Pre-Pre-Melksham Bloggery

Cosmonauts - !

Why it's only around 28000 minutes 'til the launch of Issue 2 at Melksham Comic Con. Things at Psychedelic HQ are frankly, a little hectic. The sheer universe-rupturing nature of compiling 14 new stories has caused the garden to melt. Which is a shame because before that it was a bloody nice garden.

This is the FINAL TEASER for the second issue - the glorious one-pager "Transition Lenses" written by co-editor, poet, food blogger, space explorer and horse whisperer Geoffery Crescent - like the first issue's back cover it's a snappy colourful tale of profound silliness. It's drawn by Dunk Nimmo; a British small press legend and computer game concept artist whose brilliantly cartoony and expressive work has graced the pages of the 2000ad fanzine Zarjaz for many many moons. We first met at the Birmingham zine fair when we were selling the long-gone Dr WTF comic and he drew us Tom Baker....

We're also pleased to announce that Issue 2 is now completely dusted and on the way to the printers... many thanks to our tireless and speedy letterers Dave "Bolt-01" Evans, Daniel Bell & Andrew Scaife. So it won't be long 'til we have something more concrete to show than single-panel teasers....

Also it should be noted that in Excelsior - local Bristol indie comics shop - there are THREE copies of the first issue available. If you're in the city support independent shops and get in there! As you can see it's nestled next to the second Professor Elemental comic as well - which features some of our contributors - 

We'll get another chance to blog before Melksham - and we'll do a feature on our contributors and friends who are also exhibiting there like we did pre-Bristol - !

This Ain't the Summer of Love

Cosmonauts!

"This ain't the garden of eden

There ain't no angels above

And things ain't like what they used to be

And this ain't the summer of love"

Or alternatively just slip into your Time Egg™ and travel back to '67. It's easy if you try! 

Here's this fortnight's first NEW NEW TEASER for "Why Hasn't Anyone Killed Hitler" - written by Jim Woodall who's utterly knew to the comics game, he's a damned fine chap and has currently got a short sci-fi story out for t'Kindle called "Artificial". The art is by Andrew Scaife who you may recall from Psychedelic #1's "Karma Traveller". Since then he's been beavering away on comics production and at Bristol con this year brought out his debut one-shot New York Park. Why Hasn't Anyone Killed Hitler ain't the first script we've got centred around history worst 'tasch wearer but it's certainly the wittiest and weirdest - !

"Baba to the Future" was written by Michelle White who also spends her time describing monsters and writing/reviewing comics. Which ain't bad. The art is by Liam "Ghostpockets" Byrne a true comics auteur whose fine inkwork has been in literally every comic wot I've ever done - from Dr WTF #1 to now! Baba, a visually mindbending tale, will open Issue 2 and split your MIND IN HALF.

"The Life of Private James Munro" written by Gavin Johnston who's also got two amazing scripts sitting in our quantomvaults lost to time by some corruption of reality - one was meant for Dr WTF #2 and the other for Journal #1 but I've heard that a thiefsome artist got in and stole the latter ... their identity? For now, a bonafide mystery! 

James Munro is a stark and harrowing tale beautifully brought to life by Disconnected Press's Conor Boyle who's currently doing more things than any other human alive like this, this and this.

Liz Boyle, also of Disconnected Press has written a curious and jaunty tale featuring the familiar faces of some of histories greatest geniuses. "Out of Time" is ably illuminated by the striking pen of Allister Mackrell - a new face to the small press who came to my attention through the mighty 2000ad forum art competition. Speaking of, Liz runs the 2000ad forum short story competition also - which is also well worth a gander. 

WHAT IS THAT?! Well it's not a story teaser I'll say that much. It was a reward for our 160th "like" on Facebook who requested a "19th Century English Rifleman" which I (Editor O) duly drew shooting a time pod. It took so long to emerge that we're now seeking a 260th for further reward - which at time of writing we're only EIGHT away from getting. So if you want somethin' weird drawn for ya go get liking you varmit - CLICK HERE.

Also for some upcoming web publicity I stuck together covers #1 and #2 and it struck me how nice they look side by side. Look forward to seeing that replicated physically come August - !

Post deadline TEASEROVERLOAD

Cosmonauts - BEAR WITNESS!

WE HAVE A COVER! Issue 2's eyemeltingly glorious front is by the supertalented Ben Wilsonham - we met Ben at Thought Bubble last year and his superdetailed digital paintings immediately leapt out of his portfolio and started eating my face. We're going to see a lot more of this chap in future, mark my words!

...so. The ISSUE 3 WRITING DEADLINE has passed - the issue isn't yet full but we're currently still processing a mind-boggling amount of scripts and there are only eight pages left so that's a done thing essentially - if you're still waiting on a response from us hold tight! The next deadline is January 1st 2014 for the fourth issue.

Additionally the ISSUE 2 ART DEADLINE has come and gone and we've got one hell of a beautiful second issue.

I don't believe you.

OH DON'T YOU? Well here are some teasers you cheeky italic font.

The first here is for "The Clockwork Queen" - a smart little narrative set in a rich alternate time which came from a brilliant script by J.S. Adams. It's a universe that he may revisit outside of the brief tales of our anthology and we'll keep you informed if he does! The art on this tale comes from the perpetually glorious Dave Thomson who's been contributin' with us since the second WTF moons ago. We first met sharing a table at Bristol '11 - he was selling ZOO AD a fantasitc and ridiculous tribute to 2000ad - but I'd known him through his numerous brain-meltingly brilliant contributions to the peerless Zarjaz and Futurequake. Very excited by this one - !

"Grandfather Paradox" is written by small press veteran and general all-rounder Daniel Bell who also draws up a storm - his "Defiant" comic written by Andy Winter and published by Time Bomb looks like a historical treat and his recent Goose was a classic bit of small press superheroics. The art was provided by newcomer Brendan Purchase who we also met at Thought Bubble - his ink-splatted dark visuals are perfect for this story and he's also been recently seen in the second Professor Elemental comic.

"The Legend of the Robot Man" is a bizarre and colourful cartoony tale written by Arron Ferguson: one-half of sketch duo Not the Adventures of Moleman and Bristol-based poster artist and endless doodler Aidan Barnard. Definitely one of the brighter stories of the issue, possibly the strangest - although there are strong contenders on that front - !

"The Royal Chronometrical Society" is another visually blinding effort from the creative duo who 'rounded off the the first issue with the unforgettable "Whiskey & Wormholes" - Mr Mole writes: the man behind the words in the Professor Elemental comic and Mr McClements draws: a one-man comics dynamo who's been in literally every other small press 'thology out there and is currently working on something called "The Undoing" KABOOOM

Finally "Who Killed Judy Baker?" - a rather moribund tale brilliantly written by Chris Lynch whose also currently doing more dark things in The Magpye. It's drawn by Tom Newell who caught my attention when I lettered a story he worked on in last year's AAIIEEE!! edited by Davey Candlish.

There are still about five more stories waiting to be teased and we'll have a little image from each of them before the big day at the end of August! STAY TUNED!

Teasers, Reviews & Deadlines

Cosmonauts - !

How art thou? It's very busy at here at Psychedelic HQ - our last call for scripts was reacted to with astonishing fervour and we've got a veritable digital pile to sift through. Also the sun brings out all the quantum bats - make of that what you will.

Pictured above is Excelsior - Bristol's premier independent comic shop. I've put in there a few copies of the Journal so if you fancy supporting the two of us then pop down there and give 'em yer pennies!

We got an absolutely smashing review from Andy Oliver over at Broken Frontier in the last fortnight. He had some lovely words to say and suffice to say, my firstborn's blood will be his to sup. If you know anyone who fancies giving us a review or you do drop us a line and I'll sort you out with a lovely free pdf AND THE BLOOD OF MY FUTURECHILDREN. Also a big whoop and whurl to aggregators ICN and ECBT2000AD for shouting out to the Journal over the last few weeks :D 

LOOMING DEADLINE ALERT

Yes. There's a looming deadline. On July 1st we'll officially stop receiving scripts for Issue 3 of the Journal. HOWEVER there ARE only twelve pages left to fill. So, scripts are being processed chronologically (ironically maybe) - sooner y' send them the more likely they'll get in basically. BUT WORRY NOT time travel is the name of the game and all those that don't manage it will get wormholed forward to Issue 4.

Here's a look at a few more panels from Arran Frood & Steven Austin's "Is It Safe to Go Back" shared by Steve's Facebook page. It's a real stark and troubling gem this 'un - !

Finally here's a new teaser for "Stand and Relive Her" written by the glorious Greg Meldrum - who's batnad crazy scripts were in both Dr WTFs. Here he makes his Journal debut and it truly was worth the wait - illuminated by the peerless Bruno Stahl who also marks his first appearance with us in Issue 2. The man is a small press legend and my face actually fell off when I received the fully painted pages. I'm yet to find my face - this is really one to look forward to. 

New teasers and Post-Bristol!

Cosmonauts - !

How be thou? Bristol was extraordinarily good - pictured below is co-editor Geoffery Crescent doing a bit of tableminding. 

 

Next to it is the Psychedelic family of stuff we usually sell - Jamella & Marmalad formerly a webcomic by editors Geoffery & O, Off Panel a small press top trumps game featuring many glorious folk, Professor Elemental Comics featuring Psychedelic contributors and steampunk shenanigans & Bear Pit a zine made up of Bristol creators. Psychedelic HQ is in Bristol and tis a marvellous and creative city.

Our next con is Melksham on 31st August where we'll be launching ISSUE 2 ... watch this space for more details...

Oh wait, here are some details. Well done space-watchers!

This is "Long Live the Leader" by the eminent Mike Lynch of Abandoned comics. He's done a great many scripts for us over the moons and this is one my favourites. Very future shocky with lots of glorious sci-fi. It's drawn by small press journeyman Ross Bampfylde whose gloriously physical and intricate artwork is a brilliant match for this tale of SPACE. AND TIME TRAVEL (obviously).

"The Taste of Extinction" is a brilliantly silly three-pager written by Jamie Lambert of Bearded Skull Comics - he also wrote the zombie story "Source of Infection" in issue one. This is ably and gloriously drawn by the perpetually fantastic Jake Rowlinson who I'm fully convinced could draw the ingredients from the back of a cereal packet and turn it into an enrapturing narrative. As such it's an honour to have him in the second issue of 2013 as well as the first - !

Watch this space for more teasers as Issue 2's production phase comes to a close we're getting more and more amazing stories coming in and I can't wait to show you !

Pre-Bristol Expo - Comics to Buy!

Cosmonauts -

Coming this weekend is the Bristol Comics Expo and our last convention before the wonderful golden sum- oh it's raining. On top of our gloriously bonkers Issue 1 co-editor Geoffery Crescent and I will also have a ton of prints, trinkets and other oddities as well as PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL COMICS #2 at our table.

There it is. What a beaut. Cover by the spoontacular Tom Brown - more details here. Alongside that we'll also have Bear Pit Zine put together by local Bristol creators.

"WAIT. I'M NOT GOING TO A CONVENTION JUST TO SEE YOU AND YOUR POXY TIME TRAVEL COMIC AND A POXY STEAMPUNK COMIC." 

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that - but it'd be a pretty poor sort of convention varietywise if it was just our gurning mug and absurdly trippy comics wouldn't it? Here are some folk I believe you should also see - friendly folk, local folk, newfolk, Psychedelic contributors and general salt-of-the-Earth types.

"OKAY, I'M LISTENING."

 ANDREW SCAIFE

Journal 1 & 2 artist and Bristol local is making his convention debut with a one-shot book called New York Park. I've seen it taking shape over the last couple of months and it's a rollicking lark and well worth tracking down.

CINEBOOKS 

Always worth a gander, translators and publishers of all that is good and marvellous and marvellously good in European comics. Go for one comic - take away a billion. 

DANIEL BELL

Small press veteran, Journal #1 letterer and #2 writer and good EGG (not a pun) Mr Bell will be debuting The Goose at Bristol, I've seen bits of it on a screen and I want it in my hands. Not the egg, the comic. What egg?

DISCONNECTED PRESS 

Anthologygods Conor & Liz Boyle (both in Journal #2) publish exceedingly good comics and are as lovely as the tide. Go and see them!!!

                                                             

EXCELSIOR COMICS

Have a hankering for back issues or general comics merch that ain't small press - ? Then support Bristol's independent comics shop Excelsior - who'll have a stand there. 

JAMES STAYTE & MARK PEARCE

As cool as an incredibly incredibly refrigerated gourdfruit the Bristolian duo have ridiculously amazing prints and comics on sale at their stand - and Mr Pearce is debuting Ronin Dogs #3 - !

JENNIE GYLLBLAD 

Absurdly talented and amazingly amazing creator of Skal and fully Kickstarted artist for Elysia - also in the latest Professor Elemental Comic and butted up against the adequate art of Journal editor O in a big collaboration story - !

JESS BRADLEY

 Bristolian and perpetual creator of charming chibi characters - whaddya want? Badges? She's got 'em. Books? Calendars? Comics? Fridge magnets? Greetings cards? IT'S ALL THERE!!! She's always selling up a storm and no convention is complete without her - !

JON LOCK & NICH ANGELL 

Another convention staple is Afterlife Inc. ably sold by the eternally effervescent Mr Lock - he successfully Kickstarted Afterlife's next outing which is in development and after the summer at Melksham (which the Journal will also be at) he and the similarly enthusiastic Nich will be launching a CROSSOVER EVENT. Mr Angell will be selling 7String, Cat & Meringue and Off Panel cards which feature his characters as well as many many others - the Journal table will also have a few packs to sell AND THERE ARE BLANK CARDS WHICH YOU CAN GET FILLED IN BY ARTISTS. WHAAAAAT.

LOU SCANNON

There is no better banner for the entire of the small press than the relentless glory of Lou Scannon - created by Harris, Karter & Bampfield and ably lettered by HdE. Pick up an issue, plant it in the garden and it may grow into a wonderful small press tree. 

MIKE SCRASE

Constant attendee of the Bristol Comic Creators and whirlwind of imagination Mr Scrase is new to comics and new to selling at conventions - so go and offer him a supportive kipper. Or any kind of fish.

RAZARHAWK

Dani & Ian have only started selling Razarhawk this year but it's been going phenomenally well for them. Go and see what all the fuss is about and pick up the debut of Issue 2 from them - ! 

WATER CLOSET PRESS

Also there will be ultra-talented local Jordan Collver and soon-to-be-local Richard Worth who have much extraordinarily-drawn Victoriana to peddle. 

SO, PRETTY BLOODY CONVINCING EH?

And that's not all! It'll be a grand weekend and the fact that it's near Psychedelic Journal HQ is tremendously fortunate. TO THE CIDERHOUSE!

Late April Shenanigans

Cosmonauts!

Don't forget you can buy a shiny shiny pdf version of our first issue RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND. Or this one. Or that one. Blimey you're a slow reader. COMICSY HAS THE GOODS.

Earlier in the month phenomenal artist David Broughton did a dissection of his work on Oscar Maltby's demented story "Time Templars Vs the Daemonic Dinos" in the first Journal. You can read more into his process here and do check out more of him because he's simply ridiculous - the man did a page A DAY last December for the 2000ad forum advent calendar. Blimey. Bloody blimey.

What have Simon Bisley and Pat Mills got to do with the second Journal of 2013? All will be revealed this August when we launch it at Melksham comic con. Rest assured, it'll concern the brilliantly mad Bruno Stahl in some way.

Talking of Issue 2 - here's the first official teaser! From Arran Frood a Bristol-based science writer and regular attendee of Bristol Comic Creators meetings he's a veritable chap and makes his Journal (and small press) debut this issue. Also making appearing for the first time in the Journal is freelance illustrator Steven Austin who's been doing a bit of everything marvellously for quite a while now - he caught my eye with these marvellous test pages done from 2000ad's sample scripts. "Is It Safe to Go Back?" is one of our more dark and thoughtful tales - expect more teasers soon as it's going to be a BEEFY issue. It won't contain beef though. Unless you buy the variant beef edition which won't exist.

This chirpy version of our logo is representing us on the Thought Bubble exhibitors area and if you click on it a GIANT WHITE SQUARE EMERGES. WOOOOOOAAAAH. You can see it here, we're nestled amongst some of the best people in the small press which is smashin' and lovely.

Finally...

THERE ARE TWENTY PAGES 

LEFT TO FILL IN ISSUE 3

So fill those boots full of sand, sit at the desk and fling us your scripts to psychedelic.submission@gmail.com the rules are this simple 

:: 1 - 4 pages

:: Time travel

:: That's about it

We respond to EVERY SUBMISSION within a week in hugely constructive way, SO WHAT THE BALLS ARE YE WAITING FOR? A HADDOCK?!

We're done here.