Countdown begins to STRIP Magazine news stand launch

STRIP: The Adventure Comics Magazine is heading for the UK news stand at last - to be released in news agents in the week beginning 8th April 2013.

The iPad edition is on sale now (link).

Bosnian-based comics publisher Print Media has confirmed its long-intended move to bring the adventure anthology to select high street newsagents is finally underway, after a “test run” of seven issues in UK comic stores.

The line up of the monthly anthology magazine will be a mix of action adventure, science fiction and fantasy strips, alongside feature material about the world of British comics, including the continuation of Black Ops Extreme, centred on a secret anti-terrorism team; Crucible, a creator-owned science fiction story; teen heroine thriller, Warpaint; and the return of 1970s action hero King Cobra, in all-new stories, under license from original publisher DC Thomson.

Creators in the launch issue include Jim Campbell, Richmond Clements, Stephen Downey, Nick Dyer, John Freeman, Phil Hester, Miljenko Horvatic, John McCrea, Wamberto Nicomedes, Maxim Simic and Smuzz.

Plans and strips for the Magazine are fully commissioned for the next 12 months but include:

In Issue 1 -

Black Ops Extreme © Print Media

• Black Ops Extreme by Richmond Clements and Stephen Downey

Continuing the adventures of a covert military unit taking on terrorists across the globe - but facing its own troubles with a possible traitor in its midst!

King Cobra © DC Thomson

• King Cobra by John Freeman and Wamberto Nicomedes

A major action hero for DC Thomson who first appeared in Hotspur in 1976, a new King Cobra takes on old enemies and new

Warpaint © Phil Hester & John McCrea

• Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea

A homeless teen finds herself drawn into a cataclysmic struggle between mankind and elemental monsters bent on the destruction of our world.

• Operation Inferno by Richmond Clements and Nick Dyer

British and French steampunk spies take on the might of the dangerous Prusssian Empire in a feature-length adventure starring teen ninja Black Dragon!

Crucible © John Freeman & Smuzz

• Crucible by John Freeman and Smuzz

Swords meet science fiction as a mis-matched team of adventurers are tasked to recover a sacred relic from an ancient and deadly mine…

Denizens © Print Media

• Denizens by Miljenko Horvatic and Maxim Simic

Spurred by personal tragedy, humanity’s very existence is threatened with destruction when fast-growing plants are released, wiping out all organized centres of civilisation!

Dragonrir

Strips in the pipeline include Dragonrir, a stunning fantasy tale by Miljenko Horvatic and Damir Zitko; a thrilling story of the criminal underworld, Deliverer, by Miljenko Horvatic, drawn by Bernard Kolle; WarWorldz by Stephen Walsh and Giancarlo Caracuzzo; the tale of an ancient warrior battling magic, Thracius, by James Hudnall and Mark Vigoroux; plus the return of other strips, including Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and John Ridgway and The Devil's Heritage by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine.

WarWorldz

Print Media publishes three comics-related magazines in Bosnia, including Strip Magazin and a localized edition of Metal Hurlant.

"I am really excited our plans for STRIP Magazine are finally developing as I planned three years ago" says publisher Ivo Milicevic. "There is no certain formula for success, but the Magazine will have some good stories and really great art.

Ivo, who grew up with British comic characters such as Black Archer, Steel Claw and The Spider, which were reprinted extensively in former Yugoslavia, has been working in publishing for nearly 25 years. After college, he worked as journalist, and later as a publisher. Print Media's business centres on print for the comic industry.

Complementing the re-launched magazine will be more UK comics albums, adding to its current titles - Iron Moon, Frontier and Mirabilis. Plans include collections of some of the strips published in the first limited edition run, including Black Ops Extreme, drawn by PJ Holden.

• The magazine is not accepting submissions or story pitches at this time

• STRIP Magazine #2.1 on iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/app/strip-magazine-2.1/id619259147

• STRIP Magazine blog: http://stripcomicmagazineuk.blogspot.co.uk

• Find STRIP Magazine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Strip-Magazine-UK/107449926009722

• Follow Strip Magazine UK on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/StripMagazineUK

All images © respective creators

Black Ops Extreme: Who's Who

While you're waiting for the arrival of STRIP Magazine #7, here is a Profile Page for the Black Ops Extreme characters. Art by PJ Holden.

This features in the special Christmas issue, but has appeared in the STRIP digital editions previously.

There is no Black Ops in #7, but the story returns next year, when BOX continue to battle the terrorist Sadiq, who has some mystery backers...

STRIP Magazine #5/6 in UK stores this week

After several unforseen and unwelcome delays due to shipping issues, Strip Magazine Issue 5/6 - a giant-size double issue of Print Media's action anthology - will be in stores tomorrow (Wednesday 31st October 2012).

Priced at £4.99, the 96-page special features a cover by John Ridgway and is another comic shop-only issue and wraps the first Black Ops Extreme story arc by John Freeman and PJ Holden and concludes James Hudnall and John Ridgway's Age of Heroes fantasy adventure - for now.

This special giant size edition has even more comic strip action and adventure than ever, with almost a dirty dozen pages of Black Ops Extreme as the the do-or-die military team try to end an embassy siege in London - and confront a ghost from their past.

Also in the issue, the battle for the future of Earth hits the streets of Houston in Warpaint (by Phil Hester and John McCrea); the gripping conclusion to the first Devil's Heritage adventure (by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine), as dangerous Nazis hunt a diabolic treasure; elven magic in Age of Heroes; and not one, but two STRIP CHALLENGE winning stories, one by Stephen Baskerville and the other by Paul Rainey and Robert Wells; and two episodes of classic Action comic strip Hook Jaw.

Features this issue are interviews with creators Leo (Mirabilis) Hartas and Nick (Hugo Tate) Abadzis.

• Please note that due to the delayed release of this issue, features and information on the future plans of the title printed in the issue are completely at odds with the current aim of a 2013 news stand launch for Volume 2.

• The print edition of STRIP #5/6 was split into two digital editions for iPad, which include a small amount of digital extra material, some of which will be featured in future print issues 

• Buy STRIP Magazine for Issue 5

• Buy STRIP Magazine Issue 6

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

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 1

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 2

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 3

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 4

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

Black Ops Extreme "Guest Artist" announced, new writer on board

A sketch of BOX characters Karlita and Nero
by Stephen Downey

Print Media Productions is pleased to announce that Stephen Downey will be joining the STRIP - The Comic Magazine creative team as a guest artist on two upcoming episodes of Black Ops Extreme.

Stephen is already at work on the first story set in Eastern Europe, the first BOX tale written by Richmond Clements, who will be the regular writer on the series from the title's first news stand issue, on sale 31st May, taking over from John Freeman.

Belfast-based artist and game maker Stephen 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 Issue 3.

"We're delighted to have Stephen on board," commented editor John Freeman. "He's someone I've wanted on this project for some time now and I'm hoping it won't be to long before we've got him a regular strip.

"I've been a fan of the indie title Futurequake for ages, so it's great to get Richmond on board, too. Several people have been pushing for us to bring on creators on board who have been busy in Britain's indie press and we're in total agreement with them. Our STRIP Challenge - which we'll be re-running - brought some great talent to light."

• 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

INTEL: STRIP Magazine Issue 4

In the latest edition of Print Media Productions monthly action adventure anthology, on sale soon in all good UK comic shops, the war between gods hots up in Warpaint (by Phil Hester and John McCrea), a brand-new Age of Heroes story (by James Hudnall, John Ridgway) begins; and dangerous Nazis trail the love-lorn Constant in The Devil's Heritage (Jerome Felix, Paul Gastine) -- in pursuit of a deadly power that could change the world!

If that isn't enough for you, Black Ops Extreme (John Freeman and PJ Holden) head for the Middle East to sabotage an illegal nuclear bomb factory and we bring you Slayer Keith, a madcap tale of warrior meets mad science in our latest Strip Challenge from David Hailwood, Stu Smith and Dave Thomson!

Meanwhile, Hook Jaw continues to eat his way through greedy oil men and we have some fun for you in Cosmic Patrol and Bogey-Man Bob!

Plus we're more than happy to pay tribute to 2000AD as it reaches its 35th birthday and bring you an all-new interview with Transformers artist and Frontier graphic album creator Andrew Wildman.

The only thing that can stop us is the snow storm that has brought Bosnia to a standstill for the past two weeks - but the magazine's printed and is on its way to Diamond, and your local British comic shop...

We'll confirm the on sale date as soon as possible!

• The digital edition of STRIP Magazine Issue 4 is available for iPad here

STRIP Magazine rides with the Devil!

Here's the cover to Issue 3 of STRIP Magazine, on sale in UK comic shops next month.

The Devil's Heritage is a new strip to the title, by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine. A mystery adventure set in pre-World War 2 France, the art is gorgeous and we think you'll enjoy it.

First published in France by Bamboo, this is our first ongoing story from continental creators.

Also in the issue:

• A special Black Ops Extreme 'flashback' story drawn by Nick Dyer - whose art on this issue's Strip Challenge entry, Black Dragon, secured him the commission

• Wizard Wex battles a deadly monster in Age of Heroes from James Hudnall and John Ridgway

• Young Mia is drawn deeper into an ancient battle of the gods in Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea

• Can a shark expert put an end to Hook Jaw in our classic strip from Ken Armstrong and Ramon Sola?

• Who is Bogey-Man Bob?

We've also got interviews with comic creators Jason Cobley and John Ridgway - and a special retrospective feature on Starlord, 2000AD's short-lived stablemate, the comic that first brought Britain Strontium Dog!

Issue 3 is on sale in January 2012. Happy New Year!

Background Detail: Black Ops Extreme

Black Ops Extreme - 'A Piece of the Action' - art by Nick Dyer

I just love it when an artist throws in something into the background of a comic strip that sparks ideas for future stories.

Case in point is this panel from a special flashback episode of Black Ops Extreme for Issue 3, drawn by Nick Dyer (stepping in for one issue, with PJ Holden still working hard on the main tale). BOX Commander Trask is at a mystery location - clearly before the events of Issue 1! - waiting for an uncomfortable debrief.

My script just asked for a Harrier jump jet to be on the airfield outside but Nick, one of our Strip Challenge winners, dropped in an old FRS1 Sea Harrier - which deputy editor Jeremy Briggs tells me is a Fighter/Reconnaisance/Strike Mark 1.

In Navy parlance "strike" means nuclear strike as they could carry WE177 free-fall nuclear bombs.

While the Harriers scrapped by the government in the Defence Review - now being bought by the US - aren't the same model, it seems a casual script suggestion has echoes in the real world. Someone clearly bought this FRS1 - but what for?  Its nuclear capability?

So now I'm thinking -- how can I get this into the main story at some point?  Thanks, Nick. (and Jeremy for the background).

Two Royal Navy British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS.1 from 800
Naval Air Squadron, assigned to the aircraft carrier
HMS Illustrious, approach the flight deck of the U.S. Navy
aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). via Wikipedia

The last Royal Navy FRS1 flew in the mid-1990s although the Indian Navy still have them. The Royal Navy FRS1 survivors were upgraded to FA2 standard with a thimble nose with the Blue Vixen radar rather than the pointed nose with the Blue Fox in the art above.

The Labour government scrapped the FA2s in 2006 which was when we lost the ability to retake the Falklands unaided because Sea Harriers were proper fighters while Harriers were only ground attack aircraft.

Belfast signing for BOX artist PJ Holden

PJ Holden - artist on our Black Ops Extreme strip - will be doing a signing at Forbidden Planet International Belfast (facebook link) on Saturday 3rd December between 1.00 and 3.00pm.

In addition to Black Ops Extreme, PJ's credits include 2000AD, Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Games Workshop and Egmont UK.  As PJ mentioned in his interview in Issue 1, he's also working on Dept. of Monsterology (written by Gordon Rennie), which will be published by Renegade Entertainment next year.

Copies of STRIP Magazine Issue 1 - featuring a cover by PJ - will be on sale.

• Forbidden Planet International Belfast is at 52-54 Ann Street (facing Victoria Square), BT1 4EG Belfast. Twitter: https://twitter.com/FPI_Belfast Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Forbidden-Planet-International-Belfast/113286515387696 Main Site: http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk