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I feel, that given I'm attending Thought Bubble primarily to network and make contacts, that getting horrendously drunk and making a complete idiot of myself might not be the best tactic.

I should probably focus on making a good impression.

I should be sensible.

Okay, we'll see how long that lasts.

I'm definitely going to try and write the script up this week.

I mean, if the judges don't like it, I can always submit it to a small press anthology. Plus, while the judges probably won't ask to see something... imagine if they did and you didn't have anything.

I'm a strong believer in being prepared.

Even if the judges do want you to write a new version from scratch, you haven't really lost anything by writing out four pages.

But, hey, that's just me. I like being overly prepared.

This year we are also going to be adjacent to the might of the CraxyFoxMachine and the Psychedelic Journal as well. Make sure you say hi and be prepared to share your username. It is your entrance to the secret world!

It's my first time going down to Thought Bubble this year, so I'll be sure to come along and say hello to you Dave.

I'm quite excited, especially for the 2000AD Writing Competition.

I fully expect to be burnt out by the end of the day. I'm catching a train down at 6am in order to get into Leeds on time.

Note to self, I need to stock up on energy drinks.

Howdy. Submissions for 2000AD opened up again back in September and are going to be open until the 1st of March, 2017.

I made a submission very many years ago, never heard back, but I decided this was the year to try again. Last month I sent off my four page Future Shock and I' really looking forward to hearing back from 2000AD.

Are any other writers (or artists) planning on adding to the slush pile this year?

Anyone on here who makes regular submissions? I'm curious to what the process is usually like.

I think I picked a good story to write. I showed it to my flatmate (who is a fellow writer) and she was surprised by the twist. Although, with twist stories, it's always tough to get them right.

I've made a ton of submissions to FutureQuake in the past. Sometimes I get lucky. Other times... not so much. But it's important to make mistakes so that you can learn from them.

Still, I've massively improved as a writer over the years since my last attempt, so maybe I have a chance.

Also, I'm headed down to Thought Bubble for the first time this year. Anyone else from the board going down to take advantage of the 2000AD Writing Competition or the 2000AD Portfolio Competition?

I think I'm as equally excited, as I am terrified, about standing up in front of everyone and making my pitch. It should certainly be a thrill, though.

Firstly, unless you have a VERY good reason otherwise, let the artist decide on the page layout and "camera angles." If there is a good reason for a particular layout, P.O.V. or angle, let the artist know what it is straight away.

You see, here, I have to disagree.

I've worked with plenty of artists and they've all appreciated a certain amount of guidance. They want to know what you're thinking.

Now, you should certainly be open to change. An artist should be able to diverge from what you've written if they can think of something better but given that your script might be the only way you ever communicate with an artist, that direction needs to be there.

And a script isn't just for an artist. You're submitting to an editor as well. Camera directions can help them to visualize your story.

I always include camera angles in my scripts. Not in every panel, but in a lot of them. Sometimes an artist asks to go a different way, which is always cool as long as the panel conveys the necessary information. Other times, I've been asked for more direction.

In my only professional gig (so far) the artist wanted to completely get inside my head, to know what each of my visual inspirations were. Now, that is a rarity, but it was very cool.

If using a camera angle enhances the description, then you should use it. As long as you remember that you're offering a guideline to the artist, rather than dictating what they must do (which most artists would get annoyed at).

Jon, that is wonderfully dark and absolutely beautiful.

Conqueror is now on sale at What the Flux?! Comics; http://whatthefluxcomics.com/webstore.php



I'm still looking for more artists to work on backup strips and guest story arcs, so if you're good and think you can match the visual style, then please get in touch.

A preview for Conqueror #1 has just gone online at What'cha Reading?

http://whatchareading.com/2013/02/26/conqueror-a-brand-new-science-fantasy-from-what-the-flux-comics/

Great line arts - a classic 'beautiful but probably dangerous dame walks into the PI's office' scene.

That'd be what I was going for and Jason did a really good job with the artwork.

Glad we pulled it off 

That looks frickin awesome.

Thanks Steven.

I've been really impressed by your artwork on the 'Attempts at the sample scripts' thread.

With the backup strips we'd definetly be looking at ten pages minimum but there's still plenty of time to get them drawn. I don't want our readership to feel cheated, so I'm holding the backup strips until the start of 2014. The first four issues are only going to feature the main story.

I'll send you a PM.



If anyone else is reading, then it'd be really helpful to find a guest artist to work on our second story arc which is called 'Haunted'. It focuses more on the fantasy element, rather than the science element, of science fantasy.

Kean has been doing amazing work on the opening story arc, which is called 'Conquered', but I respect how much time and energy it takes for him to produce a forty page story which is why he requested I look into finding guest artists.

We really could use all the help we can get, so if anyone would like to take a look at the scripts or has any advice on putting together indie comic books, it'd be really great to hear from you.

Thanks for reading.

And yes, I have a tendency to speechify when I'm nervous so I'm hoping you'll forgive that 

[Conqueror]

I have long been a fan of science fantasy, ever since I was a boy. I would sit for hours watching Star Wars and as I grew older my interests expanded to classical mythology as well as other works of science fantasy such as Dune and John Carter.

A couple of years ago an editor called John Paul Fitch (who some of you might know) was putting together an anthology called Flux UK for an indie comic book company called What the Flux?! Comics and invited me to pitch ideas.

I showed him my usual superhero ideas; from the classic to the dark... however it was another idea which caught his eye. A science fantasy idea which I had pushed to the side and neglected. An idea I called Conqueror.

And as I returned to that idea and began to work on it again, I remembered the love I held in my heart for those classic science fantasy adventure stories and a vision for an epic saga began to unfold in my mind.

It begins on the far side of the universe where there exists a planet called Mar. This is a peaceful world. A land of pacifists. But a shadow is moving closer to Mar. A race of conquerors known as the Tivians are headed toward this world of peace. And when they arrive, a young boy by the name of Sandr must make a choice. Will he run, hide, surrender... or will he do something else?

Something entirely alien to his people.

Will he fight?

I've spent years working on this idea, writing scripts and planning ahead.

The Flux UK anthology was discontinued, but the folks at Flux were so impressed by what we'd already put together that they offered us an ongoing title. Conqueror #1 is planned to be released in the next few months.

I've been working with the talented Kean Kennedy who has generated the concept art and the interiors. The above artwork was created by Chris Meeks for our front cover.

Issue #1 in complete and we are currently working on Issue #2 but putting together a comic book like this is a massive undertaking. As such I am looking for other artists to contribute, whether it be drawing guest arcs (usually amounting to 40 pages) or backup strips (usually 10 pages).

I'm really passionate about this project and so I'm going to do everything I can to ensure it succeeds.

What the Flux?! Comics is an indie publisher, so the work would be backend pay (a percentage of whatever each issue makes).

Yes, I'm aware that what I'm asking would be a lot of work for any artist and success is far from guaranteed. But it is my personal beleif that you need to take chances if you want to get ahead. I love this idea and I want it to succeed, however I also recognise that this is a chance to prove to any of the larger comic book publishers out there that I can put together a product of professional quality.

I do want to break into the comic book industry and to do that, I must prove myself.

Perhaps this could be an opportunity for others to do the same.

You can find more information about What the Flux?! Comics here;
http://whatthefluxcomics.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/What-The-Flux-Comics/107411060298

The Conqueror facebook page (which includes concept art) can be found here;
http://www.facebook.com/conquerorcomic

And you can read other stories by me here;
http://issuu.com/atwomic/docs/projections
http://pauulp.deviantart.com/gallery/32795742

I have previously been published in FutureQuake #20, I have a story due to appear in Something Wicked later this year, two of my stories have been accepted into the Millarworld Space Oddities anthology and another two of my strips have been accepted into the Future Noir anthology.

If you're an artist who wants to contribute then please get in touch, if not, then we'd appreciate any other support you could give.

Please, no negative comments.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

If anyone has samples that'd be great.

I just posted page one to give colourists an idea of what they'd be working with. Also, if anyone is looking to track down any more information on the anthology there is a thread on this board; http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,35541.0.html

Howdy all, I've been working on a strip with artist Jason Davies for the Future Noir small press anthology.

All the strips in the anthology are Blade Runner-inspired pieces, and as a fan of Philip K Dick I was eager to contribute.

The strip is seven pages long and is titled 'Detective Story'.



I wanted to write a strip which really focussed on the detective noir element from Blade Runner.

Jason is half way through doing the inking, so I thought it best to start the search for a colourist. If anyone is interested in helping out, then let me know.