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09/26/2007
The first graphic Novels?
I've been going back in time recently.
It all started after reading the Frank Miller graphic novel "Martha Washington Saves The World".
Dave Gibbons has done the artwork, but what really threw me was the guy who coloured it. Angus McKie.
That's what took me back in time. Angus.
Cardiff, 1979/1980 ish. There used to be a book store somewhere opposite where David Morgans used to be. Now I think DM's been turned into flats. It was the sort of bookstore Spoils is. Full of new books but at discount prices. The sort of shop as a kid I found all sorts of weird and wonderful art books for however much pocket money I'd managed to save.
Examples like, The Tolkien Bestiary by David Day. The Edgar Rice Burroughs bestiary, again by Day. The Alien illustrated story, bundled with the art of Alien and the Photostory of Alien for £1.
It was the sort of place that had those huge books on sci-fi travel with Chriss Foss covers, where the idea was you either looked at supposed holidays in space or gazed at chronicles of shipwrecks in space.
It was the Tolkien bestiary that got a lot of it started. I'd seen some pictures of it in a Sunday Times magazine at the next door neighbours house. They were the most fantastically intricate pictures I'd ever seen, and a style that would dominate my future in art class and college.
They were Ian Millers work. I bought the Bestiary again recently, I dont know where my original had gone, possibly lost like so many other comics and books in the 4 house moves I've done in recent years. Ian is'nt the only artist featured in the book, but he may as well be, as I'm sorry to say, the rest just faded in comparison to his vision of Tolkiens world.
By farawaypictures
I later found another book of his in the shop. Green Dog Trumpet. As I remember, there were no words. It was just panel after panel in the style of a comic of his pen and ink genius. I remember trying to copy the style in my bedroom with a rotary pen and a ruler. I did OK getting my 'O' and 'A' levels in art, but it was nowhere near his standard. I forgot about Ian for a long time, until he surfaced again in Games Workshop material, but I only recently remembered the first images of his I'd seen.
By farawaypictures
There were other books too, some I'd completely forgotten about until I saw Angus's name recently.
So Beautiful and So Dangerous. Possibly the most breathtaking full colour painted 'comic' I'd ever seen at that time. I call it a comic, as it had panels and speech bubbles, but really it was more an art book, showcasing Angus's incredible talent. Such a big talent that leads me to wonder how on earth he's colouring other peoples work now? Agreed, it's Dave Gibbons, one of comics's giants, but still, Angus is a genius in his own right.
By farawaypictures
Lastly, the only other artist that has surfaced again in my memory is Phillipe Druillet and his Lone Slone/Delirius book.
My biggest memory of this has to be the binding, and how quickly the book fell apart! but it was another example of what a graphic novel could be, at a time when the genre did'nt really exist in the UK. The artwork was top notch, the design was incredible. I remember a sort of art nouveau meets Mike McMahon.
Anyway, I've been busy on Amazon looking up these books, seeing even more I'd forgotten, like Ian Miller's Secret Art, and Druillet's Yragael/ Urm which i always planned to buy, but never did. They've all managed to find there way into my book wishlist, now 2 pages long, and hopefully will make it to the bookshelf soon.
13:10 Posted in Books | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
09/25/2007
The Big 100
Yep, this is post 100.
When I started, I remember being told 'Nah, you wont make more than 3 posts, people dont".
Well, I've tried to keep it interesting. I'm not really into posting rambling thoughts, what i did today or lousy poetry, but have tried to keep to my chosen subjects of home cinema/DVD ,scale modelling and more recently, digital modelling.
Hope you've enjoyed reading the stuff so far.
If there's anything you've wanted to see or ask, please do.
Oh, and just so you know, the site has goes from 2000 to 4000 hits a month. Not huge, but nice to know your there looking.
15:03 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
09/22/2007
My modelling goes on
Still getting to grips with Cinema 4D.
Just finished my second effort, a Nintendo DS.
It's also available for download as a model
10:09 Posted in 3D | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
09/08/2007
WAIT!
Well, finally finished this beast, the main reason I'm behind in my C4D learning :D<br />
<br />
This has been a bit of a mammoth task. It just kept evolving. It started as a mergance of a few old dioramas, remaking a new town scene. Then I had a Rocket Launcher being protected by a Gradiator, this changed to a Tiger, out of action in the rubble. The Sherman I had coming in the other side was replaced with the Amphibious version, vents still attached.<br />
The middle ground, originally just going to be rubble had a Beetle and an old bit of Artillery added.<br />
The SAFS were given a brand new colour scheme, and unfortunatley one has taken a direct hit at some point, but is still going....which is some indicator of just how much trouble the Allieds are in.<br />
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Only left 2 problems....it just about fitted into my light tent...and also just fitted onto a shelf in my toilet. I know, what a place to end up LOL
You can get a good look at the full pictures here:
14:30 Posted in Scale Models | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
09/05/2007
TV Licensing....BIG rant!
What is wrong with these people!
As some know I am one of the rare people in the UK who do not watch TV. I have no aerial. I cannot receive outside broadcasts. I have been doing this for about 15 years.
I do have a Plasma screen linked to a DVD player, and that's it.
Every few months I get a letter from TV Licensing asking why I dont have a License when there is a TV at my property. i used to fill these in with long explanations about the quality of TV, how much more valuable my time was, how I have no plans to change etc etc.
After a few years though I just through them in the bin.
I've had countless of these letters over the years, 2 visits from the inspectors, who I might add have been perfectly satisfied that i am in no way breaking the law.....
But I've had it.
this week I got a letter from TV Licensing, I did'nt throw it in the bin this time as it was marked Urgent. Immidiate action must be taken.
I opened it and it explained how an investigation has now been launched against me!
I rang the emergency number, and after 5 mins of menus got through to someone:
Me: I've just had a letter saying I have to take immidiate action as an investigation has been launched at me.
Him: Can you give me the License number.
Me: I dont have a License. I dont watch TV or have the ability to receive it.
(my address is given and he gets my details)
Him: Yes, I see there is an investigation.
Me: (now getting angry) This is just harassment. I keep getting letters, people visiting, and now threats purely because I dont own a product that people think I should!
Him: I understand, I can stop the letters for a few years, but you'll still have an inspector visit soon.
Me: And what if I dont want to let him in? What are my rights here?
Him: You can decline him entering, but he has the right to get a court order to search the property.
Me: This is stupid, surely you have detector vans in the area?
Him: Of course we do.
Me: And as a minority they must be paying me visits regularly, so is there an entry on a computer somewhere showing I dont watch TV?
Him: No, I have no information on the computer.
Personally, I think the Detector Vans are a huge myth. I've never seen one, and I would have thought I'd be a prime target.
So, the conversation finished with me letting the Licensing company know with no doubt that this sort of harassment is completely unacceptable. I still await the inspectors visit, but weather to let him in....dont know yet. If it's the same guy as last time, who apparently made no record on the computer of his findings, he's in for an earfull!
And remember, what is the crime I commit that I get all this attention? I dont want a TV licence.
Can you think of any other product available that you get this much hassle for NOT buying?
There rant over. Now tell me....what would you do in my shoes?
10:32 Posted in Home Cinema | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this