Worlds End Graphic Novel Update...

Okay so what’s the state of play…?Hi Guys,

I said way back in November, last year, here on the Blog that I would let you guys have an update as soon as possible, with the pencils stage. Well time flies here at the Keep and so to have a much more upbeat Blog today after the rather sad one yesterday here we go…

So without further ado here is the stage I am currently at with the pages.

I have seven pages of artwork to layout onto Bristol, which I do very lightly, so much so they are very hard to view. I will then be going back to page 27 and darkening the pencils and adding in the final detailing.

I am presently working on these last seven pages and once they are complete and the darkening has taken place then it’s just a matter of scanning them all onto the computer at long last and then embarking upon the road on which I will then digitally paint them.

I do not want to put up any further full pages on display but I will show the occasional panel or two and maybe some finished colour pages too along the way, as well as more promotional illos.

Anyhow, for now, here is a panel from one of the pages.

Blueline Pencils

Pencils turned to Greyscale in Photoshop ready for digital paint

Just to add to this we are going to be extending the deadline to the “Worlds End” Colouring Book Drawing Competition by two weeks, as lots of folks are coming back to us late with requests to see if they are still okay to send stuff after the deadline…You can’t say we don’t help you guys out from time to time!

The new deadline for getting finished entries in is, as a result of this, now: Tuesday April 14th with the winners being announced on Saturday April 18th.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 31st 2009

Bristol Comics Expo 2009...

Latest News…

Hi Guys,

It is with much regret that I announce Wizards Keep will be unfortunately unable to attend this year’s Bristol International Comics Expo, but this is due entirely to my workload here being insanely huge at the moment.

I am presently working on the “Worlds End” graphic novel, the monthly Hot Wheels comic, a series of educational bookmarks, and several other commercial jobs, as well as running the day to day business of Wizards Keep, so to say sleep does not fit into such a demanding schedule in which I am juggling all the above, is an understatement, even with the help of everyone else here.

I have left it until now to make certain decisions and it is has been hard for me to finally come to the realisation that something has to give this year.

As a result of my thinking long and hard about this I am sorry to have to tell you the gang and I will be unable to attend this year’s Bristol Comics Expo.

I know from last year how long it took to prepare for the weekend and as this year has moved on I began to worry it was not going to be doable, but I still worked to achieve this.

I have 2009 scheduled in for the release of the graphic novel and this is now my priority number one project. That said I also have other work commitments to honour too.

In this time of world economic recession I feel extremely lucky to be in a position whereby I am so busy and do not want to jeopardise this by taking on that little bit too much and making the deck of cards collapse.

I really had hoped that I would be able to turn things around in time for Bristol and really appreciate the fact that Producer, Mike Allwood gave me the honour of being one of the select few to appear at the venue as both a guest and also as an exhibitor this year.

Even this last few days has been spent trying to re-juggle and re-schedule things to enable us to go along, but it has become more apparent that taking time out to sort new fliers, graphics, promo stuff for the web and for print and getting the new products ready in time for May, along with keeping everything else moving at the pace it needs this year, was going to prove impossible to do.

I know there are a lot of folks both working in the business and also fans of comics that are looking forward to seeing us there and have issued a statement on my Website too, as well as the other Networks and Forums to explain things there, but wanted to speak to Mike first before doing so.

We will be back next year, for the Bristol Expo in 2010 (which is taking place on the 15th –16th of May) and by then the new products will all be ready and hopefully some others not on the public domain map yet too.

In the meantime, as I have said to Mike I, along with the rest of the gang here, want to wish him and his band of merry organisers Good Luck and we really will miss being there as part of Comicdom here in the UK.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 30th 2009

Bryan Talbot Exhibition & Talk...

Bryan’s Talk on producing Graphic Novels…

Hi Guys,

Well last evening I dashed over from the studio to meet Bryan, his lovely wife Mary, Stephen Gallagher and his wife and their friends, Chris and his wife for a meal at the Continental pub/restaurant in Preston situated near to the River Ribble.

I was barely on time, as I had gone to refuel the car and had left it until the last minute working on some of the latest “Worlds End “ promotional stuff. Things are still very manic here and it was hard fitting in going along to the meal, although I had not thought twice about going along to join Bryan et al.

They very kindly waited until I arrived before ordering the meal, which was really nice of them.

The Continental is quite unassuming as you see the front of it, that is, until you turn the corner and see the actual size of the pub/restaurant. A very spacious affair with lots of separate areas, including Beer garden area and children’s play area outside it was an ideal choice to hold the talk. As well as hosting Bryan’s talk it also contains an exhibition of his comic artwork.

Following the meal we went into a conference/party/reception area to listen to Bryan’s latest talk on his production methods when working on graphic novels.

Stephen gave a great introduction to Bryan before Bryan began his talk, starting as he does with Chester P. Hackenbuch, Frank Fazackerly, and then Luther Arkwright, before progressing through his DC/Vertigo work for such like as Batman and Sandman through to his work on The Tale of One Bad Rat, which takes up a good portion of the talk.

We were also shown a terrific early stage production of a promo video of his latest work Grandville, after which Bryan opened the floor to a questions and answers session. This was followed by Bryan signing books and posters and then saw us all retiring back into the main areas near to the bar for a chat…which as always (and bringing back memories of when Bryan and Mary lived in Preston) lasted until the early hours.

Just before we finished the meal we were joined by Keith Marsland, a stalwart of the Preston SF Club, with whom I had quite a lengthy talk, both before and after the talk. It has been a while now since I last spoke with Keith, having first met him in the early nineties when attending my first SF club meeting organised by Bryan and the gang.

I also took time, whilst Bryan was signing, to look at the exhibition of his artwork in the “Snug” part of the pub, which had on display amongst others, examples from One Bad Rat, Nemesis the Warlock, Batman and Luther Arkwright. When Bryan had finished signing for everyone I asked him to sign me a new hard copy version of One Bad Rat, my own paperback version, being lent out some time ago and not being returned.

I also met some other friends of Bryan and Mary and spent a good potion of the later evening speaking to James Brunton, the creator of the Luther Arkwright Role Playing Board game and owner of 23rd Parallel, which proved to be very enjoyable also.

Knowing Bryan had asked several times about how the “Worlds End” graphic novel was progressing, I decided to take it along to show him and see what he thought. I was very pleased to hear his views on the pencils and also the thoughts of the others who took the time out to check out the pages and some of the colour work too.

It was a very enjoyable evening and to my surprise upon retuning to the car saw it was iced up under a starlit sky. Luckily I had some remnants of de-icer in the car and was able to clear the car pretty quickly, before heading off home, where I returned to the drawing board for a short while before retiring to bed…something I have almost forgotten how to do…

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 29th 2009

Dreamstone Comic...

A look at the short lived comic from the early nineteen nineties…

Hi Guys,

I thought today I would take a look way back to when I drew the Dreamstone comic for London Editions in the early nineties. Back then I had been working for Marvel UK for about seven or eight years, or so and for London Editions for around three or four.

Back in 1990 when the TV animated show first aired, I caught the first episode, having heard of a new children’s show airing for the first time that night and decided to video it for my two children, Joanne and Simon. When I saw the episode I was instantly hooked. I loved everything about it and it and it spoke volumes to me about my initial direction I had wanted to take myself with my comics career.

It was only a few weeks later when I received a phone call off Brian Clark, then Managing Editor of the Manchester based publisher, London Editions, whose offices resided inside of the same building as World International Books. He asked me if I had heard of a cartoon on TV called the Dreamstone and would I like to work on the comic book version?

The answer to both questions was a resounding yes!




The book was to be a twenty-eight page book plus cover…twenty-nine pages per month. I replaced the receiver on the hook and sat back in my chair at the drawing board. I had never produced a full book before, and certainly never produced twenty-nine pages of continuous artwork before and definitely not both pencils and inks and it was a licensed character(s) book.

I made a cup of tea, as is my wont in these kinds of situations and then returned to the board. When it came time to pick up my wife, Margaret from work (she wasn’t driving herself at the time) I shared the great news with her and then my reservations about the sheer volume of work on a licensed book, which (as anyone familiar with working on licensed product will attest) is always open to the maximum scrutiny imaginable.

Margaret asked me if I thought I was going to be able to produce the amount of art necessary and I answered I simply didn’t know, but this was going to test my ability to do so, after all I had always wanted to be a comic artist and this was a great way to see if I could hack it with a full length book.

It was, as well a simple case of in for a penny…

The first issue took me a month to produce as I scrutinised every character, every panel, the layouts, everything to keep on model and keep things exciting for the reader.

The second issue was easier as the first one passed with out a comment, or amendment and took around three weeks to finish.

The rest of the issues were all produced inside of two weeks and got easier and easier for me, as I finally got a handle on the characters and the feel and the look of the series. I found it wasn’t a million miles away from the way I naturally drew this kind of stuff anyhow, plus I loved the show and the concept as well, which helped enormously. Looking back at the comics I think there are obvious differences between issue 2 (issue one was produced from screen grabs from the TV show) and the rest of the issues, especially from three onwards, due for the most part in my settling in to the schedule and getting to know the characters better.

For me they still remain some of the best comics I have worked on and were a joy to produce. I find it incredible now that they were done without ever having to amend anything, something I cannot say for some of the other licensed jobs I have worked on, which have been horrendous in this respect.

The comics also have the privilege of being the first UK comics to employ digital colouring throughout their pages. The colours were digitally produced by an Irish company on their computers, from the colour mark-ups that I provided for them.

It was around the time I was setting up Wizards Keep that we began requesting and placing reciprocal links on the website. One of the websites I came across was the Ultimate Dreamstone Guide website, which had a small and uncompleted page on the comics I had worked on, so, impressed as I was with the site, I contacted the owner and sent along the complete set of covers and some extra artwork regarding the unpublished comics too via email.

It was a little while later as I was surfing the net checking keyword functionality and the like when came across a forum which was singing my praises, something which both amazed me and was quite nice to read.

Anyhow the forum was Mike Jupp’s, the creator of the Dreamstone and one of the members there was actively promoting the fact He had found my site. As a consequence of all the commenting and Mike becoming aware of the Wizards Keep website he very kindly asked me to join up to his forum and also arranged for a section on his website to host some of my artwork, which was a great honour.

Since then, Mike and I have become friends over the Internet and we both hope to be a in a position to meet up very soon to discuss all things Dreamstone, Worlds End, our families, and everything in between.

At last year’s Birmingham International Comics Show in November I met up with Claire Green who had a letter printed in issue 6 of the comic. I was very honoured to have her buy four pages of original artwork from the comics, no less!

So, all in all, Dreamstone has not only been a great comic for me to have worked on, it has enabled me to meet up, albeit, as yet only via the net, not only its creator Mike Jupp, but a lot of fans of the series and comic both here on the net and at conventions up and down the country. Something that both amazes me still and pleases me too, is that Dreamstone along with my work on Earth Worm Jim still stands up to the scrutiny of these same fans.

I suppose to end this particular Blog, I can safely say it has been…“Better than a Dream!”

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 24th 2009

GRANDVILLE…

The brand new Graphic Novel from Bryan Talbot…

Hi Guys,

Bryan Talbot has done more for UK comics as far as being an ambassador through his constant introductions of one creator to another than anyone I have ever known. Bryan has always been seen at conventions, speaking one minute to one person and in another introducing them to someone else before slipping off to do it all over again. Long before MySpace and FaceBook the UK comic scene had Bryan, without the dot com after his name.

Bryan’s love of comics and the art of sequential storytelling is self-evident through his talks at conventions, his general conversations as a friend and colleague and in his enthusiasm about his work and that of others too.

Bryan’s taste in comics, like his taste in fine wines and fine art, like my own is quite eclectic. I have always said that comics are comics, be they anthropomorphic characters, ultra realistic, violent, pre-school, graphic novels, the list is, as it should be, only as small as the imagination.

This sentiment is quite literally seen in Bryan’s body of work, from his epic, Luther Arkright, through Nemesis the Warlock, The Sandman, Phage – Shadowdeath, with more well known characters such as, Batman, his wonderully empathetic One Bad Rat, and Alice in Sunderland, to name but a few.

Now the list above, is only a small smattering of the total body for his work, but it shows just what Bryan’s stories work, with their many faceted, complex at times, but always intriguing, illustrated tales.

In his latest masterpiece, "Grandville", Bryan regales us with yet another steampunk scenario, which was initially inspired by the work of the nineteenth-century French illustrator Gerard, who worked under the pseudonym of “Grandville” (from where the title of the book originates) and was known for drawing anthropomorphic animal characters.

Bryan relates the story of one Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard, a badger, as he stalks a gang of murderers through the heart of Belle Epoque Paris, although not the Paris you may have visited.

In the alternate world, which we visit in Grandville, France is the major world power. We see steam-driven hansom cabs, steam-driven automatons and steam-driven flying machines. Bryan’s work with first his Luther Arkright and subsequent, similarly, steampunk driven work through to this, his latest, have always reminded me with their undertones of the work of Michael Moorcock, especially the Bastable and Jerry Cornelius storylines..

Here, in this different steampunk version of Paris and the world at large, the characters are, in the main animals and similar to his work on Phage - Shadowdeath, we see an underclass of a certain section of the population.

In this case we see an underclass of humans, whom Bryan refers to in his script as 'dough faces'. Echoing the “clear-line” characters of Herge's "Tintin" books and many similarly drawn European comics, "Grandville" looks to be both a visual feast and a successful juxtaposition of the anthropomorphic and steampunk genres, although I have now come to expect nothing less from Bryan.

I had the good fortune of inking Phage – Shadowdeath over David Pugh’s marvellous pencils and Bryan’s wonderful script, back in the mid-nineties. It was at Bryan’s request to Ed Polgardy, at the time editor-in-chief of Tekno comics in the USA, to hire me as the inker, after seeing my latest work at the time, on Dark Crusade. I consider that to be one of the highlights of my career to have Bryan think so highly of my work that he wanted me to work on his book, I also consider it a great privilege too.

Over the years I have come to think of Bryan more as a friend than just another colleague, or indeed a great storyteller, so it gives me great pleasure to introduce you all to a book I know I, for one, will enjoy immensely.

The book is published in October 2009 by Jonathan Cape worldwide and Dark Horse in the USA.

For more information about the book visit: Grandville.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 17th 2009

Hot Wheels Issue #55…

A look at the latest cars…

Hi Guys,

Here is another of my monthly sneak peaks at the cars you’ll see in issue #55 of the Hot Wheels comic, out this month, to whet your appetite.

The two cars are respectively:

• Night Burner – From the story: “Lights, Camera, Night Burner Action!”
• Ground FX – From the story: “Duel!”

Both cars are seeing a reprise of their roles in the comics, each having appeared in earlier issues, in different stories.

The same gang produces both stories as always:

Written by –Ian "Impartial" Rimmer
Pencilled, Inked & Computer Coloured by –Tim "True" P
Edited by –James "Just" Hill
With Production Design by –Rob “Righteous" Sharp

This comic from Publisher, Toontastic is on sale this month!

I am looking forward, as always, to hearing what you think of this latest artwork.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 5th 2009

BLOG 200…

Or, wow, that went quick…

Hi Guys,

It doesn’t seem two minutes since I first began writing articles for this Blog. At the time I started I had seen a few that stood out and had the same kind of tone I would like to use if I did one. My good buddy from the Comic Business, Lew Stringer’s excellent, “BLIMEY, It’s another blog about COMICS”, being the main one.

Back then in February 2007 I had been going for just under two years under the business guise of Wizards Keep. I thought long and hard before deciding on whether it may or may not be a good idea or not to start writing one.

The problem I saw was what would I find to write about. It was obvious I would write stuff about Wizards Keep, Worlds End, my Artwork, my Written work, Comics, Literacy, Art, Books, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Science Fantasy, my Family, my likes and dislikes and it was probably at this point I thought, hey look, I think I can keep this going…I think, being the operative words.

Well, I have managed to write about all the above and more and most of the impetus has been through you guys, who continue to come back to listen and often comment on, whether through leaving comments here or emailing me off the Blog through the website email address.

Yes, you guys that care enough to even bother wanting to listen to what I may have to say next and you know what, that is really nice to know someone is on another computer in another part of the world listening and hopefully being a little entertained and occasionally informed as with the Blogs regarding the Orphan Works Bill and the like.

It has been great to be able to discuss and voice my opinions on the state of literacy and comics and graphic novels and children in the UK, especially, as they are as dear a subject to me as the producing of the stories I write and draw. Like I say though it would not have lasted long if the response had not been there.

The job of author, artist is one, which, although a very privileged one, entails long hours at a time, spent in isolation, with ones thoughts as the only company, even if family are nearby. When we are amongst our imaginary friends within our stories, because these characters take on a life of their own and become “real”, the real world goes by unaware of what plans we are making for these imaginary folks and their adventures, until we are ready to share our stories in print.

It is normally only at times like Conventions and Signings whereby we get a chance to discuss openly our work with the general public at large, other than discussions with family and friends.

This Blog has given me a wonderful opportunity to reach people and listen to feed back about the things I have written.

So thanks once again for taking the time out of your already busy schedules to make what I write of some worth. Believe me when I say your presence here, sharing these quiet moments is much appreciated.

Now the Drawing Board and Computers are beckoning, so with deadlines to meet, as usual, I will bid you adieu until the next Blog.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 4th 2009

Colouring Book Competition …

One month left to get your entries in…

Hi Guys,

Well, you have just until the end of this month to send off your entries for the latest Wizards Keep Competition, which will see your work in print here at the Keep in a new project.

This New Competition is open to three groups:

• Professional
• Semi Professional
• Amateur

The Project is a brand new Worlds End Colouring Book, which will be launching later this year to coincide with the launch of the Worlds End Graphic Novel – Volume One – Riders on the Storm published by Wizards Keep.

There are three pages, which I am leaving open for you guys to fill.

The Competition requires you guys to draw a black and white line drawing of one, or more, of the Worlds End Characters, examples of which you will find here at the Worlds End Gallery.

Full details of the competition can be found here:

The Worlds End Colouring Book Drawing Competition Page

The closing date for this competition is Tuesday March 31st.

So your entry must reach us by this date.

The winning entries will be announced and displayed here and on the website and my other Networks on Saturday April 4th.

GOOD LUCK Guys!!!

Tomorrow’s a very special day for me, as I hit another milestone, here on the Wizards Keep Blog.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 3rd 2009

Bentley’s Second Long Walk …

Or, there and back again with the Bogtrotter…

Hi Guys,

Here is the fifth in the series of first specials for my little pal, Bentley.

Today we see his second big outdoor adventure when Margaret, this time accompanied by Tilly, Joanne, Toby and Lucy, went for another walk with Bentley and I through Sunnyhurst woods in Darwen, and across the fields to the Royal Arms, pub/restaurant at Tockholes. This took place between Christmas and New Year just gone.

This time we had been gifted with some snow earlier that week and the weather was far colder, but bright. The occasional sun peeking through the clouds kept it nice. The ground was covered in parts through the woods with snow and parts of it near to the little stream with its waterfalls, which runs through it had a thick layer of ice, which made it pretty precarious, if you weren’t watching as you went.
We had half expected the path from the woods to the fields, which lead to the stile and the fields beyond, to the pub, to be quite treacherous in the icy conditions, as water freely flows from the top of the hills down to the reservoir at the bottom. We were all quite surprised to see that wasn’t the case.

The fields were quite frozen and hard underfoot as we crossed them. The sun was shining again and the views were very pleasant indeed. The three dogs were all having immense fun as they trekked on through the winter day.

Bentley is a very patient little fellow too as he sits and waits quietly whist I take photographs along the way. He is none too keen on other dogs, regardless of size, however, despite living with lots of other dogs that he meets along the way. Preferring to have his say about his dislike of the fact that they are travelling the same route as he and his friends, to the most oft times unsuspecting dogs, as he passes them by.

The pub again served as the perfect stopgap and we ate lunch, as we had the first time and had a pint, which again Bentley quite wanted to test, if he could…please.

Tilly, was the one this time that had not been on such a long walk 14 miles round trip is a far old trek for a young dog and a not quite as young as he once was, comic artist, if I am honest.

The food and drink were again absolutely excellent and set us right for the return journey. The fact they serve real ale is a plus and the inside is quite cosy and warm. The staff are friendly and helpful too and the overall feel of the place is quite homely. The three doggies again helped us to eat and drink our way through the pub fare.

Then it was time to set off back and being later in the year the sun was setting already as we set off from the pub. The long shadows told us it was late and we would need to keep a brisk pace up if we were to reach the woods before complete darkness was upon us.

This time we had not seen the bulls on the way up to the pub, we had seen some sheep, but nothing larger. The sheep were still there when we began the trip back, but the weather was changing and the sun had already set behind the hills on the horizon behind us, so it was still light, but getting darker by the minute.

Across the fields and hills behind the sheep the fog was drifting in over the high parts. By the time we had reached the stile, which was this time quite safe, the farmer had obviously done something about the dangerous wall and had followed the steep path down to the woods the fog was closing in fast.

By the time we reached the woods it was almost dark and I had everyone laughing, as we entered its depths, with my impersonation of the pub landlord always seen in the old Hammer films, who would be heard to say something like, “Oh you don’t want to go out now, not in the dark. Not in the dark, in the woods. Not in the dark, in the woods, with the fog rolling in…” in my best west country accent.

It reminded me of an old Fast Show sketch which did something similar, although I have bored folks with the impression since I was a teenager, so the fact I was getting a laugh at all was amazing really…even Bentley was sniggering I think.

It is amazing that out in the woods, in complete darkness away from the street lights under cover of the trees, one can still see, as ones eyes get used to the darkness. Although to be truthful there was the snow on the ground too, which may have helped somewhat…but it was very dark in there and I think Margaret for one was glad when we reached the gates to the woods.

Well, just as we had the first time, we returned home to sit beside the fire, watching TV, before falling asleep for a snooze.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 2nd 2009

Bentley’s First Long Walk…

Across the fields and far away with the Bogtrotter…

Hi Guys,

Here is the fourth in the series of first specials for my little pal, Bentley.

Today we see his first big outdoor adventure when Margaret, Colin, Joanne, Toby and Lucy, went for a walk with Bentley and I through Sunnyhurst woods in Darwen, and across the fields to the Royal Arms, pub/restaurant at Tockholes, sometime in late summer last year.

The start of the journey was Joanne and Toby’s home, which is just around the corner from the woods. Bentley had never been out for such a long walk and was such a contrast to the little dog who upon first arriving at our home in the summer, pretty much refused to go for a walk under his own steam.

Back then I had to carry him a couple of hundred yards away from the house and then let him down on his lead. He was quite easily conned and he walked home, although I wonder if he knew exactly what he was doing when he did this and was in fact aware he would have to walk back again, so thought he would rather like to be carried there…hmmm…

He enjoyed the seven mile walk there and the seven mile walk back again, maybe because he was able to stop, help us eat lunch and enjoy a pint in the pub. Colin and Lucy also had a great time on the journey to and fro and especially the food and drink part. Colin like Bentley had not been on such a long walk before, whereas Joanne and Toby had taken Lucy there a few times.

Below is a photograph of Bentley pre-walk in his top dog chair. Next are a series of photos of our journey to the pub, past landmarks such as Darwen Tower, ornate bridges, signposts and stiles, which for all the world make it look like Frodo’s trek across the shires in The Lord of the Rings.

You will also see the Bull in the field, which we had to cross on the final part of the journey to the pub. I made sure Bentley didn’t see him.

The next ones show us outside the pub enjoying a nice cold pint. Yes, Bentley is licking his lips as he enjoys a good ale.

Next you see us inside the pub and I especially love the photo of him with his chin on the table waiting for his grub.

Then following the ones on the way back (the Bull was closer to us this time) are three of Bentley at home, feeling pretty exhausted.

The pub is a brilliant place, as it accepts folks walking there with dogs. The best bit is there are loads of dogs around the bar area and the restaurant too, it really is a fun, dog lovers place.

On the way back home we decided to do it again, as we had all enjoyed it so much.

The weather was quite cold, but lovely. It was perfect walking weather in fact.

By the time we arrived home after driving from Joanne and Toby’s home we were all ready for a nice cup of tea and then we snuggled up by the fire, watching telly, waking up a hour or two later as we had all fallen asleep.

Until next time have fun!

Tim Perkins…
March 1st 2009