Growing out of it

Back in 1988, i was invited to work with Jamie Delano on a 4-page story for AARGH!,(Artists Against Rampant Government Homophobia) a collection of comic strips, illustration and text pieces, all opposing Clause 28.

It was a time when i considered myself a novice; an enthusiastic one, but still a loooooooong way from professional. I doubted my work could stand up next to industry greats like Frank Miller, Dave Gibbons, Kev O'Neil, etc. But i believed in the book, and in making protest - my ego could take the knocks.

The art is rough, VERY. I was still learning and struggling, and you can see that; the lack of control and refinement, how scrappy and unfinished it looks.

Still one of my favourites.

It helped cement a friendship with Alan Moore and Jamie, helped me conquer my 'stage fright' and marked a dramatic change in my attitude towards art and storytelling.

Beyond it's crudeness i can see a playful spirit and personality that still defines the way i think today.

It's available to read, Along with a retrospective review of AARGH! at The Gay Comics List

Crematoria - Screaming from the Grave!

About a 1000 years ago i was chinwagging and brainstorming with that Wizard of Words, affable Alan Moore. Things were still sweet at DC/Wildstorm, and his ABC line of comics were winning rave reviews and adoring accolades.

Alan was planning a second wave of characters for the anthology, Tomorrow Stories. One of these to be written for little awe-draped me, it was/is called Limbo, best described as a supernatural beatnik superhero comedy, like Dr. Strange done by Charles Addams, or the Spectre via Shiver and Shake. A strip that dwelled in all the best corners of my skull.

... shrouded in fluorescent fog, bats flapping around cemeteries, werewolves on Harleys, mad doctors, witches, spooks, zombies, and a love interest in the form of pneumatic horror hostess Crematoria, more or less Lily Munster and Vampira, with an eye patch.

We didn't get further than half-a-pitch(but never say never), since i found myself drawing Albion. The idea was, well, filed away in limbo.

Until...connoisewer of dark dames and raven-haired succubi, one Mr. Brad 'Indio' Tuttle, cast his yellowed beady eyes on the curves of Crematoria.

And she's sweet as a De Sade fever dream. Go look, i dare you.

And remember, kids. Limbo is copyrighted by Alan
Moore and Shane Oakley. No cribbing.

Save, don't throw!

Like many of you, i collect stuff, i collect a LOT of stuff, always collected a lot of stuff, and always have trouble throwing things out. Some would say it's not good 'feng shui', some would say it's a fire hazard, some might even say i shouldn't live in a cocoon of memories, and that gazing back at the past isn't a healthy or progressive pastime..

I won't tell you what I'd say, cus it's the season of good will.

But here's a small selection of Xmas cards I've saved, a couple going back to the end of the 80's.
I do have quite a bunch, most i can't locate, which is a shame, since the earliest ones are ALL hand drawn. Maybe they'll turn up once i get around to that feng shui...

From Matt Brooker(D'israeli).

Gary Crutchley.

Mark Buckingham.

Ryan Hughes.

Alan Moore.