, to solve the case. Daredevil, however, is unaware that Captain America is also investigating on behalf of Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. The result is all-out action and a titanic team-up for two of Marvel's marquee heroes.
Wolverine: Saudade!, drawn by Philippe Buchet and coloured by Walter Pezzali, is a vicious, manga-styled saga of bloody revenge as only the X-Men's most popular mutant can deliver. While on holiday in Brazil, Logan has his motorcycle stolen by a group of young boys - one of whom has a secret. When a brutal gang kidnaps the boy, Wolverine sets off on a quest to find him - leading to a deadly encounter with a corrupt faith healer who may not be what he appears!
The collection also features a comprehensive atlas of Marvel Europe, from the splendour of Doctor Doom's Latveria to the wonders of the X-Men retreat, Muir Island.
Comics artist Jon Haward has shared some stunning samples of Classical Comics adaptation of Shakesepare’s The Tempest, which goes on sale in May in all good bookshops across the UK.
Set on a mysterious island, The Tempest, possibly the last play Shakespeare wrote, centres on the banished sorcerer Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, who uses his magical powers to punish and forgive his enemies when he raises a tempest that drives them ashore.
In total, he and the art team on the book -- Gary Erskine delivering inks, Nigel Dobbyn providing the colouring -- will be providing some 125 pages of comic art on the project, plus two covers. The book also features educational background notes on the play from the Classical Comics editorial team.
“I’m now on the last 25 pages of pencils,” Jon told downthetubes, who has been working on the book for about a year -- since, in fact, we last interviewed him -- if you include development time, character and scene design.
There were some specific challenges when it came to this adaptation, compared with his earlier Classical Comics work, Macbeth.
“As this is William Shakespeare's last play and classed as a masterpiece, I wanted the book to have a beauty about it,” Jon says, “but at the same time, [publisher] Clive Bryant's brief was to make it exciting for the children who'll read it in libraries and schools.
“This book has been more of a challenge than Macbeth in some ways, as there are more characters, if you include the creatures, goddess's and sailors,” he continues, “plus the main characters. There’s also the details I needed to research for the 15th century styled costumes.
“Clive helped with the ships and flags and I checked out a lot of art books from that period to get the costumes looking right.”
“Where Macbeth, which I drew, and Frankenstein, which I art directed, are dark and brooding, I wanted The Tempest to look magical and beautiful," he expands. "At the heart of the story is a romance, with young Ferdinand and Miranda.”
While there's still some pages to complete, Jon’s delighted with the final work. “I think this book will appeal more to girls than boys,” he enthuses, “although saying that, the boys should like the humour in the play and the creatures such as Caliban and the Harpie, and the creatures that rise out of the ground later in the play.”
“It"s been a really hard job but immensely rewarding,” says Jon of the book. “It’s been a joy working with Clive and Jo, and great working with Gary and Nigel, who have been fantastic.
“Of course, as I said, we’re still working on this book, but it’s near the end now and I can say that, to me, it's really looking a beautiful production one that I'll always be proud of.
Working on the Classical Comics has also been something of a welcome learning exercise. “I've gotten better at character acting working on these books,” he reveals.
“What I mean is, drawing superhero stuff, you work on the dynamics of the action and pace of the story and you try to make it as bombastic as you can for the reader. With Shakespeare, there are pages just of people talking so I've learned more about body language, faces, drawing hands to indicate sadness, joy, fear… It’s almost being like a actor or director drawing the play. It’s been a lot of very hard work but I think it works. When you see the finished book there are loads of small moments that make the whole.
“This book has it all – love, hate, revenge, joy, friendship… it's a great play and story, and I've enjoyed getting to know all the characters.”
As well as his work for Classical Comics, Jon has just completed some work for an animated US TV commercial, “and I’ve been drawing some new characters for a weekly online comic strip which I hope will have universal appeal, which should be launching in a few months.
“I'm also pitching for my next big job -- whatever that will be!” the award-winning artist laughs. “So if there are any publishers out there that would like to use my skills who pay a decent page rate than please get in touch. I’m open to offers...”
Artist Jon Haward, who is busy working on the superb Classical Comics books as the series Art Director, has been interviewed by Terry Hooper over on www.comicbits-online.com.
"The photo of me was taken in Mark Burrell's studio," says Jon. "The portrait of me [titeled “Big Jon and the Bubblegum Gods”] was painted by Mark and is now on show at the Norwich Castle Open Art Show till 23rd November."
The interview talks a lot about Jon's youth and different things i'he's drawn and shows a fair bit of art /different styles. "I guess I adapt as I go along!" Jon told us.
next month, with 
(adapted by Jason Cobley with art by Will Volley) soon after.
(drawn by John Stokes, who did a wonderful job on Great Expectations), followed by 
, with stunning art by Sean O'Connor, inked by Gary Erskine. 
Classical Comics adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest has been shortlisted for two different awards.
(also adapted by John McDonald with art by Will Volley and colouring by Jim Devlin), is also being considered along with a number of other titles in the 'Reading and Language Arts' category
• The first part of a brand new, huge interview from Pádraig Ó Méalóid with comic artist Bryan Talbot is 
• And finally... 
The second issue of Bad Press' adult humour anthology mag Wasted is on sale now, cranking up the quality several more notches on its launch issue with some terrific strips from a wide range of creators that include Alan Grant, 
