Free squiz at a comic? Better than a Victorian Era kick to the face: Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales #1

Just some stuff I was doing on Tumblr recently. You can suss out preview pages of story 1 from 'The Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales #1', published 2013 by Black House Comics. Or not. Whatevs ;)

By Sequiera and Mason. Published by Black House Comics.

 PART 1 of 3: http://paulmasoncomics.tumblr.com/post/75148474549/you-know-what-what-says-no-one-heres-part

The WW2 'Soldier' and Dr Nikola throw down.

 PART 2 of 3: http://paulmasoncomics.tumblr.com/post/75957160476/http-www-blackboox-net-strange-tales-1-part-2

 PART 3 of 3: http://paulmasoncomics.tumblr.com/post/76805064573/part-3-of-3-from-the-soldier-legacys-strange

Get the book here from Black House Comics: http://www.blackboox.net/strange-tales-1/

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.

Sunday Afternoon Concept Art scribble WIP, for something writer Chris Sequeira and I and working on in 2014. Went a bit 1980's on it. Though I'm blowing off vital Thesis work time, I really needed to pick up a pencil and pen. It was driving me crazy. I find the majority of stuff I throw online is met with silence, so I guess it's just an exercise in exorcising some demons, really. I'm attempting inks, albeit, mainly cheapo markers, but I'm somewhat enjoying it. Though I find I lose my way when I'm tired. Especially in the next attempted image I'm posting. Started midnight-ish, was probably a stupid idea, and haven't drawn Soldier in a very long time. Two mistakes. Anyway, March on.

Man, I have lots to catch up on...meanwhile, watch these!

Still have Supanova Brisbane pics and Australia team Squad training stuff to throw up here; running a bit behind on the blogging. Hope you're all well, mythical readers.

In the meantime, the Late Nite show's anniversary episode is up!
Nonsense, Soldier Legacy comics, SDCC, Oz Comic-Con,  Greg Capullo, World Taekwon-do Championships 2013 and other gibberish ensures (and apologies for the language ;P)

Cheers!

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/

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!

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'.

Random pages for you! Soldier legacy #5, and Strange Tales #1

From the back up story in 'The Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales #1' Meet some of Lazarus Burne's Maleficus Seven (Plot/script by Chris Sequeira, Plot/Art by me.) http://www.blackboox.net/strange-tales-1/

http://www.blackboox.net/strange-tales-1/

And two pages from 'The Soldier Legacy #5' (the lot by me.)

Get online from http://www.blackboox.net/the-soldier-legacy-issue-5/ or ask your local comic store. I'd try 'Gifts for the Geek' Geelong, All Star Comics in Melbourne, Ace Comics and Games in Annerley or Brisbane CBD, and Kaboom Comics in Toowoomba for a start.

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/

Melbourne and Gold Coast Supanova April 2013 photo dump

Many, many thanks to all the fantastic people who came by and supported me when I was a guest at the recent Melbourne and Gold Coast Supanovas back in April. Was very happy to be back again at both shows for another year. Still flat out, so I don't have a lot of time or brain power- needless to say, I am very thankful to Daniel Z, Tim, Royd and the whole Supanova crew (including Mark, Dion, Bruce, Peter, Quinny, Missy, Felicity etc. etc.) for all your help, love and support.
Kicking myself I didn't get a chance to get a pic with David Gibbons, but it was great to chat and swap some stories/Comic signatures (!)
 But, met one of my heroes, Kostya Tszyu. Very cool. Pics below. Big thanks also to All Star Comics Melbourne, Kaboom Comics Toowoomba, Geek Speak, the Brisbane 31 Digital TV crew, Death Rocket Podcast, Whatcha podcast, Worldwide Taekwon-do, and special thanks to Gifts for the Geek and Black House comics for all your help, support and kindness, in one form or another, that you guys provided over the tour.
And of course, all the awesome Soldier readers and print/sketch people (New and old; I may thank you constantly for your support, but that's because without it, there would be none of this), other comic folks who gave me their time, and my awesome stablemates Jason Franks (and Yuri!), Chris Sequeira (and Jacqui and Valentina), and  W.Chew Chan. Cheers to Dean Rankine, Cassandra James, Nicola Scott, Tom Taylor, Colin Wilson (who drew an inspiring and epic sketch in my "Battler Britain" Tpb), Tristan "T-Rex" Jones, Billy Tan, Doug Holgate, Matt Emery, Bruce Mutard, and Paul Abstruse too. Lots of names and faces, all a bit of a blur right now, but you know how I feel- I appreciate the lot of you that I saw and spoke to.

Billy from 'Death Rocket Podcast'- Nice to meet you :)

Black House Comics: Wonder Woman and Captain Cold approved ;D Thank you, gang!

Two Masons: Damien and me. No relation, just a cool surname :)

One of a heap of head sketches from both cons. See more below as you go. 

Me with Melbourne comiker Thomas Tung, and Chris Sequeira.

Forgot to snap his sketch, but 'Slenderman-child' is creepy ;P

Cordi, and good mate/training buddy Doug Holgate!

Doug, Dean Rankine, Bozo the clown and Jason Franks. Thanks to you and Yuri for everything too, my friend :D

Same as above, but joined by the shy Cordi, Chris, and W. Chewie Chan. 

The" Black House "crew in Melbourne: now with added "Jason Fisher" via the Dymocks stand- writer of 'After the World', and the  recently released Novel 'Quiver'.

'The Human Fly' for Tim McEwen.

Bunch of new Soldier readers in Melb. Cheers, fellas :)

Writer Tom Taylor is inducted into the 501 ;D

Awesome- with fellow guests: Undisputed World Champion Kostya Tszyu and writer/script writer Dustin Warburton

Another good mate, fellow guest Tristan 'T-Rex" Jones. Always a pleasure catching up, man.

And the Gold Coast:

Soldier approved. Cheers mate :)

err....Crazy mad scientist approved ;P

Me with illustrator Ken Best. Nice to catch up.

Ken was a Karate dude, and wanted a fighter pose pick. Happy to oblige, bud.  :)

Wicked! Marceline and The Ice King from Adventure Time! Cheers as always for your support, Amy and Dave.

Turns out, The Ice King thinks the comics are "Cool", and Marceline thinks they're "Killer" :P (Nice work, Dave)

Causing havok during our Gold Coast Panel. Much to Quinny's annoyance ;P Mentose, Anyone?

More Panel nonsense :D

Finn digs the books too! Thanks Saxon.

Awww, Soldier readers rule! An awesome Kirby "Thing" gift. It's clobbering time!

Add caption

Is anything more epic than a Cardboard Ironman and a Horse singing "Rammstein"?

So Jason and I started to Mosh. 2 Seconds later, this.

Buddies Jessy and Fred stop by.

Speaking of mates, 'The Late Nite Show's" Flashman stops by, in an awesome 'Red Mist' outfit. Good to see you, man! 

Mini-me: Agent of Shield.

Keeping dry, Japanese style!

Biff! Pow! Bam! 

My buddy Chris is "Conan the Barbarian" in an upcoming show. Crom!

"Twoa Snakezz! Facenug eech addher!"

A Magnificent "Maleficent"

Another one bites the dust!

Cheers Adam!

Ey, yo! It's little Rocky!

Brendan and Meredith! Thank you for your long time support :D

I had so much fun on this Punisher sketch cover request. And honoured to be asked.

A Head sketch for Kostya. 

I think there's probably a few stray photos floating about that I've missed... oh, hang on:

Crazy eyes for the 'Geek Speak' lead in video for Gold Coast Supanova. Thanks for putting up with my B.S , guys. Steve and Mel did a good job, as did Todd, Wade and the crew.

So we picked a song I thought I knew...and didn't :P Jase on the Guitar, Chris on the other one, Sarah and Chewie on the Drums, and a sore throat-ed me screaming the words ("Dirty Deeds" by ACDC. I realized after the fact, I was going in with the words to "TNT" in my head. They are the same song! Conspiracy!)

Yep, here's a disturbing one to finish on. Snapped by "Captain Cold"- borrowing Lara Croft's pistols. Thanks Adele. 

Ok, that's it. I'm wiped. Was awake for a good 42 hours straight at one point this week, so on some level, I MUST do comics for the love of them... :P Anways, this photo dump reminded me what a crazy month April was. The week before Melb, I graded, and achieved my 3rd Degree Black Belt in NSW. Guest at Melb the following week, Gold Coast after that, then Australia Team squad training on the Sunshine coast to end the month, before FCBD in Geelong, Vic for 'Gifts for the Geek' to kick off May. Along with picking up 'The Human Fly' story from the US, I was overall honoured to have done all these cool things, and it touched my heart to meet folks who genuinely cared what I was doing, and what they were reading in my comic series- include Oz Comic-Con madness and awesome fun in March (in Perth and Adelaide), means not only a lot of flights, but a lot of kind people who have allowed me to fulfill a lot of goals in a short amount of time that (though I may be the only one who gives a damn) am very thankful for. I may be broke, I may have a mind-numbing and one stressful day job at present, and find it always an uphill battle to gain traction sometimes in this sometimes-fickly and ego-abound scene, but I'm pleased to be a small part of the worlds that I'm in right now, and look forward to more fun times and memory-making soon. Cheers for allowing me to thought-stream on here sometimes. Will throw up some random pages next post, so it's not always about the kind promotion pieces that comes my way, clogging this blog.

Thanks for sticking with me through all this. I salute you, Soldiers.