Marc Ellerby

Bury me in mistletoe

2008-07-03T17:56:02Z

I kind of forgot about this but the very last issue of Love The Way You Love is out now from Oni Press.
Despite what I said previously, the series is NOT continuing with a new artist and a relaunch, at the present time this it, folks.

This was a weird book for me to work on, so much personal shit happened to me while I was drawing it, it felt like such a struggle. I'm really proud of the art though in this and the last 2 issues especially.

Anyway, thanks to Jamie for the words, Adam for the tones, Doug for the font skills and Sarah & Zach for additional Photoshop fu.

Here's a preview. You'll find this issue in any half decent comic shop, or wait till late August for the trade. It's up to you.

What am I working on at the moment? Well, I'm drawing a back up strip for Phonogram 2 coming soon from Image Comics, scripted by that bearded bastard of bile himself Kieron Gillen. I've been invited to contribute to a few anthologies from Image, so I'm currently doing scripts for them and also 2 pitches for some long term stuff. Oh and Ellerbisms too.

28th July 2007

2008-07-02T08:49:29Z

I kind of forgot just how pink I used to colour this one...

San Diego was a weird con for me, not just because it was the first, but looking back at it, I didn't really do much. I met a handful of fans and that was great, but now I sorta felt I wasted my time. I'm certainly over the moon I'm not going back this year. However, the people I met, like Terry, Joelle, Jamie, Dean, Chris etc, were lovely and amazing people and I will miss that, for sure.

I do miss conventions though. In England they go quiet over summer, which to me is pretty dumb considering it's school/college break and it's damn nice to go out. You yanks have it so much better...

Oh and first Ellerbism drawn using a brush pen. I have another 20 drawn already, just got to colour them, but I'm about to start Vol 3 of Ellerbisms, so it's moving quicker than I thought it would.

27th July 2007

2008-06-30T10:07:41Z

26th July 2007

2008-06-27T08:13:50Z

25th July 2007

2008-06-25T09:44:48Z

Tonight...

2008-06-24T08:30:21Z

If anyone's in the area and interested in manga, then pop along to the Manga Club I'm running at the Waterstone's in Lakeside. We're downstairs the mall near to Debenhams, we start at 7, we're going to talk about what's COOL and like what why Light's such a git in Death Note and yeah it's the first one so come along.

23rd July 2007

2008-06-23T08:22:52Z

No, really...

----

It was Anna's birthday yesterday. We had a picnic in our flat with some pals, then went to the beach and got attacked by the Southend sea. Came back and played Lego Indiana Jones for the Wii. It was pretty good. I got her the first two Sandman Absolute Editions and they are fucking well sexy.

19th July 2007

2008-06-20T08:20:02Z

18th July 2007

2008-06-19T09:04:52Z

14th July 2007

2008-06-16T08:06:01Z

Wahey, I'm in Stockholm, this keyboard is well weird, but this place is great. There's about 7 H&Ms on every street and there's posters for Abba: The Museum everywhere you go. Lots of small dogs, lots of girls with their legs out, lots of sun, lots of good times with my lady.

13th July 2007

2008-06-13T08:51:34Z

Loads more to come, people. Jon Scrivens from Little Terrors is helping me put the Ellerbisms site together, so I guess that'll be up over the coming weeks.

As for now, I'm off to Sweden tomorrow with Anna and maybe we'll see the Hulk tonight.

Polar Opposites

2008-06-12T10:08:04Z

Polar Opposites was my first attempt at web comic. It was hosted over at Punch Throat when they used to do web strips, Dave Iseri used to do a hilarious one called Terrible Horrible, which I think put everyone else's to shame. I first drew these at my second year at university, my friend John was drawing a couple of strips called Animal Sex Farm and Dance Bones at the same time and sitting up the kitchen table drawing them together was a great experience. John's characters even appeared in the cross over in the middle of the book - god, he really should do a collection of those strips...

Anyway, over the past god knows how many years I was never happy with how they looked. Originally, I just used one drawing of a penguin and flipped it and then added the text, it wasn't like they were even that good looking, like I done a really bad job pasting them up and stuff as my Photoshop-Fu was pretty crappy. So last year when I started making minis, I knew that I had to do a Polar Opposites one as they bloody deserved to have one. For some people it's still the best thing I've done, which is crazy as it's just my stupid gag strip, but hey, each to their own. All the minis have sold out now, but like last time maybe Dave's Comics in Brighton have some and maybe Page 45.

I am planning to do more Polar Opposites but I don't know when. Until then, here are all 24 strips of stupid bloody penguins saying stupid bloody things. There are some new ones that haven't been on-line yet, so if you're familiar with these and sick to the back teeth of them, still check it out, yeah?

Enjoy!

11th July 2007

2008-06-11T08:50:19Z

The Venal Muse

2008-06-10T09:20:12Z

I drew this in late 2006, but I think it eventually came out around February 2007. It was to tie in with an exhibition of the same name that my friend John was putting on in Brick Lane - I thought the show was great, mainly because old friends were reunited and as a force we kicked some arty arse. Dev from Lightspeed Champion stopped by. I stressed out thinking that I was a massive failure and I'm pretty sure my ex girlfriend Sarah came too and I freaked out about that too.

Anyway, this comic is about an other ex girlfriend of mine, Holly. You can explore this journal for embarrassing, lovey dovey, angsty entries about her but I really wouldn't if I were you. I thought for a long time that I only really made decent work when it was about or for her. That she somehow had this control over my artist abilities, that everything I created, I wanted to make for her approval. It was a weird time, like she broke up with me before I started this and it was obvious to everyone that she had treated me wrong and I couldn't let go but for me I still saw so much in her. I'm much wiser now though (well...maybe not wiser)

I really like this comic, it's a bit flat in places and maybe doesn't hit the right notes, but I still think it holds it's own a year on. I made it into a mini comic and it's sold out now (there might be a few copies at Dave's Comics in Brighton...) so I present to you the first mini I ever made and sold in it's entirety. A couple of hundred are out there in the world and I hope everyone enjoyed them.

Lemme know what you think and feel free to spread this link around.

Enjoy!

7th July 2007

2008-06-09T08:48:17Z

Let's see. Updates 3 times a week for the foreseeable future? We'll see, but that's the plan atm.

Hey, I go to Sweden on Saturday to meet my girlfriend's parents and have a holiday. FUN, right? NO. NO NOT "FUN" I'M TOTALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. Nah, I'm cool about it, I'm looking forward to the food more than anything, apparently the food is fucking sweet over there. And the islands. And the comic museum.

I'm cooking lamb tonight. I'm very excited about that too. Anna bought me a rosemary plant and a thyme plant and the other day we got a tiny mint one to complete our herb set. We also got this huge coconut plant for the lounge. We named it Bob (our other two plants are Steve and Jeff and we named them all after our reps at work)

Oh and I have SOLD OUT of Venal Muse and Polar Opposites and I'm not going to reprint them. Sorry if you wanted a copy, but hey, I'm going to stick them online later today or tomorrow.

ATTN: Weezer

2008-06-03T12:53:43Z

Just stop already.

PLEASE.

Hail Destroyer!

2008-06-02T13:04:31Z

I've returned, mother effs.

Wow, so having no internet fucking SUCKS.

So, moved in. It's nice, we're near the sea and there's no chavs for at least a 20 minute walk (which by Essex standards is pretty good). I haven't done much, really, apart from seeing Broken Social Scene (win!) and go to comic conventions, so I guess it's the later I'll be chatting about today...

Firstly, thank you to everyone who added me from discovering me at Bristol and Camden. I hope you enjoy my constant stream of absolute arse. Bristol was great, I like that show a lot. Camden was great too, a real surprise, but Oli put on a great show and I can't wait for the next one. Here's a video from Camden, I'm in a bunch of times, I'M EVEN ~~SPAZZING~~ DANCING...

What's emerged is how well me and McKelvie work together, though we're calling one another a prick every other minute, it's nice to finally get a chance to work conventions with him and we're kind of like minded? Plus he's SO GAY FOR ME.

Here are a few photos from Bristol, but check Flickr for loads more.

(cor!)

Also worth checking out is John's flickr. It was great to finally meet John and I hope he comes out to cons more often (PLEASE JOHN!)

Page 45 have said very nice things about Ellerbisms Vol One. Which you can buy from me direct.

Ellerbisms vol one (£2-99, self-published) by Mar Ellerby. If you follow the link you'll find this on-line, but you want one for your coffee table as well, right? To amuse your friends while you fall drunkenly into your prized shrubbery. This is an equally confessional series of diary strips, only much funnier - even the excruciatingly painful trip to the Sexual Health Clinic (your eyes will water, boys). Lots of music and lusting and self-deprecation, Marc is effortlessly charming throughout. You really need to see his refreshingly clear and engaging cartooning as well, but if this helps send you back to that link, so be it.

"Oh man!
"What?"
"I've well done this Sudoku wrong! Now I've gotta tear it out so no one sees it and thinks I'm a giant prick."

"I just don't "get" Art, y'know."
"Oh, there's not much to "get" really. Just associate different things with certain aspects. Apart from this... This is shit."

I also got a nice mention and some artwork featured in the latest issue of Imagine FX a Sci-Fi & Fantasy arts magazine, which were covering comics for an issue (the pretty much should've renamed it "The Iron Man and Jamie McKelvie issue" but whatever) Here's some pichars from there (click to enlarge, innit) thanks to Kieron Gillen for setting that up.

Also, Phil Bond just favourited an Ellerbism on flickr (OMG!) Simon Bisley growled at Anna at Bristol (ew...) sigh, I love comics sometimes. Time for an egg sandwich. OM!

Perfect from now on

2008-05-22T07:56:44Z

Yeah, I'm still around. I haven't totally given up on life, it's just we're without internet access still and I'm having to nab wireless where I can. This one seems pretty stable for the mean time so I guess I'll rattle through best I can.

Firstly, thanks to everyone who bought a book from me at Bristol a few weeks back. A glorious time was had by Team Comics. Highlights include Adam insulting Bryan Talbot, McKelvie allowing me to sell his books for him "It's a bit like Sandman meets My So Called Life" and then him doing the same for me "emo penguins...right?".

Next con appearance is the No Barcodes event at Camden Market on the 31st May. I'll be on the autobio table probably having a right ol' moan to myself. It'll be nice to not have to get the attention of Bleach cosplayers...

..saying that though Anna and I have two free passes to the Manga Expo at Docklands this weekend. I'm not exhibiting but if anyone's going then drop me a note and we'll pop by.

Flat is great, I'm getting lots of work done and living with Anna has proved to be a lolgastic experience. Ellerbisms are steaming along at the moment so when I get my net back hopefully I'll be able to start posting them again. I'm truly pleased with how they've come out recently, some good stuff that hopefully everyone'll enjoy

Anyway, better leave it there, got a bloody sink to unplug.

(Oh and if I owe you an email, I'm sorry I'll get round to it when I can...)

Small bones, small bodies

2008-05-08T08:41:06Z

Hey,

I've been quiet, I know, but I just moved in with my girlfriend so it's been a bit hectic the last...well...month.

I'm making this a quick one as I'm on "borrowed" wireless, but I'll be at the Bristol Expo this weekend sharing a table with Jamie McKelvie, Kieron Gillen and John Cei Douglas. I'm bringing everything with me, including Love The Way You Love Vol 1 - the trade collection of the first three issues and a brand new postcard/bookmark thing. Exciting times!

Richard at the Forbidden Planet blog has reviewed all of my mini comics here, so take a look. There's a complaint about the shortness of Ellerbisms that I never thought much about until recently. Hmmm.

Also, IRON MAN WAS AMAZING.

I can't get used to using a Swedish keyboard. This is nuts!

Sunday...

2008-04-26T07:32:57Z

6th July 2007

2008-04-25T11:45:24Z

Ellerbisms Vol 1 for sale (collects the first 36 strips)

Oh and what's that over at Ellerbisms.com? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

5th July 2007

2008-04-24T08:51:08Z

I don't like the drawing here, so I tried to compensate by adding dots.
Ellerbisms Vol 1 on sale now.

And holy shit, RIVAL SCHOOLS ARE BACK and playing London. I'm so there! (even if they were never that great live...shaddup!)

3rd July 2007

2008-04-23T09:25:17Z

Ellerbisms return! It'll be a bit sporadic as I'm moving but hopefully I can get this run complete and then work on more up to date ones for ellerbisms.com. Hey did you know that the Ellerbisms collection is now for sale for £3 and includes loads of strips not seen before? Well hot dang, go to the store already, FOOL!

Also I'm going to be exhibiting at the No Barcodes event at the London Underground Comics Stall at Camden Market on the 31st of May. I'm pretty excited about it, actually.

Love The Way You Love Side B

2008-04-22T17:19:10Z

Love The Way You Love Side B
Due out in August from Oni Press.
You can pre-order from here (though obviously the cover's wrong on there...)

Here's the back cover too.

Saw Blonde Redhead last night. Pretty good, Holy Fuck were supporting and they blew my FACE OFF.

Ladies, Gentlemen...

2008-04-17T17:07:38Z

I am pleased to inform you that the art and tones for Love The Way You Love #6 is now complete. I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out and failing any mishaps should be in stores in June. That's it. Done. THE. END.

I can only apologise to the fans who might be reading this who have had to wait so long for it to come out. As you might know I suffered from an extreme case of R.S.I in around October/November last year which caused a complete halt in my drawing. The problem actually wasn't in my wrist but was due to a muscle build up in my neck which then caused the rest of my arm to...well...not work. Major thanks to Toby my physio who ironed out my problems and there's still some irritation there but I can work through it.

Today also saw the new episode of Panel Borders go up here which is a podcast about the UK comic scene. This particular episode talks with some of the exhibitors at the UK Web & Mini Comix Thing that was held in March. I'm not in it, but Oliver, the guest host, interviewed Anna, my girlfriend about her experience at the con. And not me. Really. Hilarity ensued at the time. Adam's on there too. For all of 5 seconds.

Now, fair game, I was in the loo at the time when they started and I think Anna makes some great points regarding the outsider interest of comics, however I do have a bit of a problem with the part where he calls Anna my "booth babe" which I do think is a bit condescending and degrading for her. She's a major part in helping me put my minis together and her time and effort means much more to me than just some girl who brings in punters at my stall. Would Liz Greenfield's boyfriend Rob be classed as "table totty" or be implied that his sex brings in punters? No of course not, it's only because Anna's a girl and that's why she's a booth babe. Truth be told she was sat on the floor when she was at my table because there were no seats! Plus the majority of my customers are usually girls.

Also, if she didn't help me out I probably wouldn't have been able to keep drawing LTWYL and put 250 minis together. It's probably meant to come across in a tongue in cheek way, but I just needed to get out there that she's a vital part of me being able to do this.

Anyway, the podcast talks about the difference between the UK Web & Mini Thing and the "rival" event being held on the same day in Camden, The ~~what would appear to be The Second Coming Of Christ~~ Underground Comic Stall. The background here is, the Thing put up their table prices and the guys behind the Camden stall (which has been running for about 6 months I think?) invited people who were not happy with the Thing to come and sit at their stall which was going to run anyway because it runs every Saturday. Sides were drawn up, etc.

For me personally, the UK Thing was a huge success and I certainly don't think I would of taken £180 from exhibiting on the Camden stall. Yeah the Thing hall was freezing cold, charging people for entry was really shit, the organiser didn't introduce himself only when he was shouting from the stairs and the price of the table for one day was the same for the whole weekend at Bristol (who haven't raised their prices in 9 years) but the irony is I had a better con than I did at Thought Bubble where, the table was cheaper, the hospitality was amazing, the room was warm but I made a loss. Swings and roundabouts, kids,.

So yeah, give it a listen. Mike Rouse Dean makes some good points (as always) plus it's always good to keep up to date with what the UK scene is up to. I'm intrigued about the Camden stall and want to try out my stuff there...if they'll have me, that is.

But yeah, Love The Way You Love = DONE.