Batman big in Lille (France)

I know, I know. I don't look old enough to have a child of my own. Well folks, it's true, (as those of you familiar with this den of iniquity will well know) this is me and my daughter at the Lille comic festival in northern France. I'm not sure what was being said, but it sure made us both seem to question the very existence of the universe...or something. Actually, know I think about it, a gathering of stormtroopers may have been taking place as this was taken (by my fabulous assistant and mother of said adorable one). There was a little stage opposite my "signing point" where occasionally something happened...like stormtroopers gathering. (I should add here that both my daughter and I share a keen interest in stormtroopers, the Star Wars kind that is!).

Apart from the stormtroopers, the festival was a great pleasure to attend. The city itself was very intriguing, only having a few days there-I felt it would have been nice to have had an extra day or two to explore.

It's a unique treat for me to be invited as a guest to a French comic con, having been kick-started into wanting to produce comics as a living by a visit to Paris at the age of 18, where I discovered, to my delight, that there was a whole new world of comic books out there, bound in time resistant hard covers, with incredible and mind boggling art within...and so cheap!!

Finding myself sitting at a table with French folk (and many other nationalities) asking ME for a sketch (mostly of Batman!) and excitedly handing me my own comics to sign was a cosmically deep experience. Forgive me for seeming falsely modest, but things like this make me remember just how bloody lucky I am, doing what I enjoy and trying to turn that into a way of caring for my little family. Comics are ace!

Many thanks to Julien for inviting me, and to Jean-Lois for helping me recover my lost bag, and to all the staff, who were a pleasure to meet. The weekend was enhanced by some highly respected artists and all round jolly good people, namely Gary Erskine, Mark Texeira, Phil Winslade and the legend that is Michael Golden.

(those are prints and not original art I'm leaning on!)

Lille Comic Festival illustration

Here's the poster I was asked to produce for the Lille Comic Festival (31Oct-1stNov). It's going to be on sale at the show to raise cash to pay for the guests, me included, and hopefully I'll be bringing some back to put on sale on this very blog...look out for my new For Sale page soon!

My Batman writer's name is...

Nope. Still no movement on the top secret aspect yet. Sorry!

Dredd cover prog 1653

Prog 1653 is out, sporting my recent Dredd cover. Dredd's back in the old cursed earth and not happy. Poor old chap's suffering a loss of respect and dignity recently. There's new blood in power and Joe is taking it badly. I like how Wagner is lowering Dredd's status from unquestionable to down right out of the loop. Great stuff. There's also some lovely artwork by the Flint droid on Shakara so take a look.

And while I'm on about covers...have a look at Pete Wells' 2000AD cover blog. He's got lots of goodies over there and well worth a visit. (see my links)

As you can see from above I'll be doing a signing in Manchester on the 26th of this month with fellow "High Spirits" creator Ian Edginton. I'm hoping we'll get a chance to talk about our future plans for our character Exo Judge Lamia, who's gone down really well with the fans. And it's going to be jolly nice to meet Al Ewing, Leigh Gallagher and Steve Yeowell too. Show up if you can, should make for a good day.

And while I'm on the subject of signing...I've been invited to the next Lille Comics Festival at the end of October. It's been a very long time since I've done a show in France so I can't wait. My only concern is how I'm going to carry home all the books I'll inevitably buy while I'm there!

And finally...Batman. No, I still can't talk about it so stop asking!!!

Thanks to Gary Smith for reminding me I haven't posted anything for a while! Cheers m'old mate!

New Dredd cover

The Cursed Earth is probably the most powerful memory I have of first reading 2000AD and Judge Dredd, so you can imagine how pleased I was when asked to do a cover for the galaxy's greatest! The images above are sections of the background, all painted in photoshop...have I mentioned how much I love photoshop?! Yes? Well I'll say no more other than life would be impossible without it!

I still can't talk too much about Batman at this stage, things are going great with my designs for characters and other secret things (for now) being gladly received by my secret (for now) writer, who I must say is a delight to work with. It's getting almost impossible now for me not to blurt it out there, shout it from the highest Gotham tower, but I know how much it means to DC to keep certain things close to their chests until deemed appropriate for the world to know so I'll shut up...for now!

Dredd...done and dusted

Well folks, I made it. I sent my last page of Dredd off just in time to save my neck. I know I've saved my neck because I was promptly asked if I could do a cover for 2000AD...not sure if I can mention yet what it will feature but I can say it's going to be a corker!

Now I've finished on Dredd (for the time being) I'm getting my head around changing gears for my next project...Batman. I still can't talk about it too much, I'm itching to tell you who I'll be working with but I'll have to sit on that a little while longer. Sorry!
I've already started working on the initial design stages for the Bat book,I've found myself a Batman model, a guy who works with my partner and was gracious enough to offer his face. Not something I could do with Dredd, I just don't know that many stony faces, but for Batman I wanted to give the book an element of reality, and so, like I did with #100 of Legends of the Dark Night (recently republished as "Robin:The Teen Wonder") I'm using models for some of the major roles. It's a serious book as Batman stories go and so I want to use some real faces to help get the story across.

The image above is another example of my working process, from blue pencil to ink and finally colour. I've cropped this panel so as not to give anything away about the story.

Prog 1640 has landed...

2000AD prog 1640 is out with the first part of the four part Dredd story I've just finished...actually I still have two pages to do so you can imagine the heat I'm feeling despite the cooling rain today. This image is from one of the later parts where I had the very welcome opportunity to do a (mostly) full Dredd with an MC1 background. Can you tell I had fun?!

(the image is a scan of the blue pencil stage, before I've inked and coloured)

But what of Batman?

What of Batman indeed. Well, I'm still under orders to keep silent about most features regarding my prestigious Batman project, suffice to say that as you can see from the middle panel above I've started getting my head around jumping style ships and working solely in pencil again. Yes folks, it's that time I hinted at months ago, time for a book just in pencil.

When I've worked in pencil before, without adding ink, I've gone some way to make it look inked ish. The Batman and Robin origin story I did some years back (recently republished in "Robin:The Teen Wonder") was my first attempt at telling a story using only pencil, but in this case the pages were scanned in high contrast and then coloured by Digital Chameleon. This Batbook demands a slightly different approach. More on that later as I start to experiment over the coming weeks. I'll also be starting work on designing the main characters, obviously this includes The Batman himself. I'll be posting what I can as I do it, again with DC say so.

The images above are more peeks at my present Dredd, now only days away from completion. I'm going to miss drawing all the BigMeg madness!

The page below is from the Robin origin story, and is my scan of the original page.

My latest HUZZAH page

Thanks to Tharg the Mighty extending my Judge Dredd deadline I managed to get this done for our web comic. Things are moving along wonderfully, with 38 pages now posted since we started in January. If you haven't already had a look please find a coffee break to read it...you'll be hooked!

A little while back NoBrow, a fresh and exiting new publisher based in London, invited me to contribute to their first book "Gods and Monsters". Obviously I jumped at the chance, with a title like that what was I supposed to do?! The pitch was that each artist create an image with that title using only black and one colour, a colour specified by the guys at NoBrow, namely Pantone 312 U. The double page spread image would be "silent" so would have to do all the talking itself. (see image below...a sneaky peek at my contribution)

What follows is some blatant advertising!

To celebrate the release of this first publication ‘Gods and Monsters’ the NoBrow guys will be exhibiting all the work from the edition in large scale format at Bar and exhibition space;DreamBagsJaguarShoes. Private View: Thursday 14th May, 2009Exhibition: 15th May – 28th June 2009 DreamBagsJaguarShoes,32 Kingsland Road, E2.

Nobrow Issue 1: Gods & Monsters. Printed in two spot colours in a limited edition of 3000 numbered copies it gives a high quality platform to artists and illustrators both new and established. The diverse contributors were hand picked for their unique styles and all were invited to generate work based on the theme. Some are up and coming, others are plucked from unexpected places, all are talented.Contributors are: Dave Taylor, Alex Spiro, Sam Arthur, Jordan Crane, Emiliano Ponzi, A. Richard Allen, Jens Harder, Reuben Rude, Benjamin Guedel, Eda Akaltun, Matthieu Bessudo, Caspar Williamson, Toby Leigh, Alex Bland, Ben Newman, Nick White, Stuart Kolakovic, Sarah King, Leah Hayes, Paul Blow, Bjorn Rune Lie, Brett Ryder , Carl Johanson and Blexbolex.

Space Cats and Cosmic Chickens!

No, it's not Dredd or Batman...it's actually the birthday card I drew for my partner. Believe me, at least she knows what it all means!

HUZZAH!! Page 29 and a great short film

For those of you that haven't checked out HUZZAH yet may I suggest you do?! The on-line comic only kicked off this January but has already reached such a pace that we're now thinking of making it available in print soon as a "part one of who knows how many?!"

Above is my latest contribution, with the blue line sketch, the inked page and lastly the finished piece.
I had no intention of "HUZZAHing" this month, but my hand was forced by the turn of events within our story and I couldn't let my lead character down when she was left hanging above the stage in such a way! (see my post HUZZAH!!! My latest page )

While I'm on...I was very kindly sent a link to a wonderful short film made by some students at the University of Bergen, Norway. Leonard, one of the team told me "We found it a bit strange that there aren't more films out there about male friendship. There are many lonely people out there who could need a friend, but don't know how to find one. So maybe finding an archenemy is easier:)
Since we are students we didn't have much of a budget, so all the actors etc did it for free. None of them had much prior experience, but did a great job anyway. We are hoping to get it shown on some festivals and hopefully it will result in some job possibilities, since we graduate in June.
The film was shot in 1080i, edited in Final Cut and After Effects."

Do your self a favour and watch it here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMJq-aGg1bQ&fmt=22

And now for something compleately different...

In 1992 Ian Carney and I teamed up to do some Mr.Murray strips, purely for fun. Ian is now a writer for children's cartoons and shows such as Sean the Sheep, but back then we were both struggling artisans trying to find our way in life, our love of comic books turned into this here strip. The last page was written by myself and features Randy the Skeleton, a wonderful creation of Aidan Potts, another fellow Brit cartoonist who's work was always an inspiration.
http://www.professorpotts.com/
I'm posting these today because I've just had them returned after a long absence.

Mr.Murray and Charlie Trousers copyright Dave Taylor and Ian Carney 1993

And for my next trick...Batman!

I've finally been given the green light to announce my next big project, hinted at in my last post. So, starting in May this year I'll be working on a "high-end Batman project" for DC. I can't say at this time who'll be writing it suffice to say that I'm extremely exited to be working with him/her and can't wait to start.
My ambition at DC was always to work on something "special", not a monthly or small one shots but a book of significance, a book that might keep selling way after it's publication. Something I could sink my teeth into, something I could be proud of. This, my friends is that book. So give me a few weeks and I'll tell you all about it!

Drawing an icon

Drawing an icon, in this case Judge Dredd, is an exhilarating experience...when you get it right that is. The understanding that you've captured a look that expresses that character well, to a very fussy public who have a clear image in their collective heads of what that character actually looks like, it's one of the perks of the job. When you get it right!
Dredd is a bloomin swine to draw! Or I should say he used to be. I could never agree with myself about certain aspects of his look, his chin mostly, but recently I realised I've finally learned how to draw him in a way that, to me, looks like my work but has a respectful nod to the gentlemen who are responsible for making him the icon he is today.
I've drawn a number of icons in my time, from Batman to Arzack (Jean 'Moebius' Giraud) but have never had so much trouble getting the character right than with Dredd. The helmet is the key. Or rather the proportions of the helmet in respect to his face, what you can see of it. Also, my decision to make him look as old as he is (not telling!) was my turning point. I'd love to draw Dredd as I remember him from when I used to read 2000AD back in the late 70's, young and dynamic, but he's moved on, like most of us, and so to draw him now means he HAS to look really old, craggy, faded and mysteriously still dynamic, despite his failing form. I'm sure my latest outing with JD will upset a few readers, those that think he should still look in his twenties, but you can't please all the people all the time...apparently.

In other news...not wanting to give too much away at this stage suffice to say that my DC contract arrived yesterday for a project that's been bubbling away for the past few months. I'm not at liberty right now to mention what the job is, I haven't as yet had clearance from my editor, but I can say that it's an amazing twist of fate. It's the very job I've been waiting for since 1998...hang on! That's over ten years! Ouch!
When I was working at DC all those years ago I kept pushing to do a certain kind of book with them. A book that I could be proud of. A book that I knew would sell well and that would help to firmly establish myself in the American comic book industry. This folks is that book! Watch this space for more soon...

HUZZAH!!! My latest page

My latest contribution to the cosmically enhanced and speedily growing on-line comic.

I should add (for Tharg, my editor) that this took me four hours and didn't in any way inhibit my Dredd production!

Dredd 2009

With all the talk recently about the announcement of a new Judge Dredd movie (film), it's impossible for me not to think about the prospects of working on it in some way. While I'm busily drawing a Dredd strip for 2000AD (see above image featuring Judge Lola designed by Ian Edginton and D'Israeli ) I'm trying not to let the thought of the film influence me in any way.
Truth be told? I'd bite through my own knee caps for a chance to design some (or all!) of the new film. I'm more than qualified, (not being an ego tripper, just a pertinent fact!) and it just happens to be the one science fiction film project that I've always longed to work on. Without making this an open letter to the powers that be I'll say no more for fear of antagonisingness!
Cast Clint!

MC1 IsoBlock design

Another establishing shot from Dredd, a subject I've been waiting for a crack at for a long time!

Judge Dredd 09

Here's a wee peek at my new Judge Dredd story, a four parter written by the brilliant Ian Edginton. Look out for more soon.

More HUZZAH!

HUZZAH!! A happy new year treat!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I draw your attention to HUZZAH!!, an on line comic following hot on the heals of Who Killed Round Robin http://whokilledroundrobin.blogspot.com/. A simple parlour game where creators take it in turns to tell a story, in HUZZAH's case it's theme is Space Opera.
Not all available artist slots have been filled as yet but so far we have a great line-up...Ian Culbard, Colin Fawcett, Faz Choudhury, D'Israeli, Rob Davis, Stetchybeast and little old me.

Ian made the first move on HUZZAH with his full page beauty, inspiring me to jump in with my effort. Talk about raising the bar Ian!
So here's my page of doodling for my "plate" (or tier) and the blue line drawing below.

And here's the final plate, scanned from the blue line above, lettered, photoshop "inked" and coloured.

See the epic evolve here...http://huzzah2009.blogspot.com/