The ICE CAST LIVE

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The ICE CAST LIVE

A weekly live stream comic industry podcast. Every Thursday we chat with comic creators & publishers
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01/11/2024

RIP Greg Hildebrandt

Greg was an incredible artist, who leaves a lasting legacy of art that has moved many of us over generations across the pop culture landscape.
His unmistakable style and vibrant colours will forever be etched into our memories.

Thank you for all you gave to us. You will be greatly missed by millions.
My sincere and deepest condolences to his family

30/10/2024

If you live in Bedfordshire or nearby, please go and buy some comics from one of the three Close Encounters comic shops.

Theres one in Bedford, one in Northampton and one in Peterborough.

Jeff need's our help... It's been a tough month.
They have an incredible selection of amazing back issues and of course all the latest comics.

The UK comics industry cannot afford to lose comic shops like this.

So if you have stock held back there do make sure you go and collect your books as soon as possible.

Cheers

29/10/2024

As promised... Here is the stunning cover art for Shadows of the Stokerverse Oversized Hardcover Edition.
Art by Clint Langley and design by Andy Bloor.

Isn't it just gorgeous!!?? 😍

Pledge for your copy now on Kickstarter.

15/10/2024

I don't do many reviews these days, but as I'm laid up sick at the moment and too weak to get much work done, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the new Absolute Batman issue #1, which I read recently.

(Very minor spoilers ahead)

Now I should start off by saying that the artwork by Nick Dragotta, is sometimes to my taste and sometimes not to my taste.
Overall I find it very inconsistent from an aesthetic point of view
But that's entirely subjective and I'm sure many will enjoy this highly stylised and exaggerated approach.

However being more objective, there are some very poor storytelling moments in this book to the point where I had to take a relatively long time on some panels to figure out what the hell was going on.
That is not good and the editor should have picked this up.

Also from a page layout point of view the action often feels cramped and stifled, as if the script is trying to fit more on a page than the artist can comfortably express.

I don't think it's any secret that this Bruce Wayne is not the same character we know from the regular DC Universe, and some huge liberties have been taken with the core, defining aspect of his origins and his character.
I don't have an issue with that really... It's basically an ongoing Elseworlds story.

However the first time we see Bruce, he looks like a manga kid beefed up on steroids. It just feels off.
It feels just a little too far away from the basic archetype to work.

There are some attempts by the artist to bring some iconic imagery into the mix, but the page design just isn't strong enough and it left me with an overall feeling of a poor man's Dark Knight Returns meets a poor man's Year One.

One of the narration devices writer Scott Snyder uses is TV commentary... So this reinforced the Miller comparisons and as the book progresses it feels more and more derivative, despite it's surface level radical alterations to the mythos

The Crazy Animal Gang feels like The Mutants and the way Pennyworth is a character focal point very much mirrors Jim Gordon in year one, how we see Batman through his eyes.

This first issue is not without it's merits however.

This version of Pennyworth is an interesting character and I enjoyed the scenes with him in.

When the art is good it's really good, just a shame it's not consistent.

And the colouring is pretty good too and helps minimise some of the art inconsistencies.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this and I'll probably pick up issue #2 to see where it goes.

Snyder has done some good stuff. I'm a huge fan of American Vampire and Batman 52 was enjoyable for a while so I'm willing to give the creators the benefit of the doubt here

Yes... The chest logo is awful... But it works in the comic on the costume. There are some other costume features that are pretty cool too, but I simply must not spoil those for you.

6/10

12/10/2024

Launching soon... Shadows of the Stokerverse.
Presented by Dacre Stoker Author with artist Clint Langley and writer Chris McAuley

20 terrifying prose stories with stunning illustrations by the 2000ad Legend a d designed by Andy Bloor.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scarcomics/shadows-of-the-stokerverse-expanding-the-world-of-dracula

07/10/2024

Just arrived in the mail from Blue Fox Comics.
Looking forward to reading this.

30/09/2024

I have just found out that the talk I am delivering on self publishing comics at Shrewsbury Comic Con next Sunday has completely sold out!!

Now I suddenly feel under pressure :-)

Really looking forward to it and I hope those attending get a lot from it.

27/09/2024

Disaster struck this morning just as I was waking up.
In my half awake state I knocked over a glass of water next to my comic collection.
A fast rescue operation had to be put into place before breakfast.
I think I saved everything!

19/09/2024

IDW Update:
Looking deeper into this and it seems no final decision has been made and the idea of lowering page rates in exchange for a better back end deal was only discussed on multiple occasions

It has not been put into place.
Since this got put out there, I think the message that it's a bad idea has been reinforced pretty heavily.

To be fair to IDW, without knowing the full back end deal they'd offer it's probably not appropriate to cast judgement.
After all, Image pay zero page rate and, after their fee, pay all the money to the creators.

Dark Horse offer low page rates and a generous back end to creators on creator owned stuff.

So IDW exploring something similar is not unreasonable. (Although their sales don't match those publishers).

However I think the way it's been communicated by them has been a PR disaster.

18/09/2024

So IDW seems to have committed commercial su***de. Very odd decisions made.

16/09/2024

Met the postie as I'm leaving the house for work this afternoon and just had time to open this.

Thanks to John A. Short for the signed blast from the past included with the superb new issue of Shokwave.

I used to distribute Armageddon Patrol back in the day.
A superb series.

14/09/2024

Thanks to the Indie Comics Relay for the recommendation on Dinosaurs Vs Cowboys
https://youtu.be/8GjZQUpt4aw?si=3pAP_EzRBSWeiOBF

Some other great books recommended on here too...

Hello Everyone this is Keith Gleason creator of the Mighty Mascots and host of Indie Comics Relay! I still order a lot of comics out of the Diamond catalog e...

10/09/2024

Just found an old BICS T-shirt. Forgot I had this.

Happy memories.

01/09/2024

Getting lots of friend requests from 3D artists who all seem to have the same photos in the profiles and who's surnames are also Christian names... Mmm. 🙄

Watch out for these scammers folks. They are trying to steal your art.

29/08/2024

I am very happy to announce that The Rivals Of Alter pre launch page on Kickstarter is now active here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scratchcomics/rivals-of-alter-post-apocalyptic-fantasy-graphic-novel

A beautiful hardback edition is on offer here collecting all things Rivals to date including the brand new unpublished new issue.

Sign up to be informed when this exciting new campaign launches.

Acclaimed concept artist and storyteller Paul Gerrard is adding some very cool bonus rewards and add ons to this campaign.

"Enter The Dragon" meets "Mad Max" in this action packed science fantasy saga by acclaimed creators Paul Gerrard and Mike Clarke

14/08/2024

It's arrived... And it's beautiful.

01/08/2024

Just got my copy of "Out There" in the mail.

Congratulations to Laurence Alison, Emily Alison, David Hitchcock and Neil Roche for an excellent production.

This should be in every school library!

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Videos

The ICE CAST LIVE S4 with SHA NAZIR

As the ICE CAST LIVE returns Sam and Shane are joined tonight by the man behind BHP Comics, currently in its farewell tour and the recent runaway success of the Good Omens Graphic Novel Kickstarter and we'll be looking to talking to him about both and about lots more besides.

THE HEDREK "BROKEN PIECES" GUEST LIVE LAUNCH

AN ICE CAST LIVE - ONE OFF SATURDAY SPECIAL! Welcome to the live launch of the brand new Hedrek "Broken Pieces" One shot. Shane is joined by co creator and writer Laurence Alison and 2000ad super star artist Steven Austin who is one of the amazing guest artists on the new book. We'll be launching live (technology and Kickstarter allowing) and revealing some sneak peeks at some of the art by the amazing contributors. Come and join us in the chat for some Saturday morning fun and shenanigans. And you never know... a surprise guest might turn up! :-)

The ICE CAST 2023 LAWLESS PREVIEW

Yes it's that time of year again already! Once again we welcome Lawless organiser Su Haddrell to the show as our guest to give you the lowdown on what you can expect at this year's British Comics focused convention in Bristol. Join us in the live chat!

ICE CAST LIVE: JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

This week on The ICE CAST LIVE we are delighted to welcome celebrated artist John Tyler Christopher on to the show to talk about his work past, present and future.

The ICE CAST INDY ROUND TABLE EP #1

This week on the ICE CAST LIVE we are piloting what we hope will be a series of round table discussions, in which we bring together highly successful independent publishers to discuss a single topic that will help other indy publishers be successful in their publishing ventures. We start this week with what should be a very simple question... but one many new publishers forget to ask before they start... Why? .... Why indy comics publishing? Is it right for everyone? and what have our guests learned about their own aims by asking this question? Our guests this week are Steve Tanner from Time Bomb Comics, Simon Birks of Blue Fox Comics, Barbra Dillon from Fanbase Press and Ben Cullis from The 77. Feel free to put your own self publishing questions to the panel in the chat, and we'll put them to the guests at the end of the show as time permits.

DAVE GIBBONS on THE ICE CAST LIVE

That's right folks, this week on the ICE CAST LIVE we welcome legendary artist and writer Dave Gibbons as our special guest. I'm sure no introduction is required for one of the most influential comic artists in the world. He'll be talking about his new Autobiography "Confabulation" and much more besides I'm sure. Get your own questions in on the live chat too folks.

THE ICE CAST LIVE - "Digital" with Rich Watkin

A very topical comic book is featured this week, with Special guest Rich Watkin, creator of "Digital". Digital is an on-going sci-fi fantasy story set against the backdrop of an Earth blinded by its dependence on technology and the aftermath of the A.I. which catered for its every need, rising up and taking charge.

The ICE CAST LIVE - TECHNOFREAK RETURNS!

Yes we are joined once again by John Charles and his delightful team of creators as they launch the Technofreak Graphic Novel. Their last visit to the show was lots of fun, and I'm sure this episode will more of the same, so tune in and we'll see you in the Live chat!

THE ICE CAST LIVE with DAN PANOSIAN

Dan Panosian is a top comic artist, working on some of the biggest comic characters. However on Black Tape he's taken up the role of writer working with artist Dalibor Talajić. Tonight on the ICE CAST LIVE Shane and Olly will be talking to the prolific creator about this great series published by AWA as well as other career highlights. Join us in the live chat!

The ICE CAST LIVE with TIM QUINN

Tim Quinn entered the comics industry in the 1970's working at various times as a writer, artist and editor for British publishers DC Thomson and IPC before, along with artist Dicky Howett creating Earth-33⅓ and its bizarre inhabitants for Marvel UK in the eighties. Now he's organising a very cool event in Liverpool and we find out all about it on tonight's episode.

The ICE CAST LIVE with MAD CAVE COMICS' MIKE MARTS

This week on the show we are delighted to welcome the Editor In Chief of exciting publisher MAD CAVE COMICS, Mr Mike Marts. Mike has worked with more artists and writers in his long career than most editors could dream of, including time at Marvel and DC Comics and we are really excited to hear his plans for Mad Cave. Remember to join us live in the chat!

THE ICE CAST LIVE - NEW YEAR SPECIAL WITH LIAM SHARP

On this twelfth night of Christmas Shane, Sam and Olly are joined by special guest Liam Sharp as we not only talk about about his amazing career in comics and celebrate his latest books,, but we also take a look back on our top 3 comics or Graphic Novels of 2022. Join us live in the chat.

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It’s All About The Comics at ICE!

We believe in exposing our visitors to a wide variety of comics from the most exciting new superheroes to the coolest indy and small press books. Our guest list reflects this too with guests from both the big publishing companies and the smallest publishers.

When you visit our events you can also expect to see a wide variety of exhibitors, from those selling collectables to creators selling their own work.

You can expect to meet some of your favourite creators at special signings and maybe even walk away with a unique sketch from your favourite artist.