Rainbow Orchid Re-Mastered Update

Garen Ewing has updated fans on progress with his Rainbow Orchid collections, with the first volume of this critically-acclaimed indie strip now scheduled to be published by Egmont UK in August 2009.

" I have been working practically every minute of the past two weeks going over part one with a fine-tooth comb, re-lettering, dialogue editing, and in some cases re-drawing entire panels," the artist, who drew Charlie Jefferson and the Tomb of Nazaleod for The DFC comic reveals. "... I don't think I've been to bed before 3 am most nights, and a couple of days ago I did a 38-hour stint, with just a 2-hour mid-morning snooze!

"But I think it's been well-worth it," he adds. "... It's great to finally get what I actually wanted down on paper.

"To answer the main question, The Rainbow Orchid (volume one) should be out in August 2009, and I will confirm that as soon as I'm able. Having now completed the 're-mastering' (for want of a better term)... I will be conjuring up some artwork for the extra pages in the book - it should be a very nice little package when all put together."

The Rainbow Orchid was originally started in 1997, but it wasn't until 2002 that it got going properly, with the series published in indie comics anthology BAM! These strips were eventually published in a black and white collected edition in order to guage public reaction, and it quickly sold out at British comic cons, nominated for two National Comic Awards and then sold out through internet sales. The last copy was sold on ebay for £79, with some frantic last-minute bidding.

In 2006 the story started receiving interest from publishers, and in the Spring of 2008 The Rainbow Orchid was picked up by Egmont UK.

• Read Garen's full post on remastering Rainbow Orchid on his blog
• Rainbow Orchid publication checklist

Maw, Paw an' PM Broon

While the UK comics community, and the national newspapers, may have made much of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's appearance in the first issue of Marvel's Captain Britain and MI13, it is unlikely to have raised much interest in Number 10 or in the Brown family home in Scotland. However the Prime Minister's appearance in The Broons in today's issue of DC Thomson's Sunday Post newspaper is much more likely to capture his attention.

As tonight is Burns Night, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns, and the beginning of the Scottish tourism promotion of Homecoming Scotland, Maw and Paw Broon have invited Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to join them at their Burns Supper in their Number 10 - Glebe Street that is.

Maw Broon, of course, is Scotland's latest celebrity chef with 2007's Maw Broon's Cookbook and 2008's follow up Maw Broon's But An' Ben Cookbook. Last year at this time the Sunday Post issued the 32 page Broon's Burns Night magazine, which combined Burns Supper recipes and other Burns Night traditions, as a free giveaway. This magazine proved so popular that it was expanded and issued as a 48 page softcover book towards the end of last year by Waverley Books who had so successfully published Maw's other titles.

In today's Broons tale, artist Peter Davidson has included Gordon Brown's wife Sarah as well as singer Dougie MacLean whose song, Caledonia, is the official anthem of the Homecoming promotion. The story ends with Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond sharing a drink together, which will no doubt amuse many as in reality there is no political love lost between the two men.

However there are no politics to be had in the story. Indeed Maw is quoted in the Sunday Post as saying, "The only political wranglin' goin' on in oor hame is when Daphne and Maggie want tae use yon hairdryer at the same time. Mebbe we could get some other politicians round to solve the problem. A'body knows there's plenty o' them that specialise in blowin' hot air."

The Broons (c) DC Thomson and Co Ltd

Complete Dracula Announced

US publisher Dynamite have announced the launch of The Complete Dracula, written by Bram Stoker, Leah Moore and John Reppion, with art by Colton Worley and covers by John Cassady.

Issue 1 of the five-issue comic series will go on sale in April, and begin "the complete story of the Lord of the Undead -- Dracula!

"For the first time in 112 years the tale that Bram Stoker intended to tell is told (including "Dracula's Guest"!)," their PR proclaims. "If you thought you knew how it began or how it ends, you were wrong! A five-issue issue odyssey of life, death and the blood that flows within us all!"

In addition to the comic, fully-painted in a rich, moody style by Worley, Moore and Reppion also provide bonus material such as script pages, annotations and samplings of the original text by Bram Stoker.

• Dynamite Entertainment: www.dynamiteentertainment.com

Birmingham Comic Show Revamped

British podcast and comics news site Geek Syndicate reports that after three successful conventions, The Birmingham International Comics Show is regenerating into The British International Comic Show.

"This is simply to reflect how the show has become the UK’s largest comic industry event and to help attract a wider variety of visitors, exhibitors and sponsorship," co-organiser Shane Chebsey told Geek Syndicate. "We also don’t want to be limited to Birmingham as a location for the show, and the name change allows us flexibility on this front."

There are no plans to move locations, though. "We think Birmingham is the best location for a show," he said. "...However, we are always looking at other possible venues and events that International Comic Shows as a company can offer, both to the industry and to fans."

• The British International Comic Show takes place on 3-4 October 2009 • Read the full news story on Geek Syndicate • Vist the British International Comics Show web site