tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340226589601316092024-02-18T21:06:58.776-08:00VanguardVan Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-63949733874393530812013-05-08T06:09:00.003-07:002013-05-08T06:09:41.047-07:00Mandy S.N.A says...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXlaTGVUQXjhREwDbKLWBvWiEYdvA603wdiHpWD0lUHAvZhML9-d9Rg3tV7spxBQfItXgY4u9jtT9Qvc1zXFuChm-x05hRj_3-ihNVPJmivJHHI9Y_4eOXZqq2krEUDz457fkuf-BZTE/s1600/SNA-vanguardnonipples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXlaTGVUQXjhREwDbKLWBvWiEYdvA603wdiHpWD0lUHAvZhML9-d9Rg3tV7spxBQfItXgY4u9jtT9Qvc1zXFuChm-x05hRj_3-ihNVPJmivJHHI9Y_4eOXZqq2krEUDz457fkuf-BZTE/s640/SNA-vanguardnonipples.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><b>Atomic Call </b>and <b>Mandy S.N.A</b> artist <i>David Blankley</i> had a bit of time on his hands so he put this cool image together. (In case you are wondering, this image ties in to continuity with what happens in the story in issue 3, hence why Mandy is so under-dressed! There's a reason for it, honestly!</span>)</div>
Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-51365587471186039202013-04-08T14:05:00.003-07:002013-05-08T13:33:55.069-07:00Edition Three!!!Well it's been a bit of a wait as myself and my fellow creators fended off various zombie-like RLI's ("Real Life Issues") that just wouldn't curl up and die, but our third edition is finally here! And it's worth the wait, if I do say so myself. Here's the cover, featuring Duncan and Jamie of <i>'Mammoth Jack'</i>, with art by <b>David Blankley:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKbR7y0VVpqrMKPPRG_8zJiZofIDdwTRuYR1dUO_Rr7F5zIdxOiq8ztjKssoYMpWsodKpnbZquhgQBUpIQv1qdgy88nNfd2w1bhTuY2V2vCQ156HGfo4QchT6bNbWNGqrH7uaxV4ImyM/s1600/1+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKbR7y0VVpqrMKPPRG_8zJiZofIDdwTRuYR1dUO_Rr7F5zIdxOiq8ztjKssoYMpWsodKpnbZquhgQBUpIQv1qdgy88nNfd2w1bhTuY2V2vCQ156HGfo4QchT6bNbWNGqrH7uaxV4ImyM/s640/1+Cover.jpg" width="450" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
I'm not going to waffle on too much about what's inside, we'll let some pictures do the talking. Suffice it to say, we have a larger page count this time (32 pages to be precise, 30 of them made up of all new comic strip content to give maximum 'bang for your buck'). Along with the continuations of three of our established stories (<i>'Atomic Call'</i>, <i>'Mammoth Jack'</i> and <i>'Tucker'</i>) we have 3 new tales joining the mix - <i>'Vestige', 'Harry Kane'</i> and <i>'S.N.A'</i>. Notable amongst these is S.N.A, which appears - and will continue to appear henceforth - as a blood-soaked full colour centre-spread strip!<br />
<br />
The one bit of bad news is that, due to circumstances beyond our control, chapter 3 of <i>"Halo and the Gryphon"</i> will not appear as scheduled. But it <b>will </b>return, with a vengeance!<br />
<br />
And now, onto those pictures.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red;">1) ATOMIC CALL, ART BY DAVID BLANKLEY. </span></b><br />
Call Malone has been captured by bounty hunter Balthazar Quest, who's been hired by a mysterious organisation to retrieve the Atomic Transference gauntlet she stole. But Balthazar is not the only one trying to get his hands on the strange technology...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cKGeChgfrNX5cYHaAIzp_0eThvN5bgXxamE6mGaVE8uKCQy9bdD6Sl9_3lTxzDoaRLt3QovhYXZrKYglnAMIzoCFqhFMbD2PQJUxenzg1eVItESFO_rUtpRmvf6BE32wrPe5v6ytLSU/s1600/8+Atomic+Call+page+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cKGeChgfrNX5cYHaAIzp_0eThvN5bgXxamE6mGaVE8uKCQy9bdD6Sl9_3lTxzDoaRLt3QovhYXZrKYglnAMIzoCFqhFMbD2PQJUxenzg1eVItESFO_rUtpRmvf6BE32wrPe5v6ytLSU/s640/8+Atomic+Call+page+6.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>2) MAMMOTH JACK, ART BY EL CHIVO.</b></span><br />
Jamie Swift's one-girl (and her donkey) attack on industrial kingpin Gobbett delivers dire consequences when he discovers where she's hiding and sends a team of brutal ruffians to 'take care of business'.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dkb85t7MNebkUT2rsiU3N6vYmEDU_1SUlXZ2qGnJ0fkr6nkHNrqr6bXYn_mIf0GMPsYWK_MKImFScD8sDTWuAKLYd2lwlynWocM1Ct77TDVNpI2cDPGjUgEEb3ZhB-OrUqGKMbsMw3A/s1600/25+Mammoth+Jack+3+page+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dkb85t7MNebkUT2rsiU3N6vYmEDU_1SUlXZ2qGnJ0fkr6nkHNrqr6bXYn_mIf0GMPsYWK_MKImFScD8sDTWuAKLYd2lwlynWocM1Ct77TDVNpI2cDPGjUgEEb3ZhB-OrUqGKMbsMw3A/s640/25+Mammoth+Jack+3+page+4.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>3) BUCK TUCKER: ENEMY OF LOVE, ART BY BHUNA:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tucker has been brought back to (semi)life by a hellish creature he affectionately refers to as 'Slug Slut'. Slug Slut has a mission for the recently deceased serial killer - namely, ridding the human race of a contagious disease called 'love'. In order to do this, he first needs to learn about the demonic Q-Pids... <i>(This image is not taken from the story as it's only a 2 pager! This shows what happens with Tucker meets an alien!)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizbL4IWwL0r-Ogmxns0ooZanzuza1Kga_-gwefwdujywTGhDeA-Cmbk-iNpA_H4_FJqCaXPfk-s7KDXeVWlwTyOdBcf0aWW5TjfG0yPYFrDRreheEfIYAHGxvvWCgpimp6fTODl0u3_M/s1600/Tucker+Editorv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizbL4IWwL0r-Ogmxns0ooZanzuza1Kga_-gwefwdujywTGhDeA-Cmbk-iNpA_H4_FJqCaXPfk-s7KDXeVWlwTyOdBcf0aWW5TjfG0yPYFrDRreheEfIYAHGxvvWCgpimp6fTODl0u3_M/s640/Tucker+Editorv2.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red;">4) VESTIGE, ART BY BRYAN COYLE.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NEW STORY! Irish-American Chet Easterbrook travels to Ireland following a series of tragic events that lead to his life being turned upside-down and inside-out. He feels certain he will find answers to his predicament here...but his predicament is about to get worse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtzsqfW5yimRaq5hdkVqxNJh9zWXmoW46iDxM30VgAkFXJyRhpyeNOwOdD3dn87IZawIJWe7Mw5td4ZcnsaF_377lmvESCiH5tz88tuVBXH_ygBb3s8BqJTLeJJYHRBbsx153hRS9hTg/s1600/17+Vestige+page+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtzsqfW5yimRaq5hdkVqxNJh9zWXmoW46iDxM30VgAkFXJyRhpyeNOwOdD3dn87IZawIJWe7Mw5td4ZcnsaF_377lmvESCiH5tz88tuVBXH_ygBb3s8BqJTLeJJYHRBbsx153hRS9hTg/s640/17+Vestige+page+3.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>5) HARRY KANE WILL SEE HER SAFELY HOME, ART BY JIM CAMERON:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NEW STORY! This light-hearted adventure strip follows MMA Champ and B-movie action star Harry Kane, who - following a chance encounter with a strange old man whilst touring Tokyo with his new movie - inexplicably finds himself hundreds of years in the past, seemingly living out the plot of his film!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc4EIklZdeZo2FYKraW-HKtQIvGd6RADGiFByDgCoL9ZLwHD_fGL08qMcFp8Tv-Ya4VHA88P0Zje1pI0DkqFVlZXLfDuVK8eo8MSVb0GHCtRmleaVAByD1JgJJ0YR4IOP895Xkges4tk/s1600/Page_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc4EIklZdeZo2FYKraW-HKtQIvGd6RADGiFByDgCoL9ZLwHD_fGL08qMcFp8Tv-Ya4VHA88P0Zje1pI0DkqFVlZXLfDuVK8eo8MSVb0GHCtRmleaVAByD1JgJJ0YR4IOP895Xkges4tk/s640/Page_4.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>6) S.N.A (Surname Not Applicable), ART BY DAVID BLANKLEY:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NEW STORY! In this full colour spin-off from Atomic Call, we learn more about Mandy S.N.A, the mysterious stranger with a split personality who's been making Call Malone's life hell. Who is she? What is her connection to Call? What does she know about the A.T gauntlet? And will anybody who gets in her way ever live to tell the tale? (Answer to that last one - probably not.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87mgyaAlZOEACOo_iT5Hb0UEsCsR7p-eJpUfkg38oVblxTrmXlLP7xZqTAopNir4PCGGWULWNFaLvpFi9QNFsmy4A0GqCPTB8UduoVSKnQMc_0MtV-matUbC6kLcc4urUhSfrIqoVJFw/s1600/15+SNA+page+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87mgyaAlZOEACOo_iT5Hb0UEsCsR7p-eJpUfkg38oVblxTrmXlLP7xZqTAopNir4PCGGWULWNFaLvpFi9QNFsmy4A0GqCPTB8UduoVSKnQMc_0MtV-matUbC6kLcc4urUhSfrIqoVJFw/s640/15+SNA+page+3.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The comic is available directly from myself, see costs in order box along the side.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Order via paypal: vanguardcomic@gmail.com</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
**If ordered from myself, the issue will ship with a <b>free </b>set of full colour artcards featuring some of Vanguard's characters in a Japanese themed setting. Check out previous blog posts for a look at the cards. (Of course, they look even better in the (paper) 'flesh'. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Only a limited number have been printed, so it's a case of first come, first served with these.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Print editions of the comic are also available to buy from Lulu.com via the following link - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/van-dom/vanguard-issue-3/paperback/product-20957564.html"><b>http://www.lulu.com/shop/van-dom/vanguard-issue-3/paperback/product-20957564.html</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And you can also download a digital version of the issue from our Comicsy store here - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.comicsy.co.uk/vandomonium/"><b>http://www.comicsy.co.uk/vandomonium/</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you like what you see in the images above, why not grab a copy and check it out? You won't be disappointed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red;">DVD</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-39215279108880582492012-07-05T08:33:00.003-07:002012-07-05T08:37:32.644-07:00Vanguard in Japan Postcards 3 and 4Here we go, the remaining 2 images for the set of 4 which will be turned into beautiful, laminated postcards and sent out FREE with printed copies of our super-size, jam-packed issue 3!!!
Card number 3 features <b>Call Malone</b>, of <b>Atomic Call</b>, taking out a sumo wrestler with a damn big hammer she pulled out of her handy, compact glove. Well, where else would you keep a hammer like that? I'm not quite sure what this wrestler did to deserve this whonk on the noggin, and perhaps Call doesn't either, if she was simply following some of her childhood-bully-turned-brothel-madam employer Sally's non-debatable 'need to know' instructions. Maybe we'll find out some day! Art on this image comes courtesy of the brilliant<b> <a href="http://chris-askham.blogspot.jp">Chris Askham</a>,</b> who I've actually been wanting to work with on something for some time now. It's a very striking image, with great use of colour to bring it to life, and the letratone affect is the icing on a very nice cake! Thanks Chris!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZkWQsLmu8PQmaqXwN0yXti4kKgoeXZ2o-T3yFZyglnEv71o27SQsyciBMTZW0x2lNpwRWmVaUoxfdTWlxPNJl90izuy0nJMa5zD81zxtgm3ILC47wpP69oyuHdg8iLfPzFAMXyadm7Y/s1600/Vanguard+in+Japan+4+call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZkWQsLmu8PQmaqXwN0yXti4kKgoeXZ2o-T3yFZyglnEv71o27SQsyciBMTZW0x2lNpwRWmVaUoxfdTWlxPNJl90izuy0nJMa5zD81zxtgm3ILC47wpP69oyuHdg8iLfPzFAMXyadm7Y/s400/Vanguard+in+Japan+4+call.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
Last but certainly not least comes this suitably awkward and tongue-in-cheek image by the wonderful<a href="http://bhunas-blog.blogspot.jp/"> <b>Neil Roche</b></a> featuring serial killer-turned-demon slayer <b>Buck Tucker</b> and his 'one that got away'. Tucker's a bad 'un, and no mistake, having knocked off a number of poor unfortunate ladies during a six month spree of serial-killing dating, culminating in the horrific <b>Speed Date</b> massacre of 2010, during which he slayed his final ten victims. It would have been twelve, had not one <b>Katarina Cruz </b>turned the tables on him and put an end to his murderous, love-inspired rampage. The story didn't end there though, for Tucker OR Cruz. Tucker died alright, but didn't get much further than limbo, where he was intercepted by the mysterious Slug Slut and selected for a very important mission. We will find out exactly what this mission entails in the next installment of the story. As for Katarina...well, as her appearance in this postcard image suggests, neither we nor Buck have seen the last of her. But what are the circumstances of her return to the story? And just how much has her "Speed Date" ordeal affected her? Stay tuned, as all will be revealed in<b> Vanguard Issue 3</b>!!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsZBGQFqKlpJxnyp8N_pN-xQk0XKXVjgPDID-eAzBZjsQap9s693k_vH7u0x1kQcXqPnH7RmsiM4WeCkCT-SQHFl9PWkY7OwQ7BxZdHKaqaGPR5USOXV8q4gmU1-0Iyl3GlupAyXWkOg/s1600/Vanguard+in+Japan+3+Tucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsZBGQFqKlpJxnyp8N_pN-xQk0XKXVjgPDID-eAzBZjsQap9s693k_vH7u0x1kQcXqPnH7RmsiM4WeCkCT-SQHFl9PWkY7OwQ7BxZdHKaqaGPR5USOXV8q4gmU1-0Iyl3GlupAyXWkOg/s400/Vanguard+in+Japan+3+Tucker.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-80968579876596330362012-06-25T03:08:00.001-07:002012-06-25T03:10:29.463-07:00Vanguard in Japan Number 2 - Zephyr and the H.A.L.OHey everybody, it's awesome picture time!!!<br />
Following hot on the heels of <b><a href="http://roughwell.blogspot.jp/">Tony Rothwell</a>'</b>s <a href="http://vanguardcomic.blogspot.jp/2012/06/vanguard-in-japan-number-1.html">Mammoth-Jack in Japan</a> picture, here we have <b>Stephen Prestwood'</b>s rendition of Zephyr and his alien Halo, from "<i>Halo and the Gryphon"</i>This is a cool, colourful pic of our half lion-half eagle hero, complete with high-tech alien weapon H.A.L.O attached, as he takes a breather from being attacked by Smoke Demons and hunted by Heartlings to take in the view in the Land of The Rising Sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDOSJi9pkgR1VKAR62ocfQffZVlDwhTUUwFbzxyxmW3UIV48WcEYKc7UJRZMf0i4_QI6W1YQuHMsXTwLdbPt4c3tS-xaWt6HW1Chy0paeCLD-7Wj4D8YrEjqiBbePOP5Zq-XmYKO3_Ig/s1600/vanguard+in+japan+2+zephyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDOSJi9pkgR1VKAR62ocfQffZVlDwhTUUwFbzxyxmW3UIV48WcEYKc7UJRZMf0i4_QI6W1YQuHMsXTwLdbPt4c3tS-xaWt6HW1Chy0paeCLD-7Wj4D8YrEjqiBbePOP5Zq-XmYKO3_Ig/s320/vanguard+in+japan+2+zephyr.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This image will be produced as an A6, laminated art-card and will be given out free (with the others in the series) with issue 3 of <b>Vanguard </b>later on in the year. If you haven't already, give our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vandomonium"><b>Facebook </b></a>page a like and be in with a chance to get a free copy!<br />
<br />
More <i>Vanguard in Japan</i> images coming soon!Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-82394581090078895492012-06-19T01:44:00.006-07:002012-06-19T02:45:30.756-07:00Issue 2 Review at Comics BulletinIssue 2 got a nice little write up over on <b>Comics Bulletin</b>, check it out <a href="http://www.comicsbulletin.com/main/reviews/review-vanguard-2"><b>HERE</b></a>!<br />
<br />
As the reviewer says, we are all having a blast putting these comic strips together and hopefully that is evident from the reading. Good point about the difference in tone between <b>Atomic Call</b> and the other ("loopier") stories but that is very much intentional. With this comic we are trying to present a variety of stories and styles across a number of different genres. So along with the shlock-horror ultra-violence of <b>Mammoth-Jack</b>, the far-out, bizzarro, trip-fest of <b>Halo and the Gryphon</b>, and the darkly black humour of<b> Buck Tucker,</b> we get the more conventional, down-to-earth adventures of <i>Call Malone </i>and co to provide a bit of 'sanity'.<br />
<br />
Having said that, although Call's story may appear straightforward at the moment, it's going to turn out to be anything but, as we delve into the mystery of the atomic gauntlet, where it came from...and why Call coming into possession of it isn't as 'coincidental' as it seems. All I can say for now is...it all has something to do with the person below, the mysteriously named <i>Mandy SNA (Surname Not Applicable),</i> who made her first appearance shooting the place up like a lunatic in issue 2. Watch out for more of her in a special four page story to be published online soon, and in the next chapter of Atomic Call in <b>Vanguard </b>issue 3, later this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6tHRTEaaZ8SEnLTSphlXJTSY5nubw88xFay9MEaEWhslbBI5F3Tm_vHwblhmdc_XqzMxLKLaOfZiepZ3kA7NHvea35zIlzZ1S6P8FDDwT3ccOZOcVlUkPbYMAcEbYUdSiS89uwdbH5k/s1600/Mandy-sna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6tHRTEaaZ8SEnLTSphlXJTSY5nubw88xFay9MEaEWhslbBI5F3Tm_vHwblhmdc_XqzMxLKLaOfZiepZ3kA7NHvea35zIlzZ1S6P8FDDwT3ccOZOcVlUkPbYMAcEbYUdSiS89uwdbH5k/s400/Mandy-sna.jpg" width="282" /></a><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i> (Art by David Blankley)</i>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-77170342044472523012012-06-19T01:29:00.000-07:002012-06-25T03:11:09.154-07:00Vanguard in Japan, Number 1 - Mammoth-JackSince I am currently living in Japan I thought it might be a nice idea to have some special images featuring our comic's characters prepared, showing them in some recognisably Japanese situations.<br />
<br />
There will be four of these in total and they will be produced as a second set of laminated postcards to be given out free with issue 3 later in the year.
First up is <b><a href="http://roughwell.blogspot.jp/">Tony Rothwell</a>'s</b> rendition of mutilated, donkey-with-a-grudge <b>Duncan Mammoth-Jack</b>, taking a leaf from the famous <b>Hachiko's </b>book:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkU7RQfT8jeK9DW4RolHAdtPCRWw04ELmNDkW2j7I5JNT-SPTJn79CaYAd7vyHVgQ6baY7fqqwTw3H6y7qVnCLbf0gnR7pPXedfo0cc0n24Ec3AS8kiLLY9heKmZHC3rX75Qas2Owa1o/s1600/MammothJackaT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkU7RQfT8jeK9DW4RolHAdtPCRWw04ELmNDkW2j7I5JNT-SPTJn79CaYAd7vyHVgQ6baY7fqqwTw3H6y7qVnCLbf0gnR7pPXedfo0cc0n24Ec3AS8kiLLY9heKmZHC3rX75Qas2Owa1o/s400/MammothJackaT.jpg" width="282" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Hachiko was a stray Akita dog taken in by Professor Hidesaburō Ueno in 1924. Every day, Hachikō would go to meet the Professor as he arrived home from work at Shibuya Station, a routine which continued until May 1925, when the Professor did not return. He had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at work, never again to return to the station where his loyal pet waited. Every day for the next nine years though, Hachiko would travel to the station at the same time to await his master, and he became famous as a result. He died in 1935. A bronze statue was erected in his memory in August 1948. It still stands and is a popular meeting spot at Shibuya station. The station entrance near this statue is named "Hachikō-guchi", meaning "The Hachikō Entrance/Exit". It is at this statue that Duncan is pictured sitting in the image below. It seems appropriate. He may not be a dog, but he is as loyal to his mistress, Jamie, as Hachiko ever was to Professor Ueno. Even if he does show it in a much more violent way!
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more <b>"Vanguard in Japan" </b>images coming soon.Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-50738956972354026202012-05-29T00:56:00.001-07:002012-06-19T02:51:15.472-07:00Review and Facebook InfoHey folks!<br />
<br />
Been a bit quiet around here lately - mainly because I've transferred my <b>Vanguard </b>updating to the <b>Facebook </b>page recently introduced - it's a much more convenient means of posting images and updates, so if you aren't already following us there, you can do so right now. There's loads of behind-the-scenes info and unseen artwork, as well as links to blog posts about the stories by some of the creators. Check it out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vandomonium">here</a>!<br />
<br />
In other news, we've received a write up of issues 1 and 2 on <a href="http://hipsterdadsbookshelf.blogspot.jp/2012/05/vanguard.html">The Hipster Dad's bookshelf</a>, which is an overall positive assessment. The article makes the point that all of us involved in producing the comic are newcomers to the scene, but are doing our best to produce the goods! We are improving all the time - wait til you see how things progress in issue 3!
Check out the review and I'll see you all on Facebook!
DirkVan Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-76257394050780677862012-03-18T13:09:00.004-07:002012-04-16T18:54:27.347-07:00ISSUE 2 AVAILABLE NOW! TO BUY OR FREE-VIEW!!Slightly later than advertised (click <a href="http://bountyquest.blogspot.com/2012/03/vanguard-issue-2.html">HERE </a>for the full gorey details and behind-the-scenes rundown on why) Issue 2 of Vanguard is now available, and there are a couple of ways you can read it, which I'll get to in a moment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjK6aByTpctkWPxbRbq2X51SJvvoZB3rx02L9gKoYI2B7vXXY00LWS8tTypmVjSQnkstvewnrdcJpqZn5PE9nB8OuwzDDb7c5ONUy2BKKj-xjAAUtsxhs-vQNE81bsE-ybBwtftzh5Q/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjK6aByTpctkWPxbRbq2X51SJvvoZB3rx02L9gKoYI2B7vXXY00LWS8tTypmVjSQnkstvewnrdcJpqZn5PE9nB8OuwzDDb7c5ONUy2BKKj-xjAAUtsxhs-vQNE81bsE-ybBwtftzh5Q/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720133797209271634" /></a><br /><em>Vanguard 2 cover art by David Blankley</em><br /><br />This second issue sees the continuation of the stories that began in issue 1. As before, art duties on International Woman of Mystery tale <strong>"Atomic Call"</strong> are by <strong><a href="http://www.batteredbug.co.uk/">David Blankley</a></strong>, while <strong><a href="http://lrgcarter.blogspot.com/">Louis Carter</a></strong> continues to produce some brilliantly bizarre artwork on sci-fi, fantasy epic <strong>"Halo and the Gryphon".</strong> This issue's violent installment of 1800's "When Good Donkey's Go Bad" tale<strong> "Mammoth-Jack"</strong> features a change of artist however, as my good friend <strong><a href="http://vivachivo.blogspot.com/">El Chivo</a></strong> takes over pencilling duties from <strong><a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.com/">Owen Watts.</a></strong> But fear not, Mr. Watts is still on board providing some fantastic lettering work for the 6 page tale...and that's not his only contribution to this issue, as you will see when you take a look. <br /><br />Apart from this there is another <strong>Tucker </strong>story, featuring glorious, blood-soaked, full colour artwork by <a href="http://bhunas-blog.blogspot.com/"><strong>Bhuna</strong></a>. This tale features a change of direction for the psychopathic character originally created for <em>Hallowscream</em>, bringing a fantasy-based twist to proceedings in order to 'lighten' the serial-slashing tone somewhat. I've also got another two wonderful pages of art featuring the comic's fictional editor '<strong>Redbats</strong>' by <strong><a href="http://chaingunchimp.blogspot.com/">David Withers,</a></strong> who also provides lettering for two of the strips herein. And, of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention that lettering master <a href="http://clintflickerlettering.blogspot.com/"><strong>Jim Campbell</strong></a> has also deigned to grace us with his presence lettering <em>David Blankley's </em>noir-tastic Atomic Call pages. It's 24 pages of cover to cover action, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alien creatures, ass-kicking babes, angry donkeys, demons and deceased serial killers. Honestly, what more do you want from a comic? What's that? Free gifts? Oh alright then....but we'll get to that. First...have a look at some preview pages why don't you?<br /><br /><em>Page from Atomic Call - art by David Blankley</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3G9nJXdwm9TbjJblHw4BETV_bfalficpHtPI9tN0jJ6PxNXxZCWHSNxN_FIwyf8VNdqDVH9_uQ9gfI9YrK6I5RsguZVq_tC3qyFiMNtSABgXzdbNF9EpTP9SKuu9Qoj-YRC6hxAQmA/s1600/5.tif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3G9nJXdwm9TbjJblHw4BETV_bfalficpHtPI9tN0jJ6PxNXxZCWHSNxN_FIwyf8VNdqDVH9_uQ9gfI9YrK6I5RsguZVq_tC3qyFiMNtSABgXzdbNF9EpTP9SKuu9Qoj-YRC6hxAQmA/s400/5.tif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134507100226482" /></a><br /><br /><em>Page from Halo and the Gryphon - art by Louis Carter</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AG8VwSSt42_qoqeU4FNV_85P26Co0YHosDPKi-NJVfcsxd1FMEQqgWe9bNPKfIvOwzA3noO6XaUagWmoxJHngsWpHmhGZfeyzyJtiSEL_YwwXdMdfyuGi29-ysgQ7WIPh6jlW031Q/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AG8VwSSt42_qoqeU4FNV_85P26Co0YHosDPKi-NJVfcsxd1FMEQqgWe9bNPKfIvOwzA3noO6XaUagWmoxJHngsWpHmhGZfeyzyJtiSEL_YwwXdMdfyuGi29-ysgQ7WIPh6jlW031Q/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134739457821730" /></a><br /><br /><em>Page from Mammoth-Jack - art by El Chivo</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrprT6axRfIM4lNHVCImtOG3u3X13QrNfvpJkmAXAx8LUcp7JKRwvmLxAQjYcy4WDH0jcrt9eCEdlXtTBHo1ICO8w-UcTZbR0_UQywX5_iREBDHLA_DsAgNAhhWbAmh8b1NNvZvnscw/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrprT6axRfIM4lNHVCImtOG3u3X13QrNfvpJkmAXAx8LUcp7JKRwvmLxAQjYcy4WDH0jcrt9eCEdlXtTBHo1ICO8w-UcTZbR0_UQywX5_iREBDHLA_DsAgNAhhWbAmh8b1NNvZvnscw/s400/17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135009901933298" /></a><br /><br />So, how do you get your hands on this? Well, there are two ways. <br /><br /><strong>OPTION 1) READ ONLINE FOR FREE!!</strong><br />Yes, that's right, I've decided to put this issue online to be viewed, in it's entirety, for free. Why? Well, because I would like a lot of people to read it, to be blunt. Although I practically sold my entire print one of issue 1 over the course of five or six months, that still only came to a small number of copies distributed (less than 50). Which means less than 50 people read the comic. I'd certainly like to have more of a readership than that but since it's difficult to persuade people to part with their cash for something they can't see in the flesh before they take a chance on, I thought this might be the way to go. That, and the fact that I will be in Japan for at least the next six months and the postage costs back to the UK would be ridiculous! So, with that in mind, you can, right this very minute, make your way <strong><a href="http://vanguard.thecomicseries.com/">HERE </a></strong>and enjoy the comic. <br /><br />The only thing I would ask in return is that you throw a few comments our way upon reading. The beauty of that site is that you can comment on each page as you read, so if something comes to mind, if you like something or hate something, if you have suggestions for how we could improve things, you can very quickly make a note of it before going to the next page. I would love to know what you think of the stories/writing and I'm sure my collaborators would love to know how you find their art so please do take a few seconds to do this.<br /><br /><strong><em>Note -</em></strong> only issue 2 is available to view. I didn't think it would be fair to those who purchased a copy of issue 1 to then make it available for free, so I haven't done so. However, there is sufficient recaps given in the strips themselves that this shouldn't hinder your enjoyment of the comic. If you haven't read issue 1 and what you see here intrigues you enough that you would like to, I still have a few copies left which I would be more than happy to sell to you - failing that, the issue is also available to view as a myebook for the ridiculously low price of 50p - click <a href="http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=91175"><strong>HERE </strong></a>to access it.<br /><br /><strong>OPTION 2 - BUY A PRINT COPY - GET FREE GIFTS!!</strong><br />If you are the type of person (like me) who prefers to read comics 'in the flesh', let me see if I can entice you into purchasing a print copy. For anyone who does decide to avail of this option, there are a couple of extras. <br /><br />Firstly, you will receive - absolutely free - a copy of "Speed Date", a 16 page full-colour A5 comic that collects together both parts of slaser-serial killer story "Speed Date", which originally appeared in Hallowscream's 2010 and 2011 issues. Art on part 1 is by <em>Ghostpockets </em>and on part 2 by <em>Bhuna</em>. The story comes wrapped in a pair of beautiful covers rendered by Bhuna - check out his awesome "after Bill Sienkiewicz" homage:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctHbaNuP-m8Qr526p4qAK66EeZDHiZXyo9qr_Ula65BtP-SFx2wxkI8vfGCaq3OF45gNAHaAF91XUcwbGacTt8aBsNy12Nyp9T_985fL8U3NmKLwTgtjudBMCLXEaghLJCFGNSWGwOA/s1600/sd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctHbaNuP-m8Qr526p4qAK66EeZDHiZXyo9qr_Ula65BtP-SFx2wxkI8vfGCaq3OF45gNAHaAF91XUcwbGacTt8aBsNy12Nyp9T_985fL8U3NmKLwTgtjudBMCLXEaghLJCFGNSWGwOA/s400/sd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720154030261621858" /></a><br /><br />Secondly, you will also receive a set of four, full-colour, gloss laminated artcards featuring art by some of the comic's contributors. There's an unlettered version of <strong><a href="http://ghostpockets.tumblr.com/">Liam Byrne's</a></strong> groovy issue 1 cover art, an unlettered version of <em>David Blankley's </em>issue 2 cover and brand new images by <em>Owen Watts</em> and <em>Louis Carter</em>, featuring 'Mammoth-Jack' and 'Halo and the Gryphon' respectively. They look really, really good, if I do say so myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCCC5MAS5PH1ie12D1rtZ6mJaFK7RTszwpU-25u_0Fh5TWDw-Fzu-aHb-6s3p9Ca7VojJVt6hcCkFfDWxHrN-6aNSUiI0W5MpF1ISKSQjDSvyKmaQqbQcDtkVm3ajqXp9dhjQqs6U9g/s1600/PC.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCCC5MAS5PH1ie12D1rtZ6mJaFK7RTszwpU-25u_0Fh5TWDw-Fzu-aHb-6s3p9Ca7VojJVt6hcCkFfDWxHrN-6aNSUiI0W5MpF1ISKSQjDSvyKmaQqbQcDtkVm3ajqXp9dhjQqs6U9g/s400/PC.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720155854540947906" /></a><br /><br />So there you have it. If you would like to support us by purchasing a copy, you can order via paypal at the below rates:<br /><strong><br />For ROI orders, the cost is 3.50 Euros, including p&p.<br />For NI orders, the cost is 3.50 Sterling, including p&p.<br />For UK orders, the cost is 4.50 Sterling, including p&p.</strong><br /><br />Payments should be made to vanguardcomic@gmail.com.<br /><br />There are also copies of the comic on sale in Sub City, Exchequer Street, if anybody Dublin-based wants to check that out.<br /><br />That's it! I hope you all enjoy the comic, whichever way you choose to read it! <br /><br />And don't forget - let us know what you think!!!<br /><br /><strong>Dirk</strong>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-2190377520495365882011-11-04T14:18:00.001-07:002011-11-04T15:08:43.538-07:00Vanguard Presents......a tribute to the video nasties of yesteryear in the form of <strong>"Speed Date", </strong>a gloriously deranged, blood-soaked 'comic nasty' in two acts, which has to be seen to be believed. Written by <strong><a href="http://bountyquest.blogspot.com/">Dirk Van Dom</a>,</strong> with full colour art (on act 1) by <strong><a href="http://ghostpockets.tumblr.com/">Liam Byrne</a></strong> and (on act 2) <strong><a href="http://bhunas-blog.blogspot.com/">Bhuna</a></strong>, this chilling tale of modern horror originally appeared in the 2010 and 2011 editions of online horror anthology "<strong>Hallowscream</strong>", produced by the good folk over at <strong><a href="http://www.backfromthedepths.co.uk/">Back from the Depths</a></strong>. Both installments of the tale have been collected together as a 16pp comic, with brand new cover art - shown here - by Bhuna (channeling the awesomeness of Bill Sienkiewicz no less!) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bFt94YSEQM9ZCAYW2GDAj_oislLu_Vi888PxGm2TfKpX-WjwFJ8kPe8HZUzqX_0FURTxI8WRUt4m_GCwtnmVc86dv949PUrmx1vH-kczXVOmqpWDMp2uR-fKYJeMnJIpuljc_0K0M6I/s1600/speed+date+cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bFt94YSEQM9ZCAYW2GDAj_oislLu_Vi888PxGm2TfKpX-WjwFJ8kPe8HZUzqX_0FURTxI8WRUt4m_GCwtnmVc86dv949PUrmx1vH-kczXVOmqpWDMp2uR-fKYJeMnJIpuljc_0K0M6I/s400/speed+date+cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671258803651628802" /></a><br /><br />Set during a very unorthodox speed-date, which is not at all what it appears, the tale features objectionable psychopath <strong>Buck Tucker</strong>, who appeared in a one-page, darkly comedic "sit-com" type strip in <strong>Vanguard </strong>issue 1. That tale, it turns out, was nothing but a delusion our homicidal lunatic was sharing with us. What he REALLY gets up to is much MUCH worse! If you like your horror in-your-face and bloody, with plenty of twists and no holds barred, then <strong>"Speed Date</strong>" is for you. <br /><br />So how do you get one? Simple - just order a copy of <strong>Vanguard </strong>and we will include a copy with your order, absolutely FREE! Issue 2 of the comic will hopefully be out by the end of the year (or very shortly afterwards), but if by some chance you haven't ordered issue 1 yet you can still do so, and we will include the free copy of Speed Date with this instead (though I must add there is a VERY small handful of copies left so you have to act fast!) If you're not interested in purchasing Vanguard at all but would still like a copy of Speed Date, we can do that too, just email us at <strong>vanguardcomic@gmail.com</strong> and we will sort something out.<br /><br />This is only the start of the free gifts we have planned for future issues of Vanguard. A second volume of Vanguard Presents... is in the works, along with a set of full colour, laminated postcards featuring the characters from the comic, but there'll be more news on all of that later. You can't say we aren't good to you! :)<br /><br />Cheers guys, thanks for reading and keep an eye out for more updates and previews from issue 2 soon!<br /><br />DVD.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4b7eoXd2VfuARH6RLvoR-zKniWEZfjRRZnWPgOTgkyPGWBaiY2lr2qU9gH5NL4GwoHMmJPDcVIA0tliQfY-MbV2WAA_-zS_ee4sar8DWBabkPKxQ-K5_g7XZq_x4SgzYqc0cFcaNaGA/s1600/speed+date+comics.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4b7eoXd2VfuARH6RLvoR-zKniWEZfjRRZnWPgOTgkyPGWBaiY2lr2qU9gH5NL4GwoHMmJPDcVIA0tliQfY-MbV2WAA_-zS_ee4sar8DWBabkPKxQ-K5_g7XZq_x4SgzYqc0cFcaNaGA/s400/speed+date+comics.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671259308916028450" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-80787110087441563972011-10-29T10:22:00.001-07:002011-11-09T13:25:53.303-08:00Issue 2 Cover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjOVZd7_0nTPv3poP-0Z52wioB5q0BXMCwItJ-RC_jX5vNVBlJ0re4wxC_3A5FN1LN89R_LNm1PqB-NWQPoa7Vt6VwBfvbE_s1wIQRwRAe4ufZG8pd3FLfNDu-KSWG4erBGmkkb2zzNg/s1600/vanguard-cover-first.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjOVZd7_0nTPv3poP-0Z52wioB5q0BXMCwItJ-RC_jX5vNVBlJ0re4wxC_3A5FN1LN89R_LNm1PqB-NWQPoa7Vt6VwBfvbE_s1wIQRwRAe4ufZG8pd3FLfNDu-KSWG4erBGmkkb2zzNg/s400/vanguard-cover-first.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673110371608709762" /></a><br /><br />The cover of issue 2 will spotlight Call Malone and the other wonderful ladies (of the night) who star in "<strong>Atomic Call</strong>". The pic features, from left to right: Raquel "Rack" Wiseman, Sally Marrett, Colleen "Call" Malone and Mandy S.N.A (Surname Not Applicable.)<br /><br />Art is by series artist <strong>David Blankley</strong>.Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-85827315951807436562011-10-07T12:14:00.000-07:002011-11-27T11:10:52.595-08:00Forbidden Planet and Comics Bulletin ReviewsHere's a link to the final review of issue 1, as provided by Kelvin Green at<strong> <a href="http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/13181088335239.htm">Line of Fire Reviews</a>.</strong> It's the most positive one yet, and very welcome, as I've been following Kelvin's reviews and they are always very insightful. He knows his stuff so if he's giving us the thumbs up, we must be doing something right! :)<br /><br />Also, a review from <strong><a href="http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2011/vanguard-a-hit-and-miss-new-anthology/"><strong>Forbidden Planet International</strong> </a></strong> which is not <em>quite </em>as glowing but still has positive things to say. It's a bit "hit and miss" the review states, but that's probably always going to be the case with an anthology comic - different strips will appeal to different people, as I've already seen with previous reviews. I could call 2000ad a "hit and miss" comic, seeing as of the 5 stories that appear each week, its very rare all five of them appeal to me. There tends to be 2 or 3 strips running at any time that I love and another two that I'm not that bothered about. So that's the nature of the beast then.<br /><br />Nevertheless, all comments and crits of issue 1 have been taken on board and duly processed, in order to make sure issue 2 builds on them and improves all around. And it is looking pretty good. It will have 4 extra pages, to accomodate an additional story, a cool Atomic Call cover by series artist David Blankley and a full colour 1 page strip on the back cover by Redbats' newest captive artist <strong>BHUNA</strong> - check his work out <a href="http://bhunas-blog.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>. <br /><br />There will also be - wait for it - FREE GIFTS! In the form of some snazzy, exclusive artcards AND...something else, that I can't talk about just yet. But needless to say, it will make money spent on this issue VERY well spent indeed! More on that closer to the time.<br /><br />In the meantime, I am happy to report sales have been good for issue 1. I only have a handful of copies left and have just about made back my printing costs, which is the icing on the cake in my book. <br /><br />Keep an eye out for issue 2, in early (ish) January!<br /><br />Bye-bats!<br /><br />DVD, October 2011Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-85689726410263146992011-08-11T15:56:00.000-07:002011-08-20T09:31:14.568-07:002nd Review and Digital Download InfoSecond review of issue 1 is up <strong><a href="http://www.irishcomicnews.com/review-vanguard-issue-1/">HERE </a> </strong>on<strong> Irish Comic News.com</strong> - another pretty favourable one too. Interestingly, this review is almost the polar opposite of the one that appeared on ECBT2000ad <strong><a href="http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/review-vanguard-beauty-and-the-beasts/">here</a></strong>. That reviewer liked the cover, "Tucker" and "Mammoth Jack" but wasn't a fan of the fantasy-themed "Halo and the Gryphon". This reviewer doesn't like the cover, loves "Halo and the Gryphon" and was (reading between the lines) so offended by "Tucker" and "Mammoth Jack" that Tucker doesn't get a mention and Mammoth Jack only receives one comment, that it is a "gorefest" which will "not be to everyone's tastes". Well--that's kind of what I was going for, so I'm fine with that really! The one thing the reviews have in common is that they both seemed to enjoy Atomic-Call. More reviews needed I think!
<br />
<br />In other news, for those of you who have fully embraced the "Digital Age" and no longer read comics the old-fashioned, fuddy-duddy paper way (for shame!) there are now two new ways for you to check out Vanguard!
<br />
<br />If you like Lulu.com (and who doesn't like Lulu.com) you can download a copy <strong><a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/vanguard-issue-1/16453818">HERE </a></strong>--- for only 99p, I might add!
<br />
<br />And if you are a Myebook.com user, you can do the same - for the same price - <strong><a href="http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=91175">HERE</a>.</strong>
<br />
<br />Simple!
<br />
<br />Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-59879751086685783582011-07-19T15:39:00.001-07:002011-07-19T15:51:46.161-07:00More previews and a reviewSo two weeks on and I'm happy to report the comic seems to be going down pretty well. Thank heavens!<br /><br />The mag has had a nice little write up by John Freeman on <a href="http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2011/07/british-indie-comic-anthology-vanguard.html"><strong>Down The Tubes</strong></a>, which you can read <a href="http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2011/07/british-indie-comic-anthology-vanguard.html"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.<br /> <br />The first review of the comic is also online <a href="http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/review-vanguard-beauty-and-the-beasts/"><strong>HERE </strong> </a>at <a href="http://2000ad.wordpress.com/"><strong>Everything Comes Back to 2000ad</strong>. </a> Pretty happy with that one! :)<br /><br />I hope to get a few more reviews coming in soon, I'll be sure to post them when they arrive.<br /><br />In the meantime, here are a few more previews from Issue 1, in case you haven't been convinced to give it a try yet!<br /><br />From Atomic Call, art/letters by David Blankley:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjMKPv9WpVq7hNJ5VgVSAIpphaahB77DhuSFGg4B_T8uiupIe7MpdKWa-XiEFXMUgm5Oj1tiVqYanjNRkes97cKoPpCI_exn_B0_5F7AEoTqD23TafH9GPHVAyItCtbGJjmIOLbI4Wxw/s1600/tmpphp1X3ai6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjMKPv9WpVq7hNJ5VgVSAIpphaahB77DhuSFGg4B_T8uiupIe7MpdKWa-XiEFXMUgm5Oj1tiVqYanjNRkes97cKoPpCI_exn_B0_5F7AEoTqD23TafH9GPHVAyItCtbGJjmIOLbI4Wxw/s400/tmpphp1X3ai6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631197287082961730" /></a><br /><br /><br />From Halo and the Gryphon, art by Louis Carter, letters by Chaingun Chimp:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvMZ4Wl6Rr79mpTbBQxuiB_iY3Z3vH42aSBL0s62fvQO0pO-4MLWyPMQ7Wo0xdB4LW0fHYEHQlllcQmxCPDzli-C3CKtptRb8RVq2h9zcgeADATuDhiu4ijS_1NMpyeDQKDNqT1TPEtg/s1600/Page15b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvMZ4Wl6Rr79mpTbBQxuiB_iY3Z3vH42aSBL0s62fvQO0pO-4MLWyPMQ7Wo0xdB4LW0fHYEHQlllcQmxCPDzli-C3CKtptRb8RVq2h9zcgeADATuDhiu4ijS_1NMpyeDQKDNqT1TPEtg/s400/Page15b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631198564111833634" /></a><br /><br /><br />From Mammoth-Jack, art/letters by Owen Watts:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvu5_BS-fQ7oXM_LYcvu1PF20QlAUBkZ7aeebejOU7YzYlXZFjaXKG1alrV4G03p3WKWbBSUKXNlHOztIjrBf0ljCK6OPtKPsXaRN9D_1nDrzARYDHfEygQrgv2LDh0jXK7IEyQVwCRo/s1600/tmpphpT83c9V.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvu5_BS-fQ7oXM_LYcvu1PF20QlAUBkZ7aeebejOU7YzYlXZFjaXKG1alrV4G03p3WKWbBSUKXNlHOztIjrBf0ljCK6OPtKPsXaRN9D_1nDrzARYDHfEygQrgv2LDh0jXK7IEyQVwCRo/s400/tmpphpT83c9V.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631198735003678514" /></a><br /><br />Based on the response to issue 1, issue 2 is now definately a go. The scripts are written and now it just remains for me to track down my artistic comrades and lock them up in a dark room somewhere for a couple of months! Once more upon the breach, my friends! Tally-ho!!!!Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-77894582653514026892011-07-07T12:52:00.000-07:002011-07-07T14:13:45.625-07:00Vanguard! Issue One - Available Now!At last, our baby is ready to be sent out into the Big Bad World!<br /><br />The culmination of several months work is back from the printers and boy does it look awesome! (If I do say so myself. :) <br /><br />My collaborators on this project have put their all into turning in some fantastic-looking pages and the whole thing sits together really well. With this first issue, our small-press adventure is off to a fine beginning, and I can promise that it will only get better from here. The only thing to do now is attempt to get some copies of this beautiful little comic into your mitts, so we can share all our hard work with you! And with that in mind...here's the ordering info!<br /><br />The best way to order is via paypal.<br />Our paypal ID is vanguardcomic@gmail.com<br />Costs are as follows:<br /><br /><strong>In the UK:</strong><br />Comic - £2.00 Postage - £1.50<br /><strong>In NI:</strong><br />Comic - £2.00 Postage £1.00<br /><strong>In ROI:</strong><br />Comic - €2.50 Postage - €1.00 (or free if I live close enough to you to deliver!:)<br /><br />We've tried to keep the price as low as possible whilst also attempting to garner back some of the printing costs. Unfortunately, the postage cost is the regular postage cost and there's absolutely nothing we can do about that.<br /><br />If you don't like Paypal and would like to discuss alternative means of payment you can contact us at vanguardcomic@gmail.com<br /><br />And just for the record, here's what you get for your money:<br /> <br /><strong>24</strong> pages of shiny comic goodness!<br /><strong>8</strong> noir- styled pages of femme fatale action by <strong><a href="http://www.batteredbug.co.uk/">David Blankley</a></strong>!<br /><strong>7</strong> mind-tripping pages of fantasy action featuring Gryphons and Smoke Angels by <strong><a href="http://lrgcarter.blogspot.com/">Louis Carter</a></strong>!<br /><strong>6 </strong>wonderful panels of dark humour by El Magnifico <strong><a href="http://vivachivo.blogspot.com/">El Chivo</a></strong>!<br /><strong>5</strong> greyscale-tastic pages of donkey-packed mayhem by <strong><a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.com/">Owen Watts</a></strong>!<br /><strong>4</strong> stories covering a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, humour and horror genres!<br /><strong>3</strong> preview panels from the next installments of our stories!<br /><strong>2</strong> pages of gloriously atmospheric gothic art by <strong><a href="http://chaingunchimp.blogspot.com/">David Withers</a></strong>!<br />and <strong>1</strong> arsom, full colour cover by the one and only <strong><a href="http://ghostpockets.tumblr.com/">Liam Byrne</a></strong>!<br /> <br />How do you like them apples?? :) <br /> <br />Go on, give us a try folks! There's something in here for everyone and I honestly don't think you'll be disappointed! We need your support and feedback to make sure the next issue is even better!<br /><br />Ciao!<br /> <br /><strong>Dirk Van Dom, July 2011</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk4p_05cGPsIOOkj1zDEaURhkmXGiQ6Cvw69JT_43trLSIEzgT1HZJxzsZfFLaoXvCvdsnDM60cAJ-HDt-eXrskSbKZbcsMzvC3npXKx7p4SSy1M0nSTUdL6kKdYeyjDTGADv473YgGc/s1600/Page1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk4p_05cGPsIOOkj1zDEaURhkmXGiQ6Cvw69JT_43trLSIEzgT1HZJxzsZfFLaoXvCvdsnDM60cAJ-HDt-eXrskSbKZbcsMzvC3npXKx7p4SSy1M0nSTUdL6kKdYeyjDTGADv473YgGc/s400/Page1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626704352160385554" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-68769928920346793222011-06-10T14:56:00.001-07:002011-06-11T14:04:15.513-07:00Gryphons and Donkeys and Parachuting Psychopaths...Oh My!Earlier in the week I received the artwork for the cover to issue 1, along with the title of this post as an email subject line, adequately describing it. You can view it in all its glory below. <br /><br />This wonderful piece of front cover-wizardry comes courtesy of the ever-amazing and uber-talented <strong><a href="http://ghostpockets.blogspot.com/">LIAM BYRNE</a></strong>, aka, <strong>GHOSTPOCKETS</strong>. I wanted something snazzy and colourful and a wee bit psychadelic and Mr. Pockets that-are-Ghostly delivered in spades, with his own renditions of the stars of the comic. I am, needless to say, incredibly happy with this! It's gonna look great as a printed mag...which shouldn't be long now, as there's only a page or 2 of artwork still to come in and then it's all systems go!<br /><br />Rest assured I shall be keeping you posted!<br /><br />Thoughts on the cover? Let me know!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZIBrcqp8hQV6coS9e-PgOd3AP6jQwyE5Lb3E-nmcw4f9IbgUCmlVUP3X1g_UVDgEPJN4gm3-8gSNM7CO9nbFQWvEfOSYabWTYedlZs-hU8bPAdMFq-QAk2fiY5j1g52Wee-5bYa23uU/s1600/Page1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZIBrcqp8hQV6coS9e-PgOd3AP6jQwyE5Lb3E-nmcw4f9IbgUCmlVUP3X1g_UVDgEPJN4gm3-8gSNM7CO9nbFQWvEfOSYabWTYedlZs-hU8bPAdMFq-QAk2fiY5j1g52Wee-5bYa23uU/s400/Page1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616715145917422402" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-46559831564283893312011-05-02T13:49:00.001-07:002011-05-13T14:56:30.267-07:00Introducing - Vanguard!<strong><em>One-Woman War Machines! Gryphons! Invisible-ish Men! Smoke Angels! Angry One-Eyed Donkeys!</em></strong><br /><br />This is <strong>VANGUARD</strong>, a new anthology comic featuring four (would be) on-going serials, written by myself and illustrated by some of the best talent working in the UK small press arena. <br /><br />The idea for Vanguard came about when, at the start of the year, I was going through my files of old story ideas to see which ones I could resurrect and turn into comic scripts. Having gotten into the comic-scripting game last year and been lucky enough to have a number of scripts accepted by various publications, both online and print, I was keen to revisit these old ideas, which were languishing on my hard-drive gathering cyber-dust. I came across three stories in particular which I've been working on, on and off, for the best part of the last ten years, originally with the idea of developing them as novels. That plan has been going nowhere fast for a long time though, and with three half-completed manuscripts and no end in sight for any of them, it suddenly occurred to me that all three might work a lot better as comic strips. A quick trial at creating 6-7 page "part ones" for each of them made me realise I had three pretty much 'ready to go' comic series on my hands, ones I was sure would make for some entertaining reading. But what was I to do with them? <br /><br />There aren't many places you can submit series ideas to in the UK small press, as most outlets prefer to publish one-off 'future shock' style shorts or fan-fiction type scripts based on existing characters. One exception to this is the excellent <strong><a href="http://paragoncomic.blogspot.com/">PARAGON</a></strong>, brainchild of <em>Davey Candlish</em> and home to stars <em>Jikan </em>and <em>Battle Ganesh</em>. I was lucky enough to get to write some scripts for Jikan last year, and also had my own series <em><strong> <a href="http://bountyquest.blogspot.com/2011/03/adventures-of-icarus-continue-and.html">"ICARUS DANGEROUS"</a> </strong></em> picked up by the comic (episode 1 appeared in the most recent edition). I realised that a comic like Paragon would be perfect for what I had in mind...but since I couldn't <em>find </em>another comic like Paragon, I thought to myself...well, why don't I make one?! And so the idea was born. I put out the feelers to see if I could get any artists interested and was quickly able to 'sign up' small-pressers <strong><a href="http://batteredbug.blogspot.com/">DAVID BLANKLEY</a>, <a href="http://lrgcarter.blogspot.com/">LOUIS CARTER</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://takecomfortinsilence.blogspot.com/">BRIGONOS MAC GIOLLA CHOMHAILL</a></strong> to the cause. With <strong>LIAM"<a href="http://ghostpockets.blogspot.com/">GHOSTPOCKETS</a>" BYRNE</strong> agreeing to do a colour cover (and a fourth 'dark horse' strip joining the roster, with art by another great small-press artist <strong><a href="http://crazyfoxmachine.blogspot.com/">OWEN WATTS</a></strong>), all the pieces fell into place and I decided...what the heck! Let's give it a shot. The worst that can happen is I put a few quid into getting it printed and have a nice looking comic on my shelf to show for it. If I actually manage to sell a few, all the better! <br /><br />So, the first issue of Vanguard is very much an experiment, to test the waters and get some feedback on the stories, see what works and what doesn't. The AIM is to produce a regular - if infrequent! - comic that will develop the stories and characters within and allow them to reach their natural conclusions. The plan is that there will be 2 issues of Vanguard published each year, probably Summer and Winter editions, though how feasible/workable this is all remains to be seen. <br /><br /><strong>Vanguard </strong>follows the 2000ad formula of offering a varied menu of tales, and will hopefully feature something for everyone, with sci-fi action and butt-kicking heroines, fantasy adventure featuring Gryphons and Smoke Angels, a modern-day supernatural mystery thriller featuring a cast of cursed, tragic heroes with strange abilities, and a retro-style "animals on the rampage" tale starring one very pissed off donkey!<br /><br />Synopsis of all the stories can be found in the following entries, along with sample pages. If any of this tickles your fancy, please do take a chance on us and give it a try. We've all put a lot of work into producing the best comic strips we can and I'm confident you'll find plenty in here to enjoy!<br /><br />Thanks for reading! <br /><br /><strong><a href="http://bountyquest.blogspot.com/">Dirk van Dom</a>,<br />April 2011</strong>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-35208843744311381072011-05-02T13:48:00.003-07:002011-05-13T14:42:18.574-07:00Atomic CallOrphan, tomboy, juvenile delinquent, soldier. <strong>Colleen 'Call' Malone</strong> has been many things in her thirty years of life...and she's about to add 'fugitive' to the list. Detained in a juvenile detention centre during her teenage years, she was forcibly conscripted into the Irish army to serve in war-torn Libya, under a new, innovative rehabilitation scheme for minor offenders. Embracing the chance to turn her life around, Colleen dedicates herself to her training and becomes a top class soldier during the course of her years in military school and later in the field. Her past comes back to haunt her however when, denied time off to attend the funeral of 'Mammy' -- the matriarch of the orphanage she grew up in and the closest thing to a mother she ever had -- she goes AWOL in order to pay her last respects. Reuniting with old pal and fellow orphan <strong>Sally Marrett</strong> (who has also turned her life around, though in a completely different way) she agrees to repay an old debt by helping Sally with a problem - namely, providing some 'muscle' to help her deal with the goons trying to take over her brothel in Dubai! This task will see Call tempted back to her old ways of thievery and connivery, with the skills she picked up in the army allowing her to operate on a whole new level -- a level that will see her come into possession of some very powerful technology...and set the world's most dangerous bounty hunter on her tail!<br /><br />Check out a preview of page 1 below. Art by <em>David Blankley.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopwzYHaacEwBDAafJ7Yx150eIEFJnj-f6G-shP9UQZCysaH67Yd4IX9gK9keWYRmVjwKcDVGJ7Rnqo_NyieciqJNYgiWfTkH-BIWDtVz8BjF9DPbpt3QJwHgb1G4B1vjvqE9UEL13LZQ/s1600/page-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopwzYHaacEwBDAafJ7Yx150eIEFJnj-f6G-shP9UQZCysaH67Yd4IX9gK9keWYRmVjwKcDVGJ7Rnqo_NyieciqJNYgiWfTkH-BIWDtVz8BjF9DPbpt3QJwHgb1G4B1vjvqE9UEL13LZQ/s400/page-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602217143063243714" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-17277343187416372402011-05-02T13:48:00.001-07:002011-05-02T13:48:28.720-07:00Halo and the GryphonDeep in the Arundack mountains, a young gryphon named <strong>Zephyr </strong>longs for adventure. Frustrated by his tribe's policy of self-imposed exile, he desires nothing more than to explore the world beyond Sanctuary, and can not understand why the gryphon elders insist they remain hidden from the planet's human inhabitants. After all, gryphon's are bigger, faster and more powerful than humans, what reason should they have to fear them? When he spots what appears to be a shooting star come down in the woods beyond their territory, his curiousity gets the better of him. Ignoring all warnings, he sets out to investigate, planning to retrieve the object. However, when the 'shooting star' turns out to be a high-tech alien <strong>Halo</strong>, and Zephyr unwittingly becomes its new host, a series of events are set in motion that will change his life forever. The Halo holds many secrets and is being sought by some ruthless, otherworldly foes - foes that will invade Zephyr's life, and the lives of those around him, and bring him more adventure than he could ever have imagined.<br /><br />Check out a preview of a page from the first episode below. Art by <em>Louis Carter.</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ8Pj429U5Lc_iUDKplh08hsO6iNECoo8c1T0XsKU4nWoCMABE4jEXe6l2cEz1zwWzskRyNgUWGa1OoHihSd8kYcxhyphenhyphenfWbQdCVN4abwdPw1lgDBfPcbCyjNpRgtEE0fJmUbRI1rKh_DI/s1600/page3lettered.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ8Pj429U5Lc_iUDKplh08hsO6iNECoo8c1T0XsKU4nWoCMABE4jEXe6l2cEz1zwWzskRyNgUWGa1OoHihSd8kYcxhyphenhyphenfWbQdCVN4abwdPw1lgDBfPcbCyjNpRgtEE0fJmUbRI1rKh_DI/s400/page3lettered.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221059793008082" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-42210483182530254892011-05-02T13:47:00.001-07:002011-05-13T14:35:57.083-07:00The Sluagh"The Sluagh: spirits of the restless dead, generally evil people who were welcome in neither heaven nor hell, nor in the Otherworld, who had also been rejected by the Celtic deities and by the earth itself."<br /><br /><strong>Shane Easterbrook,</strong> a troubled young man with a tragic past and dark secret, finds himself cursed to a strange half-existence when he tries to take his own life. Despite what should have been a fatal suicide attempt he somehow survives...albeit out of sync with the rest of the world. Though not invisible, people look through him as though he isn't there. And whilst he quickly learns he can FORCE others to acknowledge him by physically interacting with them, he finds this is only effective as long as he remains in direct contact with them: as soon as he leaves their company, all memory of any interaction they had is forgotten. Unable to understand how or why this happened to him, Shane gives in to an overwhelming urge to travel to Ireland, his mother's birthplace, in the hope of solving the mystery, taking advantage of his 'curse' to get him by. And that's where his problems begin. The Sluagh are gathering...but is Shane one of them?<br /><br />Check out a preview from the first episode below. Art by <em>Brigonas Mac Giolla Chomhaill.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5xTDOTW0wKDjoUHVMyy-HK-2yTofdTgFKExqBKIjZyckLPYSbfy2QJc9vBdeO3VacXgfLMAJDGi2TFYM0NPopDOL9mcYIztYuTCARcSHjGU7WgBmZokXiFftzenbthpdVEK6kpVA8RE/s1600/v001a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5xTDOTW0wKDjoUHVMyy-HK-2yTofdTgFKExqBKIjZyckLPYSbfy2QJc9vBdeO3VacXgfLMAJDGi2TFYM0NPopDOL9mcYIztYuTCARcSHjGU7WgBmZokXiFftzenbthpdVEK6kpVA8RE/s400/v001a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221869466140146" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022658960131609.post-11248176966993252122011-05-02T13:43:00.000-07:002011-05-13T14:44:28.864-07:00Mammoth-Jack!Ireland, the late 19th century and animal cruelty is at its peak. Horses and donkeys are being exterminated in huge numbers by the factories supplying cabinet and furniture makers with the all important glues crucial to the production of their wares. Equine animals – whose hides and hooves produce the best mixtures - have become the animal of choice as raw materials in the production of these glues, and the men and women employed by the glue factories act in barbaric fashion in 'converting' them. It's a nasty business...and somebody has to do something about it. Enter young <strong>Jamie Swift</strong> and her pet mule, <strong>Duncan,</strong> a Mammoth-Jack donkey she found mutilated and dying having escaped one such factory. Rescuing Duncan and nursing him back to health, the two form a special bond and unite in their goal of liberating as many of Duncan's kind as possible from the glue factories...but this act will unwittingly pit them against the nastiest, cruellest foe imaginable -- Jamie's own father!!! Watch out glue makers! <strong>Duncan Mammoth-Jack</strong> is on the rampage - and he is one ticked off pony!<br /><br />Check out page 1 of the first episode below. Art by <em>Owen Watts.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfikaw9NuL1DYOTIhTMCELrqTYumEa5dgs2Z6_Hu2bkTSaCe_burMMVYggG17PidIio4lF0c62F6e1NJRW01-EcarcUVUtB8hf7SuV7Hzv5HNOYi-pj0KwGyj7162eS1EWadk4TXd0D0/s1600/Page-1-SFX.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfikaw9NuL1DYOTIhTMCELrqTYumEa5dgs2Z6_Hu2bkTSaCe_burMMVYggG17PidIio4lF0c62F6e1NJRW01-EcarcUVUtB8hf7SuV7Hzv5HNOYi-pj0KwGyj7162eS1EWadk4TXd0D0/s400/Page-1-SFX.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606319807160838098" /></a>Van Domhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600338606356938118noreply@blogger.com0