More 'Human Fly' stuff: Esquire Magazine UK, and Review shout out.

Esquire Magazine UK has just published an awesome article on the sotry of the Human Fly. Read it here: http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/features/5684/the-human-fly/
It mentions the upcoming movie plans, the Marvel Comic days of the character, 'The New Adventures of the Human Fly #1' that I was a part of last year, and speaks to Scriptwriter Tony Babinski, the writer of said story I scribbled. He really captured elements the article brings up about the slightly unhinged Human Fly. Here's a squiz at page 4 of our story from the book:

Speaking of which, buddy and instigator of my 'Human Fly' connection, Chris Sequeira, found and sent me this the other day. It kindly gives me a shout out and pastes up a pic of mine from the book too. Very stocked and surprised. Thank you :D: http://jackkingkirby.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/review-new-adventures-of-human-fly-1.html

Watch this space, I hope to have some more news on this cray cray stunt man.

My stuff at 'Shadow of the Mouse' Art Exhibition, Royal Queensland Art Society Gallery.

Pre-lettered 'Human Fly' pages (with a dash of colour). 

Script by Tony Babinski for 'The New Adventures of the Human Fly #1'

Only part of the large space we took up for two weeks at the RQAS Gallery in Brisbane in Oct/Nov.

Many thanks to Griffith Film School/Queensland College of Art (of Griffith University) and The Royal Queensland Art Society Art Gallery at Petrie Terrace, Brisbane for hosting the 'Shadow of The Mouse' Art Exhibition. I was lucky enough as a seasonal lecturer and a post grad student to have been invited to throw my scribbling up on the walls among some really beautiful drawings, 3D imagery, watercolour, traditional colour work, inking, comic art and sculpture from professors, PhD, DVA, lecturers and seasonal lecturers in the realms of 2D/3D animation and illustration. Included in the exhibition were works from Hadieh Afshani, John Eyley, Darren Fisher, Carolyn Gardiner, Louise Harvey, Leila Honari, Kay Kane, Marianna Shek and Andi Spark.

'Maleficus Seven' concept art

The exhibition booklet contained a fantastic opening essay by curator Dr Peter Moyes, a switched on film and animation lecturer who was a great help to me during my honours year. 

Anyways, thanks also to these lovely people for their help and patience with my disasters in the leadup to getting my stuff on the walls. Black House Comic's Baden Kirgan did a great job on the prints (not all could fit on the walls, but I'll bring whatever didn't sell along to Supanova next week).

Below is the artist's statement I wrote for the booklet (cheers John for the great design too, and Louise & Marianna for a kick ass cover).

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“The assembly line method of producing comic books has nothing to do at all with the worth and value of the medium. Sequential art and film both run the gamut from the individual auteur to the collective communal effort. There may be questions about the artistic value and potential of monthly comic books but sequential art as a medium without any doubt deserves to be on the same level as all other art forms.”
- Klaus Janson- comic book illustrator, author and lecturer at the School of Visual arts (New York).

It’s funny that I think when I have to write an artist’s statement of my work, I feel the need to firstly defend my chosen practice to perhaps those that may not be familiar with the medium. But then again, most should be. Who didn’t read the comic strips in the newspaper as a child? Or comic books at home? Heck, Phantom comics were everywhere when I was a kid. Or to go a little further, are the cave paintings on the walls from the earliest human beings not a crude example of sequential art, or “stories told with pictures”? Or the engravings on the tombs of the Pharaohs in Egypt? Bayeux tapestry? Far smarter men like Will Eisner and Scott McCloud have written books about this, and I feel like I’m covering ground in a battle that has already been fought, and in many respects, won. We see comic book art in art museums across the globe. We see comic books and graphic novels in book stores, online stores and best seller lists. Maus won a Pulitzer Prize, Watchmen won a Hugo Award; awards not traditionally for comic books.  We see comic books inspiring multi-billion dollar films and franchises.

In Australia though, this big picture stuff may be known, but the work of the general day-to-day comic book artists and writers here, from professional to hobbyists, remains largely unknown; as comic book scholar Kevin Patrick rightly put it, comics are an “invisible art”. Even comic book readers here, the ‘Batman’ and ‘Spider-man’ comic devotees, will perhaps never pick up an Australian comic book. And yet, some of the best and hardworking artists and writers in the field are making inroads in the national and international scene. At a national level, it’s certainly a niche “cottage” industry here- and with the US comics being owned by multi-national entertainment conglomerates like Warner Bros. And Disney, spreading the “product” across TV, animation, video games and Hollywood films, Australian comics are indeed in the shadow of the mouse.  "

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Cheers All, and if you're in Brisbane next weekend for Supanova (7-9th November, RNA Showgrounds), I'll see you there :D First time in 6 months I'll have reprinted stock of 'The Soldier Legacy' trade paperbacks, issue 5, and Strange Tales #1, for those that give a damn. Oh, and the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con folio, which has Human Fly comic pages, and other pinup nonsense. Many thanks again to publisher Black House Comics for their tireless work in getting those books reprinted for any newbies keen to jump onboard with 'The Soldier'.

http://www.supanova.com.au/guest/paul-mason/

Soldier Legacy/Human Fly comic images in 'Shadow of a Mouse' Art Exhibition

Beginning next week (and opening night on Thursday 24th October if you're in the area):

'Shadow of a Mouse' Art Exhibition at  the Royal Queensland Art Society Petrie Terrace Gallery.

As well as illustrations and sculpture from some very talented Animation/Film School post grad/lecturers, I'll have prints on display at A1 size- using original Comic illustrations featuring 'The Soldier Legacy', pages from 'The New Adventures of the Human Fly', and perhaps 1 or 2 concept art images from 'The Maleficus Seven'...depending on the room ;P

These will be 1 of only 1 A1 sized poster prints that I do plan to sell if anyone is actually interested. Will take photos and post online during the exhibition.

Gotta run. Cheers All.

Catch up: Latest News- BWF, ZICS, OCC, Human Fly and Great Capes!

Many thanks to OZ Comic-Con for the video interview- conducted recently at the Melbourne event, July 2013.
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From the Brisbane Writers Festival Website:

SUNDAY 8th September 1-2pm
"WELL DRAWN: Creator-Owned Comics"

VENUE: The Edge, SLQ

The joys of your own creation are sometimes accompanied by the struggle for a steady pay packet. Four indie trailblazers, Paul Mason, Zac Smith-Cameron,Eddie Campbell and Dylan Horrocks discuss writing your own comics.

BOOK NOW VIA THE LINK: http://bwf.org.au/2013-writers/paul-mason/
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=352397488226652&set=a.211140779018991.56399.200378170095252&type=1&theater

Many thanks to the organisers of ZICS: The Zine and Comic Symposium for the invite to the event, happening at the end of August/beginning of Spetember 2013 at 'The Edge' at Southbank, part of the State Library of Queensland.

I look forward to the panel discussions and workshop events I've been asked to take part in, with some great people.

Also, check out their Crowd Funding campaign, ending soon, and support independent Australian events: http://www.pozible.com/project/26696
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http://www.amazon.com/New-Adventures-Human-Fly-Volume/dp/1490598715

'The New Adventures of The Human Fly #1', from the makers of the upcoming film, and featuring the character based on the real-life stuntman (not seen in comics since the 1970's Marvel Comic series), is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Book Depository.

I was fortunate enough to have a short story in here, scripted by film scriptwriter Tony Babinski.

"Brand new adventures of the Human Fly, based on the real-life stuntman, superhero and rock star extraordinaire, featuring artists Bob Layton ("The Invincible Iron Man"), Steve Leialoha ("Fables"), Don Perlin ("Werewolf by Night," co-creator of "Moon Knight") and Al Milgrom ("ROM: Spaceknight") from the Fly's original 1970s comic book series. Contributors also include iconic '70s/'80s artist Gerry Talaoc ("Unknown Soldier," "The Incredible Hulk"), Steven Butler ("Web of Spider-Man," "Sonic the Hedgehog"), hot alternative comic book creator Jim Rugg ("Afrodisiac"), legendary letterer Janice Chiang, Rafael Navarro ("Sonambulo," "Guns A Blazin'"), Javier Herandez ("El Muerto, Aztec Zombie"), screenwriter of the upcoming "Human Fly" movie Tony Babinski, Jason Baroody, Paul Mason and Kathryn Renta. Edited by and featuring the contributions of cartoonist Michael Aushenker (the "El Gato, Crime Mangler" series, "Cartoon Flophouse")..."
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'Who is Killing the Great Capes of Heropa?' by author Andrez Bergen, (and featuring a pin-up by Paul Mason), is now available to order via Amazon and Book Depository.

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Killing-Great-Capes-Heropa/dp/178279235X/

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Who-is-Killing-Great-Capes-Heropa-Andrez-Bergen/9781782792352

Cheers all.

Updates- Some SDCC stuff, Brisbane Writers Festival Guest, & Nerdculture ;D

Couple of quick updates between training sessions in England (over here prepping for next week's Unified ITF World Taekwon-do Championships.)

On the 26th of July, The Brisbane Writers Festival program launched, and I can now reveal I will be a guest of this event, in early September! My profile on the Brisbane Writers Festival website:
http://bwf.org.au/2013-writers/paul-mason/

This also includes the panel I am stoked to be a part of, on the 8th of September (Sunday) at 1pm, talking creator-owned comics with Eddie Campbell, Zac Cameron-Smith and Dylan Horrocks. Many thanks to the Festival for the invitation!

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Some pics from this month's San Diego Comic-Con, including writer buddy and frequent collaborator Chris Sequeira (pictured in the hat), meeting the Human Fly editor Michael Aushenker (far right), Human Fly movie producer Alan Brewer, and getting to see my story (written by script writer Tony Babinski) in print! If #2 is a lock, Chris and my story will also anchor that book. Read more about the Human Fly here, via previous blog posts: http://pm-comic.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/The%20New%20Adventures%20of%20The%20Human%20Fly
We also got some really cool news, which to us proves that you CAN get comic opportunities at SDCC. Can't really say much more, but  successful pitch, and work to do soon :D

 The Gestalt Comics gents Wolf (Publisher/EIC) and Skye (Art Director, in the middle), along with the awesome Fillbach bros. (Star Wars: Clone Wars).

The fantastic dude Greg Capullo (Batman)- Awesome to catch up with an enthusiastic and nice guy, and meet his lovely wife; Cheers, "Big Greg".

Got to meet a gentleman whose work I have loved and admired for years- Mr Klaus Janson (best inker in the business and fantastic penciller (Daredevil: End of Days), and author of DC's Comic book guides to Penciling, and Inking volumes). Stoked to meet him, and talk a little academic stuff too.

One of the nicest guys on the planet, let alone comics; Mark Waid (Superman:Birthright, Kingdom Come, Daredevil, Hulk), with equally nice guy, and (as of last week's SDCC) Eisner winner, Chris Samnee (Daredevil) after his "Spotlight" panel.

Along with Jack Kirby and Greg Capullo, John Romita Jr. is one of my biggest heroes in comic books, due to his skill in storytelling and work ethic. Was lucky to get the opportunity for another quick picture with the guy after his last panel for SDCC 2013. Cool dude.

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Also this week, Nerdculture podcast released my interview they kindly did of me, plugging "The New Adventures of the Human Fly" gig, fighting in England for Australia, and 'Soldier Legacy' talk. Thanks again, David! (somewhere close to the 1 hourish mark.)

http://nerdculturepodcast.com/2013/07/podcast-episode-55/


That's all for now, I gotta go to sleep! Big day of training has left me wiped...

Cheers Soldiers.

More on 'The New Adventures of the Human Fly #1' at SDCC

Soldiers!

Some more 'Human Fly' stuff has hit the net, and I'm over the moon to have been mentioned for my contribution with writer Tony Babinski, in an article over at 'The Comics Beat', along with all the contributors:

FIRST LOOK: The Human Fly debuts at Comic-Con
http://comicsbeat.com/first-look-the-human-fly-debuts-at-comic-con/

Also, the book has hit Amazon.com and American online book distributor Barnes and Noble. Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/New-Adventures-Human-Fly-Volume/dp/1490598715

As I type this, I find myself sitting on the Amtrak train to San Diego with good writer buddy Christopher Sequeira (Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes, Soldier legacy's Strange Tales collaborator), with SDCC preview night a mere 7 hours away. This crazy month of Comics and kicking is about to get into full swing. Thanks again to the Diggers out there who recently made some purchases from http://www.paulmason.bigcartel.com/, as you were a big help in covering a few niggling costs for the trip. My hectic schedule meant I wasn't able to post all the stuff out before I jumped on the plane Tuesday morning, but as a thank you for your patience and support, you'll get one of these for FREE:

Specially printed by Black House Comics for SDCC 2013. Featuring all my nonsense.

Cheers for the support, all. The battle continues!

Newsflash!: The Human Fly returns! (Some Melb OZ Comic-Con stuff too).

Next Week in San Diego Comic-Con: International....The Human Fly returns!
Some more images have been leaked online, and I'm very pleased to be going over to see this release.

Oh, gotta run, but some stuff from last weekend's OCC:

 Whatcha podcast snap from last week's Oz Comic-Con in Melbourne:

And Sunday's "Monster" Australians in Comics panel:
L to Right: David Yardin, Jon Sommariva, Paul Abstruse, Ryan K Lindsay, The moron typing this, Tristan Jones, Nicola Scott, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Queenie Chan, Stewart McKenny, Dillon Naylor and Dean Rankine. An absolute pleasure to be with these people. Thank you OCC!

More stuff soon, stay tuned, Soldiers :D

Editor Michael Aushenker previews the cover for 'The New Adventures of The Human Fly #1'!

Editor Michael Aushenker has previewed the full cover to next month's San Diego Comic-Con release of 'The New Adventures of the Human Fly #1' on his blog: http://cartoonflophouse.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/the-new-adventures-of-human-fly-debuts.html?showComment=1371570599684

"Here is a variation of our cover for issue #1, drawn by the Maestro himself, Rafael Navarro, with lettering by Janice Chiang and a logo and corner illustration by Steven Butler. Navarro also illustrates our lead story inside. But we've also got the talents of Steve Kriozere, Jason Baroody, Tony Babinski, Javier Hernandez, Jim Rugg, Paul Mason, and UNKNOWN SOLDIER artist Gerry Talaoc.

Not to mention (but that means we will mention...) ORIGINAL Human Fly artists Steve Leialoha, Bob Layton, Don Perlin, and Al Milgrom."

It will be the first book featuring the "Real Life Superhero" since the 1970's short lived Marvel Comic Series.  Thank you again to the Human Fly film producers, writer Tony Babinski, Michael Aushenker, and Chris Sequeria for my involvement with the Fly family. Can't wait to shoot to LA next month to see it in print :D

Original B &W house Ad for the Marvel series waaaaay back in '77.

The real 'Human Fly'.

Original Editorial by writer Bill Mantlo in Marvel Comic's 'The Human Fly #1'.

Some stuff on my recent 'Stunt work' ;P

 Enjoyed the 'Wild Ride"...

...But thankful now I can sit back and rest...for now ;)

Many thanks to Steve Goldmann, Michael Aushenker, and Tony Babinski (and also to writer mate, and close friend Chris Sequeira), for the recent opportunity to add to "The New Adventures of 'The Human Fly' " #1, due out for San Diego Comic-Con in July. Was honoured to work on scriptwriter Tony Babinski's fun story, and looking forward to having another ride with the character with Chris soon. More stuff as I learn it, Soldiers.

http://www.conventionscene.com/2013/02/14/new-human-fly-graphic-novel-to-debut-at-sdcc-2013/