You might recall that I’d mentioned in the last couple of
updates that a print edition collecting all of my Ebooks would be on its way
shortly.Well, it actually turns out
that the print edition, Memoirs of the Fated, has been available for a while.
Because of all the chaos going on in my life since August (Computer problems,
losing my job, family issues etc) I’d completely missed the memo from Less Than
Three that it was out.
You’re going to have to accept my apologies on that.
So then, let me now take this opportunity to announce that
Memoir of the Fated is out and in print. It collects three short stories The
Reminiscence of Good King Carnack, The Scars of Jocasta Lacroix and The
Reflections of Zantir Xanderfell.
All three stories are predominantly traditional fantasy, albeit
from a less heroic perspective with mild sci-fi elements in the background. The
series specifically uses the framing device of a character recalling an
adventure from their younger days, and often explores how their personal
relationships have developed over that time.
The series is still ongoing, with a forth story starring
Carnack planned for 2019. However, all stories are completely self-contained,
and written in such a way that you can read them in any order.
I’m immensely proud of my work on the series, and hope the
print version will help it get to a wider audience.
You can find the links to purchase the book below:
This year marked the third
time I have visited the great New York comic convention. As always it
was well organised, easy to get around, and had a great roster of
events (coincidently I spoke to several people who have done San
Diego in the past, and stated they much prefer the New York con).
I had a great time, met some
people I admire and grabbed a lot of swag (my wallet hurts). However,
this time I have decided to write a summary of some of the news and
announcements that broke at the con. It bulks out my blog and is good
practice if I want to write more about this kind of stuff in the
future.
So, in the name of amateur
journalism, here is the scoop.
2000ad Panel and Booth:
Not much big news broke this year but it has been made clear that
there is a lot of IDW stuff scheduled for future release. I also had
a few words with the 2000ad staffers about the possibility of
releasing the complete Friday era Rogue Trooper strips, since the
first book, The War Machine, has just come out. They say there's no
plans at the moment, but it's a possibility, and then I begged them.
I have no shame. Also, I won a Judge Dredd badge from a Dredd off at
the panel. I am the law.
Image Booth: For some
reason the next volume of Mind the Gap isn't out until next year.
Couldn't find out why though. Also, despite Nowhere Men volume 1
being a volume 1, there are no future releases of that title
planned. Odd. At least we have Rat Queens next month though.
Ron Pearlman: Big Ron
was there plugging his autobiography, Easy Street, which is a very
personal work, and it was clear he put a lot of his heart into it.
He talked at length about emotional struggles in his youth, working
with Del Toro, The Name of the Rose, and Fallout. Looks like an
interesting read, Ron asked that you pick it up retail full price so
he gets more moolah out of it.
Dark Horse Comics: Dark
Horse are planning an Aliens – Prometheus – Predator – AVP
cross through series and by golly does it look fucking amazing. The
creative team is pretty tight and want to emphasise a greater focus
on horror than action. It certainly harkens back to Dark Horse's
golden age of Alien comics. A particular highlight is the Predator
series, following an Ahab like Predator in search of his white
whale.
Star Wars Rebels -
Episode 1 Screening: I've never really had a liking for the Star
Wars animated series. Generally speaking the art style just rubs me
up the wrong way and Rebels is no difference. That being said, it's
a real thrill to see classic Stormtroopers and Tie Fighters in
action again, and the villain, The Inquisitor, is spectacular. I'm
not really warming to the main character though. The whole 'brash
Jedi apprentice who needs to get over himself' is a story we've seen
done to death over the years, and the rest of the main cast are far
more interesting. We'll see how if pans out.
Constantine Pilot
Screening: I was prepared to be disappointed but I can tell you now
that I can't wait for this series in full. Matt Ryan absolutely
nails is as John, and he really feels like the character has been
lifted out of the comics. The show manages to incorporate the punky
chaotic vibes of Hellblazer and it certainly gets off to a good
start. It's far from perfect of course, and I was a tad annoyed that
they've decided to make Chaz American in this adaptation, but
overall the jobs a good un'. In the after show panel Goyer revealed
that they'd be adapting several of the classic story arcs (Dangerous
Habits, yessssss) as well as incorporating some of the supernatural
stuff from the DCU proper, which should make for an interesting
hybrid. I find Goyer can come across as a bit of a prick sometimes,
but he certainly seems to understand what he needs to do here, so
colour me optimistic.
Killing Floor 2 First
Look – I never really played much of the original Killing Floor,
it was an enjoyable but frustratingly amateurish romp through a
bunch of maps. KF2 polishes the game up in places, and the Unreal
engine has never looked so good. The new close combat system is
really charming, little things like drawing your sword counting as
an attack against enemies really help it stand out from the crowd.
Beyond that, the team are adding more maps and more perks, so it
looks as though there's not going to be too much change to the
formula. Expect a business as usual wave shooter with some new toys
to play through it with. Sometimes, that's all you need to do.
And that's about that. I may
revisit some more areas in detail further down the line (particularly
Constantine), but for now that's all the scoop I gathered in between
buying t-shirts and prints. So, see you next year I guess?
You know, Ladies and Gentlemen, I think its time I told you that I do have other semi-professional interests other than writing and drawing guff about Dungeons and Dragons, which I have been doing a hell of a lot recently. Writing and drawing are good, but I also have profound interest in music, be it its history or theory. I sort-of-used-to-be-able-to play the piano, currently teaching myself the guitar, and I've been a DJ on hospital radio for probably more than three years now.
The thing I like most about music though, it applying it to non musical mediums. In most cases, books and comics. Today I am going to write about applying music to a series of books you may have heard of. This series is the 'James Bond' series by Sir Ian Fleming. To complement this, I have attempted to produce a poster that combines many of the elements of the series. Click the image to see a description of what you're looking at if you can't guess.
The interesting thing about the series was how massively different they were to their (arguably) more popular cinematic counterparts. I remember reading Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier, which featured a character based on Bond (but never mentioned by name). This character 'Jimmy' was an antagonist. He was misogynist to the point of sexual aggression, he was bloodthirsty, overconfident, sociopathic and borderline psychopathic at times. Having only the experience of the film Bonds at the time, I didn't see the connection. Having now read Flemings series I now see that this is almost exactly what the original character was like. On that note I'll mention I deliberately read the books visualizing the charters differently than who portrayed them in the films (most were described differently anyway) and pictured Bond himself as the original illustration from the Daily Express.
The series itself has some highs and lows. My particular favorites would be From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Thunderball and On Her Majesties Secret Service. Downers in particular would be Goldfinger, which I found pretty boring in places and leaves a pretty bad taste in the mouth after some pointless commentary on homosexuality, and then theres The Spy Who Loved Me, which is so bad it doesn't bare mentioning. Other than that, the series overall was a pleasurable experience, though much of the social commentary is dated, or just plain wrong, by modern standards, but Bond grows on you to the point where you love him and hate him in equal measure. He'd probably beat all the other Bonds hands down, but only by fighting dirty.
And so enough waffle, I give you my own personal soundtrack to Ian Flemming's James Bond series. I tired to keep music 'of the era' but did cheat a bit in places.
Casino Royale: Luck Be a Lady – Frank Sinatra
Bond plays cards, has a bad experience in the bedroom department. Twice.
Live and Let Die: I Put a Spell on You – Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Bond proves he is not quite racist, Felix gets disfigured by sharks.
Moonraker: Sky Pilot – Eric Burden and The Animals
Bond Plays cards, eats food and trips out on Benzedrine. Also something about a rocket and mustaches being evil.
Diamonds are Forever: It's a Man's Man's Man's World – James Brown
Bond fights gangsters, homosexuals, and homosexual gangsters.
From Russia With Love: Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley
"What do you propose?" "It's simple: We, uh, kill James Bond."
Dr. No: Cold Cold Heart – Hank Williams
Bond fights a tractor, a giant squid and a metal clawed Chinaman. Also we find out what 'chigros' are.
Goldfinger: A Satisfied Mind – Johnny Cash
Bond plays golf for a bit. Then manages to put an end to the robbery of Fort Knox and Lesbianism in one foul swoop.
For You're Eyes Only: Let's Hang On (To What We've Got) – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Bond find communists and villains hiding everywhere. He also finds out that marriage isn't all its cracked up to be.
Thunderball: I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire – The Ink Spots
Jimmy and Felix's grand day out.
The Spy Who Loved Me: Two Sleepy People – Hoagy Carmichael
The sexual adventures of an English socialite. Also James Bond is in there somewhere I think.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Riding Along In my Automobile – Chuck Berry
Oh man where to begin? It's literally the best week of you're life. A day at the beach, followed by The Don telling you he's now you're best friend. Then you get pissed with this guy who's just like you. Then you get sent to a ski resort full of undersexed young women. Then you get more pissed, have a go with the bob sled, meet the girl of you're dreams, take a helicopter ride and battle you're way through a mountain complex, stop the bad guys and get married. Ruined forever when you're new wife gets shot.
You Only Live Twice: I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Hank Williams
Jimmy and Tiger's night on the town. Ruined by a clingy Japanese Girl (understatement).
The Man With the Golden Gun: Anything Goes – Cole Porter/Frank Sinatra
Brainwashed Bond tries to kill M. M sends back to Jamaica to get drunk and kill Scaramanga. A woman has sex with a giant hand. Bond turns down a knighthood.
Octopussy and The Living Daylights: In My Life – The Beatles
Bond's swan song. He ties up some loose ends, and teaches you, the reader, how to make the perfect breakfast.
