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

STRIP #6 Digital Edition now on sale on iTunes, print #5 reaches UK

The digital STRIP #6 is now on sale for iPad on the iTunes store, comprising some strips from the print edition of STRIP #5 and some bonus digital only extras, for just £1.99.

And there's some good news, at last, for our print readers – Issue 5 is, finally, in the UK, after a very long wait and several woefully incorrect updates from Print Media Bosnia's previous couriers.

While at this point our new couriers are waiting for the print magazine to clear UK Customs, we're hoping this will be sometime this week and we hope readers will soon enjoy seeing the issue.

Earlier this year, unaware of the problems that would befoul our print magazine, we decided to split the content of the giant-size STRIP #5 roughly in half in order to produce two special digital editions. STRIP Issue 6, published in partnership with ROK Comics, is the second of these, and includes some bonus items that include special promotional pages for a number of British comic creator-owned projects such as RollerGrrls by Gary Erskine.

• In BLACK OPS EXTREME (by John Freeman and PJ Holden) the the do-or-die military team face off with a dangerous terrorist in the middle of an embassy siege!

• Reluctant hero Constant finds himself betrayed in THE DEVIL'S HERITAGE (by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine)!

• Will an elven warrior find the help she needs in her quest in AGE OF HEROES (James Hudnall and John Ridgway)?

• Meet DAN BARTON OF SPACE COMMAND: space pilot without a clue (by John Freeman and Andrew Chiu)

• Read our latest STRIP Challenge – BODY POP by Paul Rainey and Robert Wells

All this plus interviews with comic creators Leo Hartas (artist and co-creator of the stunning "Mirabilis: Year of Wonders") and writer and publisher Jim Alexander (plus some pages from his comic, "Amongst the Stars", drawn by Mike Perkins); a taster for Tim Perkins glorious space fantasy story, "Worlds End"; and more crazy antics from BOGEY-MAN BOB!

All this plus a special taster of two comics from our digital partner, ROK Comics - Team M.OB.I.L.E. and Houdini!

• Buy STRIP Magazine Issue 6 from iTunes

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

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 5

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

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

PJ Holden features in new comics documentary, The Invisible Artist?

The Invisible Artist from Northern Visions/NvTv on Vimeo.

The comic booklet: once a mass market media form, some would argue it has all but disappeared from newsagents shelves in the last 20 years - but comic creation continues apace across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

A new film released via Vimeo online, featuring comic artists such as STRIP Magazine artist PJ Holden, explores the hidden heritage of Belfast-centric cartooning that goes back centuries.

More recently, the vibrant underground publishing scene there, from The Belfast People's Comic (1977) to Patrick Brown's The Cattle Raid of Cooley (2011), has begun to attract attention from establishment arts bodies. The Invisible Artist look at the stories of committed creators in this black sheep media and how they have informed our contemporary culture.

The Invisible Artist was written by Andrew Luke and filmed and edited by Carl Boyle of Greater Belfast community group Northern Visions TV. Once a training ground for Channel 4 film-makers, NVTV is free-to-view, and hosts its programmes on Channel 62/799.276MHz in Belfast, with a weekly and omnibus edition, before joining the archive screenings looped rotation.

Shows also appear online in the months after airing. NVTV are hoping to raise their broadcasts to appear on Freeview next year. This film was originally screened on 7 November at 4:30pm, and again on 12th, at approximately 12:30.

"I'm indebted to Carl Boyle for stepping in to cover the editing and production when my workload became too heavy to cope," says Andrew of the production. "The documentary was shot in a short space of time in early 2011 and captures the vibrancy of the time.

"In many ways, The Invisible Artist? is also the story of Davy Francis, a man at the crossroads of four decades of comics creation in Belfast. I'd like to thank Carl, Davy, Paddy Brown, PJ Holden (who called by at the last minute to help out), and everyone who gave their time to make this film happen."

• View the film on Vimeo here

STRIP Magazine Issue 2 On Sale Now

STRIP Magazine #2 is on sale now in all good UK comic shops, including many offering mail order.


In STRIP Magazine Issue Two, with a cover by Rufus Dayglo...

• Black Ops Xtreme Part 2, written by John Freeman and drawn by PJ Holden: the team are sent to South America to kill a dangerous terrorist!
• Warpaint Part 2 by Phil Hester and John McCrea: Mia learns more about an ancient war!
• Age of Heroes Part 2 by James Hudnall and John Ridgway: the magician Wex battles for his life against deadly monsters!
• Recovery Inc. by Michael Penick and Dean Deckard: the company is hired to retrieve a top secret stolen prototype!
• Hook Jaw, re-mastered by Jim Campbell and Gary Caldwell: Joy over an oil strike turns sour as the great white shark Hook Jaw attacks!
• 'Cold Hard Facts' - a man from the 20th Century finds the future is not the paradise he expected
• The second winner of our 'Strip Challenge' - "The Citadel Codex", set in ancient Mexico

PLUS - an exclusive interview with comic artist John McCrea, British comics news, a competition to win copies of Paul Gravett's new book 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die and the new collection of Alan Grant and Arthur Ranson's Mazeworld; and a sneak preview of Crucible, one of the new strips coming up next year STRIP Magazine!

You can now subscribe to Strip Magazine online at www.printmediaproductions.com at our introductory rates as advertised in Issue 1 of our new magazine.

• STRIP Magazine #2 is also available from iTunes

• Visit www.printmediaproductions.com to subscribe 

• Buy STRIP Magazine #2 from ForbiddenPlanet.com


• Buy STRIP Magazine #1 from ForbiddenPlanet.com  

STRIP Magazine #2 Digital Edition on sale now

The iPad-only digital edition of STRIP Magazine #2 is now on sale from iTunes - again in advance of the print edition.

Due to a small but unexpected delivery delay from Bosnia, the print edition will not be on sale until 14th December, for which we apologize.

Subscriber copies should be with our subscriptions department this week, along with a limited re-stock of Issue 1 for subscribers who have asked to start their sub from our first issue.

In STRIP Magazine Issue Two, with a cover by Rufus Dayglo...

• Black Ops Xtreme Part 2, written by John Freeman and drawn by PJ Holden: the team are sent to South America to kill a dangerous terrorist!
• Warpaint Part 2 by Phil Hester and John McCrea: Mia learns more about an ancient war!
• Age of Heroes Part 2 by James Hudnall and John Ridgway: the magician Wex battles for his life against deadly monsters!
• Recovery Inc. by Michael Penick and Dean Deckard: the company is hired to retrieve a top secret stolen prototype!
• Hook Jaw, re-mastered by Jim Campbell and Gary Caldwell: Joy over an oil strike turns sour as the great white shark Hook Jaw attacks!
• 'Cold Hard Facts' - a man from the 20th Century finds the future is not the paradise he expected
• The second winner of our 'Strip Challenge' - "The Citadel Codex", set in ancient Mexico

PLUS - an exclusive interview with comic artist John McCrea, British comics news, a competition to win copies of Paul Gravett's new book 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die and the new collection of Alan Grant and Arthur Ranson's Mazeworld; and a sneak preview of Crucible, one of the new strips coming up next year STRIP Magazine!

• Buy STRIP Magazine #2 from iTunes

You can now subscribe to Strip Magazine online at www.printmediaproductions.com at our introductory rates as advertised in Issue 1 of our new magazine.

Until 15th December 2011 a six-issue subscription costs £14.99 including handling and a 12-issue subscription costs £25.99.

Payment is currently by Paypal online - or you can send a cheque or postal order made payable to Print Media Productions to PMP (Subscriptions), PO Box 721, Lancaster LA1 4XE.

If mailing, please ensure you include your name and address, email and daytime telephone number and clearly state how many issues you are subscribing for and which issue you want to subscribe from.

From 15th December 2011 our subscriptions will be at the normal rate of £16.90 (6 issues) and £33.90 (12 issues).

• Visit www.printmediaproductions.com to subscribe 

• Buy STRIP Magazine #2 from iTunes

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

Strip Issue One on sale today in UK comic shops

Read Strip Magazine Issue 1 Sneak Preview by clicking here

STRIP Magazine Issue One is available in British comics shops from today. The digital edition for iPad is also available and can be downloaded from the iTunes Store. The cost of either edition is £2.99. (of course, the digital edition doesn't come with the fab giant Mirabilis poster).

And in case you'd forgotten - STRIP Magazine is an adventure anthology comic featuring some great art and stories from some brilliant creators including PJ Holden (Judge Dredd), John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys), Michael Penick (Insurrection), John Ridgway and many more.

Offering a range of strip stories, comics news, interviews and features, plus a fully re-mastered version of the classic British comic strip Hookjaw, this is a first issue you will not want to miss!

As the title's editor, I'd like to thank everyone who's been involved so far - it's not been the easiest of 'births' - and everyone who's already bought the iPad edition, or is heading out to buy the comic today.

Print Media is a new British company formed by Ivo Milicevic, who has been publishing comics and graphic albums in Bosnia and Croatia for 20 years, working with publishers such as Bamboo, Casterman Dupuis, Les Humanoides Associes and King Features Syndicate.

PMP UK plans to publish comics and graphic albums in the UK market, developing their own characters but also working directly with creators and other publishers to create new graphic albums and comic strips.

• More info at www.printmediaproductions.com

• There's a list of comic shops we know are stocking the title, some of whom do mail order, on the STRIP blog (see column right, further information welcomed from comic shops): http://stripcomicmagazineuk.blogspot.com.

Strip Magazine Issue 1 - Sneak Preview Released

Read
Strip Magazine
Issue 1
- Sneak Preview

We're pleased to offer Comic fans a special sampler of STRIP Magazine Issue 1, our new British comics anthology, on sale from 20th October 2011 in all good UK comic shops.

This online sampler features pages of some of the strips - plus feature spreads from our exclusive interview with artist PJ Holden and our feature on 1970s comic Action - to give you a taster of the new title.

We're also delighted to reveal the first winners of our STRIP Challenge (with more to be announced later) - David and Graham Stoddart, whose Agent Syber features in Issue 1. Pages from this great strip feature in the sampler. 

STRIP Magazine Issue 1 is a 68-page issue, featuring comics by PJ Holden, John McCrea, Phil Hester, James Hudnall, John Ridgway, Jon Rushby, Mauricet, Keith Page, Stephen Walsh and others - including a re-presentation of the classic Action strip, Hookjaw. It comes with a pullout Warpaint mini-poster by John McCrea and a dazzling giant poster promoting Mirabilis, one of our ongoing graphic album series.

• To order the print magazine, give your UK comic shop this Diamond Previews order code: JUL117915.


• For more about Print Media projects bookmark: www.printmediaproductions.com

STRIP Magazine is © 2011 Print Media Productions. All strip material © respective creators

STRIP Magazine Initial Launch News

Work is proceeding apace on STRIP Magazine with the strip line up now firmed up for the first issues.

The magazine is on course to launch as planned in October 2011, but as a result of discussions with our news stand distributor we have decided to delay a wide roll out until 2012.

As a result of these discussions, STRIP will launch in UK comic shops only, solicited through Diamond, but we still plan to widen our sales to the UK high street in 2012, effectively 're-launching' the title after its initial tranche of content draws to a close.

Naturally, we expect some potential readers who've been following developments might be disappointed by this news but we actually see it as an opportunity to "test bed" the title, in the a similar way to part works publishers who roll out test magazines in a key region to see if the project appeals.

We will also, of course, be offering subscriptions to the magazine and we're looking at a digital edition - although there are issues about that relating to the use of creator-owned strips that need to be resolved.

STRIP Magazine Issue One includes Black Ops Xtreme, drawn by PJ Holden; Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea - the first episode will feature in an upcoming issue of Tripwire (see news story); Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and John Ridgway; Hookjaw, re-mastered by Jim Campbell and Gary Caldwell; 'Hush Hush' a prequel story to Stephen Walsh and Keith Page's Iron Moon graphic album; Recovery Inc. by Michael Penick and Dean Deckard; and the first winners of our Strip Challenge.

(The initial winners for the first three slots have been notified and we'll be advising creators of the next three slots very soon).

We'll also have features on the 1970s comic Action that originally published Hookjaw, written by Moose Harris; and an exclusive interview with PJ Holden by Matt Badham.

The bumper 68-page STRIP Magazine Issue One will cost £2.99 and will come with a free poster, and will be on sale in October.

STRIP Magazine features in new Megazine

The latest issue of Rebellion's Judge Dredd Megazine - on sale now in all good UK newsagents and comic shops - features an article by Joel Meadows on STRIP Magazine and Print Media Productions graphic album plans.

Joel interviewed PMP's John Freeman and artist PJ Holden about the project last year.

Along with the feature - which includes PJ Holden's superb cover for STRIP Magazine Issue 1 as a full page 'pin up' - Megazine 307 features a new Judge Dredd adventure by John Wagner, drawn by Staz Johnson; and the second episode of Numbercruncher, Simon Spurrier and PJ Holden's intriguing creator-owned tale.

There's also two great creator features by Matthew Badham -  interviews with comics writer Peter Hogan and Elephantmen creator Richard Starkings.

Our thanks to the Megazine team for the coverage.

• Judge Dredd Megazine is on sale now from all god UK newsagents and comic shops. Specific information on the issue at: www.2000adonline.com/vault/megs/307

Iron Moon launches at British International Comic Show

Print Media Productions, publishers of the upcoming monthly STRIP Magazine, have confirmed they will be exhibiting at the British International Comic Show.

Publisher Ivo Milicevic, whose Bosnian comic titles include Strip, Metal Hurlant and science fiction title Plavi, will be at the event, as will STRIP Magazine editor John Freeman.

PJ Holden, one of the creators working STRIP Magazine, will be on the PMP stand at the weekend, as will screen writer Stephen Walsh and Commando artist Keith Page, signing copies of their new steampunk-inspired graphic album - The Iron Moon, the first PMP graphic album.

John Freeman will be appearing on a panel organised by the Comic Book Alliance on Saturday, talking about the British comics industry.

PMP has a range of graphic albums planned through 2011 and a special preview of these and STRIP Magazine will be available at the event.

New originated stories planned for the range include The Quest, drawn by 2000AD and Interzone artist SMS; Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and John Ridgway; and a selection of European albums published in English for the first time, including L' Heritage du Diable (The Devil's Heritage) by Gastine & Felix.

Creators whose work features in PMP titles include PJ Holden, John Ridgway, Keith Page, Jim Campbell, Michael Penick, Jon Rusby, Dean Deckard, Nick Spender, Mauricet and Gary Caldwell. More creators will be announced soon.

Charlotte Corday is briefed by Queen Victoria and the Duke of Wellington
about the mysterious Iron Moon. Art © 2010 Keith Page

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!

Iron Moon writer Stephen Walsh has written multiple volumes of DC Thomson's Commando Picture Library, as well as the graphic novel The Acid Bath Case (illustrated by Kellie Strom). He co-wrote the feature films How Harry Became A Tree, released in 2001, directed by Goran Paskaljevic and the upcoming Where The Sea Used To Be, directed by Paul Farren. He's currently working on a documentary about John Ford with the director Sé Merry Doyle, as well as preparing further adventures of Charlotte Corday with Keith Page.

Inspired by the great British comics artists of the past such as Frank Hampson, Don Lawrence and Joe Colquhoun, Keith Page has worked full-time in comics and illustration for some 17 years.  Subjects have ranged from television-related material such as Thunderbirds, science fiction, and his current war stories of all periods for Commando. A variety of Keith's work can be seen on www.keithpageukcomicsartist.blogspot.com.

• If you would like to know when The Iron Moon is available, drop us a line at johnfreeman6-ironmoon@yahoo.co.uk

From Bosnia, with love: Strip Magazine heads for the UK

Bosnian-based comics publisher PrintMedia has announced plans to move into the UK market with a new comic magazine.

The title, which is still in development, will include new strips by creators such as PJ Holden (2000AD, Battlefields, Judge Dredd: The Megazine), Michael Penick, John Ridgway, James Hudnall, Jon Rushby and former Marvel UK and Titan Magazine editor John Freeman, who will also be the title's UK editor.

The magazine will feature a mix of action, science fiction and humour.

The line-up of the title is still being finalized, but PrintMedia, which publishes three comics-related magazines including Strip Magazine and a localized edition of Metal Hurlant, plans to preview the magazine at the British International Comic Show in October.

"I am really excited about this project" says publisher Ivo Milicevic. "There is no certain formula for success, but the Magazine will have some good stories and really great art, I can promise that.

"I am hoping that we could fill the gap between 2000AD and superhero stuff," he added. "I grew up with the Steel Claw and The Spider, but as kid I also like Black Archer and Jet Ace Logan. Later, I was blown away with the work of Frank Hampson, Don Lawrence and Jim Holdaway. I never liked superhero stuff, but really appreciate old US newspaper strips and authors."

Ivo has been working in publishing for 20 years. After college, he worked as journalist, and later as a publisher. Printmedia's business centres on print for the comic industry.

Complementing the new magazine will be a series of UK comics albums. One title is already in development, a creator-owned steampunk adventure, Iron Moon, by Commando artist Keith Page, and PrintMedia has secured rights to James Hudnall and John Ridgway's fantasy tale Age of Heroes, which will be published in colour for the first time.

• The magazine is not accepting submissions or story pitches at this time as the initial line-up is now almost completed.

• An English web site for the new title is in development. Visit PrintMedia's Bosnian website at: www.stripmagazin.com.

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

All images © PrintMedia except art by John Ridgway.