Clare’s Comics Catalogue – Em-Con Haul
Okay, yes, I know, Em-Con 2017 was back in April and I have only JUST got round to reading the comics I picked up that weekend. I’m really glad I did though as, while I didn’t grab that many, what I did pick up was quality. So here we go, a look at my mini EM-Con Haul. And apologies to the creators for this taking so long. I’ll be quicker next time I promise!
These titles were acquired in Artists Alley from indie creators. Next time you’re at a big con, do take the time to wander through Artists Alley/Comics Village and check what’s on offer. You can find some absolute gems. That was, after all, where I discovered Level 8 Comics and my beloved Brethren Born. AKA the portal into the monetary black hole that is supporting indie comics!
Apologies for the lack of art in this post all about sequential art. We’re having some tech issues at the moment and when they are fixed I WILL come back and add some art to this post. But there’s a time crunch on this one so I wanted to get it out there ASAP.
Flintlock
First off I picked up the two currently available volumes of Flintlock from Time Bomb Comics. Written by Steve Tanner, with art from Ed Machiavello, Lorenzo Nicoletta and Anthony Summey. Flintlock is described as a shared timeline anthology, with all the tales taking place between 1701 and 1800.
Characters include a daring highwaywoman, a pirate queen and the Clockwork Cavalier, a peculiarly steampunk fellow charged with apprehending miscreants while spouting bizarre catchphrases. It’s this diverse cast that really drew me in, especially Lady Flintlock and Shanti, the Pirate Queen. Come on, you’ve got to love a creator that gives you not one but two badass female leads and an automaton, because they are fed up with the same old boring hero figures.
In volume two it becomes clear how the stories begin to interweave, and I’m really looking forward to reading more in the next volume. What also sold me was The Chirurgery, a section of historical notes in the back of each volume which certainly educated me on a few points.
Flintlock volume one is available on ComiXology for £2.99
Time Bomb Comics are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a kickstarter for Ragamuffins Redux. It has just a few short hours left to run so do check it out. There are plenty of reward options (I went for the £30 tier, cos I can’t turn down a nice t-shirt) and there are a lot of lovely stretch goals which have already been unlocked.
Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints
So if you’ve ever taken a look at my bio you’ll know I’m an avid hiker, having completed two long distance hiking trails. Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints is something of a mantra for those who enjoy the back country, so when I spotted the phrase as the title of a comic I was intrigued. I picked it up and clicked through the first few pages and liked what I saw, so I bought it. And MY GOD am I glad I did. What unfolded was one of the most chilling body horror tales I’ve had the pleasure to read. It all kicks off when a loved up young couple take something OTHER than photographs from a beach holiday. There were a couple of moments where I *may* have gagged a little bit, the imagery is pretty grim in places. But in a really good way.
Frisson Comics writer Tom Smith and artist Katie Whittle are going to be a table I look out for at future cons for sure. I’m cursing myself for missing out on their recent kickstarter for Katie’s The Foxglove Wood as the art looks wonderful.
