Marc Ellerby

Ah, a couple of old favourites combined and coloured.

Word is out that Random House has ceased publication of The DFC, the weekly British kid's comics that appealed to all ages and both sexes. If you haven't heard of it, you may of heard of some of the names associated with it, Philip Pullman, Simone Lia, Nick Sharratt, Jamie Smart, John Aggs, Gary Northfield, Emma Vieceli, Sarah McIntyre, James Turner. Yeah an awful lot of talented folk. Random House are looking for a buyer, but in this "economic downturn" it doesn't look hopeful.

This is really gutting news. Anna and I both loved The DFC, though on my wage at least, I could never commit to putting forward such a lump sum for a subscription (it was only available through the post, and not in stores) Thing about The DFC is, even though it was a "kid's comic" it was hugely inspiring to say the least, I love the idea of making all ages comics as there's no need for it to be dumbed down or morally right, kids like whackiness, dark stories and they're not stupid - they know when they're getting a watered down version. Anyway, I've been working on a submission for it since about the time of last year's Brum con, I went through a series of ideas like big brother robots but for the past month I've been scribbling and colouring new, toned down, Polar Opposites and they seemed so right. Oh well, now I'll never know, but they're not gone, this new found energy for them has made me rethink the idea of putting a weekly webcomic for them together. See how it goes.

Here's a typically bitter panel...



That's another thing, there's suddenly a lot of unemployed comic artists (to go along with the already huge number of unemployed comic artists) with completed strips and some that still haven't been seen. I have no idea what the rights situation is but there's a great opportunity for a kid's webcomic collective to stem from this. The web is infinite and in many ways the perfect way to introduce kids to sequential art. We should embrace The DFC idea and use it as a platform and not a burial ground.





As a bookseller, The DFC team came up trumps when they sent me 50 free copies for a manga event I put together (staring Emma Vieceli!) at my store last year. They seemed so up for the idea of getting kids into comics but also comics into bookstores, which was a refreshing response. It's such a shame that I probably won't get to offer something similar to that again. But look! They're reading and asking questions - we really did get a great response, though I guess none of them subscribed. Ho-hum.



Tom at Team DFC even sent over a subscription as a prize on the night and one of our regulars Ezra won it. Great stuff! It wasn't wasted either as the times I've chatted to him he was really enjoying the mag.

Say what you will but it really was a great idea and every con they were at, they were working bloody hard to get the books into parent's hands and the like. It's a sad day (again!) for the UK comic scene. Sad day, indeed.

Yeah I know, Ellerbisms have been quiet, hell, I've been quiet. I'm taking a sort of break from them this week and I hope they'll return next week. Cartooning isn't my only job, and at the moment it's not bringing in any money, so I've been at the bookstore a bit more this week. Plus Anna's felt a bit under the weather and we went to Ikea to buy book cases the other day. Hey, it's like we're grown ups?

Here's an unpublished Polar Opposites for your troubles, though. It's going in the second Love The Way You Love trade which is coming, like, September? I dunno...
It's a bit big, so ( click to see! )

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!

( Click to read )

http://comlexia.blogspot.com/

"Back in October I went to the Birmingham International Comic Show and whilst there I had the opportunity to meet the Writer/Illustrator of Polar Opposites. He sold me on the comic by telling me its about two penguins, one who is “homophobic bastard” and the other who’s not a “homophobic bastard” and what they get up too."

...

"All in all a great quality read at a bargain price! 5 out of 5"

Read what else Marcus has to say on those bloody stupid mammals. Then maybe go BUY ONE.

Please note, don't follow the Marc Ellerby lead and use the word "homophobic" to sell your comic.

I've restocked most of the items from my webstore, though be quick because numbers are limited. The biggest addition is probably Love The Way You Love Volumes 3 - 5. Wow, the cursed issue (3) finally makes an appearance 11 months after coming out. Don't start me off :)




So yeah, Polar Opposites are back in stock and I've lowered the price for Venal Muse (also back in stock). I've sold out of LTWYL 1 and the Belle and Sebastian GN. Not sure what I'll do about LTWYL #1, it does seem to sell the most at conventions so I *might* get it back in stock. Stay tuned! Mike Carey brought one of the last B&S's so blame him if you wanted one...

Click!

Yeah, so, the Collected Edition of Love The Way You Love is finally coming and the two images above are the "extras". Obviously, click to enlarge.

After being stalled and canceled it's now back on the plate after Borders sent in a load of orders for it. So it's going to bookstores FIRST and should be out in a couple of weeks in time for Stumptown and THEN be in comic stores some time after that? I have no idea how it works. I seriously just draw the damn thing...

Speaking of which I've been hella busy this week. Having no internet has been a godsend (even if it did mean crashing round Matt Voi's house to use his connection, thanks pal!) and it means I've been really productive. Love The Way 6 is gearing up after an initial stumbling block and I've been busy doing flyers and the odd pin up. When I'm allowed to post whatever I can, I certainly will. I've been quietly pleased with my stuff recently and learning from past mistakes and there's an urge...an actual desire to change and adapt my style. Exciting times ahead.

Also got an email to go back to my University to do another day's teaching (with Thom Vomit) in a few weeks. That should be a lot of fun. I really enjoyed myself last time and this time it's with nonchalant 3rd years, so lucky for us! I jest, I just hope they're interested in what we have to say. I remember the amount of time a lecturer would come in and bore me to tears. I might bring in some whoopie cushions and some party poppers and blow their freaking minds!

EDIT TO ADD:

Cheers to everyone who said nice things about the Last Hours illustration. I always get nervous about posting my stuff on line, so that really unexpected. Thanks!

In other news, come to this!



I won't be there in person, but will be there in product. Some Venal Muses and a few Polar Opposites will share the table with works by John Casey, Thom Dowse, Ben Myers, Alexis Goodwin and others. It's free to go, apparently they'll be music from Pariah. I'd like to go, but y'know, day job.

Speaking of Polar Opposites, that's now sold out (from me, at least). I was bitching the other day to Rachel that no one was taking to it in the same way of Venal Muse, but then remembered I sold quite a few in San Diego and then people started buying 2/3 copies of them and then suddenly, gone. I will reprint it but maybe not for a couple of weeks. Shit took ages to cut last time.

If you want a copy you can buy them from the following stores...

Page 45, Nottingham
Gosh, London
Travelling Man, Newcastle.

Page 45 have always been good to me (well, when it comes to my minis, anyway) and they offer a mail order service so I'm sure they'll let you buy P.O from them.

I'm planning on doing my Observer/Jonathan Cape Competition entry today. Ugh. It's a bit cute, but then..fucking cute is where it's at, right?!

Polar Opposites & my Button Set are now available to buy from my store



Polar Opposites £3



Sold Out!

I also redesigned my website so it's all on one page now and therefore easier to manage. So check that out?

San Diego was fun, but I'm now a bit ill and exhausted so I'll post a report like...when I can arsed as right now I just want to go back to sleep.

( San Diego Goodness! )

I'll be at the Oni Booth (#1834) for the duration of S.D so if you want any of these fine products, stop by and pester my face. I'll be putting these up on my site after S.D so I guess if you did want a Polar Opposite mini, a Venal Muse or a button (badge) set then you can always let me know...

I bought some proper books with y'know WORDS AND EVERYTHING to entertain me for the bastard flight (30 hours there and back...that's like a day!!!)



I did buy that Kurt Vonnegut for the cover though...shutup it sounds okay...shutup!

I made a Polar Opposites Myspace page today. Why? Because I felt like it, that's why! Oh and I'm nearly finished the mini comic, so you know, promotion, innit. Anyway, add me please?

So the toning/lettering frenzy continues. This is my own fault as I left the one thing I hate till last whereas I should of done it bursts of maybe 5 or 6? Something to think about next time I guess. To try and speed myself up I've loaded my Itunes with loads of noisey raaaaaaaa to zoom me along. Converge, High On Fire, Plot To Blow Up Eiffel Tower, yadda yadda. My neighbours probably hate me. Hell, YOU probably hate me just talking about it.

Anyway, I had a blood test yesterday because I've been feeling really lethargic and nearly falling asleep around 3 in the afternoon despite sleeping for a good 10 hours. Now I never get woozy when I get a blood test but when the nurse stuck that bastard needle thing in me I nearly took a chuck out of my bottom lip I was biting so hard. On the note for my blood test under "Concerns" it said "Tired" which is the lamest excuse for a blood test ever. They could of just wrote "awwww needs a good nap nap" or something equally silly.



Matt brought the first season of Oz round the other day. When it was shown over here it fell under the radar and I must of been 14 so I wouldn't of got anything, but now, oh man, what a show. If you have one of those Amazon rental things or the like, get Season One and just sit down on a Sunday and soak it all in (it's only 8 episodes too.) Like other HBO shows it's the sort of show that you find yourself staying up to 3 in the morning because of you've said "oh just another episode before bed" about 4 times. It's sort of weird to see Michael and Mr Ecko from Lost playing...well NOT Michael and Mr Ecko.



Oh and new Polar Opposites for those who care. Hmmm. Where is it appearing? ( Well click and bloody find out! )