Daniel Clifford writes...

Review of 2011

The idea of doing a ‘Year in Review’ post seems like a good one. Unless you’re as verbose as I am. If I was to write a blog that genuinely summed-up my year, I’d probably go on for about 100, 000 words.

Instead, I’ll do a VERY brief summary of some best bits from my “career” this year and the things I’ve been reading.

Sugar Glider

Although Sugar Glider issue 1 was released in November 2010, most of the (very positive) reviews related to the book were written in the first months of 2011. And we sold over 200 copies of the comic during 2011 too.

The ambitious it’ll-never-work Sugar Glider Stories issue 1 was completely and released in March. This comic was written by me and Gary Bainbridge (the co-creator and artist) and drawn by a lot of different artists. Some of them were veterans of the small press scene but post were from the Paper Jam Comics Collective. Again, this comic sold well and received great reviews.

By the time Sugar Glider issue 2 was released in September, it was clear that my aim of getting the whole series (3 issues of Sugar Glider and 2 issues of …Stories) completed by Thought Bubble was lost.

But it didn’t matter. Sugar Glider 2 was the comic I wish issue 1 had been. It’s not perfect, but it achieved my intentions - there’s family drama, Geordie vigilantism, London-based superheroes, self-critique and amazing artwork from Gary throughout.

But that’s not all! Sugar Glider 2 came with a free mini (tragi)comic called Anthony, drawn by Lee Robinson. We launched Sugar Glider issue 2 at Travelling Man in Newcastle. This was the first time Sugar Glider was available at an event in it’s home city and, thanks to Mike and his great team, it was a huge success!

Because editing Sugar Glider Stories 1 wasn’t a big enough job, it was decided that issue 2 should feature guest writers as well as artists. For me, this was a huge success and made me feel like Susie and her supporting cast were even more real than before. I wasn’t the only one giving them a voice and actions - other people could do it too. Susie and her friends (and foes) surely have a life of their own, right?

Due to decreasing amounts of free time, Sugar Glider Stories 2 hasn’t yet reached it sales potential, but a few more reviews should increase the sales from ‘good’ to ‘very good’.

I’m ending the year worrying about finishing off the Sugar Glider series. I’m sure issue 3 is going to be hard to write (there are lots of loose ends to tie up, and I’m not sure all of them have “shocking” enough conclusion for most readers) and I’m also sure it’ll be a longer issue than usual. Gary will not be happy.

Art Heroes

2011 was the year I hooked up with Lee Robinson to work on Sugar Glider 2’s Anthony mini-comic and then a story for Sugar Glider Stories 2. I loved Lee’s work on those projects and got on brilliantly with him so, needing to find someone new to work with during freelance workshops and wanting to work with him on more comics, I proposed that we go into business together.

The result was Art Heroes - a partnership business set-up in late October to 1) publish all-ages comic books 2) facilitate comic book workshops in libraries, schools and other organisations and 3) create content for other publishers and mediums.

The first Art Heroes release, Halcyon & Tenderfoot issue 0, was hell to put together but well worth it in the end. Lee’s artwork, although rushed for release, is splendid and I’m very happy with the introductions to my two new favourite characters. Issue 1 of the series is written and will be released in March 2012. I’m halfway through scripting issue 2 now, which will be released in June 2012.

Other comics

The first anthology I put together, A4 Comics presents…, sold out at Bristol Comic Expo in 2011. This comic was very expensive to print and I simply didn’t have the drive to push it any further - it will not be reprinted, but most of the contributors will be putting out their strips in various forms as we go ahead.

Lily and Danel: Adventurers and Friends couldn’t find its audience so I decided to give all of the issues away with convention purchases. I’m really proud of the story and Lily’s artwork, so it was more important to get the comic into people’s hands. Even if it cost me to do so.

(at this point, I’ve realised just how long this blog is…short for me, though)

I successfully pitched a story for Into the Woods, a fairytale anthology that will be released in February 2012. The story I pitched doesn’t really fit into the 5 pages available in the book so the scripting process was…difficult… I’ve learned a lesson with this one. Still, the art looks good and from the creators involved, I know the book will be amazing.

I was asked to contribute to Grant Springford’s Abnormals anthology and successfully pitched an idea for the character Throwback. Lee Robinson will be drawing this strip, which I’ll be writing once I’ve finished Halcyon & Tenderfoot issue 2.

I failed to pitch to any comics that would pay money for producing content. What a silly sausage I am.

But I am developing a non-superhero pitch (!) with Gavin Mitchell for next year. And maybe James Cornell will draw the indie love superhero story pitch I wrote this year.

Conventions

I went to a lot of conventions this year.

Bristol was great for socialising with Lily, Martin Eden, Grant Springford, Graham Pearce, his wife Maxine, Stephen Downey and Amy, and for meeting writer/artist Paul Grist, artist PJ Holden and reviewer Luke Halsall. And I was on a bloody panel!

2D was fantastic for dancing, hanging out with friends and finally meeting Kevin ‘Gio’ Logue. I also met Ron from Sunnyside Comics and the writer David Hine. All were lovely.

Glasgow Comic Con was almost spoiled when my tablemate, Graham Pearce, was diverted by a train-related suicide. But we didn’t let a little thing like death stop us from having fun. I sold more comics to the main audience for Sugar Glider than ever before. I met artist Graeme Neil Reid and went home smiling on my first class train.

Thought Bubble saw the ending of Jack and Daniel’s Comic Book Workshops with our last session and the beginning of Art Heroes with our first comic book release. Both went brilliantly. In fact, including Sugar Glider and Art Heroes releases, 83 comics were sold from our table. More on Gary’s table too.

The first Canny Comic Con was a huge success. Lee was brilliant during our day-long Art Heroes workshop and I thoroughly enjoyed my second stint on a comic convention panel. Aside from that, I couldn’t get involved in the day too much - being slap-bang in the middle of two weeks on emotionally-draining Jury Duty. Roll on next year!

Comics I liked

Non-exhaustive and in no order…

Uncanny X-Force