I was invited over to Demoncon 6 last weekend for a one day show.  I had been asked for several years, and each time I was either double booked or had too much work on.  This time though the stars were in alignment which enabled me to make the jaunt.

This was the 1st time I had been over to Maidstone, in this job I do get to see places that I would had probably never thought of checking out.

The Mini con  was set in the Royal Star Arcade opposite the Grinning Demon Comic Shop run by Graham Beadle, who also set up and organizes the Convention.

It was a nice location with plenty of Natural Light which is always a bonus when your sketching.  It also had a nice atmosphere where everyone was friendly.  It was good to do a show with smaller numbers as it gave me the chance to chat one to one with several people, which is not always the easiest thing to do at big shows.

It is a show I would definitely recommend going along to if you want a nice friendly day out.  If your in the area for the next show, make sure you pop along to check it out.

More than 50 years after its debut, 2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion is the first set to focus solely on a new story line.

I am pleased to say I will be contributing Art packaged within this new set!

This new set sticks with the original's tradition of fully painted artwork and takes on a new script.

Every 2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion box will contain 1 Sketch Card per box. A total of 50 packs will contain four-card puzzles and there are Creator Sketch Cards that come with a different design from regular cards.

There will also be Classic Autographs featuring classic Artists and Actors from the Hit Film!

Keep your eyes peeled, or the Martians will do it for you!

2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion Box 

• 1 Sketch Card
• 1 Autograph, Patch Relic, Medallion Card or Printing Plate
• 9 Basic Inserts
• 120 Total Cards

Not long back from the 1st Cardiff Film and Comic Con and now in recovery mode.  This wasn't the 1st show I have attended in Cardiff but it certainly was the biggest.  I heard estimates of attendance of 20,000 which honestly wouldn't surprise me.  Many people I spoke told told me queues snaked all around the Motorpoint arena.

I had a great time at the show and met many great people.  Lot's of 1st timers plus many people I had met before at one event or another. I also had the chance to catch up with a few of my Artist and industry buddies which is always a pleasure.

Speaking of other Artists I had the chance to meet up with longtime Pal and sometime collaborator Simon Soul-man Williams and his new mate the Hoff. Yep that's right David HasselHoff.

Simon is working on a new book with the the Hoff, for more info check out here:
http://www.retrocomicsgroup.co.uk/

Over the weekend I had many requests and top of the list were sketch covers.  Which is Something I enjoy doing as you never know what requests people may come up with.  Below are a few samplings.  Overall I really enjoyed this show and hope to be back for the next.  Thanks to All for making it a Great one!

For more sneak peeks at my Art come & join me on Facebook. ;)

Pre-Orders Are Now Available for the show!

To place an order simply go to the commissions section of this website
(Along the top banner)
& click on the sketch of your choice.
When ordering just fill in the details of the characters you want, then the order is complete!

All orders come with a Free AVENGERS & IRON MAN Print!

STRICTLY LIMITED: ONLY A FEW OF THESE LEFT!

Usually I would do a big rambling review of a show with a few clever words thrown in like 'discombobulate' just to show how wordy wise I am.

See what I did there!?!

However on this occasion I am going to let this small sampling of pictures do the job for me with an additional paragraph or two.

Suffice to say I had a good time at the show.  Met a few newbies at this Transfest. Gender not the issue.  With a lot of the regular Transfans in tow.  I had a good time, did a few nice sketches and had a good catch up chat and laugh with many fine folks.  Fellow Artists and Attendees amongst them.


Big thanks to Nick Snowden for sorting out last minute table space & to all those that came for sketches.  Drum Roll Please!....

This was my 2nd time visiting Manchester Central as the MCM Comic Con Show came into town.  As I arrived I could see Scores of new culture fans surrounding the Manchester Central venue for what is a 'Now' annual event.  The last time I was there I thought it seemed quite busy.  This time was something else, as word about the show clearly had spread.


Once the show opened it was packed to its rafters with hordes of enthusiastic cosplayers, collectors and even just casual browsers out for a day of fun.  With lines of people queuing around the building from early morning the venue soon filled up.  Everyone I saw seemed to be extremely enthusiastic even as crowds flooded through the venue.


The line-up of guests was impressive considering Manchester's MCM Expo is only in its second year. Warwick Davis was there discussing his experiences in films and TV, with 'Merlin's' Tom Hopper and Torchwood actor Kai Owen in tow. They also had a selection of Video Game Voice Artists, though in truth I have been of the Gaming Wagon for many a year!


There was a lot there for Gamers too, which is probably the reason I was asked to do a Legend of Zelda 'MIDNA' sketch. This was my 1st ever Zelda sketch & I gotta say I quite enjoyed doing it!


Although I was in the Comics Village section, I do think being surrounded by Sci-fi and Gaming stands clearly had an influence the the requests that came my way.  After Midna was a 'What if' sketch. Captain James Tiberius Kirk as a 'Borg'.  So I duly 'Borgised' him.  Is that a word?  If not, I now claim it as my own.


Of course I had my usual favorites. TRANSFORMERS! A couple of which you can see pictured here. Some of course are far trickier than others. Optimus Prime, now I can do him in my sleep, UNICRON, Yep he is a bit trickier!  Trying to Instigram Pictures on your phone while also sketching is not the easiest thing to do.  Note to self : Must Buy New Camera!


I found The MCM Manchester Comic Con to be a nice balance between all the things you would expect to find at a ComicCon, and proved to me there is a growing and almost insatiable appetite for what I call 'New' culture throughout the UK.  What is 'New Culture'? Well it's everything you enjoy, without most of the stigma that used to be attached. I for one, say that is a good thing.


Next Year The MCM Manchester ComicCon it is going to be a 2 day event, so time I got organized.  I better start getting ready now then!

Last Sunday I was invited to be a guest at UNITY in Exeter which is a quite a distance from my Studio.  UNITY is a  family centric fun day for adults and children that raises money for charity.  So I jumped into my car nice & early for journey ahead of me.

I am glad I went early too, as this turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year thus far. For me it was nice and simple to get to. M5 South, turn off Junction 29 first left, take the slip road towards Rockbeare/ Sowton, then arrive at The Golden Pond, Rockbeare. Just look for it on your right.

No need for a pesky Sat Nav then!

The show included the involvement of the UKCM and Exewing costumers, which is a Star Wars sci-fi costuming group that help raise money for charity. This was not the day for costuming though! Just imagine wearing a full Stormtrooper body armor in the midday heat. Tatooine's got nothing on Exeter. Poor buggers!

Lets not forget, the guy in his full body ALIEN suit. Its okay though he ended up sitting in the kids paddling pool to cool down.

As for me it was sketch as usual, though this time I also got to chill out and spend some time with great people too. 

All in All it was a fun, relaxed & enjoyable weekend. Special thanks to Kai Geekmaster Wong for inviting me.

Over the weekend we also managed to raise £786 for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund & stop an Alien from dehydrating. 

I also got to hang out with the other 2 guests Georgina Burford (Dr Who) & Julian Lee Seager (WorldWar Z & MARVEL films), which was fun.

On the evening there was Geek Night, i.e a pub quiz for geeks. With (& I must say this) one of the finest & most filling All you can eat Chinese Buffets I have tried & trust me I tried!  5 plates isn't pushing it, is it?