Comics: Small Press

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• General Sites • UK Small Press • European Links
• If you can't find the publisher you're looking for here, try my other publisher pages.

Fanzines - A great way to break into comics
Way back in the 1980s I published a fanzine called SCAN, an eclectic mix of strips, much of it poking fun at the British comics industry. Subscribers included Alan Moore (whatever happened to him, eh?) and it was helped no end by support and help from the likes of the wonderful Richard Starkings (who went on to become a man of power at Marvel UK and was instrumental in getting me a job at the company, first as a freelance designer, then full time working first on Sindy(!) and then Doctor Who Magazine under the watchful eye of Sheila Cranna.
SCAN never sold huge numbers -- but it did get me, and several contributors, noticed by Marvel UK. It even helped me get my first major writing commission (thanks to much faith placed in me by Paul Gravett), The Science Service, drawn by the fabulously talented Rian Hughes. The last time I caught up with my collaborator on the comic, Matt Bingham, he was designing FHM.
So if you've ever thought about editing a fanzine or indy press title (apparently calling things Small Press is passe, but what else do you call zines with maybe 200 copy print runs?), don't just think about it, do it. You never know who might be reading and publishing one shows a level of commitment far above thrusting four pages of Judge Dredd samples under the nose of the latest 2000AD editor at a comics convention.
This is a new page (as of May 2004) and if you're a fanzine editor -- even if you don't have a web site -- I'm more than happy to give your title a plug. And good luck with whatever you do in the field.

You never know where you might end up.

WARPTON LAUNCHES NEW SCHEMES TO HELP COMICS CREATORS
16/6/04: UK comics publisher Warpton has launched an new imprint to support creative talent.
As an add-on to our range of one-shot titles the company is developing they're also launching a unique opportunity for creators who have a comic book ready for publication and/or want to hold control over their work, but need support to help get their book to market.
The "Warpton independents – all yours" project is looking to expand Warpton's titles by providing a printing and marketing service for new titles. The basic idea is that for a small fee Warpton would cost effectively print a creators comic book, for them to then sell. It would carry the Warpton name and for all intense purposes be a Warpton Comic, but Warpton would not take the money for the sales, the creators would.
The fee creators pay would cover the printing, marketing, some distribution of the comic and a place in the Warpton online shop, whilst giving them the freedom to promote and sell their title how they wish and take all the money made on what they sell.
Warpton are looking at charging around £200 per 100 copies Black and White interior with colour cover in and out, 32 pages.
Warpton's other initiative is "Warpton Development", a scheme where Warpton look at helping those who have an idea and want help in developing it.
" We recognise that there are loads of people who are looking to get into the comic industry," says publisher Steve Causer, "who enjoy writing and those who are artists and want to show what they can do but do not have anything to illustrate and so need to create a story and this is not their strong area. Warpton will look to help in developing a story for those people who want help, as well as help new writers with their scripts and stories.
" For this we only ask for a share in the rights of the story. We would look at the possibility of publishing it if we felt it fitted with what we were doing, but otherwise they can take it anywhere they want."
Link: www.warpton.com

General Sites

• Accent Press
Link: http://www.accentukpress.co.uk
Publishers of Redeye, a brilliant comics news magazine which includes indy press rveiews in its features/interviews-based content. Also publishing US-sized books such as More Than We Seem (written by Larry Betts and drawn by Dave West, under the Deva Comics imprint).

• Bugpowder
Link: www.bugpowder.com
BugPowder is a self-sustaining noticeboard for the small press community. It was originally developed and run by Pete Ashton (http://peteashton.com) from 2000 to early 2006. The power behind the throne is Jez Higgins (www.jezuk.co.uk/cgi-bin/view/jez) who also looks after Bugpowder's TRS2 reviews.
BugPowder is not a group, co-operative, publisher, clique, gang or club. It serves to reflect and report on the UK and Irish small press, self published and hand-made comics scene, encouraging a sharing of ideas and fostering a sense of community. As such anyone in the UK small press scene is welcome to get involved at whatever level they feel able, be it posting regularly to the weblog or just sending in information now and then. If you're involved with small press comics and think BugPowder fails miserably at covering the stuff you're aware of then you're the perfect potential contributor, so get in touch.

• IndieReview UK
Official: www.IndieReview.co.uk

The idea behind IndieReview is that it’s a place newcomers to the UK independent scene can go to get some more information on the currently under-exposed UK scene. The site has lists of publishers along with some of their comics (not all their comics as of the launch, though comics will continually be added). These listings give a brief description on the publisher with links to their website, and the comics’ listings include a cover picture, contact links, a brief description and much more information.
Working in conjunction with Smallzone, the site also offers some purchase links for comics. Along with those listings is a creator listing, showing some creators who may not be part of some of the publications put out by the bigger UK publishers, giving them a bio area and links and recommended reading for their comics.

• Paper Tiger Comix
Link: www.papertigercomix.co.uk
A collective of creators - many from the Brighton area - contribute toward the costs of putting out an anthology fanzine. Site includes small press reviews.

• Soaring Penguin
Official: www.soaringpenguin.co.uk
E-mail: help@soaringpenguin.co.uk
Tel: 020 8265 8575
In addition to publishing its own titles such as Meanwhile, Soaring Penguin offers a print and design service and say they can provide competitive print quotes and distribution assistance.


Visit Smallzone
• SmallZone
Link: www.smallzone.co.uk
You'll find most British small press titles listed on this excellent site. Well worth a visit and if you're a small press editor, worth seeing if they're interested in stocking your title.
There's a Smallzone Ning Forum for small press creators only -- and it's very active.

• The UK Independent Distribution Network
1/6/04: Think your comic is good enough to sell in comic shops all over the country? Can't afford Diamonds distribution fees or news-stands risks?
The creators of Starscape and other independent comic publishers are looking to present our publications to the people that matter - comic buyers! To this end, we're giving our local comic shops the opportunity to stock the titles on this distribution network.

How it works:
We're looking for volunteers to become Reps. They will have to be keen, enthusiastic and confident with a strong interest in UK indie comics. Often that means publishers themselves. Every so often (probably monthly/ bimonthly), the Rep will receive promo copies of comics and marketing devices, such as posters, badges etc etc., as a single presentable package. There job will be to visit their local comic shops and other places, such as bookstores and newsagents. They will show the owner/ manager the promo items and attempt to secure a sale-or-return order. The order is then fed back to the publisher who sends the comics either to the Rep or direct to the shop. On the next catalogue run, the Rep collects any takings.
Unfortunately there is no pay. However, the Rep does get to keep all the comic books and items used for promotional purposes.

Joining
First of all, is your comic good enough to sell in comic shops? We're not being unduly hard but comic shops won't accept your publication unless it is of a reasonable standard of presentation. After all, we're competing with the likes of Marvel, DC and 2000AD here (we're not saying yours should necessarily be of that quality but it shouldn't be far off).
All comics will be sold in comic shops as sale-or-return. That means you will send a sample copy out to your contact in that area. They will take it to their comic shop who will then ask for a number of copies, or decline the offer (that's why you need only send a sample). You can then send copies on a sale-or-return basis to these shops. Generally you will have to give the shop a discount of around 33%.
If this is of interest, please send reply, send an email to superherostore@hotmail.com or visit the temporary website at http://superherostore.150m.com/publish/ukidn.htm

• Comics International
Editor: Mike Conroy
Cosmic Publications Ltd., PO Box 9844, Colchester C01 9EE UK
Tel: 01322 340207 (011 44 1322 340207 from North America)
Subs House: Comics International, 8 Guildford Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 7XD

UK Subscriptions until 16 April 2007: £24 for 12 issues (second class delivery), £30 for 12 issues (first class). Subscriptions by credit card call 01621 877 231. Yo pay by PayPal: sales@comics-international.co.uk

100 page print magazine with web site attached. Great source of comics industry news. It also features all-new The Really Heavy Greatcoats - the strip's first ever regular appearance in a paid for print magazine. In addition to being an excellent source of comics news, Comics International also publishes a number of fanzine reviews every issue. Worth sending a copy there once you've published your opus.

• Writing Comics: the Down the Tubes Guide
My tips on writing comics, based on my experience at Marvel UK and listening to a lot of editors and comics creators far more erudite than me!

• David A. Law's Creating Comics Site
An invaluable guide to comics resources on the web for writers, artists, self-publishers and anyone interested in creating comics.

• Joe Kubert's Comic Art Courses
After several queries about postal comic art courses for would-be UK artists, I contacted the Joe Kubert School to find out if his world famous Correspondence Courses were avaialble to people outside the US. Joe Kubert kindly wrote back to tell me that his famous comic art Correspondence Courses are open not just to North Americans but also to residents of the UK. "In fact, we have a tremendous amount of students participating in our courses from all over the world!" he says. "The cost of an initial course [as of May 2003], complete with art supplies, is $325.
"After the purchase of the initial course, there is a $50 reduction for each subsequent course because subsequent courses do not include art supplies. Thus, the first course you take is $325 and every subsequent course is $275. There is also an additional shipping cost of $51 for us to send the course package and to return the 5 critiqued assignments to the UK.
"The videos are also available in the PAL format (European version) for an additional $8. Otherwise, a VHS video will be included in each course package at no additional cost."

• The Temple APA
ComicSpace: www.comicspace.com/templeapa
Message Board: PencilMonkey

Amateur Press Associations are legion in the US -- Frank Miller, Paul Chadwick and numerous other American comic heavyweights all cut their teeth on them. But there are fewer in the UK, this is the UK's longest running comic APA and after 12 years and 55 issues the Temple is becoming completely digital. The plan is to replace the printed version with a bi-monthly PDF which will be freely available for download.

UK Independent Press
2000 Leagues
Official: www.2000-leagues.com
Publishers of Sancho, a darkly comic tale of elderly parnormal adventurers, ex-preists, zombiles, elementals, demons and possessed naked ladies. How can you resist not checking that out?

430 Comics
Link: 430comics.co.uk

Abiogenesis Press
Official: www.millidge.com
PO Box 2065 Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2WH
Publishers of one book only -- the mysterious Strangehaven.

Ablaze Media Limited,
Official: www.tozzer.com
PO Box 28389, Anerley, London, England SE20 8WD

Accent Press
Official: www.accentpress.co.uk
Publishers of indie news 'zine RedEye and Fusion, a comic strip anthology

Ariel Press
Official: www.arielpress.co.uk
139b Clifton, York YO30 6BL
Publishers of the Joyous Guard Chronicles, beautifully produced and lovingly drawn stories of the supernatural and spies by Vince Danks and others

David Baille
Official: www.davidbaille.net
Comics creator David Baille has created his own smallzine prss imprint, dbComics. Scribe, a simply told but effective story of a would-be supervillain with an unexpected secret power, was circulated at the 2004 Comics Festival, alongside a small anthology, Award Fascination.

Best Bitter Comics
Official: www.bestbittercomics.com
The brainchild of Jonathan Dukes, who has worked for Sky TV and as a freelance illustrator.
Jonathan has self published several comics and hopes to one day make some money out of them! "I love comics!" he says. "I also get frustrated with them in the UK and love European Comics."

BloodznCripz
Link: www.bloodzncripz.co.uk
The Bailey Brothaz first foray into self publishing is finally on the streets, two guys who sent me sample package after sample package of steadily improving, enegetic manga-inspired art over a number of years, taking on board my feedback (and I'm sure, the feedback of many others) to hone their creative skills. BloodznCripz is a powerful tale, centring on the vicious lives of an LA street gang. Definitely not for the faint hearted but well worth tracking down for the stunning black and white art. Fa Sho!

Boy Child Productions
Link: www.boychildproductions.co.uk
11 Montpelier Rise, London. NW11 9SS. UK
Boychild make comics and films: the first graphic novel, subsidised by the Arts Council (nice one!), was Angel of the Woods, which appears to be a straight horror story to begin with, but soon becomes a quite different thing. Now available as an e-book from Lulu, the LiveWire Review recently described Sean's latest work, Beautiful Things, as "dazzling collection of 'poetic short stories in comic book form'.
"Whilst most pieces are three or four pages long, two of the shorts have six and seven pages and another - the first comics haiku I've read - fills one page," LiveWire reports. "It takes a great deal of artistic strength to ensure a story runs for precisely the number of pages it needs, not more, not less, not decompressed, not rushed, and it's a strength Wilson excels in the application of."
Wilson, who now lives in Spain, describes the strips as influenced by the work of Alan Moore, Adrian Tomine, Chris Reynolds, as well as the writings of Kafka and Borges. The collection's artists include Mary Hutchison , Sean Azzopardi, Juan Chavarriga, Tom Buchanan, and Neill Cameron.
• Read the full review and view art samples on the LiveWire web site, plus thoughts on the project by Sean
• Buy the e-book from lulu.com

Ruben Caldwell
Official: www.bestfriendsproductions.com/rubeninfo.htm
Co-creator of Heroes in Birmingham

Neil Cameron
Official: www.neillcameron.com
Artist for Classical Comics and Neo. Creator of the British indie mag, Dumbass Comics, and creator of the frankly brilliant action manga Thumpculture

Carl Critchlow
Official: www.carlcritchlow.com
Thrud the Barbarian Official Site: www.thrudthebarbarian
Thrud the Barbarian, PO Box 371, Souhtport PR8 6YE
This is top of the range small press : 2000AD artist Carl Critchlow has revived his Thrud the Barbarian character (first published in Red Dwarf) and now publishes it as as a brilliant US-sized comic.

Eagle Flies Again
54 Hartwith Drive, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 2UY
Edited by Ian Wheeler, designed by John Freeman, this now no longer published fanzine was devoted to British comics with interviews, some new comic strip, fanzine page and more. Some of the features published in its pages now appear on this site.

John Freeman
Web: www.downthetubes.net
ComicSpace: www.comicspace.com/johnfreeman
Blog:downthetubescomics.blogspot.com
UK. One-time Editor of Doctor Who Magazine he also edited Death's Head II, Warheads and other Marvel UK titles, contributing to the brief 'Marvel UK' legend masterminded by Paul Neary with limited series such as Shadow Riders with Brian Williamson, drawn by Ross Dearsley, and Gene Dogs, drawn by Dave Taylor. And, um, this is my site.

Dave Goodman
Official: www.bahala-na.co.uk
UK. Cartoons and other oddities! Specialises in anthropomorc animals.

Paul J. Holden
Official: www.pauljholden.com
Northern Ireland based comic artist who has one foot in the real world of day jobs and the other foot in the slightly surreal but otherwise fantastic world of comic drawing. He's drawn for 2000AD, Fantagraphics, Eros, Warhammer and Toxic! (no, not that one, Toxic! from Egmont is a kids comic).

King Rat Press
Link: www.kingratpress.co.uk
57a Heathcote Drive, East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 1NB
Publishers of The Rainbow Orchid, a comic in the style of, but not beholden to, Tin Tin. The Rainbow Orchid was awarded the Fool Britannia Small Press Comic of the Year 2003 award.

Roger Langridge
Official: www.hotelfred.com
Hilarious cartoonist whose work includes strips for Doctor Who Magazine. A real genius -- you can have his Hotel Fred strip e-mailed to you. Highly recommended.

Tony McGee
Link: www.truestories.com.co.nr
143 Meldon Drive, Bilston, West Midlands WV14 8BE
Creator of the Frontiers title - weird SF with a kind of Twilight Zone flavour to it, in my opinion. Spooky stuff.

Monkeys with Machine Guns
Link: www.monkeyswithmachineguns.com

Moonface Press
Link: www.moonfacepress.com
Publishers of the Devilchild graphic novel series and the Hero Killers one-shot in 2006. The site includes PDF previews of most of our books, a PayPal- friendly shop, and a regularly updated news page.

The O-Men by Martin Eden
Official: www.comix.org.uk/theomen
Highly regarded British superhero group self-published by creator Martin Eden. Has had rave reviews in Comics International

Pantomime Press
Link: www.pantomimepress.co.uk

Paper Tiger Comix
Link: www.papertigercomix.tk
Paper Tiger is an International Comix Anthology based in the UK (Brighton to be precise). It is designed to showcase the work of the small press, underground, alternative strips, up and coming talent and whatever other catagories you can use for non-mainstream, non- heroes-in-tights comics.

Portent Comics
Link: www.portentcomics.com
Publishers of such titles as The Adventures Of Rob & Ducky, Company and The Dead Forest, Portent Comics was formed by James Redington and James Kingseller in June 2003. Their first comic together, Dead Wood was publisher in November of the same year and gathered much interest from the small press community in the UK. RoughCut Comics
Link: www.roughcut-comics.com
129 Langmuirhead Road, Glasgow G66 5DL
 
Want to work for Rough Cut? They accept inquiries from artists, but be warned: they'll tell you what they think.

Soaring Penguin
Official: www.soaringpenguin.co.uk
E-mail: help@soaringpenguin.co.uk
Tel: 020 8265 8575
In addition to publishing its own titles such as Meanwhile, Soaring Penguin offers a print and design service and say they can provide competitive print quotes and distribution assistance.

Siren Six
Link: www.goonpatrol.com
Girl's action adventure web comic

Tony Suleri
ComicSpace: www.comicspace.com/pucky
Independent artist Tony Suleri has a strong European style evocative of Moebius and others. Highly detailed work provides a unique storytelling style. He draws the independent title Bloodlines, written by A R. Grose.

Undercurrent Comics
Official: www.sam119.co.uk
257 Freeman Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs, DN32 9DW
Email: info@sam119.co.uk
Publishers of Sam 119 by Steve Beckett and Simon James, a four colour US-sized comic, set in a dark future city

Zarjaz
Link: www.zarjaz.blogspot.com
The 2000AD fanzine, back in publication as of May 2005 after almost two years without an issue. Ace stuff.

European Contacts
• European Comics on the Web
This is an overview of pointers to information on European comics (in French: bandes dessinées) that has been made available on the web. The site, which is fully searchable, features sections on comics series, news sites, indexes, publishers and shops.

• Comic Art: Greece
Link: http://www.comicart.gr
The Ultimate Greek Portal For Comics and Creators, including a comprehensive guide to Greek underground comics. Site is in Greek with no English translation but there is some fantastic-looking art here.

USA
Nate Powell
7205 Geronimo North Little Rock AR 72116 USA
Creator of Walkie Talkie

Reporter
Link: www.reporter56.comor www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com
An ongoing series of stories set in the town of Willoughby. The stories are self-contained but fit together tlike a puzzle.

Riot Gear Comics
Link: www.riotgearcomics.com
20225 Bothell-Everett Hwy # 1212 Bothell, WA 98012
Riotgear Comics is a fresh face on the independent comic book scene. They're interested in putting together a steadily growing company that will eventually be able to reach a large audience with meaningful art set in the graphic novel format. Specifically, they're interested in stories of the Supernatural and Faith, hoping to bring these elements to comics in the same way that U2 or P.O.D. have brought them to music. Honestly, relevantly, and thoughtfully.
Their first book, The Way, is the book one of a ten part series, a series that we hope will earn us the attention of a lot of people.

Scurvy Dogs
Link: www.scurvy-dogs.com
Pirate comics. Perfect for reading on Speak like a Pirate Day (19 September, in case you wondered)!

Africa
Semiotic Confession
Link: www.SOCK.co.za
You may have heard of South Africa from the news a couple of years back. They used to be all fascist and evil but the makers of these comics say they're feeling much better now. They're doing their very best to get noticed, so I've put them as far down this page as possible just in case their pernicious plan for world domination works. Look out for the work of Ed Babb and the Midgets in Bikinis in particular. It's far too good to have been created by reaumans. These are clearly dangerous creative types.

Australia
Ben Hutchings
Official: www.effect.net.au/geeen/
Australian Self publisher of Geeen Comix -- "the best frickin' small press comics ever produced by man!" he says.