Messages

1

Film & TV / Re: Dungeon @ Dragons TV Series?

« on: 11 January, 2023, 07:21:08 PM »

I'm scared to Google it... what's OGL?

Open Gaming License.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License

If you're not in the hobby, it probably won't be of great interest.

Regards,

Robin

2

Creative Common / Re: How To Format a Comic Book Script

« on: 02 January, 2023, 01:36:25 PM »

Meeting word count is my pride. It proves that I can be creative to an exact specification. This is one of the reasons I so admire pulp writers who can consistently produce to order, and that’s one of the reasons I want to try my hand at a comics script.

The frustration I have with comic strips is that it's often easy to come up with a good sequence of panels and dialogue, perhaps a good opening or a good ending, but a strip in its entirety usually eludes me. I had a script accepted for Zarjaz!, which worked, and personally I was quite happy with the sequel I wrote to 'The Samaritan' I posted here, but generally I'm not up to it.

Practice is, of course, the key here, but I find it difficult to motivate myself unless I have a reason to work (like a contract or knowing that it will get published). This the reason why I respect Si Spurrier - I wasn't a fan of everything he wrote for 2000AD, but I remember him starting out when we were on the old newgroups, and the guy just kept writing and writing until he made it.

Regards,
Robin

3

Creative Common / Re: How To Format a Comic Book Script

« on: 02 January, 2023, 12:24:29 PM »

So if that job gave me one thing, it gave me a thick skin when it comes to creativity. I may not be a team player, but I understand the dictates of collaboration.
Now, when an editor tells me to revise, I revise. My sensitive soul might be screaming, ‘How dare you!’, but I have enough professional sense to know that the project is bigger than my feelings.[/size]

When I was 18 I read one of Ramsey Campbell's collections of stories, Cold Print. In his introduction, he describes receiving criticism and guidance from August Derleth:

I suspect he would have been gentler if he realized I was only fifteen years old, but on the other hand, if you can't take that kind of forthright editorial response you aren't likely to survive as a writer.

I would not be surprised at all if I've quoted that here before, because it's something that's stuck with me. This is not to say I automatically agree with editorial decisions or I won't make my case for doing things a certain way, but when I'm being paid for something I'll do what I'm asked to do.

I actually find it kind of fun balancing what I want to, with what the editor needs, and doing it to the word count (though I admit I'd always like more words!).

Regards,
Robin

4

General / Re: Kevin O'Neill 1953 - 2022

« on: 07 November, 2022, 07:32:38 PM »

A terrible loss, though most of all to his family and friends.

He was not simply an artist with a unique style, he was an artist whose style shouted loud and clear that British comics, and obviously 2000AD in particular, were wilder, more creative, and just plain more interesting than what was going on in American comics. And that's probably still true.


Regards,

Robin

5

Prog / Re: Prog 2302 - ....and Hell Followed with Her

« on: 06 November, 2022, 08:50:57 AM »

Been doing a bit of a Prog catch-up.

Really surprised this hasn't generated more yak. Smartest bit of Dredd writing I've read in a while. Absolutely nailed Dredd's voice, and entirely in line with the way Wagner subtly moved the character forward over many years.

If I didn't know otherwise, I'd have said this was Wagner at his best.

I will be renewing my subscription in the new year. This story is the reason why.


Regards,
Robin

6

General / Re: Judgement Call - Dredd fan film

« on: 01 November, 2022, 07:22:11 PM »

God knows how they squeeze everything in that trailer into 35 minutes or so. But it looked very good.

You could use a framing device ("A Brief History of Mega-City One"), perhaps, with the exciting bits as snap-shots of significant historical events. Axanar used a documentary format, which worked very well.

Regards,

Robin

7

General / Re: Judgement Call - Dredd fan film

« on: 30 October, 2022, 05:51:10 PM »

Superb bit of work. Looked more like a trailer for a whole series, not just a single movie, there was so much going on in it.

Regards,

Robin

8

Other Reviews / Monster Fun - Halloween Spooktacular 2022

« on: 23 October, 2022, 12:27:10 PM »

So, I've been keeping up buying the hardcopy of this for The Leopard from Lime Street, even though I expect it will all be collected at some point.

I was saddened to see a change in artist on the strip. This comes with the usual caveat that no disrespect is intended to Nick Roche's ability. It's rather that I feel Laurent Lefeuvre's has a stronger continuity with the original and I preferred its atmosphere.

Regardless, I'm glad to see this comic continuing. Would I buy it as a weekly? Probably not, as there's not enough to interest me, but every few months I'm happy to support it. Kid Kong and Frankie Stein work best for me, both in terms of art and writing.

Regards,

Robin

9

Books & Comics / Re: The New Adventures of Pat Mills

« on: 16 October, 2022, 09:39:35 AM »

Dear god, man! Why?

Hurr. Short answer is that I find it useful. It's both content and structure, and helps me find stuff. I'm pretty sure Cosh has his own version of it, as well. Which *might* help him feed Barney from time to time. I'm not sure about the exact method by which Cosh feeds Barney.

If you like, I'll show you my timeline in which I fit all the decent 200AD stories with a hint of the Dredd world into one gloriously unifying whole.

(Which I've not bothered with for about 20 years now, because I'm past caring. Sadly.)

Regards,

Robin

10

Books & Comics / Re: The New Adventures of Pat Mills

« on: 15 October, 2022, 06:40:34 PM »

Don't worry - I didn't make these visualizations specially for this thread -

Okay... but that suggests...

I've been recording content like this for [checks notes] decades. Sorry about the text quality - I had to zoom in.

Dear god, man! Why?

Regards,

Robin

11

General / Re: No Tourney for a wee bit

« on: 15 October, 2022, 06:06:15 PM »

I don't know if it's already been suggested or even already happened, but I feel a Krill Tro Thargo is in order.

Regards,

Robin

12

General / Re: Quick Dredd questions topic

« on: 15 October, 2022, 06:01:33 PM »

god Steve was great.

I always manage to forget him when we talk about the best Dredd artists, but he really, really was one of the very best.

Regards,

Robin

13

General / Re: To Flesh or not

« on: 15 September, 2022, 07:52:38 PM »

It's fine if you don't like 'em, I'm just not sure the argument that 2000AD isn't innovating holds up. If anything, people seem to argue that there are too many stories on the roster, which leads to longer gaps between series of a specific strip while everything else gets its turn.

I think Jim's in the right here. (He usually is, except when he's disagreeing with me, of course.)

I'm not connecting with the Prog at all right now, and in all honesty probably haven't been for years. Even Dredds that are clearly good stories are just not resonating with me. I went digital this year and I scroll through half the Prog when I can be bothered to download a few issues and catch up. I'm very seriously considering not renewing the subscription.

But ultimately, I think the problem is largely me. I hesitate to say it's age, because there are people as old or older than me who are still enjoying the Prog, but there again it really could be that simple.

Or perhaps it's the other way round. I've not outgrown 2000AD; 2000AD has outgrown me.


Regards,

Robin

14

General / Re: FFT - FINNNALLLLL1!!! - Strontium Dog vs Nikolai Dante

« on: 13 September, 2022, 07:30:15 PM »

I've not voted in a single one of these votes before, so if that kinda disqualifies my vote, I've no problem with that.

Strontium Dog

Dante is a masterpiece, and probably the only strip since Zenith that I think stands alongside the early classics.

However, Strontium Dog is one of the early classics and Johnny Alpha is the only comic character who I care about as much as Dredd.

Regards,
Robin

15

Games / Re: Gamebooks

« on: 14 August, 2022, 05:57:20 AM »

For you knowledgeable Gamebook-ers, what would you say is the current state of the art in this genre?

That's a good question. Gamebooks are definitely niche stuff now, so the art is very variable. I think a lot of it is sadly below par but as Richard says Tazio Bettin is doing the latest FF and I've just got a gamebook with art by Neil Googe.
My Freeway Warrior books have new art and it's quite cartoony in feel - feels more modern and less classic, if that makes sense?

There's a FB group called 'Fighting Fantasy (and other gamebooks),' that's pretty active with a lot of enthusiastic fans and new creators. There's a number of people doing fairly decent artwork for these books too. The group gives a pretty good insight into what's happening at the moment.

Regards,

Robin