News archive

Forbidden Planet - London
Saturday 26th September 2009 1pm to 2:30pm

Bryan will be signing Grandville and “Creatures of the Pool” alongside its author, Ramsey Campbell. Bryan did the cover and the introduction to this new novel from the British master of horror fiction. If you are coming to this signing come on over to the Facebook event page for it and talk to any of the other fans also attending.

179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

Orbital Comics and Collectibles - London
Sunday 27th September, from 2pm to 4pm

Signing and exhibition of Grandville art. Go and see their site if you need any more contact info. There's a Facebook events page for this signing too: come on over and let us know you're coming!

8 Newport Street London WC2H 7JA, UK

Bryan was a guest at the Bilbolbul Comics Festival in Bologna on Saturday 7th March and was on a panel with comic writer Gianfranco Manfredi at 4.30pm.

On the following day, Sunday 8th, he was on a panel and doing a signing at 11.30 a.m in the bookshop Feltrinelli with Daniele Brolli and Gino Scatasta in the centre of Bologna to promote the new hardback Italian edition of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright.

Talbot in France!

Bryan will be at the Caen Book Fair Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May. He will also be signing at the following venues:

• Tuesday 19 May: Arkham in Paris, 7 Rue Broca, 75005 Paris, Tel. 01 43 37 25 33 arkham-comics@orange.fr
• Friday 22 May: Forbidden Zone in Brussels, from 4 to 6 PM 25, rue de Tamines - 1060 Bruxelles +32 2 534 63 67 +32 2 538 85 78
  cedric@forbiddenzone.net
• Saturday 23 May: Astro City in Lille, from 4 to 6 PM 74, rue de l'hôpital militairem 59000 Lille tel : 03 20 55 10 10 / fax : 03 20 55 28 38 astrocity@astrocity.fr

30th anniversary of the Adventures of Luther Arkwright!

This month is the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the serialisation of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in the UK adult SF comic Near Myths. The book was not only the first UK graphic novel (the first chapter appearing in October 1978, the same month as what's recognised as the first graphic novel A Contract With God by Will Eisner) but also the first steampunk graphic novel. The new edition by Dark Horse comics features the all-new digitally remastered pages created for the Czech edition, each page markedly clearer than all previous editions!

Check out part one and part two of the interviews with Bryan on the 30th anniversary of Arkwright.

Bryan gave the Bad Rat presentation at Cheshunt Library on 10th November: check out what Cy Dethan said about it, and also what Ferret Fabrications said.

To tie in with the release of the UK hardback edition of The Tale of One Bad Rat as the first in Jonathan Cape's line of "Classic British Graphic Novels", here's a brand new video interview by Alex Fitch with info about the interview on the Panel Borders site.

Monqee charity auction now live!

Check out the Monqee! As part of the 'Match it for Pratchett' appeal, the Forbidden Planet SF and comic store chain are undertaking a unique project to raise money for and awareness of the Alzheimer's Research Trust: "Take one 12" White Vinyl MonQee. Add a host of talent from across the science fiction and fantasy genres. The result? A completely unique, one-off, signed and beautifully decorated piece of Urban Vinyl - a first in Art Toy history.

And this toy could be yours. Yes, they are auctioning it off. Not only is it signed by Neal Asher, Chris 'Fangorn' Baker, Tony Ballantyne, Chaz Brenchley, Holly Black, Ed Buckley, Paul Cornell, David Devereux, Brianna Flynt, Neil Gaiman, Amanda Hemingway, Tanith Lee, Tom Lloyd, Kari Maund, China Miéville, Andy Remic, Justina Robson, Mark Robson, Geoff Ryman, Sarah Singleton , Charles Stross, James Swallow, Freda Warrington, Liz Williams and Frank Wu: Bryan has done a sketch of The Mad Hatter on the back.

See the Forbidden Planet Match it for Pratchett Monqee site for more info.

Read the Naked Artist for free!

The book you1ve all been waiting for! The Naked Artist: Comic Book Legends is an outrageous collection of the unreported exploits of comic creators, the stories only usually told late at night between the hallowed walls of convention pro bars! EISNER AWARD WINNER Bryan Talbot brings you the anecdotes, funny, shocking and downright weird, told about your favorite comic writers and artists, from Simon Bisley to Neil Gaiman, from Grant Morrison to Jeff Smith!

Read it online for free right now!

As mentioned before in this news column, last year Bryan took on the responsibility of being the sole agent for Veronique Tanaka and to find a publisher for her innovative graphic novel METRONOME, an experimental and erotically-charged "visual poem". Well the book is published this month by the New York company NBM. You can buy the book at www.nbmpub.com

There is also made available a 17 minute animated version of the book at http://metronome.shadowgallery.co.uk/

It's quite amazing - frame-by-frame at one second a frame, the book works equally well as an animation, though the experience is very different. In the animation, you can't see the subliminal shapes that the panels make on the page. NBM are offering a free 3 minute excerpt on their site as the animation is usually pay-to-view but we can offer you unlimited access for the limited time of one month. Just go to the site and put in this free access code: 04545

"The Art of Bryan Talbot" is mainly a collection of the best magazine and book illustrations Bryan has done over the years, plus some previously unpublished material, such as some examples of his home made comics drawn when he was about 12 and a selection of life drawings. It's 96 pages with a commentary by Bryan and is published by NBM in December. There's an introduction by Neil Gaiman.

See the front cover to the Art of Bryan Talbot and the Art of Bryan Talbot press release, or buy it direct from Amazon.

Bryan got interviewed on a podcast over at the rather excellent Inkstuds site; check it out!

Alice in Sunderland presentation - in Sunderland!

Bryan will be giving a presentation on Alice in Sunderland and book signing at the Sunderland City Library & Arts Centre on Saturday 13 September at 1.00pm.
It is a free event for the Heritage Open Days series of events, but booking is necessary through the Tourist Information Centre. There will also be a display of the Artwork at the Arts Centre Washington from Monday 8th September to Saturday 13 September.

Official reproductions of Arkwright's vibro-beamers announced!

A fellow fan has secured permission from Bryan to create actual reproductions of Arkwrights vibro-beamer! - check out the vibro-beamer page for more info and see the gorgeous looking prototype vibro-beamer in its presentation box!

Be there at the launch!

Raymond Briggs and Bryan will be interviewed by Rachel Cooke to celebrate the new UK editions of Gentleman Jim and The Tale of One Bad Rat at the ICA, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH on Saturday 9th August, 2.30 to 3.30pm in the Nash Room. Limited number of tickets, available in advance from 020 7930 3647. £10 / £9 concs. / £8 ICA members

The second Jonathan Cape printing of Alice in Sunderland has sold out! The
book has now gone to its third reprint in seven months. Copies are currently
unavailable in the UK but the new edition should be on sale by mid-December.
This is actually a new edition, rather than a reprint, as Bryan has
corrected the few minor mistakes that managed to creep in to the first
edition.

Fortunately the stores where Bryan is signing in December stocked up well in
advance! The first foreign edition of AIS was published in Italy last week by Comma 22, owned by Danielle Brolli, Bryan's longtime Italian publisher. Editions
in France, Spain and the Czech Republic will appear next year.
BTW, the first Greek edition of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright is published in December.

After being out of print for over 5 years, the trade paperback edition of Heart of Empire is being reprinted by Dark Horse Comics. This will be followed by a new edition of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, using the files digitally remastered for the Czech edition. The pages now have a clarity never before seen in an English language version.

Release dates: Heart of Empire on sale Feb 20, The Adventures of Arkwright March 12.

Both will have new ISBNs. The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: 978-1-59307-725-9 Heart of Empire: 978-1-59307-726-6 Copies of the slipcased delux limited edition hardcover of Heart of Empire are still available from Dark Horse Comics

Announcing the UK signing tour for Alice in Sunderland

Bryan will be touring the UK to publicise and sign copies of Alice in Sunderland; this page will list the dates and venues as and when they are finalised. (this info will be duplicated on the Alice in Sunderland homepage)

See the Alice in Sunderland homepage for a complete listing of the Alice in Sunderland signing tour dates; it is such a big list that I don't want to publish it here too!

Alice in Sunderland sells out!

The UK edition of Alice in Sunderland has completlety sold out within its first month of sale and has now gone to reprint!

The second edition will be available from the 25th of May.

Bryan will be doing three Alice in Sunderland signings in December. These are:

Sunday 9th December 1.00pm - 3-00pm, Page 45, 9 Market Street, Nottingham, NG1 6HY, Tel: 0115 9508045: Signing with Guardian artist Posy Simmonds

Saturday 15th December 11.00 - 2.00pm, Waterstones ,31 The Bridges,, Sunderland , SR1 3LB, Tel: 01915674331, Signing with cover artist Jordan Smith

Saturday 22 December 1.00 - 3.00pm, Travelling Man, 43 Grainger Street, Newcastle, NE1 5JE, Tel:0191 2614993. Signing with cover artist Jordan Smith
Free mince pies and mulled wine!

Bryan will be a guest at the Italiawave music festival in Florence: Saturday, July 21st 11.00 am - Feltrinelli Bookshop | Florence

Conference: Bryan Talbot's Alice In Sunderland Sketch-Book: presentation of the exclusive sketch-book produced for Italia Wave Love Festival. 3.00 pm - Italia Wave Love Festival - Osmannoro Sud, Florence

Workshop: Comics Storytelling with Bryan Talbot: 5.00 pm - Italia Wave Love Festival - Osmannoro Sud, Florence

Panel: The Stuff that Dreams Are Made Of: comics and dreams. With Bryan Talbot, Aleksandar Zograf and other guests. Complete program and details @ www.italiawave.com

The Second Edition of the Heart of Empire CD-Rom is now here! Well, we're glad you asked! The first edition contained the entirety of the prequel to Heart of Empire, the Adventures of Luther Arkwright, but Bryan and myself were never 100% happy with the quality of the scans. We added the comic on there for the sake of completeness but never really made a big deal of the fact that it was there. We also were aware that rescanning the whole of Arkwright to the point of "digitally remastering" it would take about six months or so.... And then a fan who is also a publisher in the Czech Republic talked Bryan into lending him all of the original artwork to Arkwright and he literally spent six months doing nothing but scannign it in at massively high resolution. And so the second edition of the CD-Rom was born, with much better quality versions of the Adventures of Luther Arkwright.

It's available to buy right now at Cafe Press for only $18.00..

The Adventures of Luther Arkwright has just been published in the Czech Republic by Comics Centrum. This is an astounding edition and the best ever produced. At a masive 35cm x 24cm, the hardback weighs 2 kilos and is a sumptuous labour of love. The publisher, Vaclav Dort, has digitally remastered all the artwork and, at long last, all the tonal pages are printed properly. In the past, light areas have bleached out or dark ones filled in but now all the detail is fully visible for the first time.

Add to this a wealth of extra features, including articles, sketches, Bayeau Tapestry endpapers, all the covers of the Valkyrie and Dark Horse editions and a specially written introduction by Bryan and you have the definitive edition. If only it was in English! Check out the cover!

What you can't see here is that the title lettering is in gold.
Comics Centrum will be publishing Heart of Empire next year, followed by The Tale of One Bad Rat. The first French edition of ARKWRIGHT is published this month by Kymera Comics. This is a trade paperback but uses the new digitally remastered artwork and also has a host of extra features.

For anyone looking to buy this comic, it's full details are:
format: 235 x 340 mm (19.5 x 13.4 inches) in hard cover
number of pages: 288
translation: Dana Krejcova
ISBN: 80-86839-05-2
EAN: 978-80-86839-05-9
price: 999,- CZK (40 USD)
Publisher: Comics Centrum

The Luther Arkwright Audio CD is now available! Yes! - the first time Luther has appeared anywhere but in a comic format! The publishers of the audio CD - Big Finish - say the following about the CD: Luther battles against the Disruptors in a parallel world where many things are familiar - but nothing is the same.

The alternative England where Luther fights the Disruptors did not see the monarchy restored after the English Civil War and has been under the rule of the Puritan Parliamentarians for hundreds of years. Lead by a direct descendant of Oliver Cromwell, England is ripe for the taking by European superpowers that are preparing to invade.

Many in England dream of past glories and an empire ruled by the long exiled Kings and Queens of England. A second Civil war is brewing - its aim to bring Prince Charles to the throne and Luther must help to ensure that the right side wins - not just for the sake of this world, but for all worlds...

When it is launched we will be offering an exclusive Special Edition version which will include a copy of the Heart of Empire CD-Rom! Check back here for details!

Also see the Big Finish website for more info.

Heath Ledger's fanpage recently published the following rumour about the Luther Arkwright movie:
"The Adventures Of Luther Arkwright: Aussie production company KouKou has acquired the film rights to the Bryan Talbot-created parallel universes-themed graphic novel series with plans to produce both "Luther" and the sequel "Heart of Empire". "Luther" will be turned into two-live action films with Heath Ledger already being rumoured as a star, whilst that will be followed up by two animated features. 'Luther' follows psychically gifted agents Luther Arkwright and Rose Wylde who are sent to investigate a cosmic conspiracy that threatens to destroy the very fabric of the multiverse.

Producer Sophie Patrick says "It's an intricate adventure story that spans multiple universes, combing the best elements of science fiction, action movies and historical drama. Luther and Rose are not your typical action heroes - and Luther Arkwright isn't going to be your typical buddy action movie. They are complex and fascinating characters, with unique abilities, but who aren't afraid of using deadly force when the fate of the multiverse is at stake". "The Bunker" writer Bruce Mutard will adapt the screenplay. Thanks to 'Pat'."

Bryan is currently asking KouKou for an official statement.... watch this space!

On a personal note I am proud to announce the arrival of a new Talbot fan! Kai Luther Frater-Robertson was born Wednesday September 8th, and weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz; mum and baby are both doing well, and before anyone asks, the Luther in the name is for Martin Luther King, and not a certain alternative-travelling white haired Homo Novus.... honest... well, OK then - it is for both Martin Luther King and Luther Arkwright!

Bryan has a full chapter devoted to him in the forthcoming book, "True Brit."

True Brit is a 200 page book that celebrates the rich history of British comic book artists with a wide selection of breathtaking art, photographs, and intimate interviews with the men who have transformed the comics field to the popular sensation it is today!

From bestsellers like Watchmen to current day sensation The Ultimates, the artists of England have revolutionized the way comics are seen and perceived. This book features interviews, profiles, and art from Leo Baxendale, Frank Bellamy, Brian Bolland, Mark Buckingham, John M. Burns, Alan Davis, Ron Embleton, Hunt Emerson, Dave Gibbons, Frank Hampson, Bryan Hitch, Syd Jordan, Don Lawrence, David Lloyd, Dave McKean, Mike Noble, Kevin O'Neill, Frank Quitely, KenReid, Bryan Talbot and Barry Windsor-Smith.

Along with over two hundred images and a lavish historical essay, this book is easily the essential book on comic art in Great Britain. Edited by George Khoury (author of Kimota. The Extraordinary Works of Alan Moore). Release date is August 19, 2004. Cover Price is $24.95. For more info: www.twomorrows.com.

The cover artwork for the forthcoming Luther Arkwright roleplaying game has been released, and (as you would expect, since Bryan created it) it's kind of stunning! We will run more news and features on this forthcoming game as soon as we get it, but for now check out the publishers site, Hogshead Games. (click on the image to the left to see it at full size, or go straight to the full size Zero-Zero page in gallery 17)

The press releases that goes with the game is as follows: Press release: Hogshead Publishing to publish new Arkwright roleplaying game
This autumn sees the release of "Zero Zero" a role-playing game set in the world of Luther Arkwright by Bryan Talbot. Hogshead Publishing, one of the largest role-playing producers in Europe, has joined forces with Bryan to develop the game. Now under new management, the company is billing this as a flagship product and producing a stream of Zero Zero books for Arkwright fans to savour.

"This is great material for role-playing games," said Mark Ricketts Hogshead’s Director "Arkwright offers a myriad of style, politics and irony which will delight any role-player. Already we have had tremendous interest in this game."

The game will put players right into the Arkwright world in such nefarious roles as "Ruffian" or "Scallywag" or maybe the slightly more heroic incarnations of "empath" and "agent". Soon they will find they have to save the world. Or, in this case, many worlds as Zero Zero is set in a “multiverse” of fun. Packed full of Bryan’s concepts and artwork Zero Zero’s promises to deliver a mix of eclectic technology, historical vandalism, high culture and low morals. Available in all good planes of existence.

Bryan's artwork for his recent FABLES story, BAG O' BONES is now on sale at KOMIX WORLD.

José Carlos Neves of Ouro Preto in Brazil has just posted a lengthy interview with Bryan, which including some questions on a few unusual subjects. His website is devoted to the comics of Alan Moore, hence the slant of the interview.

Please note that the url to Bryan's prints at the Pod Gallery has changed to http://podgallery.com/talbot

Bryan's "Celtic Hourglass" logo for the SAND writers' group can be seen at the SAND website.

Nightjar - the "lost" Bryan Talbot and Alan Moore strip finally sees print!

Did you ever hear of Nightjar - the "lost WARRIOR story?" This was a strip written by Alan Moore before he became a comics megastar. It would have been his first horror strip - way before his SWAMP THING. It was to have been drawn by Bryan, who partially pencilled and inked a few pages before Alan and Dez Skinn, editor/publisher of WARRIOR fell out big time and Alan stopped contributing to the book, leaving NIGHTJAR shelved. Now, 23 years later, AVATAR PRESS has commissioned Bryan to finish the artwork for the first chapter, the only one that Alan wrote.

The piece will be accompanied by the full Alan Moore script text, an article written by Bryan explaining the background and the text of a 10-page letter written to Bryan, in which Alan sets out his thoughts and feelings about the strip he is about to write. This in itself is an important historical
document in comic book terms. Here is a fascinating glimpse into the the creative process of the emerging talent that many now regard as the greatest comic writer of all time as he reinvents the comic book horror genre.

Here is a sample of an unlettered page - pencilled 23 years ago and inked and finished on the computer by Bryan two weeks ago! All the NIGHTJAR material will appear in YUGGOTH CULTURES AND OTHER GROWTHS #1 (of 3) scheduled for a Sept 2003 release from AVATAR. 40 pp book, $3.95 cover price. [also see the more detailed article about Bryan and Alan Moore's collaboration on Yuggoth Cultures.]

For immediate release 22/04/2003
Media Release
The Adventures Of Luther Arkwright –
Award-Winning Graphic Novel In New Film Deal

KouKou Productions, a Melbourne-based film production company, today announced plans to develop the award-winning British graphic novel, The Adventures of Luther Arkwright as a feature length film.

“The Adventures of Luther Arkwright is a stunning, quasi-futuristic graphic novel that deserves the big-screen treatment,” says Sophie Patrick, Producer, KouKou Productions.

“It’s an intricate adventure story that spans multiple universes, combing the best elements of science fiction, action movies and historical drama,” explains Sophie.

Most of the action in The Adventures of Luther Arkwright takes place on one of many alternate parallels, where psychically gifted agents Luther Arkwright and Rose Wylde are sent to investigate a cosmic conspiracy that threatens to destroy the very fabric of the multiverse.

“Luther and Rose are not your typical action heroes – and Luther Arkwright isn’t going to be your typical ‘buddy’ action movie,” says Sophie Patrick. “They are complex and fascinating characters, with unique abilities, but who aren’t afraid of using deadly force when the fate of the multiverse is at
stake!”

The Adventures of Luther Arkwright was created by celebrated British writer-artist Bryan Talbot. First published as a nine-issue comic, the series won the prestigious Eagle Awards for “Best New Comic” and “Favourite Character”, before being published in America by Dark Horse comics, where it
became a best-seller.

Melbourne-based comic book writer and artist Bruce Mutard has been commissioned to write the screenplay adaptation. Bruce's writing credits include the forthcoming graphic novel The Bunker which will be released by Image Publishing in America later this year, as well as humorous strips for international comics such as DEE VEE (Australia) and Small Press Expo (USA).

Sophie Patrick, together with her husband Kevin Patrick, is also the
publisher of the popular vintage Australian superhero comic The Panther. KouKou Productions predicts that production of Luther Arkwright will commence in 2004.For further information, please contact Sophie Patrick at sophie@koukouproductions.com

This press release is also available as a downloadable Word document - also see Bryan's interview about the movie option at Silver Bullet comics.

Prints of Bryan's artwork have been available to buy for a long time on the POD Gallery. They've just announced an extension to their product linup as follows:

Starting Tuesday, April 21, POD Gallery will be offering a new type of product on the site: Paper Notecards. These cards are 5 x 7 inches, with blank interiors, and are printed on heavy 12 pt Strathmore cover stock using an Indigo digital printer. The front of the cards will feature the image with a white border (1/4 to 1/2 inch), and the back will have a small PODgallery logo with our standard copyright line including your name. The cards are extremely beautiful and come with envelopes, sealed in poly bags in quantities of a dozen. Retail price will be $36/dozen.

Octobriana movie announced! A movie has been announced, about the Russian freedom fighter Octobriana! Check out their website for more information at www.octobriana.net. Also check out the publicity still of a live action Octobriana!

Octobriana is featured on the cover of issue three of the Adventures of Luther Arkwright (Dark Horse edition) and also on the cover of issue three of the Valkyrie press edition of the Adventures of Luther Arkwright - the Firefrost Principle.

Octobriana is a "freeware" character: for more information, check out the Beginners guide to Octobriana, and another Octobriana site, revealing the hoax behind her creation...

Memento - exclusive online comic story comes to the site

Memento is a full colour, "silent" 12 page comic story by Bryan Talbot, to be published in the 2000AD Xmas Special (Prog 2002) on 19th December 2001. By kind permission of the publishers, Rebellion, we are going to be running the strip online, adding a few panels every day, until the whole strip can be viewed in a unique panel-by-panel format, to be completed by the 22nd December.

Start reading Memento online right now.