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!

A very quick visit to the blog to let you all know that I’ve posted a slightly more personal write up of this years Thought Bubble over on my blog. Needless to say that a great time was had, and it was a chance to finally meet the guys from Com.X in the flesh.

Next, I’ll be at Canny Comic Con in Newcastle in December, so if you want to come and ask me about Babble, go for it. For now, though, it’s back to the grindstone…

The final major UK comic convention of 2011 is almost upon us in the shape of Thought Bubble, the annual Leeds comic art festival. The event runs from 14th-20th November, and this year the main convention has been expanded to a two day event, with a huge mixture of people from the UK comics scene, and, of course, some special guests from across the pond. Our publishing overlords Com.X will be there, too, selling their wares and promoting their upcoming books.

We’ve had a long discussion about getting some previews of Babble ready for the con, and we’ve come to a pretty difficult decision: we’re not going to be having any on display with Com.X.

It’s not something we’ve taken lightly, but the main reasons behind it are pretty simple: we’re so very, very close to the end that it almost seems counter productive to stop now and go back to re-edit preview pages. However, I – Lee – will be there at the con, wandering the floor on Saturday, so if you’re so inclined, come and find me and ask me anything you want to about Babble. Not much of a consolation for the lack of previews, I know, but, hey.

However, if you absolutely must have some of our pre-Babble collaborations in your possession, Accent UK will be there, too, selling their anthologies Robots, Western and Predators – all of which feature strips by us!

And, if you want more of our work, head on over to the FutureQuake booth and grab yourself a copy of the latest issue of Zarjaz, where you’ll find ABC Warriors: Broken Dreams by us! Just look out for this rather scrotnig cover from Staz Johnson!

So, if you’re heading to Thought Bubble this year, be sure and grab copies of all four! And maybe even swing by the Com.X booth and ask them about Babble.