TOXIC Comic Supplement Cover: Sneek Peek!

The TOXIC Comic Supplement we trailed back in February, featuring work from a host of great creators, will go on sale in the UK news stand title on sale 1 April: here's the cover, courtesy of Egmont, who have also sent us advance copies.

The supplement will feature comic characters old and new in a move to, hopefully, bring more strip material to the bestselling British news stand title.

Eight of the strips are completely brand new and original, with Jamie Smart's Count von Poo making us laugh out loud here, closely followed by Lew Stringer's The Clump. (You can't go wrong with farting monsters). We're also pleased to report that resurrected WereWilf, who has been given a modern day makeover, is also great fun, especially for the inspired inclusion of Ernie Helsing - milkman descendant, we're geuessing, of the famous vampire hunter!

In a nod to TV talent shows such as Dancing on Ice, readers will be able to vote for their favourites via a web address that features on the back of the supplement that readers will need to go to in order to vote for their favourite strip. The winner will potentially get a full-time slot in the magazine.

The web page isn’t live yet, but it will be when the issue goes on sale on 1 April. The supplement will come with issue 137 of TOXIC, on sale 1 April for three weeks.

• Click here to see the full line up of strips

More Moore: Book and Magazine Collector 306

Just as the hullabaloo over the Watchmen movie was dying down and you thought that you could take a breather from it, the latest issue of Book and Magazine Collector jumps back on the band wagon. Well almost.

To tie-in with the release of the movie B&MC issue 306, which is cover dated April 2009, has a twelve page career retrospective on Watchman writer Alan Moore. Mike Gent's article covers Moore's life and work and includes an additional six page bibliography and price guide.

Book and Magazine Collector is available from WH Smith and Easons or directly from the publishers via their website.

Can DFC Readers Save Their Comic?

A group of readers of the Random House subscription-only comic The DFC are trying to raise funds to stage a 'subscriber' buy-out of the title and have launched a blog to chart the progress of the campaign at: savethedfc.blogspot.com

If you would like to pledge a sum to take part in the buy out please click on the blog's pledgling links to send them an email indicating the amount you would be happy to pledge.

"Save The DGC is a wholly independent bid to create a subscriber take-over / buy out of the amazing DFC weekly comic for kids," explains architect Barnaby Gunning, who is heading up the campaign, who, along with his kids, think it would be a real shame to lose the comic.

"Our aim is to build up enough pledges to be able to buy The DFC title from Random House and support it for the next 12 months.

"We are not looking for any money unless we manage to raise sufficient pledges," adds Barnaby. "We will not divulge any emails to third parties, or use your email address for anything other than confirming your pledge and keeping you informed of progress."

• Whether you're a subscriber or not, this is a brave effort on the part of its loyal fans: for more information visit: savethedfc.blogspot.com

• For more information, visit the blog or call Barnaby on 07779107365

• If you want to ctach up with some of the creators of The DFC strips, here's some links: Neill Cameron (Mo-Bot High), Jim Medway (Crab Lane Crew), Dave Shelton (Good Dog, Bad Dog), Sarah McIntyre (Vern and Lettuce), Jamie Smart (Fish-Head Steve), The Etherington Brothers (Monkey Nuts), Jason Cobley (Frontier), John Welding (Will Scoggin's Skull), James Turner (Super Animal Adventure Squad), Wilbur Dawbarn (Bodkin and the Bear), Laura Howell (The Mighty M), Kate Brown (Spider Moon), Gary Northfield [Little Cutie] and Simone Lia [Sausage and Carrots]

How to Paint Rorschach

A bit late to the table with this one, but what with trips to London and the ramping up of the first of several new web sites during the day, I've been a bit sidetracked - apologies!

The April issue of ImagineFX – on sale now - boasts world-exclusive cover art from Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, with an in depth workshop ‘How to Paint Rorschach’ and an accompanying video workshop from Dave on our free DVD.

There’s also an eight-page feature looking at the history and influence of the genre-defining comic, with comment from Vertigo Comics president Paul Levitz, Watchmen colourist John Higgins and one of the film’s concept artists Scott Lukowski.

The magazine's DVD also features over nine hours worth of video tuition, along with two fantastic comic creation software trials.

• IFX is on sale in WHSmith, Tesco, and all good newsagents. More info and subscription details at www.imaginefx.com