Tales of the Spiffing

How did we do it?

2011-07-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

So those lovely people over at Skwigly Online Magazine (an animation orientated news site...bit like the brew) interviewed us a while back about the "Tales of the Spiffing". I just got an email to tell me it's online! So stop reading this and go and read that instead!

We've opened up shop!

2011-06-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

We've only gone and made it a bit simpler to get hold of a copy of "Tales of the Spiffing". If you click on the banner above (the one which says SPIFFING ARTISTS on it) then you will be guided to a lovely online store where you can browse around and buy not only the book, but also prints and sketches by the various artists which we sell at shows and will be available on an ad-hoc basis.

We're also excited to announce that we will be appearing at San Diego this year...but not at the comic convention. Well it is the comic convention, but it's not. We've taken the decision to support some of our like minded friends across the pond and "Tales of the Spiffing" will be available at TR!CKSTER.

For folk no in the know yet, TR!CKSTER is a fantastic initiative which has been set up to promote and sell CREATOR OWNED wares. It is taking place at the same time as SDCC but in the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center which is pretty much directly opposite the Convention Centre. As well as hosting a phenomenal amount of talent, a gallery, animated and live-action short film screenings, live music AND a full bar. Apart from some ticketed workshop events, you get this all FOR FREE!! So if you happen to be in San Diego at the end of July why not take a look? It's going to be like the show, but more hip.

And in a further development, we've gone digital! For anyone out there with an iPad, "Tales of the Spiffing" is available through the WHAMIX! reader app. There is some great stuff available to read through it and the content is always expanding, so what are you waiting for?

London Film and Comic Con 2011

2011-06-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

The lovely Miss Timmermans and myself shall be representing at the LFCC, Earls Court on the 9th/10th of July. Swing by if you want a personalised copy of the book, a sketch or just a chat!

The Bristol International Comics and Small Press Expo

2011-06-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo is back for 2011! As it is our local show we decided we should probably do something special for it. Four of the story artists who worked on Tales of the Spiffing will be hosting an open audience discussion on “Screen and Page”. We’ll chat about visual storytelling in general before going on to our moonlighting as comic illustrators and the differences between the formats, how working in film can inform comics and vice versa. We’re also running a competition throughout the expo where people will have to track down some of the artists attending the show...a kind of treasure hunt. What’s up for grabs? A framed, signed, one off print of the book cover!

KAPOW! London

2011-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

We just had an amazing weekend at KAPOW! in London. Met a lot of fantastic people, did a ton of sketching and broke a couple of World Records to boot! Thanks to all who picked up a copy of "Tales of the Spiffing" - we hope you enjoy it!

Help Japan

2011-06-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

We donated copies of "Tales of the Spiffing" to an organisation aiding the victims of the recent earthquake and aftermath. They were very limited and all came with a book plate. All the proceeds from the book went towards the relief effort in Japan. There was actually no price on the book although a minimum donation must be put forward to get hold of a copy. We were hoping people opted to go above that, and they did!! Over all we raised just shy of $1000.

London Comic & Small Press Expo

2011-06-18T05:36:00.000-07:00

A couple of us shall be attending the LONDON COMIC AND SMALL PRESS EXPO on SATURDAY 12 MARCH at GOLDSMITHS UNIVERSITY, New Cross. It's our first convention, so be nice. The book will be available, as well as some original art work from the book and prints. You can find us at Table 89 (see below).

(Click to enlarge)

Tickets can be purchased here. Hopefully we'll see some of you there!

Spiffing launch

2011-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Tea, cake and comics at the Aardman Gas Ferry Road site
Photos by Sarah Jex

This is what 1000 books looks like...

2011-06-16T03:46:00.000-07:00

It's also quite heavy...

Proof

2011-06-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

Our dummy proof arrived today. It's a weighty beast. Just note that this is bigger than the actual book...you can see the printer reference marks of the guillotines if you look closely...

Count down to final print has begun...

The Waterstein Babies: Jay Clarke

2011-02-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

The Time of their Lives

Schoolboy Space Race: Andy Janes

2010-12-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

The 1930's heralded the greatest race of our time - A schoolboy race to the Moon! Kept secret for almost 80 years the story can now be told of a small British schoolboy as he races against rival nations and their child goliaths of science.

Crosshunt: Emilie Timmermans

2010-12-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

A tale of a conflict between two satanic sisters and an evil teacher in an english boarding school...

My Boy: Jess Jackson

2010-12-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

If there's an elephant in the room, the British will be the first to find it. Spanning four decades, it's a story of biscuits, family and politeness gone mad.

Knight Spiffs: Laura B. Schjødt

2010-11-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

Illustrations on the Spiffing times of Knights, with romanti-tragic undertones.

Mammoth: Dave Vinicombe

2010-11-25T06:41:00.000-08:00

Trevor Vicious: Rej Bourdages

2010-11-25T02:50:00.000-08:00

Being a Canadian fish in British water so to speak, I figured I could transform myself into an obnoxious punk , allowing me to rant on about my favorite UK pet peeves. I wish I had an extra page to allow myself to rant about "Bank Holidays" . Don't get me wrong, I love myself a day off, but do you have to soil it by naming precious time off with banking institutions? For a country that INVENTED english language.....you could have done better. Just sayin.

Wheelie: Matt Jones

2010-11-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

Based on a true story . . .

In September 2010 eighty-one year old Red Wharf Bay resident Albert Forking rowed out into high seas to retrieve his neighbour’s wheelie bin. Without water-proof clothing or a life-vest he was dragged out to open sea . . .

Tommy: Ashley Boddy

2010-11-22T06:06:00.000-08:00

So...a story from the trenches. Happy subject matter isn't it? Anyway, a soldier sits in a trench on the eve of the Battle of Passchendaele, October 25th, 1917, writing a letter home as he thinks through his memories of The Great War. Rendered in two different styles, one for the memories and one for the real, will this letter be his last?

Boudica: JP Vine

2010-11-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

Hey there peeps. My story is about that foxy figurehead of bloodthirsty brits, Boudica. (like the alliteration?) It's told from the perspective of a Roman soldier on his first tour of duty in rain-soaked Britain. I've veered through all sorts of art styles for it, but finally settled on this high contrast look. Just hope I can get it all finished! There's more development art at: http://jpvine.com/category/blog/

Loooking forward to everyone's contributions...