Hallowe'en at the Podbean. Unseen.

Big thanks to Vince, Tony and Dan and all at the Awesome Comics Podcast for their generous hat-tipping to The Grinning Man and myself in their recent Hallowe'en Special.

The ACP is indeed an awesome comics podcast and I recommend it to anyone and everyone even remotely interested in what's going on within the world of comics; small press or mainstream. My required reading list has now grown larger still because of it. If you haven't listened to their latest shenanigans, do so now. If you have - listen to it again.

On the subject of The Grinning Man, very few copies of the physical edition remain on my Etsy store, and sadly it is unlikely to be reprinted within the foreseeable future. You can still however obtain a digital version here.

For those who prefer the papery goodness of a physical copy, don't forget you can claim a 20% discount when you type in HALLOWSINTHEDARK2015 as a coupon code at checkout until the end of 2nd November.

Hallowe'en Whispers

It seems to be that time of year.

The days are getting shorter. The nights are getting colder. Grown men and women are shivering with fright, and children are vomiting everywhere. It can only mean that... The X Factor is on the telly.

Oh, and that it's Hallowe'en. Sort of.

So things are stirring.

Firstly, Dracula and all his little pixies shall be returning on the Hallows Eve - in the form of Vampire Variations Volume III - a tribute album to the wonderful soundtrack for Super Castlevania IV on the Super Nintendo. Like its predecessor, I have provided illustrations that shall accompany the album; which will be released through OverClocked Remix (no less) on the 31st. Promptly. Stay tuned to their website and social media for further news and updates from hereon.

Secondly - HALLOWE'EN SALE TIME!!! It's the simplest thing I could think of to celebrate the occasion - besides throwing a party, but I have literally nothing to wear. So I can sit here (naked) and tell you that from right now through to the end of Monday 2nd November you can claim a 20% discount from all items in my Etsy store!! I know! I really AM that nice. Really. All you have to do to claim your discount is type in the following coupon code at checkout:

HALLOWSINTHEDARK2015

Remember to type it in exactly like that, caps and all, otherwise it won't work.

Happy bobbing.

Cold Feet

They've been a loooooong time coming - but finally here are not one but TWO brand new pairs of Dragon Ball Z custom painted shoes. As the first pair a few years ago was "Saiyan Saga" themed; these new ones are themed on the Freeza Saga. (Yup, Japanese spelling, get over it.)

Pair A

 

 

The first pair is based on the first half of the Freeza Saga (commonly known as Namek Saga) and features Freeza (First Form), Vegeta (Battle Damaged), Krillin, Gohan, Zarbon and Dodoria.

 

 

Pair A is unisex and is UK Size 8.

 

Pair B

 

 

 

As you've probably already guessed, Pair B is based on the latter half of the Freeza Saga; primarily being the climactic battle between Freeza and Goku. This pair pays homage to that duel on the (very slowly) erupting planet Namek; and features Freeza (Final and 100% Final forms) and Goku (normal and Super Saiyan form).

 



Pair B is unisex and is UK size 10.

 

Both pairs are unique and hand-painted with fabric paints. Only one pair of each design exist and only one pair of each design shall exist. They are both available for purchase through my Etsy Shop. 

 

So, if you feel like embarrassing the neighbours on your morning stroll, pop these over your toesies!!



From the Vault with a Vengeance

*huff* *puff* s..sorry...*wheeze* Sorry I'm late. Again. I left my keys in the oven.

I was going through my old hairdryers the other day (hang on do I mean hairdryers? No, I think Sketchbooks is a better term) and found some completely forgotten drawings that I thought might bridge some sort of gap between my massive bouts of lazy non-blogging.

Although they're what you'd call a 'tool' - my sketchbooks basically serve either to flesh out ideas and concepts for arty things that I'd like to do, or in rare cases, do do (*guffaw* doodoo...) - but also as a refuge to just draw stuff that has no relevance other than I may just want to draw that particular thing at that particular time.

Anyway, here's a very small selection of irrelevant, recent, and not-so-recent stuff that doesn't cripple me with embarrassment.

 

 

Above the Heavens

 

In Tooth and Claw

 

Remember that new comic that I said was almost-sort-of-nearly here? Well, now it is. Really.

 

Nature, Red; the second of my stand-alone ghost stories is now available online and in select comic book retailers across the UK, including:

 

Orbital Comics

Gosh! Comics

Foyles (Charing Cross Road, London and Cabot Circus, Bristol)

Excelsior! Comics Bristol

 

Online it is available direct from myself through my shiny new Down In The Dark store. Also available there are limited quantities of The Grinning Man, Illustration and Such from Popular Culture Vol. 1, and a special 'double pack' allowing you to get both ghost story comics at a reduced cost. You're welcome.

 

Nature, Red is limited to 75 signed and numbered copies.

 

 

 

Nature, Red



 

The Grinning Man

 

 

Mike Read Has Beautiful Breath: Illustration and Such from Popular Culture Vol. 1