2017 Events

I've just updated the EVENTS schedule for 2017, see top left of this Blog for full list... I say 'full' but there's always the chance that more will be added.

Tales of WesterNoir 3

I've just posted news about the next WesterNoir comic over on Strangestoftimes.blogspot.co.uk.

The first event of the year for us will be next weekend's Comic Con in Copenhagen. What a way to start the year.

Recent news and events ...

Pop over to Colin's Blog and my blog for recent news, reviews and event write ups.

Two new releases from Accent UK.

It's unusual for Accent UK to release two books within a few weeks of each other but that's what's happened with the releases of Colin's Moments Of Adventure and my Stephenson's Robot - issue 3.

Moments of Adventure collects a number of Colin's out of print stories, previously published in Accent UK anthologies. Each tale has been re-lettered and also coloured by either Matt Soffe or  Aljosa Tomic to wonderful effect.
Launched at this weekend's Granite City Comic Con in Aberdeen this is Colin's first published comic for a few years now...

and will be followed by his remastered (and coloured) Zulu, previously printed in two issues.
The Zulu Graphic Novel will also contain a new strip, created specially for the book.
As is traditional now, I've modified a Lego figure to accompany the Moments of Adventure comic.

Stephenson's Robot Issue 3 continues the story of an alternate history steampunk tale, set predominantly in World War 1...

...which as usual will be accompanied by a Tarot card, this time around it's Beauty, to reflect this issue's back story.
And of course a modified Lego figure for the table at Conventions.

Demon Con 11 and Bolton.

I've just posted a report of our first Convention of the year DemonCon11 over at Strange Times.
Our next Convention will be this Saturday at Bolton, hope to see you there.

2016 - Convention dates.

The dates for the 2016 Convention schedule have been added to the blog, on the right -->
Great to include some new venues in with the favourites from last year.

WesterNoir issue 5 review.

Jeremy Briggs has posted his review for Issue 5 up over at DownTheTubes.net and is enjoying how things are moving along.
Both this and the latest issue, Issue 6, will be available at this year's Thought Bubble (this weekend) along with a limited number of sketch packs of what we call 'The First Season', which includesv WesterNoir issues 1 to 4 and Tales of WesterNoir issue1.
We hope to see you there and chat about Josiah Black and his world.

Our last MCM event of the year reviewed.

I've just posted my report on the London MCM event over on Strangestoftimes.blogspot.co.uk.

MCM London.

These weekend, well actually Friday as well, Accent UK will be at the MCM event in London's Excel, Royal Victoria Doc.
We've had a great time at previous events and met a lot of new people along with those returning to the stall for the next issue of WesterNoir or Stephenson's Robot. The good news is that WesterNoir issue 6 will be available for the first time as I'll be receiving copies on Wednesday from our printer Stuart Gould.

I've seen the proof copy and it looks great.

We will also have a limited number of sketches from the series co-creator, co-writer and artist Gary Crutchley that will be free with the WesterNoir issues 1-4 plus Tales of WesterNoir #1 multi-packs.

Illuminating Blackpool.

Yesterday we spent a strange day at Blackpool's first Comic Con.

Set in the impressive Winter Gardens, it meant an early start and despite the rain, a fallen tree and the one way system in Blackpool's city centre, we did manage to get to the venue, with our stock, in plenty of time.

The challenge though was once inside, where exactly was our table ?
In our experience first events are always a bit of a mess when it comes to the logistics and this one proved no exception. Scott and I wandered around the main hall looking for our table whilst Colin queued for passes and Event programme.
Turns out there was no programme but by the time Colin returned with the passes, I'd located our table...

...it was on the upper balcony.
Which brought the usual concerns about the people down below being unaware that we were even there. A few hand made notices stuck to the handrails on the bottom of the stairs was the best that could be done really.
We're past masters at setting up the table with our books these days and had done so within 10 minutes or so, which left time for me and Colin to have a wander and see what the event had to offer people.
Lots, is the short answer. The event sprawled across floors, down corridors into Galley themed rooms...

and into more corridors and little side rooms, all of which provided potential customers with the chance to buy anything from themed cup cakes to wrestling merchandise via signatures of minor actors from Star Wars (mainly).
And it left us even more worried that people could wander around all day and never actually know we were there, let alone find us.
The things in our favour however were that the organisers had put all the comic people upstairs (and it was great to bump into Mike Garley again) and the fact that there were a reported 8000 tickets sold.

I think it took about an hour after the doors had opened before we saw the first people make it up to the balcony and about another hour before we sold our first comic.
We didn't have a good feeling about this being one of our better Cons.
But then at around 2pm it started getting pretty busy. We started to get interested customers, having good chats with them and started selling a good number of comics.

The venue certainly consumed the number of people who managed to buy tickets and also seemed to have scope to expand. It's a very large venue with plenty of side rooms, and the actually space that was being used wasn't being used to its full potential.
We had a good day all told. Met a lot of nice people, chatted to them about our books and about comics and the comics industry in general, got some nice feedback and sold a good number of books.

And Judge Anderson bought a copy of Strange Times - Book 1...

...which isn't something I ever thought I'd say.
I think we'd go back if they decide to hold another event, Whilst there were some criticisms I get the feeling that the majority of people enjoyed themselves and we certainly met enough new customers to make it worthwhile. The danger is that it'll become a 2 day event which increases our costs significantly. Time, and maybe the Minions, will tell.

Blackpool Comic Con.

Saturday 12th September will see Accent UK at their first Comic Convention in Blackpool ... if you're in the area waiting for the Blackpool Illuminations then pop into the Winter Gardens in Blackpool’s town centre and have a look at what we're up to.
The theme of the event appears to be The Game Of Thrones if the guest list is anything to go by ... so I guess it's appropriate to leave this post on...
'Winter Gardens is coming'...

Accent UK are heading to Warrington Market on the 16th May...

for their first Comic Con style event.
Pop over to http://strangestoftimes.blogspot.co.uk/ for more details .. and also a view of the next Tales of WesterNoir cover as well as an internal Stephenson's Robot #2 page .. both coloured by Matt Soffe.

AccentUK Thought Bubbles on Thought Bubble.

Well the Accent UK reports on Thought Bubble 14 are now up on the creator's blogs.
Pop over see what Colin, Gary and I thought about our last Convention of 2014.
Now we'll have to work out our schedule for 2015... we'll trade Helsinki for Copenhagen, so we can catch up with some old friends but will alternate and get back to Helsinki in 2016, apart from that and two Conventions already contacted, we've a lot of planning to do.

Thought Bubble 2014.

Accent UK have a table at next weekend's Thought Bubble event in Leeds... and this year our table neighbour is none other than Andy Bloor, co-creator of The Wolfmen and the bloke who designs our books, with his new self published Midnight Man. I can't wait to get a copy of that book.

We'll be launching two new books ourselves at the event ... pop over to Strange Times for details of what they might be...

Thought Bubble is always a good event to end the Convention year on, do pop over and say 'Hi' if you're there.

London MCM reports.

Accent UK had a great two and a half days at the London MCM Convention last weekend.

You can read Colin's report on his blog and mine over on Strange Times.

There Can Be Only One
report.

London MCM... here we come.

Accent UK have a table is the MCM Event in London next weekend.
Well, actually it starts on the Friday and Colin and his son Scott will be setting up and manning the stall on Friday. I'll be travelling down with my daughter Jemma on Saturday (very early) to join them.
As always, if you're at the Con then do pop over and say 'Hi'.

Helsinki Comic Festival reports.

Well, Accent UK are back from the latest Comic Festival in Helsinki.

You can read my report over on  www.strangestoftimes.blogspot.co.uk, Gary's over on www.gcrutchley.blogspot.co.uk/ and Colin's by Vulcan mind meld :o)

Helsinki Comic Festival

Accent UK have a table at this year's Helsinki Comic Festival ... which takes place this weekend ... you can find details over at www.sarjakuvafestivaalit.fi/in-english. Be sure to say hello if you're at the Festival.

Manchester MCM...

... our reviews of a truly great event can be found over at Gary Crutchley's blog, Dave West's blog and Colin Mathieson's blog ... in short though it was awesome.

Also you'll find a great review of the first three WesterNoir books over at www.geeksyndicate.co.uk.

Glasgow Comic Con Report

A quick 'Thank You' to everyone who stopped at our stall at last weekend's Glasgow Comic Con... we had a great time and are looking forward to the next one already.
For a fuller report please pop over to my Strange Times blog...