Sunday 20 December 2015

Competition- FUTURESHOCK- The Story of 2000 AD

FUTURESHOCK- The Story of 2000 AD


Review by Richmond Clements, used with kind permission of the FPI Blog.

2000 AD has been a part of comic’s history since the far of days of 1977. This documentary, now available on DVD and on streaming services, tells of the birth, near death and renaissance of the title.

It does a fantastic job of setting up the historical context of 2000 AD, with news footage from the time. Strikes, riots, recession and punk rock. Nothing at all like today, of course.

From this cauldron of anger and frustration 2000 AD emerged, steered by the indefatigable Pat Mills. As the founder of the feast, Mills gets the lion’s share of screen time here, and he makes the most of it. It’s well known that Mills has had some shaky relationships with publishers and editors in the past, and true to form, he doesn’t hold back here. That is not to say that this is film a soapbox for Mills. I’m not going to go into details about these feuds here. I shall only say that all sides get to make their point.

The film makers have managed to get interviews from an impressive amount of creators. The only noticeable absence being a certain bearded resident of Northampton, but I suspect he has said all he needs to say about the comic many times over. The Halo Jones baton is taken up by Neil Gaiman (who has written a total of 10 pages for the comic, so he just about scrapes in as a script droid!). He recounts how Moore told him the rest of the saga, and that it would have been great – but I think we knew that already!

A vast amount of material was recorded for this – in a recent 2000 AD podcast, director Paul Goodwin said his first cut came in at something like five hours! And oh how I would love to see that version. As it is, there are a great many superb and entertaining stories told.

I have just realised I have barely mentioned the interviewees. Put it this way: think of an artist or writer who has worked for the comic. They’re probably in there. Everyone from those involved right at the beginning, Mills, Wagner, Bolland, Gibbons, to the very newest crop of droids, such as Emma Beeby, get a word in. We also get comments from some super fans – screenwriter Alex Garland and Scott (Not) Ian from Anthrax are amongst those featured. And these interview pieces are intercut with some terrific animations of iconic 2000AD moments.

I cannot praise this film enough. It is an important and amazingly constructed piece of work. This is absolutely required viewing for any comic fan.





Thanks to the kind folks at METRODOME we have 3 copies of the DVD to give away as well as a signed ‘Quad’ poster measuring (according to the internet) 30 inches by 40 inches! just like the one pictured Above.


To be in with a chance at either the poster AND a DVD or one of the other two DVD’s simply buy comics from FQP.

For all sales between now and the end of January 2016 we’ll send you a raffle ticket. Each comic bought is a single raffle ticket so the more you buy the more likely you will be to win. Also, the winners will have the costs of their purchases refunded.

To also help with this, all FutureQuake & Something Wicked apart from the latest issues (FutureQuake #28 & Something Wicked #11) are going to be priced at £1.50 for the duration. Simply ge
t in touch with us here at FQP with an order (for the competition please do not use the shop) and we’ll even combine any postage too.

So, now is the time to fill the gaps in your collection, or even start a new one. All comics currently available are listed HERE.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Futurequake #27- now on Comixology!


At LAST! Futurequake is on Comixology!

We are proud to announce that following on from a bit ol' waiting period while the book was accepted, FutureQuake #27 is available for $1.99 or £1.49 via the comixology Submit platform. 

(I thought we were going to be on sale at 0.99c (0,69p) but something might have been pressed wrong)

So, if you have 'ever' dithered over the thought of buying possibly the best UK based 'small press' anthology, take this opportunity to jump on board and discover just why FQP are such a highly regarded stable.

Details of the contents are available here and the entire FQP catalogue are available here.

Tuesday 24 November 2015

FQP November reviews!

FutureQuake #28- Cover by Steven Austin & Darren Stephens- available now.

As is usual here at FQP, I'll be posting reviews as I see them, and so if anyone out there sees a review for a FQP title that is not mentioned her, please let me know where it is.

Reviews for small press titles are rare- so we tend to treasure them. Even the bad ones...

First up is a review received by email from Martin Feekins- 
Hi,
Just thought I’d drop you a note to say how much I enjoyed the issues of FutureQuake and Something Wicked (nos 28 and 11 respectively) that I picked up at Thought Bubble in Leeds.
It’s great to get a glimpse of the huge array of talent out there. With opportunities limited within mainstream British comics, FQP is invaluable.
In FutureQuake 28, I particularly enjoyed the art of Neil Sims and Steve Austin and the writing of Mike Yeoman and Michelle Wilkinson. In Something Wicked 11, I’d say the highlights were the art by Bryan Coyle and Shaun Speight and the scripts of Ryk Brink and JJ Robinson. But that’s just because I felt I had to pick a few highlights – it was all interesting, at the very least. 
Anyway, future (and at some point past) issues of FutureQuake will be on my “to buy” list.
Best wishes,
Martin Feekins

Thanks Martin. 

Next up is a review by 'Judge Tutor Semple'  over at his blog- many thanks for the unbiased opinion.

Thanks to Andrew Girdwood over at Geek Native for this review of FQ#28.

Saturday 21 November 2015

Something Wicked #10- SOLD OUT


SOLD OUT! Something Wicked #10 is no longer available from the FQP webshop.

Plans are afoot to enable the long term availability of older comics from FQP, but if you were waiting for your chance to sample the amazing quality of stories from FQP, take my advice - don't. As a rule we do not support the comics past the initial print run, so once they are gone- they are gone for good.

Thanks to all the creators involved with this issue, for a full listing of the strips, visit the FQP website page.

Something Wicked 07: SOLD OUT!


SOLD OUT! Something Wicked #07 is no longer available to buy in print.

Plans are afoot to enable the long term availability of older comics from FQP, but if you were waiting for your chance to sample the amazing quality of stories from FQP, take my advice - don't. As a rule we do not support the comics past the initial print run, so once they are gone- they are gone for good.

Thanks to all the creators involved with this issue, for a full listing of the strips, visit the FQP website page.

Saturday 7 November 2015

Thought Bubble 2015

It is almost time for possibly the biggest comics gig in the UK- Thought Bubble.

As usual FQP will have a table at the party and we have some fantastic new comics for sale. 

FutureQuake #28- Cover by Steven Austin & Darren Stephens heads the table.



next we present issue #11 of Something Wicked, cover by Matt Sandbrook.

Rounding out the new comics for this year we have the astounding Zarjaz #25, with a cover by Daniel Dwyer, who was the winner at the 2000 AD competition at Thought Bubble 2014.



This will be the seventh time that FQP has had a table at the gig and as this is the tenth anniversary of the first year of FQP we've decided to drop the price of all bagged back issues. Yup. Whether you want to fill your gaps in your Zarjaz collection, or dip your toes into the astounding worlds on show in FutureQuake, all back issues (the bagged ones) are going to be available for 50p off cover.

This year FQP are in the New Dock hall, and can be found at table #133 (The link goes to a map- nifty, eh?)

Still wanting more? Well we also have the amazingly good value collection of the NEROY SPHINX stories from the pages of FutureQuake.



This collection, reviewed extensively here, is starting to become limited in numbers, so if you want to read what all the fuss is about, make sure you pick up a copy. Available for a paltry £5.00

News Just in: I've been sent some copies of 'El Bigote- La Noche de los Muertoads' issue 01 courtesy of the creative team. I've got 10 copies of this book, all available for £1.00.



Remember, all purchases over £10.00 get to choose a complimentary mini sketch, as drawn by Bolt-01 over the last few months. At the Edgbaston comic expo in April, we gave away 100 of these with the premier goody bag. 



If I can think of anything else, I'll mention it here in the run up to the gig! Drop by and say HI!



Sunday 1 November 2015

Something Wicked #11- available now (pending website update)

Art by Matt Sandbrook- click to view larger image

Once again it is time to prepare yourself for the arrival of Something Wicked! Issue 11 features a cover by Matt Sandbrook who offers you a warm welcome to this year’s issue. 48 pages for a mere £4.00

The rest of the strips are:

Be A Doll by writer Ryan Tandy and artist Ross Bampfylde

Greed and Other Human Compulsions by writer Chris Tresson and artist Shaun Speight

Guilty by writer Michelle Wilkinson and artist Andy Micheal

Hang Him by writer Marcello Bondi and artist Marco Arzilli

Horror Stories by Jack Davies

The Curious Tale of Hartigan Hare by writer JJ Robinson and artists Bryan Coyle & Alex Paterson

The Irony Fairy by writer Andy Oldfield and artist Rui Mendes

The Last of the Camel Leopards by writer Karl Brandt and artist Peter Woods

The Sultans Painting by writer Phil Madden and artist Rui Mendes

The Warm Welcome by writer Ryk Brink and artist Matt Sandbrook

Still only £4.00, from TheFQP Webshop once the website is updated...

Remember all orders over £10.00 will receive a mini sketch by Bolt-01.

For those of you who prefer to collect your thrills in person, we will be at the Thought bubble Gig in Leeds for the weekend of 14-15 November. Further details soon.

FutureQuake #28- available now (pending website update)

Art by Steven Austin & Darren Stephens- click to see a larger image)

FutureQuake is back! The finest talents in the small press are here again to save you from boredom. Where else in the printed world can you get this much variety for such a small outlay? 48 pages for only £4.00 and a wraparound cover by artists Steven Austin & Darren Stephens. It would be an insult to all of creation to ask for less!


Barry's Nose by writer Rory McConville and artist Scott Twells

Cop Killer by writer Tim Perry and artist Joe Palmer

Monitors by writer Jonathan Harris and artist Wesley St Clair

Old by writer Michelle Wilkinson and artist A I Miller

Orionid by writer Virgil Yendell and artist Neil Sims

Peaceful Farewell by writer Blas Bigatti and artist Adam Caudill

Revolution 1010 by writer Mike Yeoman and artist Steven Austin

The Final Boss by writer Dave Cook and artist RH Stewart

The Long Sleep by writer Robert Lefebvre and artist David Valente

The Gods Tear by writer JJ Robinson and artist Alex Paterson

Wanted by writer Marcello Bondi and artist Mattia Marini

Still only £4.00, from TheFQP Webshop once the website is updated...

Remember all orders over £10.00 will receive a mini sketch by Bolt-01.

For those of you who prefer to collect your thrills in person, we will be at the Thought bubble Gig in Leeds for the weekend of 14-15 November. Further details soon.

Friday 30 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 02 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Revolution 1010, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28 and is the cover strip for the issue

Art By Steve Austin- click to view larger version.

Mike Yeoman (Writer: Revolution 1010) is a writer with credits on BBC’s Newsjack, FutureQuake and Newsrevue, London. Additional writing credits and blog can be seen at www.flipyou.co.uk. Follow @flipyou_co_uk

Steve Austin (Art: Revolution 1010, Cover) has drawn for various small press publications including Zarjaz, Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel, FutureQuake and the Gaelic language publication Ruaille Buaille and strives to one day draw for the greatest comic in the galaxy, 2000 AD.

As this is the cover strip, I can't resist giving another airing to this little beauty.
Art By Steve Austin & Darren Stevens- click to view a larger version.

Join us in two days time as we launch the new issues of FutureQuake and something Wicked.

Thursday 29 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 03 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The God's Tear, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28

Art By Alex Paterson- click to view larger version

JJ Robinson (Writer: The God's Tear) it’s only your apathy and a few tap’s on Google that keeps us apart.... Shame really, as I’m sure I’d make someone a damn fine wife!

Alex Paterson (Art: The God's Tear) dwells in Salford, has contributed doodles for: Viz, DC Thomson, REX! in Toxic magazine and Hunt Emerson's Ardnox High.

Some readers may have already made the connection, but this strip is a direct sequel to Second Chance, which ran in the pages of FutureQuake #24.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 04 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The Curious Tale of Hartigan Hare, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11.
Art By Bryan Coyle- click to view larger version

JJ Robinson (Writer: The Curious Tale of Hartigan Hare) "My six year old son thinks you should know I have spikes and wear glasses. So... hope that clears things up for everyone."

Bryan Coyle (Art: The Curious Tale of Hartigan Hare) is a shadow of a man, who can be found as a face through a window, crying in the night at http://takecomfortinsilence.blogspot.co.uk/

This strip features framing pages with art provided by Alex Paterson.

Readers of this strip will also be interested to know that this strip features links with one of the strips in the upcoming Time Bomb Comics release- Bomb Scares-
This You-tube link provides a brief look at some of the strips featured in that collection.
There is also a Kickstarter for the Bomb Scares book, which by the time this post goes live will hopefully be complete.

What is the link? You'll need to get copies of both Something Wicked #11 and Bomb Scares to find out.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Tuesday 27 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 05 days to go!



To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Monitors, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28

Art By Wes St. Clair- click to view larger version

Jonathan Harris (Writer: Monitors) is a young writer from Seattle trying to make his break into the comic industry, hoping one day to sit among the great writers of the Indie genre.

Wes St Clair (Art: Monitors) is a published freelance artist and illustrator. He studied fine art for years at the Visual Art Center of Albert Einstein High School and went on to study at Mongomery College Schol of Art and Design. He finished his education in cartoon and graphic art at The Kubert School in Dover, NJ. Since graduating in 2012, from TKS, he has been published numerous times and is now working as a penciller/inker at IDW and DC comics.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Sunday 25 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 07 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at the cover to Something Wicked #11, which is by Matt Sandbrook and based on 'The Warm Welcome'
Art By Matt Sandbrook- click to view larger version

Matt Sandbrook (Art: Cover, The Warm Welcome) is an animator and artist from England who has worked for the BBC, Aardman and several children's book publishers. His website is www.mattsandbrook.co.uk and his twitter is @mattsandbrook

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Saturday 24 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 08 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Guilty, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11

Art By Andy Michael- click to view larger version

Michelle Wilkinson (Writer: Guilty) More stories to appear in FutureQuake and SciFi 3 (Gray Haven Comics). Currently working on a web comic with artist A. I. Miller – coming soon! michellewilko.com

Andy Michael (Art: Guilty) attended the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis, IN and is based out of Los Angeles, CA. Andy exists to consume, digest, and create. See more at BendyComics.com

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Friday 23 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 09 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Peaceful Farewell, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28

Art By Adam Caudill- click to view larger version

Blas Bigatti (Writer: Peaceful Farewell) Comic book writer and editor of Spanish webzine Exégesis, he co-edited ‘SPOD! Oddities from Space’ and has contributed to ‘Dr WTF’, ‘AAIIEEE!!!’, ‘The Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel’ and numerous American anthologies. Contact him on FB, and find his work (in Spanish!) here: http://subcultura.es/user/Simud/

Adam Caudill (Art: Peaceful Farewell) Thinks about Atlantis far too much. Damn you, Plato. Contact me at elcaudillo76@outlook.com

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 11 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The Irony Fairy, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11

Art By Rui Mendes- click to view larger version

Andy Oldfield (Writer: The Irony Fairy) Before becoming a psychotherapist, Andy Oldfield (www.andyoldfield.co.uk) used to write for comics. He has now returned to his previous calling: instilling angst, dread and awe in unsuspecting readers.

Rui Mendes (Art: The Irony Fairy) "This is the second story that I designed and I liked it a lot. The scripts are very well written and I really like them, this is another good story and I hope that the drawings correspond to the expectations."

This is Rui's second strip in this issue of Something Wicked, and the prolific artist has already delivered a third.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Tuesday 20 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 12 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Orionid, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28

Art By Neil Sims- click to view larger version

Virgil Yendell (Writer: Orionid) Edits the anthology T4L Comic about fantastic and strange happenings on transport in London. Other imminent releases include Knights of Cademus with Unseen Shadows and Serial Comic in Something Wicked.

Neil Sims (Art: Orionid) I've worked as an artist in numerous fields over 20 years, predominantly sculpture, currently tattooing. LOVE creating stories, hope you enjoy my work. Check out Neil Blackbird Sims on Facebook.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Sunday 18 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 14 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at the cover for FutureQuake #28 which is based on the strip Revolution 1010 by Steven Austin and coloured by Darren Stephens.

Art By Steven Austin & Darren Stephens- click to view larger version

Steve Austin (Art: Revolution 1010, Cover) has drawn for various small press publications including Zarjaz, Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel, FutureQuake and the Gaelic language publication Ruaille Buaille and strives to one day draw for the greatest comic in the galaxy, 2000 AD.

Art By Steven Austin & Darren Stephens- click to view larger version

also for your entertainment we present the earliest sketch for the cover:

Art By Steven Austin- click to view larger version


Thanks to Steven for sharing.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Saturday 17 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 15 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The Last Of The Camel Leopards, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11.

Art By PL Woods- click to view larger version

Karl Brandt (Writer: The Last of the camel leopards) is an Australian writer whose work can be found in The School Magazine, Decay, and Strange Stories of Fantasy and Fiction. He lives in Jakarta with his wife, Ita. karlnickolas@yahoo.com

PL Woods (Art: The Last of the camel leopards) work has previously appeared in Zarjaz, Futurequake, Metaverse, Food Chain and a self published anthology called “Strange Stories” he is available for commissions and collaborations www.plwoods.weebly.com

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Friday 16 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 16 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The Long Sleep, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28

Art By David Valente- click to view larger version

Robert Lefebvre (Writer: The Long Sleep) lives in Oregon with his wife Amalia and their two children Frank and Oscar. His website can be found at www.throwthediceproductions.com

David Valente (At: The Long Sleep) likes to draw and if you cut him, he bleeds black ink and black coffee. You can see some of his artwork at www.valenteillustration.com

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 18 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Be A Doll, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11.

Art By Ross Bampfylde- click to view larger version

Ryan Tandy (Writer: Be A Doll) enjoys pizza, comics, computers and stand up comedy. He currently resides somewhere in Wales with his loving wife and a demonic cat.

Ross Bampfylde (Art: Be A Doll) is a comic book artist based in London. Originally from Cornwall, he studied at Plymouth College of Art, yet dropped out on two occasions, lacking the discipline to finish anything when life is just too much fun.

With the hedonist in him subdued, he has been drawing comics seriously since 2010, with his work appearing in a number of British small press titles and most recently a graphic novel biography of Ian Fleming for Bluewater Productions. Upcoming projects include a story for online anthology Atom Jacket and a western/horror story in Tales of WesterNoir for AccentUK Comics.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Tuesday 13 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 19 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Cop Killer, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28.

Art By Joe Palmer- click to view larger version


Tim Perry (Writer: Cop Killer) is a Sydney-based writer. In addition to comics, he has written for radio (the BBC Radio 4 sketch comedy 2525). Follow Tim @freudenvollere on twitter.

Joe Palmer (Art: Cop Killer) Comic book artist and modern day viking. His work has appeared in FutureQuake, The Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel, 100% Biodegradable and N.S.E.W. www.joepalmerart.com

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Sunday 11 October 2015

Something Wicked #11- 21 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at The Warm Welcome, which will be appearing in Something Wicked #11.

Art By Matt Sandbrook- click to view larger version

Ryk Brink (Writer: The Warm Welcome) A Doncaster based writer; known currently for a spat of anthology comic work throughout the UK and US, straddling numerous genre's, inspired by H.P Lovecraft, David Lynch and Alan Moore.

Matt Sandbrook (Art: The Warm Welcome) is an animator and artist from England who has worked for the BBC, Aardman and several children's book publishers. His website is www.mattsandbrook.co.uk and his twitter is @mattsandbrook


Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip!

Saturday 10 October 2015

FutureQuake #28- 22 days to go!


To herald the launch of the next wave of comics from FQP, we will be updating the blog each day with a look at one of the strips.

Today we look at Wanted, which will be appearing in FutureQuake #28.

Art By Mattia Marini- click to view larger version

Marcello Bondi (Writer: Wanted) is an Italian writer with projects in many countries. Website: http://marcellobondi.jimdo.com

Mattia Marini (Art: Wanted) Born in Venice in 1992, in 2011 he graduated from Artistic Highschool in Venice. Ranked in the top 8 position in the national contest “Liscapaz” in 2010. Currently is studying incision at the Art Academy of Venice.

Mattia was also recently featured on the blog in this post.

Join us tomorrow as we take a look at another upcoming strip