As of writing this post, the files have been turned over to Com.X for production and design, so we can breathe a sigh of relief and look at what we need to do next (before Bryan disappears to finally catch up with the rest of Western civilization and play Skyrim and Mass Effect 3).

It’s been a journey, getting this book out into the world, it has to be said – and not always an easy one. We’ve had to contend with the rather public collapse of a publisher (and the long and protracted period of wondering what was going on with regards our contracts and, more importantly, the rights), insults from other creators, and various health and technical problems. But we managed to get through it all and land on our feet.

We emerged from the whole Insomnia debacle with whatever small reputations we’d built up for ourselves intact, and ended up signing with probably the best comic and graphic novel publisher in the UK right now. As I’ve said time and time again, Com.X just feels like the right home for Babble; the guys have been more patient and supportive than we could ever have asked, and have given us opportunities we never would’ve dreamed of.

But we’re not done yet.

Next, we have to promote Babble and try and make people aware of its existence – something that could well prove to be an uphill battle, seeing as we – and Com.X – don’t have the resources to take on Marvel and DC in the PR stakes, especially with their Avengers vs X-Men and Before Watchmen events grabbing all the headlines (unless we offend the religious sensibilities of some retailers, in which case, we might be able to grab some attention from Bleeding Cool). Add in the recent “Women In Comics” debates that have exploded across the internet, and we may well have to face additional scrutiny because we have a female lead. But we’ll cross those bridges when we come to them.

All I know right now is that we set out to tell what we think is a pretty cool story. And, y’know what? We damn well did it.

Andi’s been a great supporter of us and Babble since we signed with Com.X, so we thought we’d try and return the favour in some small way by sharing his video. And, frankly, this looks pretty damn cool.

Overrun, by Andi, Matt Woodley and Paul Green is currently scheduled for a Winter release. You can find out more at www.weareoverrun.com

Sorry for the “radio silence” on here, but it’s mainly because we’re so very close to the end now.

Currently, the line work is now complete. 50+ story pages have have been edited and colored – that’s approximately half the book! – and we’re sorting through files that we can use for extras (character sketches etc.), before we turn everything over for production. We’re still committed to getting the book out before 2012 is over, so, if you’ve followed us this far, please just hold on a little longer…

If you’re desperate to get something from us, though, be sure and check out these:

All three of those books feature a short story by us, and can be bought directly from Accent UK.

Loose Ends is in Robots (Previews order code: MAR083379 or buy from Forbidden Planet), A Fistful Of Steamvalves can be found in Western (Previews order code: JUN090671 or buy from Forbidden Planet) and the well received Just Like You can be found in Predators (Previews order code: STK449777, or buy from Forbidden Planet).

We also have a piece in Zarjaz #13 – ABC Warriors: Broken Dreams – which can be found under this Staz Johnson cover:

Zarjaz #13 is available from the FutureQuake Shop, priced £3.00 (+ p&p).

For now, though, it’s back to it…

Diamond order code: STK463749

Once again, the guys at AUK have pulled together some of the finest creators from around the world for a unique collection of short tales featuring the undead. However, Valia and I came up with something a bit more off the wall, a little tale we had to call Dead Harvest:

Hired to investigate a grave robbing the police have no interest in, the robot PI, Hammett, soon uncovers a city-wide body snatching ring led by a once respected academic, Professor Milo Vernon. As the mystery deepens, Hammett and his companions soon find themselves faced with an army of robotic undead, under Vernon’s control…

So, yeah, this really isn’t your typical zombie story… Hopefully, though, it’ll hold its own against the other stories in the collection. And, we have to give a special shout out to Bryan for giving permission to use the characters he and I created for Robots way back when.

You can see more of Valia’s work in Into The Woods (which you can buy here), and the first of three graphic novels she’s providing the artwork for, White Knuckle will be released later this year – as will the much talked about Womanthology, due soon from IDW Publishing, which she’s also contributed to.

Anyway, the book can be found on page 232 of this months Previews:

As ever, the important thing is to get shops to order the book. So please, if you want a copy, head down to your local comic book emporium and get them to order a copy for you (give them the order code STK463749 to make it easier). If the previous anthologies are anything to go by, this one is going to be something you don’t want to miss out on. With past contributors including John Reppion and Leah Moore, Dwight MacPherson and current X-scribe supreme Keiron Gillen, each and every anthology from Accent UK has been a self-contained hothouse of talent, both established and emerging, and Zombies 2 looks as it’s going to continue that trend. And, come on! Who doesn’t love a good zombie tale?

If you want more ZOMBIES related goodness, the first volume is now available in digital form for all your fruit based devices through LUSH Comics.

Also, Accent UK’s Robots is still available to buy from Forbidden Planet International, and all good comic shops (Diamond Order Code: MAR083379). Or, if you prefer, you can buy it directly from Accent UK themselves:

As the title of this post suggests, this is a brief update to let you know that we’re still alive and on course to get this thing finished for a 2012 release. It’s been a long journey, of that there’s no doubt, and we’ve encountered a number of hitches along the way (if you’d like to know more about some of the problems encountered, check out this acerbic post from Bryan – Warning! Contains swears), but we’re now mere inches away from the finish line.

So, if you’ve followed us this far, please stick with us just a little longer…

So, 2012 should – if all goes according to plan – finally see the release of Babble, a fact we’re becoming increasingly excited about. There’s still some work to do before it goes press, of course, but we’re inching ever closer to the finish line, and we’re confident we’re going to produce a pretty solid book (Lee at Small Press, Big Mouth is already looking forward to it). How long that confidence will last, though, is another matter.

For now, though, it’s back to the grindstone…

For now, though, this here blog is going into hibernation over the Christmas period, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who’s been reading, and everyone who’s supported us through the course of the year – and especially everyone who helped us with The Babble Project. Here’s hoping we can do you proud…

On behalf of both of us, here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

"Whoa!"

"It's my Jaws moment!"

The “final round?”, I don’t hear you asking. Yes, it this post is the final round of screengrabs that will be posted up here. Why? Well, because we’re almost finished and we don’t want to show any spoilers now, do we…?

As we’ve already mentioned, this December will see the first ever Canny Comic Con, a little festival of comics and sequential art, being held at Newcastle City Library.

Comics, comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, manga, sequential art – however you want to refer to it, the CCC wants to celebrate everything about telling stories in pictures. While the even won’t be on the same scale as some of the UK conventions from this year, they’ve got some big plans being laid out that’ll put the event on the calendar. Alongside panels, talks and workshops, some of the finest comic creating talent from the north east will be in attendance – and if that wasn’t enough for you, also in attendance will be 2000AD writer Al Ewing, Viz co-founder Simon Donald, Dandy artist Nigel Auchterlounie, DC & Marvel superstar Doug Braithwaite and the legendary Bryan Talbot!

I – Lee – will be there, too, showing my support, and I will actually have some Babble previews with me… If you’re attending and you want to know anything about Babble, just come and ask me.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, I won’t be there on Saturday due to illness. I can’t even begin to describe how gutting this is, considering the north east is my “home turf”. If anyone’s interested, though, here’s a wee sneak peek at what I would’ve had with me:

Babble previews!

The Canny Comic Con will be held at Newcastle Central Library on December 10th (admission is free). To keep up to date with the latest news – including the unfolding guest list and schedule – check out their blog, follow their Twitter account and “like” their Facebook page!