Return of the Duchess

I would like, if I may, to draw your attention to the fact that there will be a new edition of The Iron Duchess coming out from Fantagraphics in September 2017. It’s now available in the Previews catalogue from your local comic book store if you’ve an inclination to preorder it - ordering information can be found here:

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUL171896

The new edition will contain ten new pages of story material. As many of you have already bought the self-published version from me, I thought it only fair to make this new material available to you, as a free download, by way of saying "thank you" for your support. There's a CBR file and a PDF, so take your pick.

Apart from that, I've been working on a new issue of Zoot!, which I intend to have available for the September/October convention season (which in my case means Thought Bubble, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and the Nottingham Comic Con). If that means nothing to you, I should explain that Zoot! was a comic book which my brother Andrew and I produced for Fantagraphics in the 1990s. This new edition is being put together without Andrew's direct input (just his blessing) – although he does appear as a character in one story. I'll be self-publishing this one and it will also be available through the web store when the time comes.

Some Iron Duchess sketches

When I sell sketched editions of The Iron Duchess through the web store, I sometimes remember to scan the sketches before sending them off. Here are a few of them.

Lakes International Comic Art Festival!

I'm going to be at LICAF this weekend! Here are just a few of the books I will have for sale there:

ABIGAIL AND THE SNOWMAN

This is the book of the series Boom Studios published early last year, now finally collected in a single volume - the form I originally wanted for it. I'm not even sure it's in comic book stores yet, so this will be your chance not only to get it before anybody else, but to have it signed and sketched-in by the author.

BETTY BOOP #1

I only have a limited number of copies of this, written by me and drawn by the very talented Gisèle Lagacé. Grab them early!

FRED THE CLOWN in "THE IRON DUCHESS"

My latest self-published effort, 100 pages of wordless silent movie-inspired shenanigans with the Fredster.

THE BAKER STREET PECULIARS #1-4

Again, very limited quantities of these. My most recent series from Boom!, drawn by the amazing Andy Hirsch.

I will also have many of my other books (all three volumes of Snarked!, The Show Must Go On, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Popeye, etc.), minicomics, original artwork, and will be drawing custom sketches for visitors throughout the weekend for a modest fee.

Last year was my first Lakes Festival and I had a great time. I'm sure this year will be no exception. Hope to see some of you there!

The Iron Duchess is now available!

(Update: the Big Cartel entry is now fixed so you can purchase the book outside the UK. Apologies for the error!)

Well, they're back from the printer and they're beautiful. The official debut of my newest Fred the Clown book, The Iron Duchess, will be at SPX in a week and a half – and I'll have them at each of my convention appearances for the foreseeable future.

However, if you won't be at any of the shows I'll be attending, you can order a copy through the Hotel Fred web store. I'm offering it in two flavours: the straightforward signed copy for £8 (around US $10.65 or €9.55 at this writing), plus postage and packing; or the sketch edition, for £20 (US $26.60 or €23.85) plus postage and packing, in which I will draw an original full-figure Fred the Clown drawing inside the book (or something else, if you have a particular request). Let me know for either edition if you would like a personal dedication, either to you or somebody else, and I'll be happy to accommodate you.

Of course, if you're short of cash, the whole story is still available for free online (with colour tints, yet!) at ZCO.MX.

Iron Duchess - The Conclusion!

It's done! This is the final update of The Iron Duchess at ZCO.MX. The story is finished. Thank you to everyone who has supported this project through publicity, donations or word-of-mouth. And thank you most of all for reading.

Iron Duchess update

The penultimate installment – now at ZCO.MX.

Iron Duchess update

Two more pages up at ZCO.MX today. Krak-a-boom!

Iron Duchess update

Two more pages up at ZCO.MX today.

I'd also like to mention some upcoming appearances, while I've got your attention:

• The first one, this very Saturday, is at the Comica Comiket at the House of Illustration, King's Cross, London (directions here).  I'll be doing a turn as a part of the Drawing Parade at 12:30pm, otherwise I should be at my table sketching, flogging books and original art. 
• Next up will be the Doctor Who Magazine #500 Celebration at the Windsor Copthorne Hotel on 28th May. Again, I'll be sketching and doing the original artwork thing (although less of the books in this case).
• And third in a packed few weeks will be the Crouch End Comic Art Festival on June 18th at the Earl Haig Hall. I was a resident of Crouch End many years ago and I greatly enjoy my return visits. Third year running, and it gets better every year.

Hope to see you at one, some or all of them.

Iron Duchess update

Another Freddish page is up at ZCO.MX for you. Dancing pigs!

Iron Duchess updated

Another two pages uploaded to ZCO.MX today. Getting close to the end now, most exciting.

Iron Duchess updated

Three pages uploaded to ZCO.MX this week, to make up for the missed update while I was in New Zealand.

Iron Duchess updated

Not only is this update late, but it seems I forgot last week's entirely. And after building up a buffer to cover it, too. Take me out and shoot me now.

Anyway, there's a new page up at ZCO.MX. Fill your boots.

Iron Duchess update

Another page of Fredness at ZCO.MX for you...

Iron Duchess update

Another page uploaded to ZCO.MX in the steady drip-drip-drip that is The Iron Duchess.

Iron Duchess update

Another page up at ZCO.MX. Daylight returns!

Iron Duchess update

Another page at ZCO.MX for you. All drawn by hand, with only the tints added via digital trickery; keeping the bastard machines in their place.

Iron Duchess update

More comic type stuff up at ZCO.MX today.

Iron Duchess update

Two pages at ZCO.MX this week, because I spoil you.

Iron Duchess update

Another page up at ZCO.MX today.

Iron Duchess update

More from the land of Fred – a new page up on ZCO.MX for your eyeballs.