A Bit of a Review of the Year 2011

I was going to call this post The Year of the Sugar Glider, but that seemed a bit conceited. Other things happened in 2011 aside from the runaway successes of SG, I just can't remember them.

I won't labour the points too much, but the year kicked off with a deluge of positive reviews of Sugar Glider issue one, which had been released in the November of 2010. In 2011, SG1 was joined by three more Sugar Glider titles, Sugar Glider Stories 1 was launched at the 2nd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair and finally, we got round to doing a Newcastle based launch for SG2. A thousand thank-yous to Mike and the crew at Travelling Man Newcastle. Finally, Sugar Glider Stories 2 was released at Thought Bubble. All of the titles have received positive reviews and any of the niggles about yet another superhero comic have been ironed out by issue two. This isn't a superhero comic, it's a comic about a girl who happens to have an absurd extra-curricular pursuit. Oh, and there's superheroes.

Speaking of conventions, the last of the year was an absolute delight. More is written elsewhere about how awesome and essential the Canny Comic Con was, but from my perspective, it was great to be able to meet Sugar Glider fans who had followed the series from the start, and new fans who were intrigued by this new Geordie heroine. The day itself was so much fun and I can't wait for next year's event.

One of the most wonderful and humbling and joyous things about doing Sugar Glider has been the fan art. We received a boatload at the start of the year, and it's kept coming with each release. A lot of people have taken to Susie so much as to spend some time drawing her. I think that's the greatest compliment. If you've got any fan art, of Susie in or out of costume, or indeed any of the Sugar Glider cast, email it, post it on Twitter, or the Facebook fan page or send a carrier pigeon.

New Year's Resolutions? Well, the obvious one is to get Sugar Glider 3 out, thus completing the trilogy. This is a big one for me really as I haven't completed a series since I first got into comics. Having said that, issues one and two have been so special, it would be a crime to rush the conclusion. Expect SG 3 before the end of 2012.

Secondly, I'd like to get super organised for comics fairs, preparing an emergency comic con kit esssentially. The reason being, I make that promise every time we do an event and always forget something. Never again. Plus, I don't do a massive number of events, so it would be good to get through them sans stress.

And finally, sort out the website. Andy Waugh has been badgering me about this for aaaaages, and his new site is amazing. I'm jealous. I want one too. So there.

Right, I think that's all for now. See you all on the 2012 side.

Sugar Glider Stories 2 Review at FPI

Richard Bruton at Forbidden Planet International Blog has reviewed Sugar Glider Stories 2. And very pleasant it is too.

Richard had reservations about SGS 1, too many extra additions to a title that hadn't established itself. Too much too soon, as he put it. Now we've got four Sugar Glider comics under our belts and there's a precedent for these extras; a set up for SG 3 and a little context and clues for those who want to delve deeper into the characters. It's almost like a two tier system for the fans, if you're quite interested, pick up the main title, if you want more, pick up SGS too.


"There’s a sense that some of the things covered here are not only interesting context for Sugar Glider, but may even prove important to the  story... This is definitely a good thing."


If you want to read the whole review, it can be found here. You can buy Sugar Glider Stories 2 and the rest of the series from here.

A Very Sugar Glider Christmas

It looks like Sugar Glider isn't the only one in the skies this winter...

Just a quick festive sketch of SG to say thanks to anyone and everyone who's helped us out with Sugar Glider. From the reviewers to the SGS contributors, from the fans (and you lovely fan artists!) to the friends and families, thanks and Merry Christmas!

Let me know if you get a copy of SG in your stocking this year...

Leeds Alt Comics Fair, Thought Bubble and Canny Comic Con

October, November and December were fun months due to each one taking in a comics event and inviting us along for the jaunt.


First up was the 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair, an event that has cemented itself as one of my favourites because it's in a pub. It's also an intimate affair, deftly organised by Hugh 'Shug' Raine and Steve Tillotson. LACF offers a diverse cross section of the UK small press scene, based mainly in the north, but with guests from much further afield too. As a result, there's something for everyone and a chance to speak to all of the exhibitors, something that's just not possible at the bigger events. I was sharing a table with Andy Waugh and we had a lovely time in spite of freakishly high temperatures and sunny conditions keeping punters away from the venue. You can check out Hugh's photos from the event here.

This little Susie made her first appearance at LACF, and proved to be the most popular thing at the table. As I'm sure you'll remember, it was made by my sister from another mister, Scarlet Pyjamas for my birthday way back in May. Someone suggested, in jest or in a stroke of genius perhaps, that she should come free, Beano-style, with a copy of the comic. As only one is in existence, that may be a bit of a bother...


Back in Leeds for Thought Bubble in November, it was the festival's first outing as a two-dayer. I was going for the weekend, sharing with Andy on Saturday and Helen Entwisle on the Sunday. We had a great one, and struck a nice balance between good sales and meeting comics mates new and old. My Sugar Glider co-creator, Daniel Clifford was also at TB, launching his new venture, Art Heroes, which you should check out. Here's a photo of mine and Andy's work entertaining the troops.

The last event of the year was a new one, the Canny Comic Con is the first comics event that has taken place in Newcastle in over fifteen years, it is the only major comics event in the gap between Inverness and Leeds and it was an absolute pleasure to be at Newcastle City Library to sell our wares. There was an electric atmosphere, with a crowd representing a range of ages and backgrounds. For me it's always a pleasure to sell stuff in Newcastle as that's where all or most of my work is set. Newcastle is essential to Sugar Glider, so it makes sense to get into the Toon and talk to its denizens about their superhero. It wasn't intentional, but our latest title, Sugar Glider Stories 2, even has the new City Library on the front cover! If you want to see what it all looked like, head over here. If you want to hear some interviews with exhibitors and guests head over here. Sales on the day were excellent, but more importantly, we got the chance to speak to returning Sugar Glider fans. Thanks for taking the time to stop by guys! Also a massive thank you to Alex and Stace who organised this wondrous day is such an effortless manner. I'll leave you with a photo of me and Andy at our table.

All in all, it was a great run of events to finish up the year. Three very different cons, but all were essential and I left them all with a great buzz for making comics and I'm looking forward to the next event in 2012.


Hopefully see you then.