OCT/NOV '21 NEWSLETTER masoncomics.com.au |
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#08. "Retreat, Hell!" As the 2nd Battalion/5th Marines yelled back to the retreating French colonel in WW1, no matter how sketchy things get, keep moving forward. That's where we're at this month :D |
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Out this week! THE PHANTOM #1905... Glenn Ford (editor at Frew) gave me the head's up that my last completed Phantom in 'Nam story will be the lead story in the issue due this fortnight, on the newsstands Thursday 4th November 2021. Completed in 2019, I am happy to see it arrive in print. Will talk a little more about it in the next newsletter. Looks like they went with my back cover for the front cover. Maybe my suggested front cover made it inside? Either way, will share that too in next month's newsletter. Below is a random page sneak peek... Big fingers crossed that King Features approves the synopses for more. But if not, it's been fun! | | |
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TALGARD tome 2 graphic Novel now available for Pre-Order Gestalt Comics's short story series TALGARD has a second volume out soon in print, and is now available for pre-order! The "smart barbarian" series of short stories, created and written by Gary Proudley, coloured by Justin Randall, and lettered & edited by Wolfgang Bylsma, features a roster of emerging and established comic book artists across Australia. I was fortunate enough to work with my friends at Gestalt again on a quick 4 page story 'TALGARD AND THE HORDE' in 2019, and look forward to seeing it appear in print along with friends, peers and artistic inspirations of mine, such as Gary Chalonler (Will Eisner's JOHN LAW, The Jackaroo). Check out the fantastic cover by Sacha Bryning, and details via the link: | | |
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Graphic Nature podcast interview with Dr. Paul Mason. As mentioned a few months back, I was lucky enough to have had a catch up conversation with my friend Zoran Ilievski at Graphic Nature podcast. We spoke for quite a while about a range of stuff that I'm having trouble recalling, but at some point we do touch on how and why I got into comics, process stuff a little, our "thoughts" on "fine art", etc. etc. I think at times I forgot we were recording :P
Always a gent, it was great to catch up with him, with the episode being released wherever you get your podcasts, in the first week of November. (Coincidently just in time for the release of THE PHANTOM #1905 :D)
You can find past interviews with Australian comic makers and cartoonists at the link below. Cheers! | | |
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The return of an old friend on the cards for 2022... If you had asked me last week if I'd ever go back and complete or re-release any of my original out-of print comic books from my early days of indie-publishing, I'd probably would have shrugged, said "Maybe", knowing full well that work from 6-12 years ago is exactly that; 6-12 years old and not the best reflection of the work I'm aiming to do right now. But an awesome opportunity fell into my lap thanks to an old friend of mine who remembered the work, and is in a position to see it perhaps get the audience here and abroad that I'd never thought would be possible for it. It will be a fair bit of work to get those original stories into shape visually, with the ability to now re-draw the older stuff, draw the long-awaited conclusion, and fix whatever can be salvaged. But, I have a renewed excitement for the character/s and I look forward to being able to share more when the time comes. Watch this space. |
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Bird of the Month: Speckles the Frizzle Chicken This Month's Bird is Speckles, the Frizzle Chicken (that's an actual breed of chicken, I'm not just describing her "vibe"). Though you're not suppose to tell your feathered kids who the favourite is, Speckles was our favourite here at home, with her and Cookie arriving at our former townhouse 5-6 years ago to give us company in the backyard. Speckles helped hatch baby chicks, 2 of which are grown up and still with us, as well as scooted around the yard for the sole purpose of hugs and head scratches. Hanging out washing became tricky with a small chook pecking your foot until you gave her attention. As well as head scratches, and falling asleep on laps, she loved bananas, mealworms, and leftover rice. Though she is no longer with us, passing away recently after a sudden infection that she was sadly a bit too old and weak to fight off, she will always be in our memories. She resides outside our window under a new native tree in her favourite area in the yard she dug for bugs. Vale, Speckles. |
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Stuck for Christmas ideas? Why not get an Original A3 Commission? As mentioned last month, I've decided to open up the books to see if anyone else would like to commission an American-size 11" x 17" comic board (A3 sized, roughly) pencil and/or inked illustration for themselves or loved one this Xmas/New Years period, since I won't be attending conventions for the foreseeable future (unless OCC goes ahead in 2022). There's still a few spots available, and though I'm still in the throws of marking and teaching until Xmas, and a few comics still on the to-do list, getting these to scribble are fun downtime task. Here's some pencil roughs for one in progress, inks to come (attached). I'd be happy to chat with people to see what they would like. Prices hinge on complexity/figure-size: (head shot, bust/waist up, and Full Figure). I also have a handful of original Phantom sketch covers for the Budget-conscious too.
Email me at pmason83@gmail.com for a discussion/quote. | | |
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New designs in Redbubble and Teepublic! Stuck a few fun designs into my Redbubble and Teepublic. I recently ordered the a couple of designs for lounge room pillows and a scarf for part of Amanda's recent birthday presents, and was happy with the results. You'll find some various designs via the links in my contact details. It's not something I advertise widely, but when I want something novel for a gift idea, I grab something off the page, and thought others might dig the ideas up there too! Redbubble's postage might be more favourable to Australians, but I also appreciate the range and abilities given in terms of options and products by Teepublic too. Xmas ideas? Go have a look at the links below. Teepublic: https://www.teepublic.com/en-au/user/mason-comics
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Final words for this month: Last month I finished pages for FLOCK, with colour corrections and lettering to go. Though the next couple of months are busy with Uni software training, class prep and course teaching for the Comics elective, I suspect I'll just take my time with this, so I don't end up in an asylum. Regardless, I want to ensure the book is in the can be the time I decide to launch the kickstarter (still planned for Feb 2022). That way, pledgers can be ensured that the book will go to print as soon as possible.
As I mentioned, next month I'll share those covers and bits from THE PHANTOM #1905, and maybe a teaser to the current Frew story I'm colouring for a 2022 release. Will be bittersweet, as it *could* be my last if KFS don't come to the party on approvals. But optimism (a casual acquaintance) is high, and at the very least 2022 might be a good opportunity to focus on the creator-owned work . "Retreat, Hell." As always, best wishes to you and yours, keep safe, be well, and hope we all get through these crazy times OK. Chat soon, Warm regards, Paul. pmason83@gmail.com
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