Halfpenny Dreadful Comic Publishing – the brainchild of veteran comics writer Mike Knowles – is seeking aspiring writers and artists who might enjoy producing punk pulp fiction.
“What is punk pulp fiction?” says Mike when we asked what he meant. “Think Crumb, Burroughs and the Sex Pistols. Then wonder what they might have produced if they’d pulled out all the stops!
“Yes, this sounds like the sort of hyperbole you get from advertising agencies,” he admits. “The effect of too much blue sky thinking. You may ask yourselves can anything possibly out-punk punk Crumb, Burroughs and the Sex Pistols? Only time will tell… and then it might not.”
If you’re still interested, then be warned, HDC Publishing is looking for writers and artists who don’t mind working their fingers to the bone for no upfront payment. “Just the dim hope that, one fine day, they’ll become rich and famous,” Mike teases.
Your first job will be to work on the Halfpenny Dreadful Comic which is currently awaiting renovation. Two issues have been published free so far and are available online here.
“It was initially created as a bit of fun and put together by someone who has spent well over 30 years writing for two major comic publishers here in the UK,” Mike explains. “HDC will publish satire along with any other kind of rubbish that springs to mind.”
He’s still working up his ideas for the comic after putting out the first issues for free, wondering if it should remain so, serving as a showcase for a bunch of starving writers and artists – or become a paid-for title? (“Some great writers and artists have starved,” Mike cautions. “Some because they had no money and others because they were just too busy to eat. Check on Google if you don’t believe me).
“What are the best publishing options? Anyone got an old Gestetner Duplicator they’re not using any more?” he implores. “Is it worth crowd funding “Halfpenny Dreadful Publishing?” Or is bank robbery and extortion a better option?”
• If you’re intrigued by Mike outright silliness – note that some of the material is “adult” – check out the first two issues of the Halfpenny Dreadful Comic here | Contact Mike through Facebook – or email him via comicsauthor AT gmail.com
John Freeman
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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