Archive for ‘Issue 1’
22 items.
None at all. A bit rubbish really.
Well, this wraps up the end of issue one and I hope you’ve all enjoyed this rough and ready introduction into this world I have cast for you all. Cast is a little too grand a word to use, maybe written or created? I don’t know, it is a bit of a heavy evening seeing something you’ve worked on come to life and you get those feelings of (emo) dread which I won’t bore you with.
Issue two is at the finishing line with the first pages (almost) ready. We’re racing for a start date of the 8th so fingers crossed! On Friday, I’m going to release some of the sketches for issue two and I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I did.
If you like it, hate it or hold no feelings whatsoever then let me know by comment or by contact form. I need feedback to know if I am doing this right as I am a beginner in all this.
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Morning everyone. I hate updates on the Monday morning after three night shifts in a row. I’m so tired, it was a lovely weekend and I only managed to sample barely a dab of the brilliant Bank Holiday goodness. Luckily though work was as quiet as a very quiet thing (as these things tend to be on public holidays) so it wasn’t all bad.
Wallpaper is progressing along and we decided to take a brave decision: no colour. Observe:
We also decided to use two characters, one who has already appeared in the comic but has a beard but as a minor spoiler will lose it soon (Alan) and one who hasn’t appeared (yet, watch this space, she has a GREAT intro). I think it is a highly risky strategy as I am going to run the risk of people staring blankly at the wallpaper and saying “who the hell are these guys?” As well as a few other things but I think its a risk worth taking. More later as it develops.
Got any thoughts so far? Let me know!
God here we go, her Sarah Connor moment is up and what does she do? Go all Paris Hilton on poor Alan. She is a very needy sort of girl and I’m going to make absolutely no apologies for that as after all, when the bullets are flying and the rocks are exploding we are all only human. Not that I’m lecturing, I’d do the good Max Hastings/Harry Flashman thing and run a mile, maybe three, in the opposite direction and distribute my bowels along the way.
Okay, I believe there may be an error with this page so check back tomorrow as there may be an updated one. Keep an eye on your RSS feeds.
Also, check down below, I’m a Geek and I’d love to share something with you!
Ladies and gents, welcome back to action land.
With this we see Alan’s first major fight in an ambush against the odds and it’ll be very interesting to see how it turns out. I feel for the poor bike however, this is like the Motorcycle Diaries only with less Che and more guns.
I am now fully moved into South London. Broadband is the only sticking point but everything is in place. The last couple of nights have been especially worth it as its been the first time where I could come home from work, head out and stay out until midnight without worrying about work the next morning. I can survive on five hours of sleep after all..
..if anyone remembers, I had a competition and I do believe that Albone of comic Rival Angels won! Anyway, I’ll doodle something for Albone and photograph it and e-mail it to him. It can haunt him for the rest of his life as a warning from history.
Questions can be hard, especially when in a rocky outcrop in Balochistan and when the guy you’re asking is more twitchy after your average Vietnam chopper pilot after too many tranqs..
The plot is going well and already we’re looking forward to issue two which is coming soon as well as a couple of freebies. I’ll post come sketches of whats to come as filler between chapters.
I know a few people are reading this and I thank everyone for reading! I hope you’re all enjoying the show so far and are looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Some would argue the question “who the hell is this guy?” would be at the front of her mind and others would say it’d be at the very back considering the circumstances she finds herself in. It is an interesting conundrum in which she finds herself as she has been saved by someone who deals with problems in a very cynical and violent fashion. She probably can’t help but find it hard to reconcile this with her views and beliefs.
In other news, I’ve moved to South London successfully and now enjoy shorter and more chilled out commutes and living in a really nice area. Its also the 40th anniversary of the first single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the earth by Robin Knox-Johnston and I wrote a blog post about the man who won, the man who lost everything and a Frenchman who never wanted it all to end.
PS: This should have gone up at 06:00 GMT but I’m lazy so here it is for all of you to enjoy early. Have a nice week 
This reminds me of the Great Escape. Seriously. Except Steve McQueen has some woman on the back complaining every time they hit a rock.
Now we know why war heroes ride alone!
We’re currently in countdown to me moving into London and I’m very excited. Whoa, whoa there relax! The comic isn’t going anywhere because even though I’ll spend most of the weekend either working or moving I have scheduled updates in advance! Aren’t I good to you guys? Aren’t I?
The move currently is going to involve:
- An Xbox 360
- About loads of volumes of comics and manga.
- My cheap Daily Record newsposter collection including the classic gem of “JAILED BEAST STALKS WIFE” which is a slight oxymoron but there you go.
Those are just some random items. If I’m listing what I’m taking with me to London then I’m INCREDIBLY excited.
Well that wasn’t very smart!
Just going to remind you guys that the comic is currently updating on Mondays only. Script & Sketches will come on a Friday.
For all those who got a sneak peak of today’s comic on Sunday afternoon/evening, my apologies! It was meant to be set for 6am GMT on the 13th of April but in the end I left the date set on the 12th by mistake. The result: disaster!
After I had fixed that, I checked out my Project Wonderful stats (I’m addicted to them now) and I’m finding a few interesting links!
Marsh Rocket by Jules Rivera was one of the inspirations when I was writing the script. I’d be there, listening to Manic Street Preachers and Rage against the Machine it’d be one of the five or six comics that I had listed as required reading. I’d reveal the others but I’d rather do that when I have some respectability to do so.
Anyway, imagine my joy and surprise when Jules name dropped Hard Graft in her blog! Stunned was the first reaction and then something approaching slightly embarrassed delight. I’m a modest one, me and I’ve had a chat with Jules and taken on board some of her suggestions, always up for getting some crit & suggest to help me crack on with script writing even if its in the middle of someone trying to give me props for me and German’s work!
Finally, the Easter Egg competition is still on! Remember, basically try and count how many Easter Eggs there are in the firs t14 pages of Hard Graft issue one!
Pro-tip: Easter Eggs may come in pairs and attached to someone… 
Answers in either an e-mail to me via the contact page or in the comments section below. Winner to be announced on Friday and will win a signed scribble from et moi!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Comic updating only once a week. Friday will have a sketch & script.
Had to come sooner or later. This was initially what we wanted to do but went for the twice a week updates to drum up interest. Sadly, the buffer, like that on your Nokia Internet Radio app on your mobile, is running out and we need to preserve it so we don’t end up running out before issue 2 is done and end up looking rather silly.
So, here is the schedule:
- Monday: new page.
- Wednesday: me doodling
- Friday: Sketch & Script.
This inevitably means an end to regular incentive updates to the topwebcomics vote-o-matic. I’ll keep the button up because I feel that if people really do like the comic, they’ll like it enough to put a vote in.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this week’s comic, see you Friday for script & sketch!
Page 13 incentive is now up! Click here to vote!
Mmmn, pineapple goodness.
Well there is a right way and a wrong way to make people quiet in these situations and I think this was…probably the right way.
The influences behind this are probably soviet in origin but in that situation I wouldn’t blame him if he used punji sticks to be honest.
In other news, I’ve joined the Sage Comics collective! It is quite an exciting honour so soon into the comic that my more experienced peers like what they see!
INCENTIVE TO COME LATER The incentive is now up! I’ve been rushed off my feet but it is nice to know that I can effortlessly get the actual comic out on time so you don’t miss out on the fun this man is having!
