2nd update of the month
over 3 years ago – Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 05:34:07 AM

Hey there, I hope you're doing well?

This week, I am busy working on the surveys ahead of sending those out as planned in early November. I'll update again then, to remind everyone to fill them out.

Also, like a lot of folks in the UK I've been a little freaked out by the threat of steeply rising mortgage rates and  insane energy costs after our glorious PM's "fiscal event" blew up the economy a few weeks back. Consequently I've been offered three weeks work drawing a comic strip, well paid, so I've taken it on as a one-off. I plan to work weekends and evenings to minimise the affect on Death Sentence and I thought it best to let you know straight away.

Honestly, I feel pretty bad about it. Multiple times every year I turn down good work to focus on DS - I'm an art before commerce person.  But this time as a family we're all pretty worried about what 2023 will bring and, after discussing it with my wife,  I just couldn't in good conscience turn this one down. The reason being it's a good page-rate coupled with a really small time commitment,  pretty unique, which means I can put some extra funds in the bank and then get back onto Death Sentence Liberty 6 with minimal delay.

Everything else is going to plan in terms of printing and production, and I even noted this week the printer owes me money which is a first. Rest assured too that all DS Kickstarter funds are kept in a separate bank account from my own personal account, so there's nothing our glorious PM or the economy can do to stop the printing and distribution of Death Sentence Liberty 6 and all associated books and rewards. In an uncertain landscape, DS is an absolute certainty.  

One reason I love working on Death Sentence is it feels like part of my life I can control and guarantee, and make special. In that sense it's a real solace, mentally and practically.

I think that's why a lot of folks write and draw: creating a little bubble of magic in a troubled world.

More from me soon

All the best

Monty

Everything is on target
over 3 years ago – Tue, Oct 11, 2022 at 12:43:49 AM

Hey there

Just checking in with an update on Death Sentence Liberty 6. I've been working hard on the art, colouring and lettering of the remaining pages.  It's pretty intensive, but satisfying,  to be lost in the world and characters of Death Sentence Liberty for the final time. Even though the script has been written for a long time there's still leeway to tweak things a little this way or that, and adjust details in the balance between wrapping this story up and setting up threads for the next book. So as I work I've been rereading the whole series, revisiting some of my favourite scenes, and admiring the amazing art of Martin Simmonds and Mike Dowling as I do so.  I want to make it the best finale possible while also tying things in smoothly with the script for the next series where, as previously teased, the series takes a darker turn.

  I've learnt over the years that things go better and faster if I concentrate on one part of the process at a time.  That means finishing all the art, colouring, and lettering, then doing the surveys, then all the printing, then all the shipping - all in turn.  It's a lot more efficient, and everyone gets their stuff at the same time which is the fairest approach. So I'll be sending out the surveys at the start of November,  ahead of sending out the digital and printed comics on time in December.

 More updates soon.

All the best

Monty

Behind the scenes update
over 3 years ago – Wed, Aug 31, 2022 at 01:51:26 AM

All the funds are in - thank you - and work has started on the Backerkit surveys. I will send those fairly close to the shipping date to minimise any problems with people moving address and so on. After the surveys are completed the first thing I'll do is send out the digital files.

I’ve also been doing a stock count and calculating how many of each issue we need to print to fulfil all orders this year. It sounds boring but many a Kickstarter has come undone in these inflationary times by printing too little or too many of a comic. It’s complicated by the fact that we keep stock in both America and the UK and it’s become very expensive to ship between the two places. Happily though, having stock on each continent keeps costs down for you and everything looks very healthy in that regard.

I’ve also been continuing with drawing and lettering the issue 6 pages, which look great, and working on a few special commissions for top tier backers which is intricate but a lot of fun.

I’ve also been spending some time working on the next script, which is vital. When I start drawing the next issue the script needs to be a) brilliant b) original and c) finished. I never work on something till I know how it ends, otherwise the story starts meandering. You can’t riff of the theme and subtext if you don’t know your story inside out from the start. Not to say you can’t discover some interesting new routes on the way but you have to have a map to guide you to the end, a map of your own devising. So far I know how the new story starts and ends and the important stops on the way but I’m having trouble with the ‘brilliant’ part. Lol. I think this is key, you have to edit your own work ruthlessly. I read back some pages I wrote last month and was underwhelmed. So I’ve rewritten them all from a new angle and they really zing now. In all honesty “brilliant” is only something you can aspire to, as with any creative work there has to be a magic moment when it sparks into a life of its own, becoming greater than the sum of its parts. I’m too close to it to be sure if that’s happened yet, but it’s looking good.

It’s a constant battle, keeping the standard up. I don’t ever churn out “hey, that’ll do” material, that’s for sure.

More soon.

All the best

Monty

What a finish!
over 3 years ago – Mon, Jul 25, 2022 at 04:35:58 PM

Woah! Crazy scenes  as the pledges kept rolling in over the last few days. Way beyond my expectations. Thank you so much.

I'll be taking a couple of days off because damn, Kickstarters are intensive.  Then I'll carry on drawing and painting the last pages of issue 6, and set up the backerkit.  But I won't send those backerkit surveys till pretty close to when we ship toward the end of this year, because otherwise people change address and shipping gets a bit messy.

I've also been working a little on the next Death Sentence story, which has got me really inspired. Like i said, something new and darker, building on the best of what readers have enjoyed so far. I haven't been this excited since the very first issue.

Finally, let me direct you to a really interesting project by some talented folks who's work I've enjoyed for a while.

Reanimator Incorporated #1 & #2 - A Lovecraft-inspired Story

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, the 2nd chapter of Reanimator Incorporated follows from the success of issue one by taking readers on a hellish journey.

Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s ‘Herbert West, this is a complete reimagining of the original story. Taking inspiration from Lovecraft’s original text, and from Gordon’s 80s movie adaptation, this graphic novel modernises West’s machinations, whilst weaving literary mythology (Lovecraftian and beyond) into the tale. Think Reanimator meets From Beyond, with a splash of Dante’s Inferno, a dab of King’s Pet Sematary… And then some…

This is Chapter Two of a six-part series, following directly from Chapter One. The story sees Herbert West and Dan Cain’s continued attempts to reanimate the dead, which have now become a personal mission after the accident with West’s son Mike. Chapter Two presents a more ethereal theme compared to Chapter One which was grounded on Earth. In the sequel, the reader experiences more of the From Beyond landscape and we take our first tentative steps into Lovecraftian Hell - a parallel to Dante’s nine circles of the Inferno.

Reanimator Incorporated 2 is a full colour, 104-page Graphic Novel (available in Hardback & Softcover) with some stirring and evocative art by Lyndon White. It's a great team offering great rewards. Don't miss out.  Get it here

Thanks again!

All the best

Monty

Farewell Alan Grant
over 3 years ago – Mon, Jul 25, 2022 at 11:54:44 AM

Props to you for getting us 400% funded overnight. Mindblowing! I can't thank you enough.

Tribute to Alan Grant

It was a very sad day yesterday because we lost a comics legend  - Alan Grant. 

Alan put the icon into iconoclastic, writing some of the funniest, fiercest, finest comics and books around. He co-wrote or wrote many of the classic 2000ad and DC stories that got me and others into comics: Robo Hunter, Strontium Dog, Judge Dredd, Anderson, Batman, Lobo, the list goes on. This was the pinnacle of British comics writing, never funnier or more imaginative, introducing scores of timeless villains and heroes to the lore of each world, working at length with artists such as Simon Bisley, Norm Breyfogle, Cam Kennedy, Carlos Ezquerra, Frank Quitely and Barry Kitson. 

Most of all, Alan’s humour and hospitality made our family trips to Moniaive, Scotland some of our most treasured memories. He had a wonderful dry wit and was a totally original thinker. A generous spirit, with a wonderful family. My heart goes out to Sue Grant, his family and close friends.

Rest in Peace, Alan, you will be deeply missed.

COMICS SPOTLIGHT

On with the wonderful craft of making comics. Let me shine a light on a few other titles you might want to  check out before they close.

WORM GNOSIS

Worm Gnosis is an interactive comic booka that allows you to make decisions that will affect to the story. With a plot and setting clearly influenced by Lovecraft’s Mythos and tales, the readers will dive in a fantastic and chillingly fun adventure in which they will unravel mysteries and confront dark forces and enemies from this world and from others.

Worm Gnosis follows the trail of the classic “choose your own adventure” books from the 80s where the reader was an active participant. This genre draws directly from board games and role-playing games that are once again back in the menu nowadays.

It will be published in hard cover and soft cover format, 8.8” x 11.6” (22.5 x 29.5 cm), full color, and will have 72 pages in English and Spanish. Check it out here

LIFE LINE

Life-Line is the third graphic novel adaptation from the writings of Robert Heinlein and was his first published short story. And who doesn't love Heinlein, a sci-fi master? Set on the edge of a midwestern city in 1939, an eccentric professor named Dr. Hugo Pinero sets in motion a future history with his invention that can accurately predict how long a person has to live. A major scientific accomplishment by any measure and worthy of high praise unless you own a massive life insurance company.

The Life-Line graphic novel measures approximately 6.625"w x 10.25"h. The softcover book and will be printed with a matte finish. The Life-Line graphic novel will include a five page intro and many extra graphics illustrations. Currently the novel is 90% finished and stands at around 64 pages. There's only 57hours to go, so check it out here

Angels of Hell: Poetic Tales of the Apocalypse vol. 1

This is collection of Apocalyptic poetry that follows the Four Horsemen as they cross paths with Demons, Angels, Gods & Fae. Plus, a puzzle.

It comprises nearly 200 pages of Apocalyptic Poetry that follows the Four Horsemen through a ravaged Eden as they seek to revive the remnants of man. In this collection you will find The Book of Lust, 2021 Poem a Day project, Inktober 2021 & many other poetic practices. 

Plus, here's your chance to get a 1000 pc puzzle featuring the Four Horsemen made using the glorious 2 page splash that Karly and the rest of the art team provided in the first comic issue of Angels of Hell (also available here)

Innovative, dark work! Check it out here 

Stake Presents: Jessamy #1 - 3 - The Finale

This is the latest hit comic from David A. Byrne, the former Co-Publisher at Scout Comics and Entertainment and Co-CEO/owner of Brink of Reality Productions.

The finale is here! Get issue 3 and catchup on 1 and 2, as Jessamy and Barnard's story in 18th century America comes to a conclusion!

 Jessamy has found her way to the Chateau de Sang et des Fleurs and will present the resident vampires with an ultimatum.

Barnard is reeling from a horrible discovery and is ready to take it upon himself to confront the masters.

Could an alliance be in order between Jessamy and Barnard? Will it be bloody? Yes...THERE WILL BE BLOOD.

Its a fantastic team of artists with great rewards on offer.

See it all here in the bloody conclusion of Stake Presents: Jessamy! Don't miss out!

More soon

Cheers

Monty