STRIP finally hits the high streets

Print Media's STRIP: The Adventure Comics Magazine, an all-ages British adventure anthology comic, is now on sale in selected UK high street newsagents (and available to order from any newsagent).

The title will be on sale in UK comic shops from next week and is already available digitally for iPad.

The new comic – inspired by the great adventure comics of Britain’s comics past such as Eagle, Valiant and Lion - features some great art and stories from some brilliant creators including John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys), Smuzz (2000AD), John Freeman (Doctor Who), Milo Horvatic (Marvel) and Richmond Clements (Renegade) - plus comics news and interviews and other features.

The move to Britain’s high street is the latest stage of publisher Ivo Milicevic's desire to bring the anthology to a wider audience in the UK, in addition to its continued sale in comic shops and as a digital edition for iPad, in association with ROK Comics.

Headed up by long time comic creator Ivo Milicevic, Bosnian-based comics publisher Print Media began the long road to bringing a British version of their action adventure anthology to the UK back in February 2010, after their re-publication of Dan Dare from the 1950s comic Eagle drew the attention of comics fans.

Print Media publishes three comics-related magazines in Bosnia, including Strip Magazin and a localized edition of Metal Hurlant.

Mr Milicevic began to investigate the possibility of bring his STRIP brand to the UK, horrified to discover the British comic characters he had grown up reading such as Steel Claw, the Spider and Black Archer were nothing but distant memory. Although these incredible heroes had been re-published in the former Yugoslavia and indelibly helped shape his life-long love of comics, the British titles that spawned them - weekly comics like Lion and Valiant - were long gone from the news stand, replaced largely with licensed fare and more magazine-based titles for teenagers.

Unimpressed, he decided to take the plunge and trial a new action adventure anthology through UK comic shops. The first volume of STRIP was intended to road test the title and story ideas - and iron out any issues arising from its long distance publishing.

Although Mr Milicevic freely admits the journey has not been easy at times, with the support of some of Britain's best and brightest comic creators those first seven issues got the positive reaction he was hoping for. The response made him all the more determined to join the likes of 2000AD, Commando and The Beano in WH Smiths and other select newsagents.

Offering a mix of action adventure, science fiction and fantasy strips, stories in the pipeline include Dragonrir, a stunning fantasy tale by Miljenko Horvatic and Damir Zitko; a thrilling story of the criminal underworld, Deliverer, by Miljenko Horvatic, drawn by Bernard Kolle; WarWorldz by Stephen Walsh and Giancarlo Caracuzzo; the tale of an ancient warrior battling magic, Thracius, by James Hudnall and Mark Vigoroux; plus the return of other strips, including Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and John Ridgway and The Devil’s Heritage by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine.

"I am really excited our plans for STRIP Magazine are finally developing as I planned three years ago" says publisher Ivo Milicevic. "There is no certain formula for success, but the Magazine will have some good stories and really great art."

• List of stockists: http://stripcomicmagazineuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/strip-magazine-1-wh-smiths-store-list.html
Please note you can order STRIP from any newsagent. STRIP is distributed by Warners


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STRIP - THE ADVENTURE COMICS MAGAZINE Issue 1 (Volume 2) 
Cover by Alan Robinson, colour by Wamberto Nicomedes

• KING COBRA (written by John Freeman, art by Wamberto Nicomedes) A classic British hero resurfaces when the Bank of England is robbed!

• BLACK OPS EXTREME (written by Richmond Clements,  art from Stephen Downey) The anti-terrorist team head for Eastern Europe when a nuclear power station is raided!

• WARPAINT (by Phil Hester and John McCrea) Re-told from the very beginning - one teenager's deadly battle with ancient forces!

• CRUCIBLE (by John Freeman and Smuzz) A deadly task for a mis-matched team of adventurers - in a world where not everything is as it seems!

• OPERATION INFERNO (by Richmond Clements and Nick Dyer) Steampunk spies battle to defence the British Empire!

• DENIZENS (by Miljenko Horvatic and Maxim Simic) Modern civilization has been wiped out and the world is a greener, deadlier place...

• STRIP: THE ADVENTURE COMICS MAGAZINE #1 is available from selected high street newsagents now and in UK comic shops from next week (Diamond order code for UK comic shop orders is MAR132384.)

• The first issue is also available digitally now for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/app/strip-magazine-2.1/id619259147

Strip #7 on sale today in UK comic shops

The print edition of Strip Magazine #7 is on sale from today in UK comic shops, a Christmas Special that takes a slightly different form to the usual magazine.

It will also mark the final issue of the comic shop only issues, as publisher Print Media retrenches behind the scenes in an effort to get the project ready for its long planned but frustratingly delayed newstand launch next year.

This latest issue includes a new episode of Phil Hester and John McCrea's regular series Warpaint, but the rest of the anthology comic magazine is devoted to a variety of one off stories, including Citadel – a story created by the late, great French creator Moebius, previously published in Heavy Metal back in 1980.

There's also some previews of several all-new stories including Thracius by James Hudnall and Mark Vigouroux; Denizens (left, by Miko Horvatic and Maxim Simic); Dan Barton of Space Command (by myself, drawn by Andrew Chiu), an affectionate comedy homage to space heroes, and the strip that in a small way began the discussion to produce the magazine back in 2010; and Corwin Blays, a festive tale starring a hapless thief.

Feature-wise, there's not so many of these this issue, although David Lloyd's digital project, Aces Weekly gets a two page spot with editor Bambos Georgiou talking about how the project came about and plans for the future.

• If your local comic shop doesn't have copies, quote Diamond Previews code SEP127823 - STRIP MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS 2012 SPECIAL

Although listed as "sold out" the title is listed on the Forbidden Planet web site, so they seem to be expecting copies: see http://bit.ly/strip-magazine07


OK Comics in Leeds also has copies in stock: www.okcomics.co.uk

You can also buy STRIP Magazine #7 for iPad on iTunes (IOS6 only at present, update for older iPads submitted): https://itunes.apple.com/app/strip-magazine-1/id582768929. I did the walkthrough above of the app (created by Rok Comics) for Print Media boss Ivo Milicevic, to give him an idea of what we'd added to augment the print magazine, which he gave me permission to republish.

As it was done at home, there was a point it looked like recording might get interrupted by an excitable feline, but it didn't happen!

The previous digital issues of STRIP - for iPad only at present - are also available for just £1.99 each.

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 1

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 2

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 3

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 4

• The print edition of STRIP #5/6 was split into two digital editions for iPad, which include a small amount of digital extra material, some of which will be featured in future print issues

• STRIP Magazine Issue 5

• STRIP Magazine Issue 6

 

Digital Strip Magazine #7 on sale now

The digital edition of Print Media Productions STRIP Magazine #7 for iPad is on sale now from iTunes.

Diamond UK have confirmed the print edition of STRIP Magazine #7 will be on sale in UK comic shops from Wednesday 19th December.

This edition of the magazine is a Christmas Special that takes a slightly different form to the usual magazine.

While including an exciting new episode of Phil Hester and John McCrea's regular series Warpaint, the Magazine is largely devoted to a variety of one off stories, including Citadel – a story created by the late, great French creator Moebius that was first published in a different translation in Heavy Metal magazine back in 1980.

By way of a hint of things to come next year when the regular magazine returns after a break in production to ramp up properly, the team hope, for news stand release, Print Media also offers a sneak peek at several all-new stories including Thracius by James Hudnall and Mark Vigouroux; Denizens (by Miko Horvatic and Maxim Simic); Dan Barton of Space Command (by John Freeman and Andrew Chiu) an affectionate comedy homage to space heroes, which may return as a regular series in late 2013); and Corwin Blays, a festive tale starring a hapless thief!

The digital edition also features some exclusive extras, such as a quirky festive tune when the app is launched, and added 'data cards' with background information on the characters and some creators, along with a video trailer for David Lloyd's digital project, Aces Weekly.

There's also a bonus taster of PMP's digital partner ROK Comics titles Houdini and The Beatles Story - only in the digital edition

• Buy it on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/app/strip-magazine-1/id582768929


• This edition is IOS6 only - PMP tell us an update is being submitted which will be compatible with older iPads

 

Aces Weekly digital comic gets underway

Progenitor by Phil Hester and John McCrea

Aces Weekly (www.acesweekly.co.uk), an exclusively digital comic art magazine featuring some of the world's finest sequential art creators launched at the weekend and offers a fine mix of strips and creators, combining adventure, science fiction and humour. 

The brainchild of V For Vendetta co-creator David Lloyd, edited by veteran comics creator and form Marvel UK editor Bambos Georgiou, has gathered together top talents from the US, UK, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, China, New Zealand and the Philippines in this unique publishing project. 

Seven weekly issues form a volume of Aces Weekly for a total cost of just £6.99/$9.99/€7.99 and are accessible once you subscribe on the site. The comic is not available for download from any other on-line site, and is available exclusively digitally.

A volume of Aces Weekly will contain at least 126 pages of top quality comic strip material as well as copious extras such as character sketches, line drawings and unlettered artwork. After the first seven issue volume of ACES WEEKLY has been published on-line there will be a two week break before the next volume begins.
Volume one contains:

• VALLEY OF SHADOWS by David Lloyd & Dave Jackson
• RETURN OF THE HUMAN by JC Vaughn & Mark Wheatley
• PROGENITOR by Phil Hester & John McCrea
• PARADISE MECHANISM by David Hitchcock
• SHOOT FOR THE MOON by Alexandre Tefenkgi & Alain Mauricet
• Plus three pagers by Lew Stringer, Carl Critchlow, Mychailo Kazybrid, David Leach, Phil Elliott, Esteban Hernandez & Rory Walker

As long as you have an internet connection you can access your Aces Weekly volumes from your home computer, laptop or tablet device. Just type in your password and you’ll be able to read whichever volumes you’ve subscribed to.

Forthcoming artists include Kyle Baker, Bill Sienkiewicz, Steve Bissette, Herb Trimpe, Marc Hempel, Yishan Li, Dylan Teague, Henry Flint, James Hudnall, Val Mayerik, Hunt Emerson, Roger Langridge, Dave Hine, Paul Peart Smith and many more.

•  Sign up for Aces Weekly

• Discuss Aces Weekly on the DownTheTubes forum 

David Lloyd to launch weekly creator-owned digital comic

An all new sequential art magazine will soon be available exclusively through on-line subscription and was devised by David Lloyd, co-creator of V For Vendetta. It will be published as an 18-page weekly and form into seven issue volumes. There will then be a break in publication before the next seven issue volume begins its weekly release.

Contributors lined up for the project so far include David Lloyd, Kyle Baker, John McCrea, Phil Hester, Mark Wheatley, JC Vaughn, Billy Tucci, Bill Sienkiewicz, Steve Bissette, Marc Hempel, Yishan Li, Algesiras, Alain Mauricet, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Lew Stringer, David Leach, Phil Elliott, Carl Critchlow, Esteban Hernandez, Rory Walker, Dylan Teague, Dave Hine, Shaky Kane, Colleen Doran, Dan Christensen, Kev Hopgood, Ferg Handley, David Hitchcock, Paul Maybury, Henry Flint, Hunt Emerson, Roger Langridge, Cosmo White, Paul Peart Smith, Mychailo Kazybrid, Ben Dickson and Gavin Mitchell.

All creators keep the copyright on their individual characters, as one would expect from a company set up by a comic creator.

The on-line magazine has been funded by publisher David Lloyd, who has commissioned a web site - the site name as yet unrevealed - from which the weekly publication can be logged onto and read.

The comic allows creators to reap the benefits of the blossoming digital market without giving up their on-going in print work, but still manages to give subscribers a very good deal.

The comic relies on established names to attract comic readers who are aware of the reputation of the creators. This makes the shift to digital less daunting for creators and readers alike.

The weekly publication does not rely on the potentially huge audience beyond the direct sales market to succeed, but is designed to be viable even on a small percentage of the direct sales market. This can be achieved due to the structure of the company which David Lloyd has created, which is specifically designed to make money for the creators.

A seven issue subscription will cost £6.99/$10. More news as we get it!

Tripwire #55 features Moorcock, Hester and McCrea's "Warpaint" and more

A quick reminder that the next print edition of media magazine Tripwire, which includes a preview of the STRIP Magazine story "Warpaint" by Phil Hester and John McCrea, is available to pre-order from your local comic shop using the Diamond code MAY 111336.

Tripwire #55 starts with an exclusive Elric cover painted by David Michael Beck, as the magazine celebrate 50 years of the White Wolf with his creator Michael Moorcock and a review BOOM!’s comic - plus, there's an interview with its writer Chris Roberson.

Elsewhere, the magazine, edited by Joel Meadows, commemorates the Fantastic Four’s 50th birthday, and takes a long look at Green Lantern from the Golden Age all the way up to the movie and everything in between.

Also included is an interview with comics creator Jason Aaron of Scalped and Punisher fame, and a chat with London-based author Christopher Fowler and a profileof  movie location scouting company Sarah Eastel.

Walt Simonson's eagerly awaited The Judas Coin hardcover, to be published this Christmas, gets a preview, including a unique sketchbook and pencils and inks section; and Shaenon Garrity writes about the history of webcomics seen from the inside.

Rounding the issue out there are reviews of several of the Eisner-nominated graphic novels and 22 pages of comic strip content in the STRIPWIRE section. This includes the entire first episode of the creator-owned story "Warpaint" by Phil Hester and John McCrea, destined for STRIP Magazine, which centres on a teenage girl granted supernatural powers in defence of the planet.

At £6.95 / $9.99 US for 124 pages in full colour, Tripwire #55 is, we think, great value for the money.

• Tripwire #55 Diamond item code is MAY111336. For more information and to check out the digital editions of  Tripwire visit www.tripwire-magazine.com

Strip Magazine enlists Warpaint, Lawless

Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea.
Colour by Andrew Elder.
© 2010 Phil Hester and John McCrea

Print Media Productions has announced two more projects for its upcoming Strip Magazine, launching in early 2011 - two brand new creator-owned strips, Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea and Lawless by Ferg Handley and Kev Hopgood.

In Warpaint, a homeless teen finds herself drawn into a cataclysmic struggle between mankind and elemental monsters bent on the destruction of our world. Clad in a hulking, indestructible second skin, and with the aid of a mischievous trickster god, Mia Tsatoke must not only defeat the rampaging behemoths, but navigate the perilous path between her own fragile humanity and the vast, unearthly power now at her fingertips. Only by confronting her own painful past can she solve the puzzle that will bring an end to the seemingly eternal cycle of violence. Only by donning her Warpaint can she bring peace.

Written by Eisner Award-nominated artist Phil Hester (Green Arrow, The Black Terror) with art by Eisner Award-winner John McCrea (Judge Dredd, Hitman), Warpaint is a fast paced, but thoughtful adventure bridging the worlds of fantasy, American Indian mythology, bleak realism, dystopian science fiction, and super heroic action. it is a tale that will engage readers from the full spectrum of comics fandom and hopefully beyond.

"Ever since my 16-year-old self saw a moldering stack of UK weeklies in the corner of my first comic shop, I have longed to be part of the UK and European comics scene," says Phil Hester. I'm so happy to be a part of Strip Magazine's effort to storm the newsstand with smart, fun, breakneck action stories. The chance to work again with the brilliant John McCrea makes this one a dream come true. Warpaint is a strip we think is unlike anything else in comics and we can't wait to show it to you."

"I try to work with Phil as much as possible," adds John McCrea. "His writing is smart and cool, with characters you believe in and care about- and so it is with Warpaint. Add to the mix that I get to work with the extremely talented Andrew Elder, whose colouring would make even a mediocre artist look good and I am, to quote Proust, an extremely happy bunny."

John McCrea will be on the Strip Magazine stand at the British International Comic Show later this month to talk about Warpaint at some point during the weekend.

Also heading for Strip Magazine later in 2011 will be the dramatic historical adventure Lawless, the incredible story of Jack Lawless and the Irish Legion, a band of renegades and outcasts who fought against the British in the tumultuous era of the Napoleonic wars.

Written by Ferg Handley (Commando, GI Joe, Spider-Man) and drawn by Kev Hopgood (co-creator of Marvel's War Machine, artist on Games Workshop's Darkblade), Lawless is a creator-owned tale bringing historical action adventure back to British mainstream comics with a vengeance.

Lawless creator Kev Hopgood says of the tale: "I’ve been a huge enthusiast for the Napoleonic period since I can remember, but have never had the chance to tell a story with that setting before. Now is the time!"

"When Kev approached me with the concept, I bit his hand off," added Ferg. "I’ve always been fascinated by the Napoleonic era, and the Irish Legion angle made me think 'hmm, The Pogues in uniform…'"

Ferg Handley's first professional comic was Commando 3102 published in December 1997. Since then, he has written over 250 Commando titles and carved a name for himself largely as a popular comics writer for UK comics such as Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel Heroes and GI Joe.

Kev Hopgood has a long a varied career in comic books and children’s illustration. Starting out with such strips as Zoids, Action Force and Night Zero for UK publishers he went on to went onto a three year run on Iron Man for Marvel Comics. During this time he co-created the character War Machine. Following a stint in the computer games industry he went to work on the Darkblade strip for Games Workshop.

Nowadays he splits his time between comic strip work for publishers Panini UK and Eaglemoss and children’s illustration for companies such as Oxford University Press, Barrington Stoke and Franklin Watts.

Strip Magazine, a new monthly magazine for the UK news stand, will launch in 2011, along with a series of graphic albums that include numerous creator-owned projects from creators such as PJ Holden, James Hudnall, John Ridgway, Gordon Rennie, SMS and others. The Iron Moon, a steampunk adventure by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page, launches the range in October.

Based in Lancaster, Print Media Productions is the UK arm of Bosnia-based Print Media, publishers of Strip Magazin, Plavi and Metal Hurlant. Strip Magazine is their first UK title.

• For more information about Print Media Productions and STRIP Magazine visit www.stripmagazine.co.uk

• Follow Phil Hester on Twitter: http://twitter.com/philhester


• For more about John McCrea visit: http://john-mccrea.blogspot.com or www.johnmccrea.com


• For more about Kev Hopgood visit: www.kevhopgood.demon.co.uk