THE SUGAR DROPS IN

11/8/04: Sweatdrop Studios new manga-inspired anthology Sugardrops is completed and ready to pre-order.

Sweatdrop is a group of UK artists producing original Japanese-style comics. “We’ve been going for a few years,” says spokesperson Dock in a newsmail, “but we’ve mostly been present in the Anime scene. It’s only now we’re tackling the scary ‘western comics’ scene!” 

The theme of the Sugardrops anthology is ‘cute’, with a whole variety of takes on the theme. This is Sweatdrop’s largest book to date, comprising 156 pages and a total of 15 comics.

Costing £6, Sugardrops will be officially launched at Amecon (20-22 August), and after thatthe group will start to ship out books, but if you pre-order before the convention they’ll try to reserve your copy and make sure it gets sent out on (or soon after) the 23 August. If you’re going to a con to buy your copy, please don’t pre-order, you can’t collect your pre-order at the table. 

Sweatdrop will also have the book at their table at the London Comic Festival 2004 in October.

BULLDOG: EMPIRE GRAPHIC NOVEL IN PROGRESS

10/8/04: The Bulldog: Empire graphic novel, written by Jason Cobley with art by Neill Cameron is now in production, based on characters first seen in the small press magazine BAM! (Bulldog Adventure Magazine), an indie comic that has been almost continually published for over a decade. 

GAMES COMPANY USES COMIC IN MASSIVE PR CAMPAIGN

2/4/04: More than 280,000 24-page Chaos League comics will be distributed to the gaming trade and public as computer games company Digital Jesters gears up for the 6 August release of Chaos League. 

The lavishly-produced novella has been written by journalist and up-and-coming graphic novel writer Kieron Gillen and illustrated by the hugely talented Thomas Veauclin and features the game’s trademark humour and comic book violence. 

The distribution through various consumer magazines puts the Chaos League special leagues ahead of newsstand rivals, topping the monthly circulation of Britain’s biggest selling comics. Reflecting the tone and style of the game perfectly, with beautiful artwork and a witty tale of sporting brutality, it’s sure to become a collector’s item once initial supplies have run out. 

“The Chaos League Comic is a real investment for Digital Jesters, but it’s something we were really keen to do,” says Leo Zullo, marketing director of Digital Jesters. 

” Distributing the comic to such a vast number of individuals and in such a unique format will raise the profile of the game around the street date. We’re really proud of the writing and art. Who knows: if goes down well, it could become a regular publication.” 

Chaos League is a fantasy sports game in which teams of nine players compete in a brutal field sport. Controlled using a real time strategy interface, the object of the game is simple: put the ball in the opponent’s end-zone. The rules are equally simple: do it any way you can. And if that includes issuing commands such as ‘stamp’, ‘facial kick’ or ‘ball of fire’… well, so be it!

• Chaos League will be available for PC CD-ROM on 6 August 2024, priced £29.99

Official web site: www.chaosleaguegame.com

ADVERTISE YOUR COMIC WITH WARPTON 

2/8/04: Warpton Comics, the UK Indie publisher, is releasing its brand new book ‘The Confessional’ this September. Distributed via Diamond, it has already been receiving a lot of interest and positive advance reviews which you can read on the Warpton website: www.warpton.com. 

These reviews have been supported via advertising on Digital webbing, SilverBulletComicBooks and ComicBookResource as well as in Comics international, and via press communications to over 100 publications and websites. So the word has been spreading. 

The good press has prompted Warpton to offer the UK small press the chance to advertise in the comic and promote their work in the US. “As Warpton is in full support of the UK small press / Independent scene,” says publisher Steve Causer. “We are always striving to help, and provide ways of helping spread the word about the comics that are being produced. 

“What we are now offering is a great way to get your books known by advertising in our new title. 

“Before you all say it will cost too much, then think again. We have purposely made prices really low to allow small pressers the opportunity to advertise, and this is a real genuine offer, I hope others who know Warpton will agree that this is being done to help and support the scene. “We are offering advertisement in this full colour book for as cheap as £10, full details are below, just think about the audience this will go to, not just the UK but overseas and it provides you an opportunity to be seen in the US market place.” The advertising rates for Small press / self publishers / UK Indies are as follows:

Banner advert (FC) = £10 
Banner advert on inside front cover (FC) = £20 
Quarter page advert (FC) = £15 
Half page advert (FC) = £25 
Whole Page advert (FC) = £45 
Inside back cover (FC) = £65 

Email Steve Causer on steve@warpton.co.uk now to secure your booking, discuss this or want more information.

BLACK BOX CREATOR MARC MADELEY DIES AT 25

2/8/04: It is our sad duty to report that UK writer/artist Marc Madeley died last week aged just 25 from a shock heart attack. 

At the time of his death, Brighton-based publisher House of Ra was working with Marc on finalising his intriguing creator-owned series “Blackbox” for submission to American and European publishers. 

“Everyone at the House of Ra is in shock with the news,” says Claire Geddes, Managing Director of the House of RA studio, who noticed his talent at the Bristol 2004 Comic Festival. “We were all looking forward to seeing Blackbox published in the near future and enjoyed working closely with Marc who always had a bright and happy outlook. I am sure that the comic industry has lost a very talented and unique producer. He will be missed in the Ra team.” 

Aside from being an intriguing writer, Marc was also an artist on several album and book covers. 

An example of his stunning work can be found at his constantly developing website www.cubefight.com. It also has a forum where it is possible to pay last respects to him. 

The House of Ra are planning to release fuller details paying tribute Marc’s life and work within the next fortnight.