I’ve had a few moments of epiphany in comics, and one of them was when I discovered the artist Moebius, who died at the weekend. There’s never been anyone with his vision; I’ve sometimes (whimsically) even thought his art was evidence that there was extra-terrestrial life, as his imagination was never earth-bound and far out of reach of anyone on this planet.

If anyone says “there’s no such thing as a new idea”, tell them: look at the work of Moebius.

I should have posted about this a while ago: Paper Science 7 is out now, and I’m delighted to have been asked back to contribute a comic for it. I love the newsprint format for comics and PS has been a particularly impressive example. I talk a bit more about it in a short interview with editor Matt Sheret that was published on the Forbidden Planet blog, and there are further interviews with contributors Marc Ellerby, Josceline Fenton, Philippa Rice and His Majesty the King of Things.

All the editions of Paper Science can be bought from here, or at good comic shops. Very much recommended.

The above pic was an updated version of a squid-monster-attacks-city scene I drew several years ago but which has always been popular seller as a print at comic conventions. I’ve been giving my portfolio an upgrade (a work-in-progress, as these things tend to be) so I decided to redraw it using the style that I’ve developed since the original was created. You can’t go wrong with squid monsters.

What else am I up to? Here’s the current “to do” list (in no particular order):

• pitching a children’s chapter book I’ve written to various publishers;
• pitching a whole bunch of other ideas to my agent for other books. I’ll be posting sketches and what-not here;
• continue working on a book collaboration with Sarah McIntyre which has been bumping around for a while;
• assisting the aforementioned Ms McIntyre in the curation of a kids’ comics festival as part of Pop Up! With Sarah at the helm, I’m sure it will be amazing. Keep the weekend of the 30th May free! Sarah blogs about it here;
• editing the next issue of ink+PAPER. It’s due out in June and has an absolutely amazing line-up. There are still some issues of #1 for sale here.
• working on the committee for Caption, the Oxford comics festival. This year it will take place on the weekend of the 21st July;
• working on a comic collaboration with Tanya Meditzky. I love Tanya’s sense of humour – check out her work in the Comix Reader and the Strumpet;
• a strip for a new anthology by the industrious gents of Accent UK;
• I’ve been thinking about setting up an online archive for people to donate their out-of-print/retired minicomics and zines, allowing them to be downloaded for free. I’m getting some costs/ideas together for that;
• finishing off the first arc of my webcomic Tozo and collecting it into a single bumper printed edition. I’m probably going to take a year off Tozo after that – it’s been five years and I think I’d benefit from a break;
• collecting my Queen Mum comics into… um, a collection;
• resurrecting a half-finished children’s novel and completing it;
• re-jigging this website;
• doing more portfolio stuff;
• and blogging about everything in more detail than this!

Plus redecorate the flat, redesign the garden, etc, etczzzzzzzzzzzzz. That will do for now, perhaps?

Things I learnt at the bananas-but-wonderful MCM Expo this weekend:

1. It’s probably still too early for Hobbit fan-art (click on it for a bigger version).
2. Games of Thrones fan-art is hot!
3. No one likes Aquaman. Poor Aquaman.

Made you look!

It’s the MCM Expo this weekend! It’s the UK’s nuttiest comic convention – me and the Flash will be there with a load of (new) fan-art prints. Superheroes? Got it covered. Game of Thrones? Check. Hobbits? Of course! Random nerd stuff? Naturellement.

I’ll be sharing space with a table buddy of old, Cliodhna Lyons, who I understand will be cosplaying in an outfit that uses an aggressive amount of pink. Come and say hello (and start your Xmas shopping early) at table H3!

I’m honoured to say that I’ve been included in an exhibition of self-portraits by comic artists, curated by Camila Barboza, that’s taking place at the wonderful Orbital Comics in London. There are pics by a number of small-, medium- and large-press favourites such as Joe Decie, Adam Cadwell, Ellen Lindner and Gary Erskine, as well as me on a giant blue chicken. Here are some photos from the launch, but do take a look in person if you’re in the area. The (free) show runs until the 15th October.

Speaking of comics shops being wonderful, the amazing GOSH! is hosting a comics discussion group in their fantastic new premises, organised by Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock. They’ve had the innovative idea of discussing one mainstream book and one small press book, and I’m thrilled that they’ve decided to make Tozo their inaugural read alongside the mighty Watchmen. The group kicks off on October 12th. Contact Mike and Mark via Facebook (link only works if you’re logged in to FB) or through thinkingcomics.com. Come along and talk comics!

Some characters from various different projects I seem to find myself working on simultaneously – some in the pipeline, others may never see the light of day. All good fun, though.

I’ve realised that one project I’ve not actually mentioned on my own blog is ink+PAPER, a comic magazine I’m editing and publishing, due out in November. I’ll do a proper post on its origins at some point over on i+P blog but for now go and click on the links of some of the people who are taking part – there’s lots of good stuff there and I’m very excited about this particular enterprise. The response has been gratifyingly warm – it seems to be an idea with which people have really connected. More on that in months to come.

In the nearer future, a couple of events: New Cross Turn Left (above) – a comics garden party in the south London neighbourhood of the same name, initiated by Ellen Lindner. It’s free entry and there’ll be comics, cake and even a bit of theatre: the premier of the play, “Derek The Sheep and The Quest for the Googly Glasses” written by Gary Northfield.

Then at the beginning of August comes Caption, the Oxford comics festival. This year’s official t-shirt (above) is now available for pre-order: details here. It’s proving quite popular, so get yours now. There are loads of great guests coming to Caption – including the one and only Paul Gravett. It’ll be my pleasure to interview him, something I’m really looking forward to doing, though the thought of doing it live is a bit scary. Luckily Paul is full of great tales so it should be fun.

I’ll be at the Zine Fair as part of the Birmingham Zine Festival this Saturday afternoon. I’ve not been to this event before but it looks like a lot of fun and an impressive <insert collective noun of choice> of comickers and zinesters will be there. I’m sharing a table with the jolly Mr Winchester. Looking forward to it!

Caption 2011 t-shirt design

Caption, the Oxford comics festival (with the theme of austerity) will soon be here and we’re looking for artwork for the souvenir programme:

“As usual we will be creating a souvenir programme and are looking for contributions from the comics community. You don’t have to attending Caption to contribute, as in this year of Austerity we know not everyone will be able to make it along. All contributors will receive a copy of the programme.”

The book will be b/w and A5 in size. Send artwork to jay[dot]eales[at]googlemail[dot]com.

As part of the ongoing International Alternative Press Festival, I’m hosting a workshop at the wonderful Orbital Comics shop in London this Thursday from 6:30-8pm. Do come along – no need to book. I’ll be giving a bit of “insight” into my Queen Mum comics, then we shall create STUFF together – it will be a right royal load of fun, plus you can check out Orbital’s wonderful range of goodies too, including their great small press range. Hope to see you there!

Details on all the remaining workshops can be found on this Facebook page.