Hot Wheels Comic Issue 45…

A look at the latest two cars in the Toontastic Comic.

Hi Guys,

Here is a sneak peak at the cars you’ll see in issue 45 of the Hot Wheels comic, to whet your appetite.



The two cars are respectively:

X-Treemster – From the story: “Beauty and the Beast!”

Iridium – From the story: “Speed and Power!”

Chuck is joined by a new character Scott Power and I have designed a new costume for our hero.

Another hero with this issue is my son Simon, who due to time constrictions this time around with all the madcap mayhem that is the Keep on the run up to this year’s Bristol International Comics Expo in May, jumped in at the last second to help me out by providing the flat colours.

So if you are one of the folks that regularly buy the comic here in the UK, you have him to thank for getting the book completed in time, and Kudos from me. Simon is an apprentice at BAE Systems here in the UK, so spends his days working as an Aerospace engineer on some of the most sophisticated aircraft around today, so it’s not like this is his regular gig…but definitely a chip off the old block here!!!

Both stories are produced by the same gang as always:

Written by – "Iron clad" Ian Rimmer
Pencilled, Inked and Computer Coloured by – "Toonful" Tim P
Ably assisted by - "ma boy" "Super" Simon Perkins
Edited by – "Jaunty" James Hill
With Production Design by – "Riotous" Rob Sharp

I am looking forward, as always, to hearing what you think of this latest artwork. The comic will be on sale soon, so don’t forget to order a copy!!!

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 15th 2008

Gweldar the Elder Figurine...

The latest update…

Hi Guys,

I have just received the finished sculpted "Gweldar the Elder" piece yesterday (Sunday) and I have to say the piece is far better in the flesh than even the photos show. It really is a beautifully rendered and highly detailed piece of sculpting from Sean.

I will be going along to the manufacturers with Gweldar in tow this week, which is really exciting.

We should have some finished figurines in our hands over the next few weeks, ready for sale at Bristol at the launch in May and then from the Wizards Keep website and retail outlets.

I thought I would just let you know there are some further photos of the Gweldar Figurine over on the Wizards Keep website.

You will find these new photos in the New Section on the Wizards Keep website, which will see continue to receive constant updates until I am ready to show the finished products to the public. You can find the page under the Shop section of the website on the left hand bar, which is entitled: “Figurines”, which will show all the sculpting Works in Progress. As always please feel free to drop by frequently to see the progress being made.

I look forward, as always, to your views.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 17th 2008

Gweldar the Elder Figurine.

The latest update...

Hi Guys,

I thought I would just let you know there are some further photos of the Gweldar Figurine over on the Wizards Keep website.

These next sets of photos of the bust of Gweldar the Elder shows the head having been tightened up, following my approval of the original set by sculptor supreme and thankfully perfectionist Sean Green. Then there are photos of the basic body and another set with an epaulet and cape bead indication added. The latest upload resently shows photos of a more finished body, cape and arm skeleton ready for the addition of clay.

There are now a grand total of 12 photos. I have just received on Friday evening a series of photos of a much more completed sculpture from Sean, and I have to say it looks absolutely Awesome!!!

You will find the new photos in the New Section on the Wizards Keep website, which will see continue to receive constant updates as the sculpting progresses. You can find the page under the Shop section of the website on the left hand bar, which is entitled: “Figurines - New Sculpts”, which will show all the sculpting Works in Progress. As always please feel free to drop by frequently to see the progress being made.

As I have said I already have photos of many of the other stages up to press, so I know what’s coming and believe me when I say, you won’t be disappointed…I know I wasn’t and I created the character…

I look forward, as always, to your views.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins...
March 15th 2008

Dave Stephens - Rocketeer creator 1955 - 2008…

World Famous Comic and Good Girl Artist has died.

Hi Guys,

Yet more sad news for the world of comic books has reached me as several folks have contacted me in regards the death of Dave Stevens.

Most famous for his creation of the Rocketeer, his depictions of beautiful women and his use of Betty Page (the American 50’s glamour model) in his work, which introduced a whole new generation of artists and fans to her modelling work.

I loved Dave’s slick and luscious ink lines and his wonderful, rich subtle colouring. I was never lucky enough to meet the man himself, but can say this about his work. If anyone reading these words wishes to learn how to draw beautiful woman, they need look no further than his work.

Sad news indeed and you can find the links to two great tributes below:

Mark Evanier’s POV Website:

The Beat:

I will leave you with a photo of Dave and two pieces of work by Dave…they speak for themselves…

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…

March 11th 2008

Worlds End Figurines.

The first showing of what to expect:

Hi Guys,

I thought I would share a couple of photos of the first in the range of Worlds End Figurines, along with the concept art for the piece in full glorious colour.

This piece is a bust of "Gweldar the Elder", companion to the main hero, "Ralf" and an arch "Mathemagician".

This was the first draft to capture the basic likeness by the sculptor supreme Sean Green. I chose the guy in question, after seeing his sculptures in the flesh, following some jpegs being sent along to the studio. His work is superlative and I cannot wait to release them on sale for the first time at the Bristol International Comics Expo on May 10th and 11th. Come along to the Wizards keep booth to see them first hand along with all the other new and existing product ranges, we would love to see you there.

There is also a New Section on the Wizards Keep website, which will see constant updates as the sculpting progresses. You can find the page under the Shop section of the website on the left hand bar, which is entitled: “Figurines", whic will show all the Works in Progress. Drop by frequently to see the progress being made. We already have a great many production photos, and plan on releasing them slowly to add to the intrigue.

I look forward, as always, to your views.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 10th 2008

Macbeth – The Graphic Novel…

A Review of the new book from Classical Comics...

I was lucky enough to have the book sent through to me to review by my good friend and colleague in the comics business, Jon Haward the other week. I have taken a look at all three versions, which he sent and have to report the books are wonderful.

Macbeth is available in three formats:

• Original Text – The Original Shakespearian text from the play


• Plain Text – Converted Text into Modern English


• Quick Text – A more basic text, allowing the books to be read at a quick pace

Jon has spent the last 54 weeks working on the graphic novel. He has lived and breathed Macbeth all throughout this time and it shows. There are tips of the hat to lots of Jon’s heroes throughout the book as well. In there, if you look carefully and have a good understanding of the who’s who of comics over the past thirty plus years, you will see homages to the likes of Jack Kirby (his “Kirby-crackle” abounds whenever we see the Hecate appears), John Buscema’s “Conan”, Frank Bellamy’s “Garth” and Frank Frazetta,

You can also see his influences from such films as Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy and Ray Harryhausen’s “Jason and the Argonauts”…it’s all in there in the mix.

The book is obviously a labour of love and the best book to my mind to come out of Classical Comics up to press. This is Jon’s first graphic novel and he is due to follow this with another, again for Classical Comics, and yet another Shakespeare work, “The Tempest”.

The layouts are exactly what the brief asked for, contemporary and with accessibility to today’s younger audiences. The draughtsmanship is excellent and is complemented by the inking by Jon and Gary Erskine, and digital colouring by Nigel Dobbyn. Coming in at 120 pages of story with added extra pages to a total of 144 plus the cover and you have a hefty tome in your hands.

The artwork is fun to look at, powerful, and dramatic, matching the lofty words of the Shakespearian text. Amongst my favourite pages are Page 1, where we are introduced to the three witches, Pages 12 and 13, where we again see the witches, Pages 73 – 75,which shows us the arrival of Hecate, Pages 78 – 80 again scenes with the witches, and Page 120, which shows a great battle scene, to name but a few. Jon has surpassed himself with this book and his attention to the detailing is wonderful.

I for one cannot wait for him to finish The Tempest, but with another lofty tome on his hands it will be a few months before we see that book.

The books coming put of Classical Comics are, as I have said before, going to be a great asset for teachers as a teaching aid. It is the perfect book to have in schools, libraries and anyone’s graphic novel collection.

So there, now you have read it here…go out and buy a copy, with three different formats to go at, you are spoilt for choice.

Macbeth has always been my favourite Shakespearian Play and Jon has done the Bard proud, indeed.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 8th 2008

Wizards Keep Figurines and a “Worlds End” Ashcan…

The latest news on the production of the figurines and “Worlds End”...

Hi Guys,

Well, I have spoken with my sculptors and manufacturers in regards my figurines ranges and although hard pressed for a launch now at the Bristol International Comics Expo in early May, everyone involved is, pushing to have them completed ready for sale in time for the Expo.

Over the next couple of months look for more information and photos of the figurines ranges as we show a WIP (work in progress) over at the Wizards Keep website, as the sculpting is being done.

On a personal note I cannot express my thanks to the guys involved for their professionalism and dedication under incredible pressure to produce at speed with the same kind of quality that we expect from all our suppliers. I also, knowing what these guys can produce, cannot wait to have them in my hands for the first time.

We have decided not to release details of which characters any of the sculpts are based on, until we are able to show them as well, which should not be very long off now. We’ll also be letting you know who these marvellous guys are at some point.

Excited, you bet we are!!! “Worlds End”

I am presently working on the Ash-can version of the “Worlds End” graphic novel. Rather than totally disappoint those out there amongst you that have waited in anticipation for the release of the book, which we also hoped to have completed and ready for launch at Bristol we decided that this was the best route to take.

Inside as well as the preview pages to the book will be a sketchbook section showing many of the initial character designs, some background information on the characters, a look at what’s to come, exclusive ash can cover artwork, some other surprises, which I can’t divulge at this time…or they cease to be surprises, and a money off token which can be redeemed when buying the graphic novel, directly from the Wizards Keep website, when the book comes out. They will also be able to be used for ordering on advanced sales of the book direct from the website. Instructions on how to do this will be on the voucher.

We are all looking forward to meeting you guys again at Bristol, which ain’t that far away now…

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 3rd 2008