The shortlist for the 2013 Stan Lee Excelsior Awardshas been announced and includes two British titles - Strontium Dog : The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha and Classical Comics' Sweeney Todd - alongside several overeseas projects.
Created by Paul Register from Eccelsfield School, the Awards started out as a Sheffield-based project, attracting the interest of 17 Schools in its first year. As word spread, last year the project, which aims to encourage reading in younger people, attracted 77 schools - and not just from Sheffield.
This year, so far, over 100 schools have signed up, including schools from outside the UK.
The award is named after (and with permission of) Stan Lee, creator and co-creator of many of Marvel Comics' most iconic and world recognisable comic characters and groups. The Stan Lee Foundation (set up to improve literacy amongst children in the US) gave its blessing to the awards in its first year.
This award is the only nationwide book award for graphic novels and manga where kids aged 11-16 choose the winner from a selection of books by reading and then rating each graphic novel they read.
"Eight graphic novels are selected for the shortlist and it now attracts dozens and dozens of schools and public libraries from all over the UK - from Scotland to Jersey, from Belfast to Gateshead," explains Paul. "The overall goal of this scheme is to encourage reading amongst teenagers.
"However, its secondary target is to raise the profile of graphic novels and manga amongst school librarians and teachers.
"This storytelling medium has been a largely underused resource within education for many years," he feels. "The Stan Lee Excelsior Award attempts to highlight some of the amazing books that are out there - books that fully deserve to be in our school libraries alongside regular fiction.
"We work closely with both the School Library Association and the Stan Lee Foundation. We are thrilled that 'Stan The Man' has given us his blessing and his permission to name this award after him."
This year's nominations are:
PETER PANZERFAUST: THE GREAT ESCAPE by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Tyler Jenkins
SOUL EATER NOT!: VOLUME 1 by Atsushi Ohkubo
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (Original Text) by Sean Michael Wilson and Declan Shalvey
STRONTIUM DOG: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOHNNY ALPHA by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra
SUPERGIRL: LAST DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON by Michael Green, Mike Johnson and Mahmud Asrar
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: CHANGE IS CONSTANT by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz and Dan Duncan
WONDER WOMAN: BLOOD by Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins
X-O MANOWAR: BY THE SWORD by Robert Venditti and Cary Nord
The Awards remain rooted in Sheffield in terms of organisation, with specialist comic book retailers Sheffield Space Centre, whohave been involved since the first year of the awards, helping with book selections, library supply and attending the awards ceremony.
Sheffield creative company Digital Story Engine have also been involved, providing video coverage and interviews with many of the writers and artists involved.
An awards ceremony will be held at Ecclesfield School in July, when the top three graphic novels are announced, with school children at the awards ceremony given the chance to meet and talk to writers, artist and publishers involved in the comic book industry.
• If you are a pupil and want to get your school invlved in these awards, talk to your school librarian and point them to the website - www.excelsioraward.co.uk - or, if you are involved with school’s Libraries, or libraries, check out the website for more information, too.
For more information don’t hesitate to contact: Sheffield Space Centre, 33 The Wicker, Sheffield S3 8HS. Telephone: 01142758905. E-mail dave@space-centre.co.uk. Or Stan Lee Excelsior Award, c/o Paul Register, Ecclesfield School, Chapeltown Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S35 9WD. Telephone: 0114 2461156
(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.
By Emily Brontë Adapted by Sean Michael Wilson (script), John M. Burns (Art), Jim Campbell (Letters) Publisher: Classical Comics Out: Now:
The Book: Emily Brontë's only novel is famous the world over and is the favourite classic of many readers. It is easy to see why, with hardship, insanity, cruelty, frustrated love, and ghosts. What more could anyone want from a book?
The Review: All right, confession time: I have never read Wuthering Heights as a novel, for all its worldwide reknown. It's known for being a complex tale of mental and physical cruelty but as far as I'm concerned, the Brontës are up their with Thomas Hardy as hard going, reading-wise. When it comes to classic writing, give me Dickens or Marlowe.
The original novel is a complex affair with characters to match, but Burns brings them all to life with aplomb, also creating stunning backgrounds to this tale sent in the Yorkshire Moors. There are scenes where he's managed to perfectly capture a moment in the text with consummate style - a look from Cathy Linton on Page 135 being one fine example of his skill.
Sean Michael Wilson also plays his part, adapting such a well-loved tale with care. His breakdown of the novel lends much to Burns vision.
I have but one gripe about the storytelling - the use of what are known in the trade as 'Buscema layouts', where two panels are stacked on each other on left of page with a third, vertical, on the right, making for confusing story flow. I was a bit surprised by the number of these, given the desire to make the story easy to understand.
That aside, this is a terrific piece of work. To the publisher's credit, they also remain true to their mandate and deliver you the full Wuthering Heights novel - unlike many film adaptations, the story of the younger generations affected by the doomed love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earshaw is included in this mammoth story.
Overall, for those of us who may never have picked up a romantic novel in their lives, Burns and the creative team deliver a knock out job with this new Wuthering Heights adaptation - one that actually sent me off to track down a copy of the original.
Classical Comics will, I'm sure, be pleased to hear this.
• Wuthering Heights is available now in the UK and on sale in the US in March 2012
British comics creator Sean Michael Wilson is clearly a happy man - and has every right to be after his new book, Hagakure: The Manga Edition, went on sale in Japanese bookshops this week.
Written by Sean, art is by Japanese creator Chie Kutsuwada and the book, which will also be published in the UK and US, is out now in shops like Kinokuniya and Tsutaya, the big highstreet bookshops in Japan.
"This is the first original manga that Kodansha's International department has ever done," he told downthetubes. "It's amazing that in its 50 year history it has only ever repackaged existing ones from the wider Kodansha family.
"But now Kodansha International have started an original mature manga line, and Hagakure is the first. So it's something of importance."
Sean, who first sprang into the comics limelight with his self-published and critically-acclaimed Angel in the Woods back in 2003, describes the story as "a closely authentic adaptation of the classic samurai book from the 17th century." It's a collection of tales and anecdotes by the real-life samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo, who lived between 1659-1719, and the manga is based on William Scott Wilson's English translation of the original book, which was compiled towards the end of Yamamoto's life.
In addition to Hagakure, Sean has been busy in other arenas, scripting an adaptation of the recently-released The Canterville Ghostfor British publisher Classical Comics (as well as Wuthering Heights, released in the summer).
• Hagakure: The Manga Edition is available in Japan in Kinokuniya, Tsutaya bookstores, etc. Price 1500 yen.
• Hagakure is released 1st November 2010 in the UK (and in January in North America) by Kodansha International Ltd - and will have a launch event as part of London's ComICA Festival.
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)
downthetubes has been having some behind-the-scenes computer woes: we apologize for the lack of posts in recent days. We're grateful to Jeremy Briggs for his review of Cinebooks' Rameses' Revenge.
• Artist Dave Gibbonshas been interviewed for The Guardian, talking about how computers have liberated him as an artist – and the dubious honour of inspiring the Comic Sans font... Dave is busy promoting the Digital Artist 2009 awards, backed by Intel and Future Publishing. Gibbons is a judge in the competition to find the digital artist of the year, and has contributed a masterclass video (above) on how he uses digital media.
• A re-design of the official 2000AD web site is underway - expect some modifications to unfurl next week. The official forum is still accessible. Talking of things 2000AD, word is that the latest Meg' (out today) carries the first part of a two part interview with artist Ron Smith.
• Still on 2000AD, the 2000AD Review Site has had a revamp. It looks rather nifty, with the news section now more of a blog featuring 2000AD news and much anything 2000AD related that might be of interest to 2000AD readers.
• Want some great original comic art by a very talented British cartoonist? Lizz Lunney is doing a comic a day for August and selling the original artwork in her online shop.
• Lew Stringer reports that the Pathetic Sharks are back in Viz for the summer, and that to mark the humour magazine's 30th birthday, an exhibition of original artwork will be shown at the Cartoon Museum, Little Russell Street, London from 4th November 2009 to 24th January 2010 (www.cartoonmuseum.org). Viz No.188, which also features favourites such as Roger Mellie, Eight Ace, Millie Tant, and Meddlesome Ratbag is £3 and on sale now in all good newsagents, supermarkets -- and even some bad ones. Viz website: www.viz.co.uk
• Ian Edginton is writing a six part zombie series for DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint: Victorian Undead, is set in a 19th Century London overrun by zombies, and only Sherlock Holmes can save the day. The series is illustrated by Star Wars and Brothers In Arms artist Davide Fabbri and will launche in November.
• DC Thomson is to launch a Scottish football magazine in October.AllMedia reports Eleven aims to report all levels of the game in Scotland, including the national men's team, the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League, all the way to Highland League and East of Scotland leagues and women's football. Priced £2.75 it will be on sale in newsagents and promises - for its launch issue - news from each of the 42 SPL and SFL clubs, plus a report from the Major League Soccer scene in the USA. No word on whether it will include any comic strip.
• Despite this launch, AllMediaalso notes DC Thomson, like all UK publishers, is not having the best of times. It stable of magazines and comics has suffered across-the-board drops in its sales, according to figures published recently, the ABCs indicating the average net circulations of the likes of People’s Friend and the Dandy all experienced sales falls between the end of December, last year, and the end of June this year.
Sales of The Beano average at 53,964 between December 31 and June 30, down 12.8 per cent on the previous six months, and sales of My Weekly average at 145,676, down 4.6 per cent. Read the full report
• And finally... Jason Cobley reports for the education market, Classical Comics have got together with Heinle Cengage Learning to publish an ELT (English language teaching) version of their Frankenstein graphic novel. "It's quite similar to the Quick text version, with some changes to the language for clarification, the intended readers being learners of English as an additional language," says Jason. "It's interesting to compare the three versions alongside each other.
"I know which I prefer as a straight read - for a general reader I'd recommend the Original Text, for younger readers the Quick Text, and a mix of the two for use in schools, emphasising the original text. But the ELT version is a really good tool for schools also, the best thing about it being the audio version that comes with it. It's a great reading, with a variety of voices and sound effects for key scenes - a narrated audio play that I heartily recommend whether using it in school or just to listen to in the car."
• Comics artist Francesca Cassavetti has confirmed her brand new 24 page comic will be on sale at the upcoming 176 event in London tomorrow (Saturday 27 June). Put your best foot forward and stride on down to 176 for a fab day out in Camden and pick yourself up a copy while you're there.
• Other exhibitors at 176 include Oli Smith, Sean Azzopardi, Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, David Baillie, Thomas Plaskitt, Juan-Carlos Cambon, Phil Spence, Paul Rainey, Gavin Burrows, Sally-Anne Hickman, John Maybury, Andy Luke and many others - a great line up and well worth checking out if you're in the smoke!
• Commando artist Keith Page is having fun teasing his fans with art from his upcoming steampunk adventure Iron Moon, which features an alternate version of his heroine, Charlotte Corday. Iron Moon will be fully painted and appear as part of the new line up in Spaceship Away: coincidentally, the latest issue features a cover by this terrific artist.
• Jon Haward, who reveals he's back at work on a Judge Dredd story for 2000AD - his first strip for the comic since 1993 - also reports that Classical Comics award-wiining comics adaptation of Macbeth is to be published in Turkey. In more good news for the determined publisher, another of its titles, Frankenstein received its first award, given by the Association of Educational Publishers in America, for Distinguished Achievement in grades 9-12. Every notable educational publisher enters these awards, so to win on their first attempt is a great accomplishment.
• Chris Weston has just posted the final art for his cover for Bear Alley Books upcoming Phantom Patrol - and as you can see, it's truly stunning.
Both Phantom Patrol and Cursitor Doom will ship in August: ordering information will be online soon at bearalleybooks.blogspot.com.
"Dan McDaid has written me a mad little story full of genius characters.
"I'm also juggling two other comic strips with the help of Geraint Ford and Faz Choudhury. I'm trying not to keep using the word busy in all my posts, so I'll just say that I'm... fully occupied."
• Boychild Productions' Sean Michael Wilson reports he has opened up a new blog to tell people more directly about the Bespoke Comic book servicethat he's now developing with various artists.
• And finally: Simon Furman reminds us the latest issue of Wildstorm's StarCraft Issue (#2), written by Simon with art by Federico Dallochio, hits stores this week (24th June in the US, 25th in the UK). A spin-off from the upcoming StarCraft 2 game, due out later this year, the second issue sees the recently reformed, hard bitten team of ex-cons, The War Pigs, running up against serious opposition in the shape of space-going cutthroat mercs. Will their quest to find and ‘retire’ ex-marshal and StarCraft mainstay Jim Raynor collapse before it’s even started? Probably not, as this is issue #2 of an ongoing series, but there’s still 22 packed pages of searing story action waiting for you, with a twist or two thrown in for good measure.
"Things are really starting to hot up, and whether you’re a fan of the game or not, you’d do well to jump onboard now!" Simon urges.
by Charles Dickens Adapted by Jen Green Art: John Stokes Colourist: Jason Cardy
The tale of Pip, Miss Havisham, and the spiteful Estella, retold with fresh enthusiasm...
No, you haven't been transported to an alternate dimension where downthetubes reviews literary fiction and the entire team smokes clay pipes around a roaring fire and ruminates on the work of John Donne and Charles Dickens. This really is a review of Great Expectations -- the glorious, beautifully realized graphic novel brought to life by the Classical Comics team.
I have to confess that until now, my experience of Great Expectations has been confined to BBC Sunday serials and the 1946 David Lean film. I have read Dickens' Oliver Twist at school and some of his other works, such as Christmas Carol and The Signalman, but in terms of actually getting to grips with the original novels, I've been sadly lax.
I'm pleased to report, then, that John Stokes serves up an interpretation of that "original text", adapted in style by Jen Green, with confident aplomb, delivering page after page of beautiful, detailed and lovingly rendered art, perfectly complementing Dickens' story. Without wanting to detarct from the equally enjoyable work Mike Collins did on Classical Comics version of A Christmas Carol, It makes you wonder just why John seems to have been so absent from British comics for such a long time, such is the quality of what's on offer. His attention to detail, without losing sight of the need for strong storytelling is in evidence throughout, as you'll see from these sample pages.
The story, of course, is a complex mix of mistaken intent, unrequited love and unexpected twists as protagonist Pip discovers almost all those who have shaped his life have some unknown connection or shady past. Again, the art breathes life into the entire cast without resorting to stereotype: Stokes' version of the convict, Magwitch, is as believable as the twisted, heart-broken Miss Havisham.
Throughout, this adaptation delivers a powerful re-telling of Dickens novel, with gorgeous art that aids the storytelling and helps make sense of the many characters and their relationships. I was also delighted to find this version went with Dickens later, alternate ending to the story, which for me sat much better with the story and is not as downbeat as the original.
If you need any further convincing that I enjoyed this edition, I sat down to read the Original Text version and genuinely couldn't put the thing down until I'd read it. For a nineteenth century novel to grab my attention so is no mean feat and its testament to the hard work the Classical Comics team put into the book. They've succeeded in creating a superb re-telling of a classic piece of fiction and, more importantly, given it a whole new dimension through its stunning art that will surely appeal to a wide range of readers.
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...”
Adapted by Jen Green, the art for the project is the work of former Marvel UK and IPC artist John Stokes, whose perhaps most memorable credits for downthetubes readers include Black Knight for Hulk Weekly, Fishboy for Buster, Future Shocks for 2000AD, the comic strip adaptation of the film Time Bandits, Doctor Who strips and much more.
Jon Haward, who has been working for Classical Comics as both artist and art director, is delighted with John's work. "I'm really happy for John," he enthuses, "and publisher Clive Bryant, as I think this book has winner stamped all over it."
Stokes' work, coloured by Jason Cardy, brings Dickens' powerful tale of Pip, Miss Havisham, and the spiteful Estella to glorious life, his attention to detail without losing sight of the need for strong storytelling in plenty of evidence from these sample pages.
As a tale described as "one of the greatest works of literary history," John and the Classcial Comics team have certainly done it justice in graphic novel form.
• Great Expectations, which will be available in Original Text and Quicktext formats, will be published in March. Order it from amazon.co.uk
Macbeth: Original Text, drawn by Jon Haward, was the winner of the Secondary Education category and was also Highly Commended (2nd place) in Literature; while Henry V Quick Text achieved the shortlist for the Secondary Education category.
Classical Comics say the award for Macbeth, presented by Gyles Brandreth, marked a significant achievement - not only for the book itself, but also for the company as both gain recognition from the mainstream book industry.
Macbeth: Original Text presents the full and unabridged Shakespeare play in comic book form. It's 11th century Scotland. Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is one of King Duncan's greatest war captains. Upon 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. They also prophecy that Banquo will become the father of kings.
When Lady Macbeth hears this, she is determined to push her husband to take fate into his own hands and make himself king by murdering Duncan. Macbeth is reluctant to harm Duncan. But, when the King makes arrangements to visit Macbeth's castle, the opportunity presents itself. Pressed on by his wife, Macbeth kills Duncan and blames the King's drunken attendants, who he also kills. However, Macbeth is racked with guilt and begins to see apparitions.
When the body is discovered, Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's sons, are suspicious of Macbeth and flee for their lives. To everyone else, it looks as if the sons have been the chief conspirators and Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland.
Banquo's suspicions grow, based on his encounter with the witches and Macbeth is wary of the second prophecy concerning Banquoa's offspring. Macbeth hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Banquo is murdered that night, but Fleance escapes. The bloody ghost of Banquo appears to Macbeth at a feast, tormenting his already guilty conscience. In addition, Macduff, once a comrade of Macbeth, has fled after the King's sons to England, as he also suspects Macbeth. In revenge, Macbeth butchers Macduff's entire household.
Macduff and the King's sons raise an army in England and march against Macbeth, who is given another prophecy by the witches, as he prepares for the assault. They tell him his throne is safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane and he will not die by the hand of any man born of a woman.
Macbeth now feels invincible. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, has been slowly driven mad by her dreams, in the wake of Duncan's murder. She sleepwalks and eventually kills herself.
Macbeth learns that many of his lords are deserting and joining Malcolm's army, which approaches Dunsinane under cover of boughs, which they've cut from the trees of Birnam Wood, and Macbeth and Macduff eventually meet on the bloody battlefield. Macbeth laughs derisively, relating the witches' prophecy. But Macduff retorts that he was from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd and not (technically) of woman born.
The play ends with the death of Macbeth and Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland.
• Forbidden Planet International has posted up a new competition to win one of five copies of the new Vertigo Encyclopedia. "It's pretty good," feels FPI's Joe Gordon, "obviously no in depth on each series, but it’s a good a-z reference guide and the usual Dorling Kindersley style with lots of illustrations.The competition runs until Sunday 16th November. More details, link and potted review on the blog now: http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog.
• Comics artist Jon Haward, currently busy adapting Shakesepare's The Tempest into a graphic novel for Classical Comics, tells us their Macbeth original text graphic novel is getting a second printing. "This is great news," Jon told downthetubes. "I'm very pleased it seems to be a commercial as well as critical success." American versions of the Plain and Quick Text editions of Macbeth are now also available.
• (via Doctor Who fan site Kasteroberous): The Mail on Sunday has run a feature on classic Doctor Who toys, ranging back to the Dalek explosion of the 1960s, and covering props and costumes. East Ham's The Who Shop takes centre stage in the feature, with co-owner (and Who convention regular) Alexandra Looseley-Saul revealing that Doctor Who merchandise isn't affected by market forces in troubled times. "The economy is suffering and markets are falling, but Time Lord values still grow. Though Doctor Who is the driving force of the show, it is the Daleks that excite most interest."
• Talking of Doctor Who, Grant Morrison has been talking to MTV about his work on the comic strip for Doctor Who Magazine (just reprinted in the US by IDW) and says he'd love to write more Who, but probably for TV if given chance -- although he's yet to be approached. “I love the character,” Morrison he said. “Jon Pertwee [the Third Doctor], was my favourite, I was really fond of Colin Baker [Sixth Doctor], he was a great actor, a great Doctor, but he had a terrible storyline, which kind of killed that one. I like Christopher Eccleston [Ninth Doctor] as well. He didn’t get enough of a shot at it. But I’ve kinda grown fond of David Tennant [Tenth Doctor] now."
• London's Orbital Comics at 148 Charing Cross Road have been in touch to say that Daredevil artist Alex Maleev will be signing copies of the various trades and comics on Tuesday November 18th between 5pm and 7.00pm. Maleev will also be making an appearance at this year's Comica Festival running from 14th - 26th of November, which starts with an all day symposium at the V&A and continues for the next 12 days at the ICA.
• Maleev will also be at the upcoming Thought Bubble Sequential Art Festival in Leeds, which takes place from 13th - 16th November and includes a one day comic convention on Saturday 15th November. Other guests include Mark Millar, Mike Carey, Cy Dethan, Nigel Dobbyn, Paul Gravett, Staz Johnson, Leah Moore and John Reppion, Declan Shalvey and many more.
• Bryan Talbot will be taking part in the Hertfordshire Library Graphic Novel Festival, appearing in the Cheshunt Library on Monday 10th November at 8pm. He'll also be at the Infinity & Beyond comic shop in Shrewsbury on 29 November from 1.30 to 5.00pm, signing many of his books old and new, with special prices available on titles like Naked Artist.
• (via Matthew Badham): Comics writer Dan Abnett has just been interviewed (in English) at the SubRosa Polish Warhammer fansite and talks about his influences and what he does when not wrting comics and novels (which he appears to do some 26 hours a day judging by his impressive and dedicated output...). The questions are worth the entry price alone.
• Bugpowder has just published an interview with comics creator Marc Ellerby, who mostly produces auto-bio, slice of life comics, but is also working on a fantasy series. He tells Bugpowder about balancing paid and unpaid art gigs, making his own mini comics and why the worst thing that can possibly happen to a monster hunter is that she misses the bus!
• In a list of a "Dozen Comics I'm Reading On-Line", Comic Reporter's Tom Spurgeon cites Super-Sam and John Of The Night by Darryl Cunningham at Number 6, which "runs on the Forbidden Planet International blog, but I also catch up with it at times on Cunningham's own journal. I like looking at it, and I also like that I have no idea how Cunningham is going to end it." Other web comic recomendations include mysery comic Sin Titulo by Cameron Stewart and Cul De Sac by Richard Thompson.
• The Independent's Ian Birrell has interviewed Jamie Hewlett, the artist who went from Gorillaz to Monkey. As the hit Chinese opera opens in London, Hewlett reveals unpublished images from his work – and discusses the many faces of his anti-hero.
• (via Bad Librarianship): Comics artist Kev O'Neill is the focus of two video interviews on the GOSH! Comics' blog. Part one is titled The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen; part two, Nemesis The Warlock. Check out the League one for some preview art from Volume 3: Century. And there's another two of these to come, too.
Over on the Forbidden Planet blog, Joe Gordon has just posted a fascinating interview with artist Declan Shalvey, who has carved a good name for himself on titles such as Andy Winter’s Hero Killers which went on to win an Eagle Award, and work for the Judge Dredd Megazine.
Declan now has a high-profile gig working for Classical Comics, illustrating their new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
"I was very apprehensive when starting out and very conscious of all the other takes on the Monster," he says of the project. "I was certainly pointed towards different interpretations of the character when starting out. Coming up with a look for the monster was the very first thing I had to do and was also obviously the most important. I really tried to ignore any reference material when it came to the monster to be honest."
Talking in detail about the project, Declan also reveals just some of the projects he's now working on. "I’m actually nearly finished a full-colour one shot with Andy Winter, called Tim Skinner: Total Scumbag, which will be out later in the year, in time for the Dublin Comic Con in November. I’m also about to start work on a new graphic novel for Classical Comics; this time it’s Sweeney Todd, so that’s a lot of work on the horizon.
"I actually have written small stories of my own; a three pager recently featured in this year’s Tripwire annual, and some for a self-published comic called Your Round. that’s a project that’s really fallen on the back-burner because of all the paying work I’m getting, but Your Round is basically an anthology of pub-stories I’ve been putting together, along with contributions from Bob Byrne, James Hodgkins and David Baillie. I really must get the first book, Tequila, distributed!"
Comics artist Jon Haward and writer John McDonald, part of the creative team on Classicial Comics Macbeth, have been interviewed for the BookZone TV, an online video channel from the Borders bookshop. View the video here
Classical Comics recently announced Japanese publisher Ittosha Incorporated are to translate their books into Japanese. Using a mixture of the company's Plain and Quick Text versions as the basis, they'll be producing a single text version for the Japanese market.
"This is hugely exciting and we can't wait to see the finished books," a spokesperson for Classical Comics commented. "With luck, we'll be able to see them at Frankfurt Book Show this October."
"Our multiple text versions of well-loved classic literature have already proven to be a huge success around the globe," says Clive Bryant, Chairman of Classical Comics, "particularly with students and teachers who welcome this vibrant, colourful way of introducing these wonderful books.
"Language translations are a natural extension to this. Not only are we exporting Great British literature, but we’re also delivering part of our deep culture at the same time. Just as westerners nd the Japanese culture intriguing, we think that there are many people in Japan who will be equally fascinated by our heritage.”
Bugpowder is a communal news blog for the British small press comics scene. Cartoonist, activist and small press comics journalist Andy Luke has posted A Guide to Bugpowder for Resource Users and Bugbloggers. It rambles and jumps about a bit, and will possibly lose you in places, but stick with it...there's gold in them thar hills! If you're not familiar with Bugpowder, then check out the site itself before reading Andy's guide. Might also be an idea to read this first too.
The BBC are giving you lucky people the opportunity to put your questions to Russell T Davies. Davies is, of course, the man behind the newly revamped Doctor Who, which debuted in 2005, but now he's moving on. Steven Moffatt, who created hit sitcom Coupling and has written several highly-acclaimed episodes of new Who, will take over from Davies in 2010.
Comic artist Rufus Dayglo works seven days a week and the results are good. He's a busy, busy man (just an excuse to link to Tank Girl and pristeen16 art really).
This year’s contest attracted a total of 3,175 entries and saw the Original Text Henry V, which was released in November 2007, drawn by Neill Cameron, win runner-up in the Graphic Novel/Drawn Book- Drama/Documentary category. (Gold went to Shortcomings, by New Yorker magazine illustrator Adrian Tomine, published by Drawn & Quarterly.
“The quality of this year's entries has been totally amazing and judging was difficult, as we saw better designed books, read higher quality writing," commented Independent Publisher on announcing the awards. "We were also exposed to a more sophisticated concepts."
"I’m absolutely delighted with the news!" artist Neill Cameron told downthetubes. "The only thing I can think of to add is that whilst it’s very gratifying to see oneself referred to as an award-winning illustrator, I think an equal if not greater share of the credit should go to Bambos Georgiou (inks), Jason Cardy and Kat Nicholson (colours) and Nigel Dobbyn (lettering), my enormously talented fellow artists on the book."
Equally delighted to win an award with their first book is Clive Bryant, Chairman of Classical Comics. "To see this dream become a reality, and then to gain recognition for our books has been a truly emotional experience," he says. "In fact, we’ve had such a positive response to both Henry V and Macbeth that we’ve increased the number of titles in production”.
Classical Comics’ pioneering multiple text versions of well-loved literature have proven to be a success around the globe, particularly with students and teachers, who welcome this vibrant, colourful way of introducing the classics. (You can read the downthetubes review of Henry V here)
Two further adaptations, Frankenstein (drawn by Declan Shalvey) and Jane Eyre (drawn by John M. Burns), are due to be published in September this year; with another five titles being released between October 2008 and January 2009.
Other "Ippys" of interest to downthetubes readers were:
For Fantasy/Science Fiction Gold: Virtual Evil, by Jana G. Oliver (Dragon Moon Press) and The Oblivion Society, by Marcus Alexander Hart (Permuted Press) Silver: The Starfish People, by Leann Marshall (Xlibris) Bronze: Brian Froud’s World of Faerie by Brian Froud (Insight Editions); Sharlie, by Lynda Johnson (Swansea Music); The Key, by Pauline Baird Jones (L&L Dreamspell)
Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Humor/Cartoon - The winners in full: Gold: The Adventures of Jasper: Lost in Skookum Valley, by Glen Lovett (Lovett Pictures) Silver:Kitty Nirvana: The First Ginger & Shadow Collection, by Barry Corbett (Corbett Features) Bronze:The Opposite Sex, by Sam Grant Jr. (Sam Grant Design); Captured by Pirates (Twisted Journeys #1), by Justine & Ron Fontes, illustrated by David Witt (Graphic Universe/Lerner Publishing Group)
Horror Gold: The Portrait, by Joseph Barron (iUniverse) Silver: Something Bad, by Richard Satterlie (Medallion Press) Bronze: Cluck: Murder Most Fowl, by Eric D. Knapp ( BookSurge); Heart of Scars, by Brian Easton (iUniverse); A Dark and Deadly Valley, edited by Mike Heffernan (Silverthought Press).
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. 
, most recently by Classical Comics but in the past by Classics Illustrated (
) and 
. After all, these comics versions of classic literature are aimed at the reluctant reader and any publisher that hires John M. Burns to draw Wuthering Heights was bound to gain my attention (just as they did by 
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... 
• Ian Edginton is writing a six part zombie series for DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint: Victorian Undead, is set in a 19th Century London overrun by zombies, and only Sherlock Holmes can save the day. The series is illustrated by Star Wars and Brothers In Arms artist Davide Fabbri and will launche in November.
• Comics artist 
, drawn by Jon Haward, was the winner of the Secondary Education category and was also Highly Commended (2nd place) in Literature; while Henry V Quick Text achieved the shortlist for the Secondary Education category.
