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The Deeps
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Oh hi I didn’t see you there

Chapter 12 is finally underway, mostly because I got so fed up of sitting on finished pages instead of publishing them as they’re completed. I’m going to try and stick to one page a week (or more if I have time around work) until the end of this story. After that, I’ve got one more little surprise and then that’s it….the end of Book One.

You might have noticed I’m not doing any conventions in 2018 — that’s because my day job and general finances are a bit wild at the moment, but also because I’d like to save up for print runs on some new material before I go out on the road again. No idea when that will be at this stage, but I’ll keep you posted.

That’s probably it, and if it’s not, well, I remain a man of mystery.

SITE TWEAKS!! OTHER STUFF!!!

Hey guess what we have now?

Guess what we somehow haven’t had since the launch of the comic 5 entire years ago?

AN ACTUALLY USEFUL ARCHIVE PAGE!!!

In preparation for the start of Book Two very soon, the Archive link is now broken down into Book One: Body [clay], Book Two: Spirit [fire], and Book Three: Soul [blood]. Everything that’s been published so far is tidily categorised under Book One, with thumbnails and short summaries for each chapter as well as info on the mediums used in the artwork. Handy!

In less cool news, I’m unfortunately not going to be able to make the conventions I’d planned for this year — including my all time favourite, Thought Bubble. It’s just not working out with the recent move and my new job, and I’d rather spend the time focused on making new work for the rest of 2017. Don’t worry, though! I still love coming out for cons and it’s something I hope to get back to in 2018 once everything’s more settled.

More news soon, kiss kiss.

edit: OH YEAH I got rid of ads from the site too. I’ve always hated having them, and they honestly don’t bring in enough revenue to justify themselves in 2017. That DOES mean I’m more reliant than ever on print sales and donations to keep the site going, so if you’re at all inclined to throw some support my way I’d deeply appreciate it. Either way, no more ad boxes, just content.

Que Pasa???

Hello! It’s been a hell of a year!

You may know that in 2016 I took some time away to work on various things, including conventions, training in a new career and moving my whole life to a new city. If you didn’t, well, you do now. I’m happily situated once again, and gearing up to release Chapters 12 & 13 of Mythos, which means….you guys, Book One is nearly complete.

If you’d like to see a hint of what I’ve been working on all this time, I’ve been putting up process journals over on my tumblr — Part One details my writing and sketching process, and Part Two goes into detail on my visual development for the chapter and preparations for shooting backdrops. Wait, shooting backdrops? Yep, it’s another weird experimental art thing. Peep those journals if you want to know more.

The chapter itself should be up in its entirety very soon, along with another two process breakdowns for this extra weird endeavour. I’m also working on a couple of other fun things, including a Patreon (finally), which will be announced as they come together throughout this year.

Oh, aaand I’m hoping to hit some more conventions again this year! Look out for me at MCM Manchester, Thought Bubble, and ECAF just for starters.

In the meantime, thanks SO MUCH for sticking with me while I figure out how to make all of this stuff the best it can be for as long as possible. I promise to make it worth your while.

Kisses~

THE DEEPS: Process Journal #1

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Hey folks! As promised, I’m going to be filling the gap between chapters with a nice in-depth journal of the work I’m doing to create Chapter 12: The Deeps! You can read the whole thing here, including links to the full script and thumbnails if you just can’t wait.

For those of you with an interest in making comics (or any other kind of creative media, really) you might also be excited to hear that the latest episode of Open Panel was just released! It’s a heavy but fascinating episode, all about the perks and pitfalls of dealing with the concept of morality as writers. Give it a listen!

2016 Convention Schedule!

Last year was great fun for me convention-wise, so you can expect to see a lot more of me on the road in 2016. It’s early in the season yet for bookings, but so far I can confirm that I will be at:

Though not finalised yet, I do plan to be at MCM Manchester (July 30-31st), MCM London (October), and at Thought Bubble as usual. I’ve also applied to LICAF (Oct 14-16th), and will keep you guys updated on how that shakes out.

If you want to keep an eye on where I’ll be and when, you can always find the most recent details at the bottom of this page. I may well be adding to this list throughout the year, so don’t despair if you live somewhere further flung. (Unless you live outside the UK, in which case, despair. Maybe next year.)

Quick Update

Sorry about the delay on the rest of this chapter. A close relative passed away quite suddenly at the beginning of the month, and all kinds of schedules are going to be rearranged for the next llittle while as we deal with everything. I’ll be leaving town for the funeral next week, but I’m going to do my best to put up the second half of this chapter (as one bulk update) before I go. I know it’s not ideal, but such is life.

Watch this space for updates about my 2016 convention plans after I get back from Wales. It’s going to be a good year from here on, I promise!

Fan Art

So a couple of things have jogged around a bit in the site layout — but if you look under the ‘Comic’ tab at the top, you can now check out all the gorgeous Mythos FAN ART I’ve received over the last couple of years! If you want to add to it (or if you drew something for the comic that I couldn’t find on my external drive), drop me a line. I loooove seeing other people’s interpretations of all these weirdo characters.

Also, if you’ve been waiting for updates to the latest chapter, don’t worry! I just finished the last of my con preparation (like just now, literally 20 minutes ago), so there should be a page or two up this week to make up for all the stops and starts. It’s hard work doing all this ‘running a business’ stuff yourself, I tell ya what.

It’s fireworks night and things keep exploding in the back garden. My toes are cold. Uhhh and that’s all for now probably.

PEACE.

More Conventions, More Site Updates, More, More, More!

Holy moly it’s been forever since I updated this blog! This is why I’m always hassling for folks to follow me on tumblr or twitter — that’s where all the fresh hot happening news goes down. Regardless, it’s about time for a round up of the many, many things that have been going on for me and the comic this year.

#1 New Countershot members!

cluedo

Back in August we rounded out our team with the addition of Kate Ashwin (Widdershins), Robin Hoelzemann (Curia Regis), and Lily Hoyda (Bad Reputation, Misery Chick). You can see ’em all up at the top there in our badass link carousel. And if you haven’t checked out any of those comics yet, get on it! Seriously, these are some of the nicest, kindest, most talented and hardworking cartoonists I know, and I’m thrilled to be working with them. Robin’s even taken over our Countershot Press twitter account, making sure it stays up to the minute with news and bonus content from all of us.

#2 Galpalendar!

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Hot on the heels of last year’s MANCALENDAR, we’re releasing another collaborative wallpiece for 2016 — this one themed entirely around women and female relationships. We’ve got the whole Countershot crew in there, plus exciting guest pieces from Kathleen Jacques (Band vs Band), Ariel Ries (Witchy), and Allison Shabet (Dead Winter). I don’t mind telling you, this year’s Mythos piece is RIDDLED with plot secrets, so sprint to storenvy right now to grab yours if mysterious symbolism is your thing. Officially preorders just ended, but from me to you, if you’re quick, you might just get in under the wire!

#3 Conventions, Conventions, Conventions!

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I’m typing this right now from under a quilt fortress, where I’ve spent the week recovering from a dreadful post-convention cold. MCM London was a ton of fun, and I was privileged enough to table side by side with Robin and Kate of Countershot fame the whole weekend. We even got to say hi to Ariel Ries and grab a quick photo op!

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It was a heck of a show, and I made out pretty well — so you can expect to see me back in May (fingers crossed), and perhaps at MCM Manchester if things work out. I will also be appearing at Thought Bubble in a couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re in the Leeds vicinity!

#4 New Looks, New Books?

As you can see, the site’s had a bit of a tweak once again. Over the next year I will be gradually broadening the contents to cover my illustration and proofreading business as well. Don’t worry, though! My comics will always be top priority.

Speaking of which, keep an eye out at Thought Bubble if you enjoyed Chapter 10: Under the Skin. I’ll be printing that story up as a new mini (a real one this time, no more 8-folds!) We’re closing in on the end of Volume One, which means that I’ll be kicking into high gear in 2016 to raise money for the first printed collection. Aaaa! Aaaaaa! I’m excited, at least.

That’s about all for the moment, but I will do my best to stay more conversational around here over the next few months. Otherwise, you all know where to find me.

Kiss kiss!

 

Big News!

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the day we launched Countershot Press, and we celebrated it in a couple of ways. First, we gave the official blog a gorgeous facelift, courtesy of our own G.C. Houle:

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Slick, right? If you’re not already following us, I highly recommend it.

Second, we unveiled something we’ve all been VERY excited about…

S1 Poster

 

A brand new Countershot Press podcast! We’ll be talking about everything from getting started and choosing hosting to moral dilemmas, dealing with critics, writing for underserved audiences, messing with mediums, and much more. It’s going to be a total blast, and we can’t wait to drop the first episode. Watch this space!

Bad News, Good News, Other News

So you probably noticed the lack of an update this week! Don’t worry, we’re nearly through with this chapter and it will be wrapping up very soon.

Unfortunately a very well loved family member passed away this last weekend, and so I’ve been taking a little time since to slow down and organise my schedule. I’ll be out of town for a couple of days next week to attend the funeral, but with this week’s break I hope to be able to automate the last couple of updates in chapter 9 and stay ahead of the curve.

In con updates, I’m sorry to report I won’t be at very many this year after all. It seems to be a particularly crowded year for indie tables, so despite best intentions there’ll be no LICAF or MCM. However, we will be back at Thought Bubble in November! Ruth and I had a great time at the show last year, and if you’re going to be in the area you should really check out the line up and consider dropping by.

I promised Other News too, so, hmm. How’s this? Chapter 10 will be licked by at least one real live snail. 🙂

2014 and 2015 Things

I never got around to writing a post-Thought-Bubble thing here back in November, but for the record it was a fantastic weekend. I got to hang out with Kate Ashwin and Robin Hoelzemann, met Tom Siddell and Emily Carroll, and even got to see Emily talk shop with Becky Cloonan and Boulet(!) at a live podcast recording.

Best of all, though, I got to meet you guys! I wasn’t expecting anybody there to recognise the comic, let alone talk to multiple fans. It was amazing and humbling to see the real human beings who follow my work, and to find out what strikingly cool people you are. So many people who really care about comics and stories and the world around us.

So, Thought Bubble was a great experience and enough of a financial success that I’m going to be hitting the convention circuit a little harder this year. Nothing is confirmed yet, but for the moment I’m hoping to make appearances at LICAF, MCM Manchester, and Thought Bubble. I’ll keep this blog updated with details as things come together. Wherever I go, I’ll bring a few of everything currently stocked in the store plus minis of The Red Wolf and Women’s Work Song.

Finally, my (belated) 2015 resolutions:

  • better hands
  • more conventions
  • take up oils
  • work on graphic novel
  • remember to keep this blog updated

later, gators!

Technical Troubles

As you may or may not know if you follow me elsewhere, my work laptop bit the dust very suddenly last week. The BEST news is that it was still under warranty and I should get it back within the month. The GOOD news is that I have a backup machine to work on in the meantime, that I’ve been keeping around for exactly this eventuality. The BAD news is that this machine is extremely slow. Aaaand the WORST news is that everything I was preparing to print for Thought Bubble has vanished along with my poor dead hard drive.

What does this mean? Well, it means updates are going to be slow for a few weeks. I have a lot of stuff to work on in a very short time. The comic isn’t going on a formal break — I can still edit finished pages on this machine, it just takes a little longer. We won’t be keeping a Wednesday schedule for a while, is all. It also means I will generally be scarcer online. You can always reach me via email, but be patient if, eg. comments aren’t moderated as quickly as usual.

Everything will be back on track by the end of November at the latest. In the meantime, thanks for your patience! You’re all lovely people, and I appreciate you sticking around more than I can say.

MANCALENDAR 2015

Do you like mans? Do you like calendars? Clearly you like webcomics, or else you wouldn’t be here. Well, how about a product that combines all of the above into one DAZZLING artefact?

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That’s right — twelve months of studly webcomic fellas to see you through 2015, by twelve talented artists including E.K. Weaver, Kelly Turnbull, Beckey Grundy, everybody at Countershot Press and more.

TGToX7z

A certain Mythos character will be filling out the month of November, and it’s probably not who you think! Make sure you don’t miss out on pre-orders — I won’t have any of these with me at Thought Bubble, and these calendars likely won’t be reprinted.

Guarantee yourself a copy by clicking over to storenvy and placing your order by October 30th!

BRAND SYNERGY COMPLETE

Hey hey hey, welcome to the new site! If you know me or my work from anywhere online, this URL should be a lot easier to remember — and it’s kind of a portent of the future! Mythos is far from the only comic series I have planned over the next few years, and so Mortality Plays is the name to remember if you want to keep up on everything I do. That’s the name you’ll find on tumblr, on twitter, on storenvy, at conventions, and (eventually, fingers crossed) on books.

Besides the slick updated layout (and archive system that finally works), you should notice a fancy button carousel up at the top of the page. That’s the mark of Countershot Press, the indie comic studio I now work with! Each button will take you to one of our sister-comics, and the logo on the left will take you to our main hub on tumblr where you can follow all of our updates, guest promotions, weekly feature articles and more. We have lots going on, new content every day of the week and a few neat surprises in store for our followers. You can even follow it via RSS if that’s your thing!

Little bits of the site are still under construction — we have no ads yet, you might notice, and eventually I hope to make the Cast page a little more intuitive — but the full archive is up and much easier to navigate than the old site ever was. New pages will be going up here first starting this Wednesday, and kinestra.com will CEASE TO BE UPDATED from the end of this chapter. Remember to update your bookmarks and your RSS feeds!