#25. Convention season continues

Welcome those interested in my comic book work and stuff. Hope you're well. A bit to catch up on some news of things recent, and coming up, some free sneak peaks at stuff, and thank you for following along.

Click here for Floor Map: https://www.melbournecomicandtoyfair.com.au/layout-vendors

Paul's comic stock update:
Comic Book wise, let me use this opportunity to outline what I have in stock and will bring to shows this week in Brisbane, and some of it next week in Melbourne:

Thanks to Gestalt Comics, I have a supply of the new Eldritch Kid: Bone War graphic novels, with new cover by Douglas Holgate (New York Times bestseller Last Kids on Earth artist).

Thanks to Amanda and her Mum, I have raided the cupboard and resurrected 'The Soldier Legacy' original print runs into limited Comic book bundle packs. Get them before they're gone forever! These bundle packs will have the last of the first 5 issues, the special one-shot with writer Chris Sequeira, and limited packs include rare sketch books from 10+ years ago, and previews for the long sold-out issue 6. I have a dozen with the out of print volume 2 trade paperback also.

FLOCK #1 is 3 copies away from being SOLD OUT, so be quick. They've been bundled with the process zine (making of) book.
There are still 4 of the LIMITED edition (only 10 printed) sketch covers too, happy to take requests. Be quick! Once they're finished, they're gone.

Phantom-wise, I am running dry in relation to phantom material, I have tried for more, and am staying tuned: there may be a last minute arrival on Oz Comic-Con eve...better than Christmas. But happy to sign or remarque (head sketch) what I have. I still have a handful of special issue sketch covers of The Masked Marvel issue 1925, and will be taking requests.

I'll also have a couple of bundle packs for the complete 10 issues and collector pin set of Kid Phantom, but my stock there is running dry too. I saw some people selling Kid Phantom # 1 on ebay for ~$60! I don't know why I'm here discounting bundles, but they seem to move better in a set rather than single issues, and in total are running low, so get in quick before they're all out of print.

Speaking of Sold out, I, and Frew are completely SOLD OUT of the award-winning Phantom Vietnam #1 in the Phantom 2019 Annual, it's currently only available in the signature series (I've been trying to get some, they have overseas-based cover artist Wendell Cavalcanti signatures on there... stay tuned also, check with me at the Cons...), or of course, digital editions via Frew's website here. But I still have a couple of single issue chapters available, one bundle and a small few copies of Frew's 75th Anniversary Special #1952 that has the latest published chapter in colour. Happy to sign or remarque (head sketch) what I have. I still have a handful of special issue sketch covers and will be taking requests.

Oh, and if you're keen, I do have some A2 - sized Phantom Fight Night Posters I can sketch and remarque for those keen for that.

That's it for now, Folks :)

Thought-streams, final words and jibber jabber:

As always, thank you to the O.G subscribers to this newsletter, and hello to the new subscribers. Welcome too if you got here from the masoncomics website direct, social media, or any friends and family still hanging with me here, following my stuff.

Projects on the burner:

1. The Phantom: Fury part 3 of 3: Artwork just about done, Lettering to go. Amanda and I are excited for it to see light of day one day.

    

2. As mentioned above, on the drawing board still is The Phantom in 'Nam. Chapter 12 will being art soon.

    

3. My partner, assistant editor and sometimes writing partner Amanda Bacchi is collating and beginning writing her own graphic novel. Early days but great ideas. I think it will help and relate to a lot of people, in a sort of "autobiographical fiction" frame. A big project but I look forward to seeing it develop.
    

4. A "How to" Comic Book Manual: Still going...One for adults, and a kids one. More time needed.

    

5. The above, but to present as an online course eventually available from my website. Putting pieces into place. Course content first, but road map sorted at least and I have an idea re: the format. In the meantime, I have a workshop tentatively booked in in October as part of the Brisbane Childrens Writers Festival as mentioned above. It at least inspired me to get my act together to have a page of possible workshops on offer with printed and online material to come, based on past topics from previous years. The online content will be a 2025 thing, I imagine. Since a whole new animation program is being rolled out at Griffith in 2025, I may have my hands (and brain) full helping my colleagues get things organised. Shout out to them for their hard work in the trenches juggling this, new software, research outputs and editing, and teaching also.
    

6. Also slowly chipping away at FLOCK #2, (and storyboards for a short film based on FLOCK). It's moving forward. Slowly, but forward. Had some recent enquiries about when this is coming, which is lovely to hear. A good friend is still waiting on their commission pack and books; It's coming (plus extras).

Recent shows we've enjoyed:

Anything light and dumb until we can come up for air.

Channel 10's "Have you been paying attention?" has been top of that list.
 

Saw BeetlejuiceX2 with Amanda; light, fun and dumb as one would expect.I just enjoy the time out with her at the movies, really. We had a lot of fun watching Deadpool and Wolverine, as a love letter to Fox/New Line Cinema 90s/early 00s Marvel character movies. Jackman rescues the MCU, essentially. I went on a Blade kick after that; del Toro's entry is slicker than I remembered it. Picked up the first one on BluRay, hoping it stands up. The third one didn't. But the song's a "banger" as the kids would say.

SISU: It's like WW2 Finnish First Blood. Right in my wheelhouse of "tired old men reluctantly pulled back into battle, and wiping out plenty of people who deserve it. Plus there's a dog" genre. Mix with a little Sergio Leone, and you'll have yourself the best time.

Monkey man: Patel's John Wick-esque film with a little Equalizer thrown in, was neat. Looked great.

Hell or Highwater: Still a rock-solid Neo Western worth your time. Watched with Dad. Basically cowboys minus the horses.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: Did I already mention this last newsletter? Anyways, fun. I'm sure Mum will dig it because Reacher is in it. I rewatched "Man from Uncle", and I think I dug it a little more, but easier to focus on characterisation in a smaller cast, I imagine.
 

For me too, the last few NRL games of The Eels and The Rabbitohs. We miss you, Jeff.
Amanda's Dolphins didn't make the finals either; would have been nice to see them in the 8 on year 2, but wasn't to be. All the best to Melbourne and Penrith in the GF, unless some miraculous upsets.

Looking forward to:

 I have a few classics on DVD to catch up on, since streamers move things around constantly. The Third Man by Orson Welles is on the list, and Michael Caine's The Italian Job. The Warriors is an embarrassing blindspot also.

Gladiator 2. Denzel Washington; is there anything he can't do? Please don't screw it up, Ridley. We also rewatched the O.G with Rusty from Redfern with a few young friends who had never seen it. Still holds up.

Recent Comic Books/Books I've enjoyed:

Been reading Hellboy lately. Picked up the volume 1 Omnibus for my birthday back in August, as well as the essentials vol1, which has a great collection of shorts. Mignola is a favourite. I love how deceptively simple his character design and shape language is, and compositional layouts. You can see his appreciation of Frank Frazetta. It's interesting to see how his storytelling and characterisation shifts after working with John Byrne in the first story, to later stories as a solo cartoonist. Definitely a "less is more" approach on the page re: scipt that doesn't feel the need to spell everything out after a while. The creatures and myths are a great change of pace to where my head usually is.

Otherwise, Shooting Vietnam: The War by its military photographers is a current sporadic re-read to gear up for the subject matter of finalising the next script.

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Alright, that's it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and hope to see you locally or in Melbourne perhaps?

I sincerely hope you and your family are safe and well wherever you are and whatever you're doing. Thanks for your ongoing support, and appreciation for the comics and drawings. Share the website address for newsletter sign ons if you think you might know someone who would be keen to see this stuff or catch some news and comic info.
 

Warm regards,

Paul.
pmason83@gmail.com

P.S: This month's sneak peek: Have I leaked this pic yet? This is the 1st panel of The Phantom: Fury part 2, with an older Julie Walker. She ain't in a good place from the end of the last part...

We love you, Jeff.