Tuesday 13 September 2011

Sunday 4 September 2011

http://www.sidekickcomicsuk.com/blogs/blog4.php/2011/08/31/tales-of-the-four-colour-closet-my-other

http://www.sidekickcomicsuk.com/blogs/blog4.php/2011/08/31/tales-of-the-four-colour-closet-my-other

A link to my most recent column, about the criminal underuse of Northstar by Marvel Comics. There's a few more I've done too, in this weekly series, so do go and check them out.

Sunday 21 August 2011

The Stiffs/The Pride Signing

So yesterday, I met up with my Stiffs co-writers PJ Montgomery and Drew Davies, so that we could go on over to The Comic Guru, a great comic shop in Cardiff, to sign the last copies of the self-published Stiffs/The Pride preview comic we put out.

http://thecomicguru.blogspot.com/

It went really very well, and was a huge success. We almost sold out...there was 8 left when I left, but am told that after that another three copies sold...so there's maybe just five more.

If you follow the above link to the Comic Guru blog, you can get to the website, and order one of the few copies left, if they are still there. And hey, they'll be signed!

It was a lovely end to see the last of those self-published, early steps into making comics going away like that. Was very cool to meet some new people and find people very excited about both books.

Can't wait for them to all start reading the series when they start later in the year.

http://igg.me/p/37384?a=216477&i=shlk

Thursday 18 August 2011

Why funding The Pride on IndieGoGo is a smart move

So, a friend of mine recently suggested that I write a blog, or something, explaining why funding my comic, The Pride, on it's new IndieGoGo campaign page is a great idea and how to do it.

The how is simple:

You can either fund via PayPal or balance trasfer. All money that is raised, whether I hit target or not, will get to me. And there are great rewards for doing it: just follow the links or go to Indiegogo and search for 'The Pride', click on the project, and down the right hand side are a number of perks. Select which one you want and the funding amount, and then it's a simple matter of sending payment. Simples!

As for those perks, they are the reason that funding The Pride is a fantastic idea.

All the perks are in US dollars, and as such, if you are outside the US or in the UK like me, the current exchange rate means that the funding amounts are particularly bargainous!

For those who are within the US, not only is this the best and easiest way to ensure you have your copy, as I will send them myself (as we are yet to establish a distribution source/deal out there), the prices are still incredibly low. The whole series is available for $15: now, in the stores, or on my webstore after release, the comic will retail at $5 (including postage). At six issues, that means post-release, the series will cost you $25, so using Indiegogo now you make a great saving. Of course, in the UK it's even better as you'll be paying less than a tenner!

The following is a list showing the Perk cost, the UK exchange rate price, and the estimated Retail Price:-

Perk Option:- Perk Price: UK value: Est. Retail Price
Immortalised in Print! $1 60p -
Copy of Issue #1! $5 £3.03 £3.95/$4 (plus postage)
First Three Issues! $10 £6.07 £11.85/$15 (plus postage)
The Whole Series! $15 £9.10 £23.70/$24 (plus postage)
Signed Pride! $25 £15.17 "
Personal Sketch! $50 £30.35 £43.70/$44 (plus postage)
Art from the Series! $100 £60.69 Well, whatever Gav wants to charge

It's worth noting that signed work or original art could potentially become even more valuable too, if the series does very well, or if myself or my collaborators become more known. So every perk here has fantastic value for money and potential for the future too!

So please, go to Indiegogo and help us get this fantastic, fabulous and diverse comic out to the widest audience possible! All money raised goes into improving distribution and printing more copies! If we can beat target, well, all the better!

Just follow this link, fund and use the social networking links to help spread the word!

http://igg.me/p/37384?a=216477&i=shlk

Friday 20 May 2011

what is the funniest joke you know?

I prefer funny experences and stories as opposed to funny jokes. That being said, The Aristocrats can be hilarious.

Ask me anything

Sunday 8 May 2011

Friday 6 May 2011

What historical time period would you most like to visit?

The '70s....yeah, man :-)

Ask me anything

Any guilty pleasure songs?

Oh man, all the time! I love 'Judas' by Lady Gaga and 'S&M' by Rihana atm. I fuckin' adore 'I Breathe Again' by Adam Rickett...I am cheesefest when it comes to music sometimes.

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You're riding your bike when one day a bear comes out of nowhere and dropkicks you. What do you do?

Applaud the bear

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Funding THE PRIDE

THE PRIDE needs your help!

The comic is safe, don't worry there. However, funding the production is becoming a little much for me to manage on my payslip alone (I do have to try and live as well). As such, I have set up a new Crowdfunder account for the project.

Crowdfunder is, like the American site Kickstarter, a resource to help raise funds for creative projects by donating what you can towards them and receiving rewards in return if the project is successful. If however the project doesn't reach it's target, then everyone's donations are immediately returned.

I am hoping however that there are enough of you out there who genuinely want to see this project get made on time and be the best it can be. As such, I am relying on your help to raise the funds needed and to spread the word and help us reach target. So please donate what you can, it is so appreciated, you wouldn't believe.

HELP FUND THE PRIDE HERE!

Tuesday 3 May 2011

Do you share your birthday with anyone awesome? 'cos I share mine with Christopher Lee, which is the most awesome, so I've already won this game.

Umm, no one famous that I am aware of. Just the worst atrocity to happen on American soil since Pearl Harbour. Some googling reveals Brad Bird though

Ask me anything

Sunday 1 May 2011

What's the story behind your Formspring username?

I like comics. I am a dude. Therein lies the answer to the mystery of existence

Ask me anything

what is your opinion on Torchwood: Miracle Day being co produced by BBC and Starz? Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner John Barrowman and Eve Myles working with Jane Espenson, Bill Pullman and bunch of other American writers and actors

Umm, it hasn't aired, so I have no opinion on it. It could be good, it could be crap. I have trust in the cast and writers involved, so I am optimistically leaning towards good, but hey, could turn out rubbish.

Ask me anything

Friday 29 April 2011

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If you could fill all the guest spots on a quiz format comedy panel show with your friends and acquaintances, who would you choose and for which programme?

It would be Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and my team would be me, Drew Davies and PJ Montgomery, as they know their music well and we have good banter. Also, presenting would be either Simon Amstell or Josh Groban, as they were both hilarious and hot.

Ask me anything

what's your top 5 horror movies?

1. Alien
2. Dawn of the Dead
3. The Ring (US)
4. Blair Witch Project
5. Paranormal Activity

Ask me anything

If you could eliminate one thing you do each day in the bathroom so you never had to do it again, what would it be?

Brushing my teeth. It always feels like it's taking up too much of my time, and if my trips to the dentist and tooth sensitivity is anything to go by, apparently for little results. If they could make a toothpaste you apply once and never had to use again, leaving you with forever strong teeth and gums and fresh breath, I would be a happy man indeed.

Ask me anything

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Does it have to be just one? Hmm, well flight is hard to pass up...it would save me thousands in train tickets. Or possibly shapeshifting, to the atomic level. Then I could do pretty much anything.

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What website do you spend the most time on?

Hmm, probably Thingbox or BleedingCool to be honest. One to talk to cute guys, one for geeky news

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What kind of music can you just not stand to listen to?

Rap music. Does my head in.

Ask me anything

Hit the ask followers button?

Sorry, what?

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Any plans for May Day?

No plans other than writing. I hope to get a good chunk of the last quarter of The Pride done, if not finish it.

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Who's your favorite character on The Office?

I have never watched The Office, so I don't have one. That being said, there's a guy in the American The Office who is incredibly cute.

Ask me anything

Tuesday 19 April 2011

formspring.me

Seriously, no one ever asks me anything on here. I forget I have it! So swing away! Ask me anything http://formspring.me/comicsdude

Which Alien do you really hope they bring back in the new series of Doctor Who (which starts Saturday) and which alien do you really hope is forgotten and never mentioned again?

I've never seen classic Doctor Who, so this isn't a good question for me.

Ask me anything

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Favorite Single Issue of any comic series ever!

God, I have so many. But perhaps one that sticks out in my mind just now was an issue of Uncanny X-Men. I forget the issue number, but it musta taken place before the Phalanx Covenant. Basically, Gambit is confronting a seemingly primitive Sabretooth (who had lost his memory and personality after being stabbed in the brain by Wolverine). Gambit is angry over a previous encounter they'd had years before where Sabretooth killed his lover casually saying 'whoops' as he drops her off a bridge. Before Gambit can hurt him, or make him remember who he is, Storm intervenes. The last page is the best, as Storm walks out of the Danger Room where Sabretooth is being held. Alone in the dark, he mutters 'whoops'.

Loved it, in part due to some stunning pacing and composition by Joe Madureira, and also the smart use of sound effects in the last page; as Storm walks away we g a 'clik clak clik clak' of her shoes, showing how echoey the hall is, but also creating a strong sense of foreboding. The issue was brilliantly timed and executed, and was the first one to come to mind when you asked that question.

Ask me anything

Who is your best friend and how did you meet him/her?

Drew Davies, my friend and co-writer on Stiffs. I met him in school as a teenager, around the time I was coming to terms with my sexuality. He's the best and most supportive friend I've ever had.

Ask me anything

What was your favorite TV show as a child?

God, I had so many. Power Rangers would probably come out as my most favourite if someone looked back at my past. Though I wonder what the hell I liked about it now

Ask me anything

If you had to cook dinner for someone tonight, what would you make?

If we were to ignore how late it is now...I'm pretty good at making a lemon-infused Roast Chicken dinner, with roast parsnips, potatoes, peas...probably that.

Ask me anything

What's your favorite city?

Oh, tough one...I can start by listing the major cities I have been to: London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds in the UK; New York in the US, and Paris in Europe...and that's about it. Favourite? Hmm, I'd normally say Cardiff, I've always grown up close to it, it's a city on a small scale; but that may be cheating as it's almost home to me. Birmingham would probably be my next choice, though I'm finding I have a growing soft spot for London these days.

Ask me anything

Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes, though I don't think of them as lingering spirits so much as echoes. I think that the presence of a human being and our own intrinsic electromagnetic fields can create imprints on the spectrum of the world around us. As such, when someone sees a ghost, they are seeing an echo of someone previously in that spot, whether that person is now alive or dead. I think that's why when people claim to have seen ghosts they're often doing something mundane like having a walk, or like, cleaning dishes or something; you're seeing echoes of past actions.

Ask me anything

Do you believe in life after death?

Hmmm...yes, I believe I do. Don't ask me what it entails, because that I truly have no answer for. But I am positive that there is more to existence than what we have now when we're alive. That being said, the possibility of life after death or reincarnation gives no one liscence to be an ass now.

Ask me anything

Star Trek or Star Wars?

I'm more of a Star Trek man myself, brought up on The Next Generation. Until I was 11 all I wanted to do was join Starfleet.

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Who's the most overrated actor?

Ricky Gervais. He doesn't act, he plays himself wherever he goes, and sadly, himself is anoying and NOT FUNNY! I just don't get the appeal

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If you could become any fictional character, who would you be?

Dorian Gray. Forever youth and composed of incalculable wit and charm, and a dark side no one knows :P

Ask me anything

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What's the most delicious meal you've ever had?

Possibly a Thanksgiving dinner I had when I was in America...it was just so different

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If you could be on one TV show which one would it be?

Glee...so I could sing my guts out and dance my tits off...because I am a SUPERGAY that way

Ask me anything

Do you need anything moistened or... made soggy? (Intended to be a Dr Horrible reference, but I realise it just sounds like the grossest proposal. NEVER MIND)

OMG until I recalled where I'd heard that before I was totally mouth agape shocked face! LOL. But no, I'm good just now lol

Ask me anything

Monday 18 April 2011

What rule do you find yourself always breaking?

Don't get fanboyish around my favourite comics creators. Consistently keeps happening.

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What's the origin of your name?

My mum and dad named me it....so duh

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What was the worst movie you've ever seen?

Wow, I've seen a lot. Umm, Anti-Christ. Definitey. It was just horrible, non-sensical torture porn in the most literal sense, and the only message it seemed to have was "don't trust women, they're all murderous, child killing whores". I found it incredibly misogynistic and controversial for controversy's sake.

Ask me anything

Are you worthy of lifting Mjolnir?

The hammer is his penis, y'know. So yes, I am.

Ask me anything

Monday 11 April 2011

Kapow Comic Con 2011

This past weekend so the inaugural Kapow Comic Con in Inslington, London, UK. The brainchild of Mark Millar, the living hype-machine-spin-god (imagine that Kirby design for a second, will you?), creator of such high-octane and lauded tales as Wanted and Kick-Ass; this con was supposed to be the UK’s San Diego Comic Con (something which caught the attention and ire of the MCM London Expo). Millar’s stated idea was to create something with importance on the UK con calendar that would see big announcements, previews etc, like the American cons. And from Saturday to Sunday, we got to see if he managed it. In a word: No. Now, I’m gonna get back to this later, but bear with me while I try to review a weekend which has seen a lot of booze in between. Now the con absolutely was a lot of fun. And yes, there were some major announcements indeed. In fact, Millar himself announced four new creator owned series’ each with a stellar artist, like Dave Gibbons, Frank Quitely or Leinil Yu, all of whom were in attendance. We also had Marvel announcing several new projects, and hint at a couple of things that made me personally squee (in fact, my friend and colleague PJ Montgomery was recording podcasts for the Sidekickcast guys, so there’s a good chance you will actually hear that). There was a fantastic turn out of people, and all seemed to be a good and enthusiastic crowd. The energy of the con was high, and it was amazingly well organised for a first time con, though there could stand to be a few improvements. Why doesn’t it match the aim of a UK SDCC? Simple: size. It was nowhere near as big. And the announcements would really need to be a lot bigger and more far reaching. Could this come in Kapow 2? Sure, I daresay in fact it will. But for the size part they’d need a new venue. It would be a shame to lose the Business Design Centre in Islington, as it was a beautiful venue and well-spaced for what was there. But if Millar really wants to hit SDCC sizes, he needs more room to breathe and grow. There were a couple major downsides that I hope will change for future iterations of this con, if it happens again. Firstly, it was terrible for new, small press or indie creators. There were a handful about, to be sure, but tables were incredibly expensive. Many creators from that area I spoke to felt that they weren’t being catered towards, in favour of bigger names and draws, and that’s a shame as the UK indie comic scene is awesome at the moment. So maybe next time something could be done about that. Also, there was no Artists Alley, and most artists at the big signings didn’t have tables. I left with no sketches. This has never happened after a con to me before, so that’s a terrible shame. Maybe halve the size of the IGN arena (which was really unnecessarily sprawling) to include one? Similarly, I only managed to get one signature. The big name signings had to be queued for for ages, and often the creator would only be there for an hour. So fans who wanted to try and see more of the show and not just stand in lines for two days were left in the cold. Giving each of the big name creators an option of their own table too could resolve this. Similarly, whilst queue times were listed on the timetable, they were not enforced. So if you played by the rules, you often found yourself unable to enter the panel you wanted. The Thor and Movie X panels were a sign of this. Finally, I’d argue that the ‘Movie X’ panel was a let down. That it was advertised as the premiere of a major superhero ‘summer blockbuster’ movie had most thinking Thor or X-Men: First Class, only to find on Sunday that the film had an 18 certificate (bye bye, kiddies) and was indeed Super. Whilst this may be a good film (I quite fancy it) it is by no means a ‘summer blockbuster’. Maybe Millar’s talent for hyperbole got away with him there, but the atmosphere at the con in concern of this movie was discernibly disappointed. Now, suggestions for improvements aside, it does not mean it was a bad show. Quite the opposite, it was a great show! It just could be better. And hopefully next year it will…and you can bet I’ll be there.

Friday 11 March 2011

Buying Stiffs/The Pride

So, just made it a little easier...the button to click to order the comic is now in the sidebar just to the right of this blog.

So nothing to stop you buying the comic. If only for the excellent Gavin Mitchell artwork. Buy it for it is the awesomesauce!

Buy the STIFFS/ THE PRIDE PREVIEW comic!

So, we launched this comic at Cardiff International Comics Expo just under two weeks ago now (my that went fast) and it was a great success!

Aside from selling quite a few copies and merchandise at the show, we also got a lot of incredibly positive feedback. Many creators, readers, bloggers, and publishers read the book and congratulated us on creating such a professional looking product, and also bigged up our stories in the book too.

The show was a massive success, and there will be more big news to come from it even yet, so stay tuned.

But since that weekend, I've been wondering how to get the comic out to even more people. Already, it is being stocked by the Comic Guru here in Cardiff, but what about all our supporters from further afield, or who want to buy it from us directly. And so, I think I have come up with the solution:
Below, there is a PayPal button for ordering the comic. The comic costs just £4 with a £1 charge for posting (this will cover postage and packaging). Just keep looking to the bottom of the post, after the comic's Press Release and covers.




Stiffs/ The Pride Preview

Get in on the ground floor with the special preview issue for two South Wales made comic book extravaganzas!

12 page preview for the first issue of Stiffs, the story of Don Daniels, his wise-cracking simian soulmate Kenny McMonkey and his mates as they find their South Wales Valley home secretly surrounded by the undead. So what do they do? Become kick-ass zombie hunters, naturally! But there's more going on in those deep dark woods than any of them is ready for...

Plus, an original, self-contained The Pride story starring FabMan (Tomorrow's Fabulous Man, Today!) in 'It Gets Better'- an important vignette and message from The Pride, an LGBT superteam who are here for everyone! Also, the origins of two of The Pride's core members, Wolf and White Trash!

Stiffs is created and written by Drew Davies, PJ Montgomery and Joe Glass, with art by Gavin Mitchell and Adam Cadwell; The Pride is created and written by Joe Glass with art by Gavin Mitchell and Kris Carter.

These comics projects have something for everyone, and there'll be big things for both in the future! So get involved and see what you can expect ready for the Big Launch of both comics in the latter half of 2011!







Tuesday 1 March 2011

iTunes Version - Backin Up Song



This is hilarious, and once heard will be stuck in your head all damn day

Sunday 30 January 2011

Monday 24 January 2011

If you were to lose one of your five senses which would it be and why?

Smell, I guess...it's the only one I could imagine doing without....though that would affect taste, which would be upsetting.

Ask me anything

Wednesday 12 January 2011

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What should i make for dinner??

Shepherd's Pie....it's stunning!

Ask me anything

What have a said that made you smile? (vanity attack)

Do you mean what have you said? I have to admit, the discussion about rimming made me laugh my tits off, but that may have partly been Emma's reaction as much as anything else lol

Ask me anything

Monday 10 January 2011

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Ask me anything http://formspring.me/comicsdude

what's your big plan for 2011, if any?

It's all about advancing my writing career. Mainly by working out more time to work on my writing and trying harder than ever to get it out there.

As such, two comic projects I've been working on will finally be seeing the light of day in the form of Stiffs and The Pride. Both will be previewed in a special Preview comic on sale at Cardiff International Comic Con. From there, I'll be pushing full steam ahead with getting at least one of these properties published and out there before the end of the year.

But I'm not limiting my writing output to comics. I'll also be working on articles. In fact, my very first published articles will be in a magazine released towards the end of this month.

So this year it's all about becoming not just a writer, but a PUBLISHED writer.

And maybe get fit too, but I say that every year lol

Ask me anything

Thursday 6 January 2011

How was your Christmas?

It was really nice, actually. Chilled, relaxed. Exactly what I needed, in preparation for a hella busy 2011

Ask me anything

Saturday 1 January 2011

You can preorder a copy of the Stiffs/The Pride Preview!

Hey all,

So, on February 26th, 2011 Stiffs and The Pride will be previewed exclusively at the Cardiff International Comics Expo. For many of you, and in particular for Stiffs, this will be the first physical release of a comic project you’ve been showing your support for for a good few years.

Stiffs and The Pride will be released together as part of a preview book, showing off the talents of the creators involved. Inside will be a twelve page preview for Stiffs, and a short vignette story from The Pride universe. The book will be very limited edition, and will give one of the biggest looks into these projects seen to date.

Now, we fully understand that many of you may not be able to make it to the con, but that you would really like to get your hands on this limited release of projects you’ve been supporting for so long.

As such, we are taking pre-orders for the book ahead of schedule, at a special pre-order discount to say thanks for all the support.

For just £2 you can pre-order a copy of the Stiffs/The Pride preview, signed by all the creators, so that you can still get a copy even if you can’t make it to the Cardiff International Comics Expo.
As mentioned, this preview release is very limited edition, and will provide the most in depth look at Stiffs and The Pride yet released!

We value your continued support and hope that all of you who are unable to make the show will pre-order your copy, so we can make sure everyone is finally getting something to show for that support.

Payments can be made to Joe Glass’ PayPal account at mojojoseph@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your address with the payment so we can get the books out to you soon as they are ready.

This is a limited time offer, as we’ll need to collate payments for printing copies, so we’ll take payments all the way up to January 31st, 2011.

Thanks for your support!

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Ask me anything, now in a whole new decade! http://formspring.me/comicsdude

Would you like me to draw a Pride story? Stickmen, obviously.

Lol, I dunno, I seem to be doing alright for artists of late. And more than stickmen too lol

Ask me anything