STRIP Digital #5 now on sale from iTunes

The digital edition of STRIP Magazine #5, published digitally by ROK Comics on behalf of Print Media, is now on sale from iTunes for £1.99.

This digital edition of the anthology comic features many of the stories that appear in the print edition but some bonus items along the way, just for iPad readers – and at a special price.

- In Black Ops Extreme (by John Freeman and PJ Holden) the the do-or-die military team try to end an embassy siege in London - and confront a ghost from their past!

- The battle for the future of Earth hits the streets of Houston in Warpaint (by Phil Hester and John McCrea)!

- Reluctant hero Constant finds himself in a desperate race to find The Devil's Heritage (by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine)!

- Witness some spectacular elven magic in Age of Heroes (James Hudnall and John Ridgway)!

- Read the magazine's latest STRIP Challenge – an all-new take on Arthurian legend, Half World War by Stephen Baskerville!

All this plus some exclusive, digital-only trailers for the new-look STRIP: The Adventure Comic Magazine, set to debut later in 2012 in print and for digital devices; full information on the new look we're planning in 'Comic Cuts'; an interview with comic creator Nick Abadzis; the crazy antics of Cosmic Patrol and Bogey-Man Bob; and a special taster of two comics from digital partner, ROK Comics - Team M.OB.I.L.E. and Houdini!

Please note, the print edition of STRIP Magazine Issue 5 includes additional strip material not included in this digital edition, but these will all appear in STRIP Magazine Digital Issue 6 out at the end of August, as well as again trailing the new look STRIP.

Promotion for Black Ops Extreme
by Richmond Clement and Stephen
Downey. Black Ops Extreme
© Print Media Productions

We'd also like to use some pages to promote new British comics and projects. If British and Irish comic creators would like to have a plug for their own indpendently created titles in that digital-only issue, direct us via infoATprintmediaproductions.com to a 1536 x 1920 image we'll consider for inclusion. On your left is an example of the kind of image we're looking for.

We'll also consider running strip samples but they must be action adventure, SF, fantasy or one page humour - no horror or adult comics, no swearing and no excessive violence. (No, I don't know how Hook Jaw gets away with it, either).

The digital issues of STRIP - for iPad only at present - are now available for just £1.99 each.

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 1 here: ht.ly/brSDc 

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 2 here: ht.ly/brSHf 

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 3 here: ht.ly/brSPV 

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 4 here: ht.ly/brSUj

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 5 here: ht.ly/cZ79Q

Strip Magazine to re-launch in September

Print Media Productions has reluctantly decided to delay its planned news stand launch of STRIP from June until September 2012.

The decision follows discussion with our news stand distributors who suggested that the autumn would be a far better time for the new incarnation to hit the newsagents.

"There are also vital issues that need to be sorted out, especially a guaranteed delivery cycle from Print Media in Bosnia" editor John Freeman commented. "Both myself and Mike Conroy, who is advising us on administration matters, discussed the situation with publisher Ivo Milicevic, who has bankrolled the project so far, and agreed the logistics of getting the first issue of the new incarnation printed and into the shops for our planned launch date were simply insurmountable at this time."

Once STRIP Issue 5 - a giant-sized issue - is released in comic shops in the UK next month (again, later than planned), STRIP will take a summer break.


While you're waiting. check out this great cover for the new look magazine by Bernhard Kolle.

Bernhard hails from Croatia but lives and works n Lubljana, Slovenia. He began his career drawing horror comics for the American market and drew the comic books Conny and Gespenster Geschichten between 1988 and 1996 for Germany's Bastei Verlag. Between 1996 and 1999 he was back drawing horror stories for Dark Horse titles like Ghost in the US before returning to Bastei and Gespenster Geschichten to draw Maddrax and Vampira.

As well as covers for STRIP, he's working on an action adventure story for the title.


- STRIP - The Adventure Comic Magazine Issue 1 Volume 2 has been solicited in Diamond PREVIEWS for September 2012.

- Crucible cover art by Bernard Kolle. Crucible copyright 2012 John Freeman and Smuzz

Ride the Weird Frontier with Print Media's latest graphic novel

We're pleased to announce the publication of the much-praised graphic novel Frontier: Dealing with Demons, an all-ages 'Weird Western' by Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman.

The Wild West... and Daisy Adams is suddenly all alone, living on the plains, left with her father's old coat and a catapult. Then Mitch Seeker, the son of a sheriff, runs into her life. And they've been running ever since, chasing werewolves, ghosts and demons, on a quest to track down the man who turned them both into orphans and unleashed weirdness into the Wild West.

In 1866, out on the Frontier, things got Weird. History failed to record everything that happened, but Daisy wrote it all down in her diaries.

In Frontier, we follow Mitch and Daisy as they seek justice but end up finding more adventure and danger than they counted on. It's weird. It's wild. It happened out west!

First published in the acclaimed Random House weekly comic The DFC, Print Media Productions is delighted to bring you this collection of Britain's weirdest western comic – Frontier. Weaving an engaging, adventure-filled tale of derring-do in the American West, this collected edition of Frontier: Dealing with Demons from Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman includes additional feature material, including pages from Daisy's secret diary and reveals just how the story was created.

"Cobley and Wildman put the 'Wild' into the Wild West with Frontier," says the BBC's David Gilyeat of this story. "Imagine True Grit spun out into an ongoing action adventure serial, with a weird and wonderful script and sprightly, dynamic artwork. Oh, and with really cool monsters."

"A great comic needs three things: dynamic art, original and thrillingly-paced storylines, and characters we can root for," enthuses Dave Morris, creator of Mirabilis, also published by Print Media. "The team of Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman are unsurpassed on all counts, and Frontier shows them at the top of their game. Put it on your Wanted poster right now."

Frontier – now being considered as a possible TV series with a trailer shot earlier this year -- will appeal to anyone who's ever enjoyed a cowboy film or comic, but has an added fantasy element that will draw in plenty more readers. With great characters, werewolves, ancient gods and demons and a bad guy that bullets can't kill, there's plenty to enjoy!

Writer Jason Cobley (Interviewed in STRIP Magazine Issue 3, on sale now in all good UK comic shops and for iPad) has adapted Dracula, Frankenstein and An Inspector Calls as graphic novels, working with artists Staz Johnson, Declan Shalvey and Will Volley to bring the classics to new life.

As well as working as a teacher for almost two decades, he has written the adventures of Captain Winston Bulldog for almost as long, with a variety of UK comic artists including Neill Cameron, most notably in the epic Bulldog: Empire. Based in East Anglia, holding back the sea with just a dustbin lid and some twine, Jason is currently working on a children's fantasy adventure novel The Legend of Tom Hickathrift, due out from Mogzilla later in 2012.

Frontier artist Andrew Wildman is an illustrator of some 25 years industry experience. His work has been used in advertising and publishing but it is for his work in the field of comics that he is best known, illustrating for books such as Transformers, The X-Men, Spider-Man and Venom. Further work includes character and environment design as well as storyboarding and animated movie production for the Video Games industries on projects such as Wing Commander, The Mummy, Gunlok, Jesse James: Gunfighter, Delta Force and Dredd versus Death.

Andrew was also Head Character Designer for the animated TV shows Legend of The Dragon and Zorro: Generation Z, Production Designer on the children’s animated TV show The Matt Hatter Chronicles and storyboard artist for the BBC on The Fades and Doctor Who.

He's currently collaborating again with Simon Furman on the eagerly anticipated Transformers comic book series, Transformers: ReGeneration One and is also creating a Children’s TV series with Bob the Builder scriptwriter Simon Jowett and developing his own Graphic Novel, HORIZON.

SALES DATA

Title: Frontier
Creators: Jason Cobley (writer) Andrew Wildman (artist and cover) Release Date: 28th January 2012
Format: Hardcover Graphic Album
Page Count: 68
Publisher: Print Media Productions Ltd.
Web: www.printmediaproductions.com
ISBN-10: 0956712134 ISBN-13: 9780956712134
Product Dimensions: 31.5 x 23.5 cm
List Price: £14.99

HOW BOOK SHOPS CAN ORDER COPIES 

Print Media Productions books are available to order by bookshops through Gazelle Books: www.gazellebookservices.co.uk. Tel: +44 (0) 1524 68765 or Fax: +44 (0) 1524 63232.
Email Customer Services: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk

ORDERING THROUGH YOUR LOCAL COMIC SHOP 

Print Media Production titles are available to order by UK comic shops through Diamond Comic Distributors, Canalside, Warrington Road, Manor Park Industrial Estate, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SN. Web: www.diamondcomics.com

Frontier brings readers a very Weird Wild West!

Print Media Productions is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of Frontier: Dealing with Demons by Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman.

The Wild West... and Daisy Adams is suddenly all alone, living on the plains, left with her father's old coat and a catapult. Then Mitch Seeker, the son of a sheriff, runs into her life. And they've been running ever since, chasing werewolves, ghosts and demons, on a quest to track down the man who turned them both into orphans and unleashed weirdness into the Wild West.

In 1866, out on the Frontier, things got Weird. History failed to record everything that happened, but Daisy wrote it all down in her diaries. In Frontier, we follow Mitch and Daisy as they seek justice but end up finding more adventure and danger than they counted on. It's weird. It's wild. It happened out west!

First published in the acclaimed Random House weekly comic The DFC, Print Media Productions is delighted to bring you this collection of Britain's weirdest western comic – Frontier: Dealing with Demons. Weaving an engaging, adventure-filled tale of derring-do in the American West, this collected edition of Frontier from Jason Cobley and Andrew Wildman includes additional feature material, including pages from Daisy's secret diary and reveals just how the story was created.

Frontier – now being considered as a possible TV series with a trailer shot earlier this year – will appeal to anyone who's ever enjoyed a cowboy film or comic, but has an added fantasy element that will draw in plenty more readers. With great characters, werewolves, ancient gods and demons and a bad guy that bullets can't kill, there's plenty to enjoy.

Writer Jason Cobley has adapted Dracula, Frankenstein and An Inspector Calls as graphic novels, working with artists Staz Johnson, Declan Shalvey and Will Volley to bring the classics to new life. As well as working as a teacher for almost two decades, he has written the adventures of Captain Winston Bulldog for almost as long, with a variety of UK comic artists including Neill Cameron, most notably in the epic Bulldog: Empire. Based in East Anglia, holding back the sea with just a dustbin lid and some twine, Jason is currently working on new projects, including a version of the legend of folk hero Tom Hickathrift with artist Paul Harrison Davies. Jason met Frontier collaborator Andrew Wildman through a shared love for rock band Marillion. Sad, but we all need a hobby.

Andrew Wildman is a designer and illustrator of some 25 years industry experience. His work as an illustrator has been used in advertising and publishing but it is for his work in the field of comics that he is best known, illustrating for books such as Transformers, The X-Men, Spider-Man and Venom. Further work includes character and environment design as well as storyboarding and animated movie production for the Video Games industries on projects such as Wing Commander, The Mummy, Gunlok, Jesse James: Gunfighter, Delta Force, and Dredd v Death.

Andrew was also Head Character Designer for the animated TV shows Legend of The Dragon and Zorro: Generation Z, Production Designer on the children’s animated TV show The Matt Hatter Chronicles which is due to air early 2012 and storyboard artist on the BBC horror series, The Fades, as well as creating a Children’s TV series with Bob the Builder scriptwriter Simon Jowett and developing his own Graphic Novel, Horizon.

Frontier: Dealing with Demons is being handled for bookshops by Gazelle Books and will be listed in the October 2011 Diamond Previews catalogue.

Technical Data

Release Date: September 2011
Format: Hardcover Graphic Album
Page Count: 68
Publisher: Print Media Productions Ltd.
Web: www.printmediaproductions.com
ISBN-10: 0956712134
ISBN-13: 9780956712134
Product Dimensions: 31.5 x 23.5 cm
List Price: £14.99

Seek out Savant!

Savant is the creation of Jim Alexander.
Art by Ferrer and Vila.

Print Media Productions is delighted to announce the development of Savant, a new science fiction adventure by Jim Alexander (Judge Dredd Megazine, Generator Rex) with art by acclaimed Spanish artists Josep Lluis Ferrer (2000AD, Starlord) and Carlos Vila.

Savant is a world at the centre of the universe -- or so legend has it -- often referred to as the Planet of Light. At adolescence, many Savants leave the home world to traverse the populated worlds in the search for ‘life experiences’. On their return they download these experiences into the towers of knowledge.

On many worlds the people of Savant have attained mythical status as the chroniclers of important events. It is an intuitive thing -- more than just memory, emotion and intensity are recorded as well, so keeping the moment alive forever.

The story's main character, Lode, is a Savant who has chosen to chronicle the lives of the dying and as a result seeks out war zones. She is not a harbinger of death; but it is death nevertheless that draws her like a moth to a flame.

Savant will first feature in STRIP Magazine, a new monthly comic magazine for the UK market which will be previewed at the Bristol International Comic Expo in May, and launch later in 2011, as part of a publishing program that includes new graphic albums as well as this new magazine title.

Savant © 2011 Print Media Productions

Savant author Jim Alexander had his publishing debut as writer of 'Calhab Justice' for Judge Dredd Megazine. He went on to write for DC (Birds of Prey, Batman 80 Page Giant), Marvel (Marvel Milestones) and Tokyopop (Star Trek Manga). He also worked with artists David Lloyd and Richard Corben on the esteemed European publication Metal Hurlant. In addition to his writing duties on Savant, Jim currently writes Ben 10 and Generator Rex for DC and 'Growing Pains' for New Jersey's Space and Time Magazine.

Comics artist and illustrator Josep Lluis Ferrer, who signs his work as, simply, Ferrer, has been drawing professionally for more than 30 years, half of which have been spent doing comics for various publishers, mostly in Spain.

He has worked for several British publishers, drawing strips such as 'Ants' and 'Robo Hunter' for early issues of 2000AD, and 'Ro Busters' for Starlord. He's also known for his war and science fiction work for DC Thomson, and children’s and horror comics for German publishers, including licensed titles such as The Real Ghostbusters and Captain Future. He's also worked with the principal publishing houses in Spain.

Veteran artist Carlos Vila's work includes art for Italian publishers Ediperiodicci, Charlton Comics, Penthouse Comix (in Spain) and many more publishers.

"Jim's story and Ferrer and Vila's art evokes the kind of buzz I used to get reading Heavy Metal and watching Luc Besson's The Fifth Element," says STRIP Magazine editor John Freeman. "His short pitch was 'Apocalypse Now in Space' -- and the villain of the piece is pretty chilling.

"We know a lot of people are waiting patiently for our new title, and I hope these teasers aren't too tantalising," he adds. " Setting this project up has taken much longer than we expected, but it is starting to come together."

-----
Savant is the creation of Jim Alexander. Art by Ferrer and Vila

"Impressive debut" for Print Media's graphic novel range

Top British comics creator and British comics expert Lew Stringer has posted the first review for Print Media's first graphic novel, The Iron Moon by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page, calling it an impressive debut.

"The 64 page full colour hardback book is a nice large format, bigger than A4, and a classy looking product," says Lew. "The heroine of the story is Charlotte Corday, and if that name sounds familiar it's because she also starred in London Calling last year from Time Bomb Comics. This is the beauty of creator-ownership, that characters can leap between publishers like this.

"There's more to Ms. Corday than that though, as she's a Jerry Cornelius type figure who can appear in completely different times. Where London Calling was set in an alternative 1950s Britain, The Iron Moon is set in the alternative steampunk era of Queen Victoria's reign.

"... Keith Page's artwork here is a joy and a revelation," he says. "In recent years his own style has really developed and The Iron Moon is proof of the dedication and hard work he's devoted to his craft. Keith has put an amazing amount of detail into the drawings and the book is a rewarding experience... A refreshing change from all the computer coloured pages usually found in comics these days."

• You can read the full review here on Lew's British comics blog, where he also recently noted Hookjaw's birthday and regularly posts news about his work and other highly-recommended British comics projects.

• The Iron Moon will be available in March via comic shops, distributed by Diamond, and can be ordered now from First Age Comics Lancaster:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/First-Age. 

• If you'd would like to know when The Iron Moon is available in bookshops, drop the publisher a line at johnfreeman6-ironmoon@yahoo.co.uk

• A variety of Keith Page's work can be seen on: www.keithpageukcomocsartist.blogspot.com

The Iron Moon - eBook Trailer unveiled

Print Media Productions first hardcover graphic album, The Iron Moon, will be on sale at the British International Comic Show on 16th - 17th October.

Check out the trailer of this new steampunk tale from Stephen Walsh and Keith Page now, now available via myEBook!

THE IRON MOON

A Charlotte Corday adventure

RULE BRITANNIA! BRITANNIA RULES THE STARS!

The twentieth century is just around the corner and Queen Victoria is hale and hearty as she heads into the second century of her reign. The British Empire stretches from the white cliffs of Dover to the red skies of Mars.

Go-getting men and women of the imperial dominions flock to the colours, eager to make reputations and fortunes in the wilds of high space.

Take Lieutenant Charlotte Corday, for instance. Born in what used to be known as France, she has risen to prominence through the ranks of the Royal Space Navy and now finds herself up to her neck in her greatest escapade yet. Watch as she travels to the mysterious Iron Moon! Marvel as she grapples with a conspiracy that may see the galaxy plunged into war! Goggle as she meets new and strange races, both mechanical and biological! Ponder how she manages to put away so many cups of tea!

And prepare to have your brain scrambled as she scoops us up and carries us to the very limits of this universe... and into the next!

• 10/3/11 Update: Iron Moon by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page is available now from First Age Comics, The Assembly Rooms, Lancaster


• Order it online from the First Age eBay Store

Lawless joins Strip Magazine ranks

Print Media Productions is pleased to announce the acquisition of Kev Hopgood & Ferg Handley's dramatic historical adventure Lawless, which will be published in Strip Magazine in 2011 and as a graphic album.

Lawless tells the incredible story of Jack Lawless and the Irish Legion, a band of renegades and outcasts who fought against against the British in the tumultuous era of the Napoleonic wars.

Written by Ferg Handley (Commando, GI Joe, Spider-Man) and drawn by Kev Hopgood (co-creator of Marvel's War Machine, artist on Games Workshop's Darkblade), Lawless is a creator-owned tale bringing historical action adventure back to British mainstream comics with a vengeance.

Lawless creator Kev Hopgood says of the tale: "I’ve been a huge enthusiast for the Napoleonic period since I can remember, but have never had the chance to tell a story with that setting before. Now is the time!"

"When Kev approached me with the concept, I bit his hand off," added Ferg. "I’ve always been fascinated by the Napoleonic era, and the Irish Legion angle made me think 'hmm, The Pogues in uniform…'"

Ferg Handley's first professional comic was Commando 3102 published in December 1997. Since then, he has written over 250 Commando titles and carved a name for himself largely as a popular comics writer for UK comics such as Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel Heroes and GI Joe.

Kev Hopgood has a long a varied career in comic books and children’s illustration. Starting out with such strips as Zoids, Action Force and Night Zero for UK publishers he went on to went onto a three year run on Iron Man for Marvel Comics. During this time he co-created the character War Machine. Following a stint in the computer games industry he went to work on the Darkblade strip for Games Workshop.

Nowadays he splits his time between comic strip work for publishers Panini UK and Eaglemoss and children’s illustration for companies such as Oxford University Press, Barrington Stoke and Franklin Watts.

• For more information about Print Media Productions and STRIP Magazine visit www.stripmagazine.co.uk

• For more about Kev Hopgood visit: www.kevhopgood.demon.co.uk

Hookjaw to return in Strip Magazine

PJ Holden's cover for Strip Magazine #1

Hookjaw, a Jaws-inspired strip that first appeared in the controversial 1970s British weekly comic Action, will feature in the new Strip Magazine, which will launch in early 2011.

Lancaster-based Print Media Productions has agreed a deal with UK publisher Egmont to feature Hookjaw in the Magazine, re-publishing the strip in colour – and also has an option to publish Dredger, the hard-nosed secret agent who also featured in Action.

Probably the best-remembered and certainly most popular strip in the comic, HookJaw, inspired by the classic blockbuster movie Jaws, was created by Pat Mills, scripted by Ken Armstrong and drawn initially by Ramon Sola, followed by Felix Carrion and Eric Bradbury. Consistently topping reader polls, it was Mills who decided to make the shark the star of the strip which tackled environmental issues and corporate greed with equal relish.

The strip also caused controversy on publication, one of the stories that rapidly saw Action become a target of campaigners outraged by its violent content -- and its social commentary. The controversy Action created saw the comic 'banned' after just 37 issues, returning to the news stands only after its characters had been toned down and effectively emasculated by management demands on the editorial team.

The entire controversy was documented in Martin Barker's book, Action - The Story of a Violent Comic, published in 1990 by Titan Books.

In all, three Hookjaw stories featured in Action before the ban.

"Pat Mills gave the strip an environmental edge," notes Strip Magazine editor John Freeman. "This was a shark that never balked at eating corrupt humans or criminals out to make money from our oceans - along with anyone else unlucky enough to get near him.

"Hookjaw was just one of the strips that provoked the public campaign against Action, but its success also paved the way for comics like 2000AD and it's interesting to read the strip in that context today.

The first page of  Hookjaw as it will appear in Strip Magazine, coloured by Gary Caldwell and re-lettered by Jim Campbell

"We're sure there are plenty of the shark's original fans out there eager to catch up with the beast – and younger readers will be interested to see what all the fuss was about."

The strips have been coloured by Gary Caldwell and re-lettered by Jim Campbell.

One challenge remains for the new publisher: tracking down good quality of some issues of the original comic, which can fetch high prices.

"The printing on the comic, as with many classic British weeklies, was variable," notes Freeman. "Some pages of the comic we've sourced so far are fine while others are muddy, with print errors and heavy blacks. We're hoping collectors might be able to help in our quest to ensure the very best reproduction of these classic strips."

Hookjaw joins a line up of strips that includes work by PJ Holden, Michael Pennick, John Ridgway, James Hudnall, John McCrea, Phillip Hester and others.

Alongside STRIP Magazine, Print Media Productions is releasing a range of graphic albums that include creator-owned projects by Ferg Handley, Kev Hopgood, Gordon Rennie, SMS and more.

The first of these, the steampunk adventure The Iron Moon by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page, will be on sale from next month (October 2010), launching at the British International Comic Show in Birmingham.

• For the latest news about Strip Magazine visit: www.stripmagazine.co.uk

Hookjaw © Egmont UK