Hurry! Here's your chance to support a brand new comic book

Artist/writer Rachael Smith has created several popular graphic novels such as House Party and Stand in your Power, and now her latest project is on Kickstarter. 

Entitled Flimsy's Mewsings it's a 40 page full colour softcover featuring Rachael's first character Flimsy in new strips about "life advice, thoughts, dreams, and wine". An uplifting book for all ages. 

There's only 14 days to go until the Kickstarter ends so if you think it'll appeal to you, give it your support so it can reach its target and be published, - and you get a free enamel pin with every pre-order :
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flimsykitten/flimsys-mewsings

One of my favourite comics creators of modern comics, Rachael Smith's books are always worth reading so I hope it'll hit its target. Here are a few sample pages from Flimsy's Mewsings... 

********************************************

Review: STAND IN YOUR POWER

I'm finally going to find time to get through the backlog of books and comics I promised to review so, firstly, apologies for the delay and, secondly, let's get on with it, - kicking off with Stand in Your Power, the new book from Rachael Smith. 

Other reviewers have called the book "emotionally brave" and they're not wrong. It's a revealing autobiographical story of a period of Rachael's life where her boyfriend had ended their relationship, and how she dealt with that... as well as her depression. Now, in less talented hands that could be a very dull and downbeat story, but Rachael's own natural sense of humour gives the book a lift in all the right places and engages the reader. 

That's not to mean it's flippant of course. Not at all. Rachael deals with the subject matter realistically and responsibly, and in an appealing way. There are pages where she talks about how she self-harmed, and it's quite upsetting, especially for those who know Rachael but didn't know about these incidents. Thoughtfully, Rachael has colour-coded those pages in green, so if readers feel it may be too harrowing they can skip that chapter. I hope they won't though, because it carries an important message.

Stand in Your Power is a sequel of sorts to Wired Up Wrong, Rachael's previous book that I reviewed here. Both are very accessible books, helped immensely by the format; square pages, with no more than four panels a page. Rachael's art style is very easy on the eye and pleasant to see, showcasing her skills at facial expressions and composition. 

I hate to use the cliché "emotional rollercoaster" but that's how it felt reading this book, as Rachael shares her highs and lows with us and it's a book of laughter and tears. The book ends on an uplifting note though, with life improving for Rachael, and I came away from it feeling happy for her and also grateful that she'd shared so much that I know will help others cope with their dark days. 

I'll go as far to say that Stand in Your Power is an important book because of how it'll help others relate. Depression is something people are more willing to talk about now than they did a few decades ago, and this book is ideal to encourage that. 

You can buy Stand in Your Power and Rachael Smith's other books from her Etsy store here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/641892488/stand-in-your-power

Rachael will also be one of the guests at the London Film and Comic Con at Olympia next weekend (26th to 28th July) and you'll be able to buy the book at her table in the Comics Zone:
https://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com

Stand in your Power!

One of the good things about modern British comics is they're not just about superheroes, naughty schoolkids, or football. They cover a wide variety of subjects, just like any other medium. The books of Rachael Smith for example deal with human issues in an engaging, funny, emotional way, and the great news is she's working on a new book. 

Stand in Your Power is the title of Rachael's latest work. It's described as "a collection of auto bio comic strips that comic-creator extraordinaire Rachael Smith made after going through a breakup and attempting to get on with her new, single life. The comics deal with loneliness, figuring out who you are, moving on, dating, friendship, depression, love, and many other super-relatable things."

It's a sequel of sorts to her previous book, Wired Up Wrong. Although both work independently of each other, you'll get more out of it by reading both.

Rachael has a Kickstarter campaign for Stand in Your Power running right now, and you can find more out about it, and back it, at this link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flimsykitten/stand-in-your-power 

I can't recommend Rachael's work highly enough. She's a terrific cartoonist and her stories are relatable and inspiring, - and with a good balance of humour. Comics worth supporting!

Jack and Lucy

Again, my apologies that I won't be able to attend Oldham Comic Con (Saturday 12th May) but for those of you who will be there, stop by Rachael Smith's table to pick up a free new comic entitled Jack and Lucy that sensitively deals with the subject of mental health in the young.

Written by Rachael Smith and drawn by Jacob Phillips, the comic is designed by James Devlin and edited by Tim Pilcher. The project was coordinated by Sara Kenny and funded by the Welcome Trust and Carnegie UK Trust for Oldham Libraries. 

An important topic, tackled in the comics medium, and superbly produced. Congratulations to all involved.

New graphic novel from Rachael Smith

Any new comic from writer/artist Rachael Smith is worth a look, and her upcoming graphic novel Isabella and Blodwen, a 200 page hardback, sounds like it'll be another winner. The project is currently looking for funding on Unbound and you can find out about the story, and how to pledge, here:
https://unbound.com/books/isabella-and-blodwen/

Wired Up Wrong goes DELUXE

Last year, artist/writer Rachael Smith produced Wired Up Wrong, a 40 page anecdotal comic about her dealings with depression and anxiety. Rachael handled the subject in a humourous and inspiring way, and I reviewed the book here:
https://lewstringer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/review-wired-up-wrong.html

It sold out fast, and Rachael is now producing a deluxe version which will have 100 more pages! I've long been a fan of Rachael's work as I think she's one of the best new comics creators of modern times, so this sounds like a good deal to me. A Kickstarter campain has launched today to help fund the book, and you can find all the info at this link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flimsykitten/wired-up-wrong-deluxe-version 

I've backed it, and I hope you will too! 

See more of Rachael's work at her website here:

http://www.rachaelsmith.org

New comic from Rachael Smith

Over the last few years, Rachael Smith has swiftly become one of the bright new stars of modern British comics with graphic novels such as House Party and The Rabbit, and her humour strips for Titan's Doctor Who comics. Anything new from her is always welcome in my opinion so I immediately ordered her latest comic and wasn't disappointed.

Hourly Comic Day 2017 is an A6 size mini-comic comprising of just 20 pages. Compared to Rachael's graphic novels it's a quick read, but still manages to contain more charm and wit than most mainstream comics. Basically, on 1st February every year, artists from all over the world take up the challenge of Hourly Comic Book Day where they draw a comic or illustration for every hour they're awake. This comic features Rachael's contributions.

I've never really been enamoured with autobiographical comics but, like Rachael's other book, Wired Up Wrong, the artist has an ability to make such stories interesting. As with anyone, the situations in Hourly Comic Day of Rachael and her boyfriend Adam Cadwell may seem domestic and ordinary but they can help us to relate and get to know people better, and that can't be a bad thing. 

And there's even a page where Rachael gives her recipe for Chilli Con Carne, so it's educational too!

Considering this entire comic was done in one day it doesn't look rushed and Rachael's style is still on top form. Treat yourself to a copy by ordering it from the artist's online store here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlimsyKitten

MCM Comic Con report

Comic conventions! I can't get enough of 'em. Like minds coming together to display their art and talk comics. Therefore, although I wasn't a guest at the MCM Comic Con in Birmingham today I thought I'd drop in for a browse as it wasn't far for me to travel. 

Very busy day with attendees of all ages.

I knew a few of my friends in the comics industry would be there so it'd be a good opportunity to catch up with them. Admittedly, the MCM Comic Con doesn't devote a lot of floor space to actual comics. Most of the tables in the vast hall at the NEC are taken up with dealers selling merchandise related to comics, film, and tv. There's an area called 'Comic Village' where you'll find people who create comics, covering the small press, independents, and full time professionals.

One of the few stands selling U.S. comics.

The MCM events also give priority to guests from film and television, where today you'd see people from Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Red Dwarf and more. And a couple of wrestlers too, which seem to go down well with some attendees.

I've no idea why a wrestler was dressed as the Scarlet Witch.

I know that events such as MCM have been criticised by some for not being "true" comic cons because of their emphasis on actors. Personally, I think there's room for events like this and the smaller, comics-only shows. Talking to friends today echoed that view, and we agreed that these multi-media shows bring in people who wouldn't normally attend a comics-only event and some of them are happy to discover or rediscover comics. (I found this to be very true at ones I was at last year.) Hopefully some of those fans will then check out more events, including the shows dedicated to comics.

Here's a few of the comics creators who were there today...

Steve Tanner, whose Time Bomb Comics company has now been running for ten years. 

http://www.timebombcomics.com

Rachael Smith, creator of wonderful books that deserve a place on your bookshelf.

http://www.rachaelsmith.org

Laura Howell, fellow Beano artist and self-publisher.

http://www.laurahowell.co.uk

It was also great to see Jessica Martin, who as a comic creator and actor was at home in both sides of the hall (http://www.artymisspublishing.com), Stuart Gould, who does a fine job printing my comics and those of others (http://www.ukcomicscreative.co.uk), Adam Cadwell, who produces some amazing comics (http://www.adamcadwell.com) and several other pals from the comics world. 

MCM Comic Con is on all over the weekend, so there's still time to visit on Sunday 19th March if you're in the area. 

http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/birmingham/

Next Saturday, 25th March, I'll be a guest at Robot: Illustration and Creative Arts Convention in Sheffield. See you there! 

http://www.robotcon.co.uk

Review: Wired Up Wrong

Rachael Smith is one of the best new cartoonists to have emerged onto the scene in recent times. I reviewed her graphic novel House Party a while ago and I'll be reviewing her other works soon, but today I'm focusing on Rachael's latest book, Wired Up Wrong.

Although a slim book of 40 pages, Wired Up Wrong has more depth than a year's run of some comics. I'm not always keen on autobiographical comics, but I found this book so engaging that I'd read it soon after it arrived in the post. Basically, it's a series of full page strips that deal with Rachael's encounters with depression. Now, don't let that give you the impression the strips are bleak and despondent. Far from it. Rachael's natural talents give her anecdotes both humour and sensitivity and offer us an insight into her life in a warm and thoughtful manner. 

Depression used to be such a stigma in society, and to some it still is, so Wired Up Wrong is a very worthwhile and, yes, important book that will help people understand its effects. 

I'm also a big fan of Rachael's art. Her composition, linework, and colour sense are superb. She's mastered drawing expressions and body language so well too, which compliment her scripts.

For those who wonder where British comics are now, I can tell you; they're in a good place, covering various themes like this with a maturity that the comics of decades ago never had. Wired Up Wrong is a good example of how diverse comics can be, tackling its subject in an interesting and compassionate way. 

Don't just take my word for it. Buy a copy for yourselves directly from the artist:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/473271590/wired-up-wrong

Visit Rachael's website to see more of her brilliant work:
http://www.rachaelsmith.org

International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day and although I don't have much time for blogging today I didn't want it to pass without a shout out to some of my female friends and colleagues currently working in the industry. There was a time when comics were almost exclusively male dominated but over the years there's been a refreshing increase in women creators working in the business, although there's still a way to go for a proper balance. Bizarre at it seems to any rational person, not so long ago there was an attitude by shortsighted men that "women can't draw comics". (I've actually heard blokes say that.) The few examples here blow that prejudice right out the water.

Here's a quick gallery of the diverse styles of just a few of the women artists currently in the business... 

Art by EMMA VIECELI (From the CBR website)

Art by LYNNE TRIPLETT

Art by LORNA MILLER

Art by YISHAN LI

Art by JESSICA MARTIN

Art by RACHAEL SMITH

Art by LAURA HOWELL

Art by RACHAEL STOTT

Art by KAREN RUBINS

Art by LISE MYHRE

Art by PAULINA VASSILEVA

Art by EMMA CHINNERY

This is just a sample of course. There are other female comic creators such as writers Leah Moore and Alex De Campi, Beano colourist Nika Nartova, editor Deborah Tate and more. And with the rising number of women attending comic shows who are clearly into comics and sci-fi it's evident that the number of women entering the comics profession will increase, and rightly so. 

Breaking news from Avery Hill

Providing more proof that the British comics industry is still very much active, Avery Hill Publishing have today announced no less than four new graphic novels they'll be releasing this year. 

The titles are:

Artificial Flowers by Rachael Smith

Parsley Girl: Carrots by Matthew Swan

Internal Wilderness by Claire Scully

A City Inside by Tillie Walden

To keep in touch with more news from Avery Hill and to check out their previous releases, visit their website here:
http://www.averyhillpublishing.com/