Blink Twice Battle to Save Mankind!

All right, all right -- we admit we did a bit of a double take when we got this piece of hyperbole in our mailbox -- surely even for those plucky Etherington Brothers, the creators of Monkey Nuts, Moon and other comic gems (such as this cover, right, by Lorenzo for Titan's Transformers #16, last year), this was a slightly over ambitious title for an announcement - but then, you've got to have goals in life!

As it turns out, the boys were just keen to let us know that they're involved in Titan Magazines ongoing bumper monthly Terminator Salvation Comic, inspired by the film starring Christian Bale.

Robin has been charged with unearthing a series of data files from the Skynet archives covering all manner of scientific and military wonders, from Time Travel to Nuclear war and beyond. The first article appears in Issue 2, which is on sale now. Click here to order a subscription to this superb comic, or visit your nearest Newsagent!

Oh, and keep an eye on the studioblinktwice blog as Lorenzo will be posting a very special piece of Terminator artwork soon!

In addition to their work for Titan, the Etheringtons are also teasing their many fans with hints of some new projects. "Contractually we aren't allowed to share any specifics at the moment," they tease. "All we can say is that there are two major Etherington publications confirmed for release, with a third under review and looking incredibly positive.

"Until we are given the go ahead to post real details with you all, this teaser will have to suffice. But trust us - we're working on some wonderful projects and the wait for an official announcement is not far off."

Meanwhile, you could head over to our new "Moon Landing Anniversary" album on the downthtetubes forum, where the boys were one of the first creators to give us something for our Apollo celebrations!

• For all the latest from Bob and the Blink Twice Boys, visit www.studioblinktwice.com

Lorenzo Sketch Books Launched

The Etherington Brothers are pushing boundaries again, adding another attraction to their StudioBlinkTwice web site which documents their many fab creations - a new online shop selling Blink Twice professional comic board, Malcolm Magic books and more.

The launch coincides with the publication of sketch books by fab artist Lorenzo Etherington, ranging in theme from robots, to girls, to monsters, machines and more. Each 100-page collection boasts more than 250 original sketches from the artist behind Monkey Nuts, Moon and Malcolm Magic.

The first book, Girls and Monsters, is available now from the Comics Boutique, in two versions: the original volume, and the extra special version including a one-off original sketch from the creator himself.

Beyond Blink Twice, the Etheringtons continue to be busy. Rob has just written a story for Transformers Comic, Megatron's Revenge, for Titan (unfortunately attributed to Simon Furman) which is now on sale in all good UK newsagents.

• Blink Twice are at: www.studioblinktwice.com

Etherington Brothers 'Go Nuts!'

After a summer spent diligently producing page after page of comic book nonsense in their Bristol studio, the Etherington Brothers, creators of strips such Monkey Nuts and Malcolm Magic are about to begin an frenetic End of Year appearance schedule, much of it part of ongoing promotion for the subscription-only weekly title The DFC.

Bob and Lorenzo will be meeting and greeting lots of comic fans as they commence the official 'Go Nuts' Tour, starting with the Bath Festival of Children's Literature panel on 27th September, when the brothers will be joined by John Aggs, artist on Phillip Pullman's John Blake and Sarah McIntyre, creator of Vern and Lettuce, which both appear in The DFC, with publisher David Fickling hosting.

Then it's off to Birmingham for the International Comic Show on the 4-5th October for another DFC panel, comic signings and banter!

The Cheltenham Literature Festival will play host to an Etherington Brothers comic workshop, on the 11th October. With limited places available (first 40 to book get in!) it's first come, first served!

Finally, we'll be hosting two 'Tales On Moon Lane' festival workshops at the Herne Hill and Primrose Hill Children's bookstores. This event will take place on Saturday 25th, with the boys completing one workshop, then being whisked across London to the other store! Exciting times!

Links:
• For more details check out the tour poster here
• The Bath Festival of Children's Literature
• Birmingham International Comics Show
• The Cheltenham Literature Festival
• Tales On Moon Lane book store and festival details

Gordon Brown, Superhero...

As trailed yesterday, Blink Twice artist Lawrence Etherington appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning, as part of the BBC's coverage of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's role in Marvel's new Captain Britain and MI13 comic, written by Paul Cornell. (Brown is not, by the way, a superhero in the comic, but we thought our headline would grab your attention and is less long winded and boring than "Gordon Brown features in new Marvel Comic").

Not to be outdone, Robin was asked to turn the BBC Breakfast presenters into a comic strip during the show, which he did with his usual panache.

News that Gordon Brown appears in the top selling new Captain Britain comic has been picked up by both UK and overseas papers, from Newcastle's Journal (which notes the huge sales of the first issue) to the Daily Telegraph, the Mirror, the Mail, (helpfully pointing out Brown is not the charater in skin tight lycra in the comic), Variety and others.

The newspapers generally report Paul Cornell is "quite a fan" of Gordon Brown who, as far as we know, is not thought to be one of the hideous gree-skinned shape-shifting Skrull invaders Captain Britain is fighting in the comics.

"I'm pleased we've given him a PR boost on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world," says Paul adding that he wanted to se him portrayed as an effective leader.

"He's marshaling the troops, showing leadership and acting heroically," he said of the alien-busting Brown. "I feel quite sorry for him, so I'm glad I've contributed a bit."

Along with pop stars and other celebrities (a Skrull looking like John Lenon features in the new comic, too), US presidents have regularly appear in Marvel Comics - even discredited ones such as Richard Nixon, seen here in The Incredible Hulk #174 with Henry Kissinger, sourced by none other than cartoonist Fred Hembeck for his web site way back in 2004. But British PMs have also featured: Labour PM Jim Callaghan featured in Marvel UK's Captain Britain Weekly back in the 1970s (as did the Queen!) and their have been numerous other political cameos down the years.

Whether such appearances inprove their standing in the polss with younger voters is unclear. Appearing in a Marvel Comic didn't save Nixon...

Monkey Nuts Breakfast Cereal!

Here's on for those early risers among you!

Word reaches us from the Blink Twice studio (creators of Monkey Nuts! for the new DFC comic) that Lawrence Etherington ("Lorenzo" to some) will be appearing on BBC Breakfast tomorrow (Wednesday 4 June) drawing a comic strip, live from 7.00 am (ish).

"There will be no preparation," his brother Robin told downthetubes, "Just him, a pencil, a biro, and a lot of sweat!

"If you wish to giggle at his funny face - and, fingers crossed, get a look at some of our artwork for our new series Monkey Nuts! - turn on, tune in and hopefully be amazed!"