Hookjaw's deadly quest - rooted in reality?

There are few species that strike such fear into humans as the Great White shark as any fan of Hookjaw, which features in STRIP Magazine knows.

And yet this fearsome predator is also greatly threatened by human activity. Moreover, its seemingly random attacks can be shown to follow quite definite and understandable patterns of behaviour.

Based on years of observing and studying Great Whites, White Sharks, a recently-released book by Dirk Schmidt, is a fascinating original contribution towards understanding the behaviour and habits of this much-feared and greatly misunderstood species (not helped by Hookjaw's fictional antics, we're sure!)

Illustrated throughout with magnificent images of White sharks, often in spectacular aerial breaches, this book is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the health of our marine environment and understanding White shark behaviour. The book is available now from all good bookshops. ISBN: 9781920289508 Price: £28.99

 

All Change for Black Ops Extreme

Black Ops Extreme: History Man
by Richmond Clements and Stephen Downey
Black Ops Extreme © Print Media Productions

Print Media Productions is pleased to announce that artist Stephen Downey has taken up the reins on Black Ops Extreme for STRIP - The Comic Magazine on a regular basis.

Stephen's run on BOX, taking over from PJ Holden (currently busy with Monsterology for Renegade), begins with the first newsstand issue of the title.

Stephen has already drawn two upcoming episodes, both written by new writer Richmond Clements,who has taken over the scripting of the story from John Freeman.

"We're delighted to have Stephen's continuing on Black Ops Extreme," commented editor John. "PJ set a really high standard with his work on the strip, but Stephen's clearly up to the challenge of following in his brush strokes.

"I came up with an overall 'arc' for BOX for the first 12 issues of the magazine, which Richmond is polishing up nicely, but his first two stories are more 'one shots', to draw new readers in as we relaunch the title.

"The 'arc' will resume with the third issue of the newsstand edition, which also sees the arrival of WarWorldz by Iron Moon writer Stephen Walsh and Giancarlo Caracuzzo."

Belfast-based artist and game maker Stephen Downey has worked with Insomnia Publications, Titan Publishing, AAM/Markosia, Heske Horror, Comic a Gael and Beserker to bring his comics and artwork to the masses. He is the co-creator of Cancertown and Slaughterman's Creed, both with Cy Dethan and has worked on the Torchwood comic strip for Titan Magazines.

Most recently, he's been busy with the historical mystery adventure Jennifer Wilde, an original three-part comic book series published by Ireland's Atomic Diner, from a story by Robert Curley and Maura McHugh, with a script by Maura McHugh. Stephen provides art, lettering and covers.

Richmond Clements, from Larne, County Antrim, is a writer, editor and colourist for the small press publisher FutureQuake Press. He has also written Wild West Wendy, a supernatural western drawn by Vicky Stonebridge, and Turning Tiger, a two-part science fiction comic drawn by Alex Moore, for Renegade Arts Entertainment.

Richmond is also writing Operation Inferno for STRIP - The Comic Magazine,  drawn by Nick Dyer, a steampunck action adventure starring the ninja secret agent Ryuu who debuted in STRIP – The Comic Magazine Issue 3.

• Stephen Downey's web site: www.stephendowneygallery.com
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenmdowney

• Richmond Clements's Blog: http://richwriting.blogspot.co.uk
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/richclements

Black Ops Extreme © Print Media Productions

Andrew Wildman set to sign 'Frontier' at Orbital Comics event

May 5th is the annual Free Comic Book Day and many comic creators are banding together not only to promote their books but also support charities.

Simon Furman, Andrew Wildman (co-creator of our weird western album, Frontier), Stephen Baskerville, Jason Cardy and JP Bove, the Transformers ReGeneration One team will be signing at Orbital Comics in Great Newport Street, London on the day, where you'll be able to get your free copy of the comic, get it signed and make a donation to trasnform the life of a child less fortunate than yourself.

Copies of Frontier will also be on sale at Orbital Comics on the day.

All proceeds from this upcoming event will be going to Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, the leading wishgranting charity that grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

Draw the World Together recently teamed up with Make-A-Wish Foundation and addition to the usual ʻSketch for Donationsʼ model that Draw the World Together have successfully used over the past few years they are now creating the possibility of having all signatures at signing events in the UK raise a minimum of £1 per signature in aid of charity.

"Comic Book creative teams generally do not charge for signatures and it seems like the perfect opportunity for comic book fans and readers to express their support for those children who do not have the opportunities that many of us take for granted," explained DwT's Andrew Wildman. "This simple exchange between the professionals of the comic book world and their fans will help fund the amazing work undertaken by Make-A-Wish."

The Oribital Comics even, coinciding with Free Comic Book Day, will be the first event to implement this sceheme, but Andrew is hoping other comic creators will take up the challenge to raise money.

• For more information visit the website at www.drawtheworldtogether.com, or join DwT at facebook.com/drawtheworldtogether;  or contact Andrew Wildman - infoATdrawtheworldtogether.com

Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK is Charity Registration Nos. (England & Wales) 295672 (Scotland) SC037479

STRIP Magazine #4 on sale next week in UK

Good news! STRIP Magazine #4 has finally arrived in the UK and will be on sale in British comic shops next week.

For those of you who have asked - and those that haven't! - the delay on the comic shop-only issues should not affect the news stand launch at the end of May.

We are making Issue 5 of our first volume a double issue (so there will now be no #6 Volume 1) to close some storylines and clear the decks for the new line-up in #1 Volume 2.

This double issue will only count as a single issue as far as subscribers are concerned to thank them for their loyalty.

Back issues of STRIP Magazine will also soon be offered via our web site if you have missed an edition.

You can also get STRIP Magazine digitally on iTunes for iPad.

If you want to receive our newsletter, we have launched a new mailing list. To subscribe, follow this link: http://eepurl.com/j5iA1

Frontier artist Andrew Wildman at Literary Festival

HORIZON by Andrew Wildman. © Andrew Wildman

If you're in the Chipping Norton area on the 21st April, then get along to the Chipping Norton Literary Festival.

Andrew Wildman, co-creator of the recently-published weird western Frontier and artist on the new IDW Transformers title will be giving a presentation about his own creator-owned project HORIZON, explaining the process of how he is creating the story and exactly what it is about.

He will also be talking about the new Transformers book and the secret narrative behind it.

Published by Print Media Productions, Frontier: Dealing with Demons, is an all-ages 'Weird Western' by Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman. There's more information here about that book.

The Festival line-up also includes a session from the team behind the Alien Invaders books, plus workshops on How to Break into Freelance Writing, How to get published and Writing short stories; and a number of author appearances, ncluding an audience with Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter.

• Andrew Wildman: Creating a Graphic Novel - 10.00am, Saturday 21st April 2012, Tickets £7.50; The Chequers Inn, Chipping Norton • Click here to book online • Box Office: 01608 642350.