Kult Creations

The Clock Strikes! sneak peak

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

The Clock Strikes! is only weeks away. Here's a little taster... A panel out of the strip by artist Vince Danks.

The Clock Strikes at Christmas!

2011-12-27T02:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a rare treat to get you ready for the forthcoming 'Clock Strikes! comic (out early in 2012 written by John A. Short and illustrated by Vincent Danks reviving comic books first masked hero) an illustration from 'Cross' artist Jason Dennis!

Unseen Robin Hoodie

2011-12-06T03:51:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite creations was the 'Robin Hoodie' strip for 'Toxic Magazine'. A few episodes never got used so you can read them here. There's one with this posting and you'll find some more further down this page in the art section. More soon!

Latest page from 'The Clock Strikes!'

2011-11-26T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a fantastic page from the forthcoming title 'The Clock Strikes!' It's written by me and illustrated by Vincent Danks and revives the first ever masked hero in comic books - 'The Clock'. See an unused panel of Vince Dank's art on my Facebook page now!

The Sixpenny Interview

2011-09-08T02:40:00.000-07:00

Check out a new interview with me about 'The Sixpenny Murder' on the Down The Tubes site! If you've come from there to here, you can buy 'The Sixpenny Murder' by clicking on the button for it to the right of the postings...

http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2011/09/sixpenny-murder-comic-interview-with.html

THE CLOCK STRIKES!

2011-09-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

Here's another finished page of art from mine and artist Vincent Dank's new project... 'The Clock Strikes!' which revives the 1936 character The Clock.

Page One of Wormholes

2011-08-24T04:07:00.001-07:00

Check out Alex Paterson's brilliant artwork for page one of Wormholes!

Wormholes!

2011-08-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

Check out some art from a new project I'm doing with artist Alex Paterson. I can't tell you too much about it yet as it's early days, but I hope to show you some more of Alex's lovely art soon...

The Clock Strikes! New character sketches...

2011-08-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

Here's another set of character sketches by Vincent Danks for our up-coming project 'The Clock Strikes!'

More Character Sketches from The Clock Strikes!

2011-08-03T05:51:00.001-07:00

Here's some more of Vincent Danks' character sketches from 'The Clock Strikes!' More soon!

Completed page from THE CLOCK STRIKES!

2011-08-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a completed page from forthcoming project 'The Clock Strikes! written by me and illustrated by Vincent Danks!

The Clock Strikes 2!

2011-07-26T02:35:00.001-07:00

Here's another of Vince Dank's cracking character sketches from our new project... 'The Clock Strikes!' I'm really excited about working with Vince on this. I've known him for over twenty year, but this will be the first time that we've got to work together properly. He's such a special talent.

The Clock Strikes!

2011-07-26T02:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a first look at a major new project I'm working on with artist Vince Danks (him what drew that wonderful 'Harker' detective comic.) It's called 'The Clock Strikes!' and it's a revival of the first ever masked hero in comic books, the Clock. He first appeared in November 1936 in 'Funny Pages' and 'Funny Picture Stories', pre-dating the likes of Superman and Batman by two years. The Clock is now public domain and anyone can use him... Our version will still be set in the 1930s.

New strip in Futurequake!

2011-07-19T04:36:00.000-07:00

Art Alex Paterson and I have a strip in the latest issue of 'Futurequake' (number 18) called 'The Counter-Reality Incident'. It's just been reviewed by Mike Donachie, who said "It’s hard to review this sort of story without giving away their endings but, if a successful twist is the measure of success, The Counter Reality Incident is probably the best piece in the issue. Written by John A. Short, it tells of a reality breaking down in silly, Fortean ways, and Alex Patterson’s kinetic, cartoonish art suits the story well."
You can get a copy from http://futurequakepress.blogspot.com

John

Armageddon Patrol

2011-07-11T03:04:00.000-07:00

All the issues of Armageddon Patrol are still available. The first four issues are reprinted in the trade paperback... The remaining five issues are available in a cut price pack!

Cross sketches!

2011-05-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

Check out these sketches of Cross by Jason Dennis...

Comics what I got at Bristol

2011-05-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Comics what I got at Bristol Expo...

HARKER by Roger Gibson & Vince Danks
www.arielpress.com
Stunning, black-and-white-with-colour-covers, detective series. A serious, photo-realistic, whodunnit series with wit. Check it out... it'll blow your socks off.

THE ABNORMALS by Grant Springford
www.theabnormals.co.uk
Full-colour, weird, British, superhero team title. Shades of Doom Patrol meets the Mighty Avengers in London. Very ambitious, with simple but stylish art.

SPANDEX by Martin Eden
www.spandexcomic.com
Funky, full-colour, A5, gay and lesbian, super-team comic. The art is confidently cartoony (in a sort-of Bruce Timm kinda way.) The plots are cheekily adult.

Support your local comics creators!

Just back from Bristol!

2011-05-16T04:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I just got back from the Bristol Comics Expo where we had a Kult Creations table. Thanks to everyone who bought stuff. If you bought the Armageddon Patrol sample issue at the expo and are looking to follow it up with more AP, the Armageddon Patrol Book 1 trade paperback contains the first four issues of the series and you'll find it for sale on this site, just to the right of these words. You'll also find it listed in the latest issue of Previews UK, so your local comic shop can order it... Along with my 'Sixpenny Murder' comic with David Hitchcock. Remind your retailer to order them now!
I hope to blog again later this week about all the brilliant comics I bought at the expo, so look out for it!

John

Kult at Bristol!

2011-05-09T04:12:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend, I'll be at the Bristol Comics Expo manning the KULT CREATIONS table in the Mercure hotel. Come and see me there!
John A. Short

PREVIEWS MAY 2011

2011-05-06T03:37:00.000-07:00

Not bought 'The Sixpenny Murder' or the 'Armageddon Patrol Book 1' yet? Waiting for them to show up in your local comic shop? Now is the time!

Both titles are offered for order in the May issue of Diamond PREVIEWS (UK section) for your comic shop to order now. So now is the time to get onto your local comic book guy and let him know you'll be wanting the titles from Kult Creations!

This is what the reviewers have been saying:

THE SIXPENNY MURDER

“A metaphor for modern life... It's powerful.” - Forbidden Planet Blog

“This is great writing, dialogue and pacing... You need to read it.” - Escape From Tomorrow Blog

“David Hitchcock evokes the atmosphere of the period... A gripping true life story” - Lew Stringer

ARMAGEDDON PATROL BOOK 1

“Maiden America could give Sergeants Rock and Fury lessons in cigar-chomping attitude” - Comics International

“Platoon meets the X-Men. Five out of Five.” - Escape From Tomorrow Blog

“A real page turner.” - Lew Stringer

“Doing for realistic superheroes what Apocalypse Now did for realistic war movies.” - Dave Sim

But don't just take their word for it. Get you local comic shop to stock up then check it out yourself!

John A. Short
PUBLISHER
KULT CREATIONS
http://kultcreations.blogspot.com

School Belles

2011-04-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this new on-line-only comic strip written by myself and illustrated by Gabrielle Noble. Hopefully they'll be new episodes soon! Just click on the picture to see it larger!
John 11.4.11

Futurequake!

2011-04-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

There's a new strip written by John A. Short (that's me) and drawn by Alex (Armageddon Patrol, Rex!, Beano, Viz, Ardnox High) Paterson in the latest issue of 'FutureQuake'! (17) You can get a copy from www.futurequake.co.uk

John

More Armageddon Patrol Reviews

2011-03-04T03:02:00.000-08:00

We've had two more glowing reviews of Armageddon Patrol Book 1 in. Check them out on the below addresses. If you've been directed here by any of the recent reviews we've had... You can find all the comics for sale on the right hand side of the blog... just scroll down to find what you're looking for and click on the button! Then happy reading!

John

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2011/armageddon-patrol/

http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2011/01/armageddon-patrol.html

New review of CROSS 001

2011-03-01T03:22:00.000-08:00

Check out the new review of CROSS on the website address below! Above... some new Cross art by Jason Dennis!

John

http://www.goodcomicbooks.com/reviews/1995/review-cross

Back from Cardiff

2011-02-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

Just back from Cardiff... Here's the Kult Creations table! It was great to meet so many of you all... Thanks for buying our stuff! Remember to let us know what you thought of our comics!

John A. Short
johnashort@hotmail.com
(Thanks to Catherine from the table next door for taking the photo!)

Armageddon Patrol!

2011-02-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

Above is a brand new piece of art by Maiden America co-creator Craig John, showing Wynonna using her force field in action! Below is a brand new review of AP Book 1 from the Escape From Tomorrow blogsite!

Armageddon Patrol - Book One (Review by Simon Breeze)

Being not quite old enough to have followed the Vietnam war in the news and current events of the time but old enough to be part of the 'Vietnam film' generation that followed it a few years later I was quite excited to pick up a copy of Armageddon Patrol – Book One published by Kult Creations.

I think it must come from being part of the generation that, having spent countless hours of my school holidays watching classic films such as Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Hamburger Hill, not to mention the Rambo series of films, fostered an obsessive interest in such a horrific conflict that has stuck with me until this day: Hollywood glamorised it!

The second thing that peeked my interest with Armageddon Patrol was the inclusion of 'superheroes' in the Vietnam war. Again, as with the war, superheroes are something that have been with me throughout my life with my love of comic books. To me, it sounded like a match made in heaven, and a quick look at the awesome Vincent Danks cover put the cherry on the creamy cover cake. So I guess the question is, can you have your cake and eat it? In the case of Armageddon Patrol – Yes you can!

A mistake not to make with Armageddon Patrol is to confuse it with something like Watchmen and the way that the story about them tackled superheroes being involved in the Vietnam war. John A. Short takes a different - unique - approach, the best way I can think to describe it is 'Platoon meets the X-Men'. Armageddon Patrol is ultimately about people, it takes on the Vietnam war at a 'grunt' level, where as Watchmen is very much at a 'super man' level.

The four stories included with the collected edition (issues #1 to #4 of the comic) follow 'from creation of' to 'seeing action': a team of super-powered misfits under the leadership of the comics main cigar-chomping character Maiden America. For the most part each of the character's powers comes from a mutation (apart from one who is a huge robot) and so it doesn't necessary mean that they wanted the powers, or for that matter want to fight in the war. This makes for some great dynamics amongst the characters and really drives the story along at an enjoyable pace during and between the action.

Action, yes there is plenty and it pulls no punches either, and I would say this is also reflective of the language used throughout the story-telling too. However, I will add this, it is a story about a very bloody and demoralising conflict that saw horrific casualties on both sides and John A. Short's writing and Alwyn Talbot and Alex Paterson art reflect this very well.

John A. Short's writing is, as always, superb. Having read (and re-read) several comic titles that he has penned now I can say that his style of story telling and use of dialogue is always of a high standard and is always adaptive to the titles needs. I guess what I am trying to say is that John A. Short is an excellent all-round writer and I have come to expect this from his work and with Armageddon Patrol, he does not fail to live up to my expectation.

The page artwork is produced by two artists, Alwyn Talbot taking three of the four stories (#1, #2 & #4) and Alex Paterson (#3). Although the artists have varied styles they are not too dissimilar, and due to the way the stories are written, there is no 'jarring' from one artist to the next, which can happen from time to time when there is more than one artist working on a title.

There are several things I particularly enjoyed, very much liked and appreciated about the artwork, one of the main things being the use of black and white illustration which works really well with the story telling. It took me back to being a kid and reading old comics around the era this one is set in. The detail is eye-watering in some panels too, I hate to think how many hours would have been spent illustrating some of these pages. It looks like it will have been a real labour of love from the artists that has really paid off.

The art sets the mood fantastically, there are some pages where you can feel the prickly heat of the jungle on you back, hear the wop-wop-wop of the rotor blades, smell the fuel burning and hear a ghostly voice and guitar rifting of Jimmy Hendrix performing 'All Along the Watchtower' as you follow the team in their helicopter over the jungles. In the action scenes you can sense the bullets whizzing through the jungle, clipping leaves and narrowly missing. And when they don't, boy, it is just like watching those old Vietnam films as a kid, dismembered bodies, bloody explosions, screaming and shouting and general chaos.

I really enjoyed Armageddon Patrol, it checks a lot of boxes for me as a comic read and I could easily see it sitting alongside the other titles on my pull list as a monthly read (not that it is at this time a monthly publication, but you get my point). As I have mentioned, overall the comic has a Platoon meets the X-Men feel to it, and if that doesn't sell it to you, I don't know what will.

I give Armageddon Patrol a cigar chomping five out of five, a fantastic example of brilliant comic-book storytelling.

Armageddon Patrol - Book One
Written by John A. Short, art by Alwyn Talbot and Alex Paterson, cover by Vincent Danks and Craig John
Published by: Kult Creations

Cardiff here we come!

2011-02-20T07:04:00.000-08:00

Kult Creations have a table at the Cardiff Comic Expo on Saturday 26th of Feb 2011. Why not come along and get copies of The Sixpenny Murder, Cross and Armnageddon Patrol... Not to mention badges? All direct from the writer! For details see the address below...

John A. Short

http://www.fantasyevents.org/cice/

Armageddon Patrol - Maiden America

2011-01-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

There are more of Craig John's computer generated shots of Maiden America (leader of Armageddon Patrol) on the way soon.Craig was the artist that co-created Maiden America with me back in the late 1990s.

Unseen ROBIN HOODIE

2011-01-18T04:40:00.000-08:00

Here's an unused episode of ROBIN HOODIE! This strip was created by myself and artist Laura Howell for Britain's 'TOXIC' Magazine. For some reason this episode was never used... So you can read it here now. Art and colour by Laura, everything else by me!

John A. Short
johnashort@hotmail.com

Never before seen Alex Paterson!

2011-01-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a never-published-before-published illustration of Maiden America by artist Alex Paterson... Newly coloured by Gabby Noble.

New Cross review

2010-12-08T02:44:00.000-08:00

Above are some Cross character sketches by Jason Dennis that you might not have seen before. Below... Check out this new CROSS 001 review from the Escape From Tomorrow blog...

Boasting a eye-catching cover, two hugely enjoyable done-in-one stories, fantastic dialogue and some very nice interior artwork Cross just about has it all.

So, who is the Reverend Abigail Cross? First, and arguably foremost, she's a vicar in the sleepy Dorset village of Sunnybrook.

Employed by the Church of England and under direct orders from the Archbishop of Canterbury - naturally - Reverend Cross's duties include opening the village fete, caring for her parishioners welfare and ... oh yes, she's 'licensed to kick demon ass' of course!

This first collection of Cross features, as I said previously, two stories. The main feature, told across twenty pages, is called 'You Only Die Twice' and sees Reverend Cross travel to the Bavarian Alps in Austria intent of arresting the notorious Wilhelm von Klaus of the late Nazis Secret Supernatural Warfare Department. Having arrived at von Klaus's sumptuous home and politely - she is English after all! - asking him to give himself up Reverend Cross meets with a little resistance as her prey summons his very own zombie army.

The back-up feature, entitled 'If Looks Could Kill' is a fun six page short story that sees our heroine Reverend Cross confront the villainous Count London in search of the anti-Christ codex.

Confirming that the Reverend isn't carrying a fire-arm the Count orders her killed - and at that point Abigail demonstrates just how resourceful she can be. Leaping free of the Counts bodyguards and coming under heavy fire she fashions a make-shift weapon - you really do need to read the book to find out exactly how!

As I indicated at the top of my review, I really did enjoy my first encounter with the Reverend Abigail Cross and her gallery of rogues. Each story was a real page-turner, I enjoyed the supernatural elements and they certainly made me smile.

I think we get a somewhat different interpretation of Reverend Cross over the two stories. In the first I read her as a woman in her late 30's, super confident in her abilities and, with her vast array of weapons and fighting skills, very-nearly unbeatable. In the second story I saw a younger, maybe early twenties, less confident and more vulnerable woman still learning her 'trade'.

The dialogue had a very 'tongue in cheek' feel about it throughout - fun, funny without ever being silly. There were numerous throwaway one-liners and quips that gave me a feel of the classic The Avengers television series.

The art was very much to my taste - clean, clear, plenty of detail - particularly with some of the facial expressions - with a lot of depth to the panels. I appreciated the imaginative page layouts as well as the inside-front-cover introduction to the world of Cross.

In summary, this first full issue of Cross was a wonderful read - but don't take my word for it pick up a copy and find out for yourself.

Cross #001
Written by John A. Short, illustrated and lettered by Jason Dennis
Published by Kult Creations, black & white illustration, 2010

There we have it: Cross and The Sixpenny Murder - just a couple of the great titles available from Kult Creations which can be purchased through their website or in person at one of the many comic expos they'll be attending in the months ahead.

Armageddon Patrol Book 1 OUT NOW!

2010-12-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

The first collection of Armageddon Patrol is out now! It collects the first four, sold out issues of my series that asks the question 'What if superheroes had fought in Vietnam?' You can buy it my just clicking on the tab to the right of this blog. It has a brand new full colour cover by Vincent Danks of 'Harker'/'Torchwood'-fame!
(Warning contains swearing and violence!)
John

New Review of 'The Sixpenny Murder'

2010-11-26T05:28:00.000-08:00

Check out what they think of 'The Sixpenny Murder' over on the 'Escape From Tomorrow' comics blog... http://escape-from-tomorrow.blogspot.com/

I picked this comic up at the Exeter Comic Expo back in September this year, and read the comic within a few days of that event, and I have done several more times since. Why do I feel the need to mention this? I think just to stress, off-the-bat, what a great example of an independently published comic The Sixpenny Murder is.

The story is based on the true events of the Tithebarn Street Outrage that took place in Liverpool in the 1800's and follows, as closely as possible, the real accounts of the event. For those not familiar with the event (and you're not alone there, I was too until I picked up this comic) the 'outrage' took place on the August Bank Holiday in 1874, where Richard and Alice Morgan were suddenly attacked by street thugs: an attack that sadly ended in Richard's death.

Doing a bit of research I found out that this was something of a 'first', an unusual and very unique incident for the time: strangers attacked in daylight, on a major city street by people they didn't know - a random, unprovoked and very violent incident indeed, and the comic reflects this very well within its pages.

There are several very appealing things about this comic. The first is the art, mostly as a comic it is one of the first things you see of course. David Hitchcock's art is fantastic and works brilliantly with John A. Short's writing. The style fits the age it is set in with great panel pacing and angling of the readers view, for black and white art it comes across as almost cinematic at times.

The next thing is John A. Short's writing - again brilliant. His story telling for this tale is bang on. As he states himself '... The important element in telling this story was that we should stick as closely as possible to the details of the case. I'm sure that some of the most lurid parts of the story probably come over as just sensational story-telling devices, but I want to assure the reader that everything of importance is based on reported events ...'. This is great writing, dialogue and pacing. Something else John A. Short also manages to bring to his story telling is the clever way he approaches the attack itself, starting after the event in the prison cell with John 'Holy fly' McCrave after he wakes from a nightmare to confess his sins to Father Bonte before he is hung, and then his telling of his version of the events becomes the story within the comic.

One big thing about this comic that is talked about in the final pages is how the comic came about. The idea of the comic is to tell a story in an engaging and interesting way to young people, the focus of this one being gang and weapon related violence, and try to use it as an example of personal responsibility. There are many parallels with the events of the 1800's that mirror many of todays youth and gang crimes and attitudes within the media towards youths themselves. One example that is sited within the comic is one of the newspaper headings of the day 'City of Savages'. That was used to describe Liverpool after the event, the young people on street corners were demonised by the Tithebarn Outrage as something to be feared and avoided, echoing many of todays news reports.

This is a fantastic comic and well worth the cover price of £1.99. I think every teenager should read it, I'm keeping my copy safe until my little boy is old enough to appreciate it, because I genuinely believe there is an important message within this book he will need to learn.

For everyone who is not a teenager? Well, you need to read it too, simply because it is a great comic, a solid 5 out of 5 for this one.

New regular strip!

2010-11-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

Starting in January 2011's issue of Britain's MAYFAIR magazine, artist, Gabrielle Noble and I have a new regular strip starting. 'MS. FORTUNE' features the misadventures of poor little rich girl PENNY FORTUNE! She never expected to have to get a job, but when daddy loses all the family's money in the sub-prime crash she must make her own way in the world. Shame she failed that GCSE in needle-point and has a terrible habit of accidentally losing all her clothes! This full colour strip will run monthly.
Gabby and I are very excited (and a little daunted) to be following in the footsteps of Don Lawrence, who's 'Carrie' strip ran in Mayfair from the early 1970s. We hope we can do the magazine justice. Why not subscript on the Paul Raymond website?

John
November 2010

Maiden America!

2010-10-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Check out artist and Maiden America's co-creator Craig John's new computer illustration of Armageddon Patrol's leader! We're working on the first book collection of AP's sold out early issues now!

John A. Short
Maiden America copyright Short & John 2010
This illustration copyright Craig John 2010

Back from the Birmingham International Comics Show!

2010-10-19T05:16:00.000-07:00

We're just back from BICS! It was very busy and very hard work, but we enjoyed meeting all our readers! Here's a picture of 'Cross' artist Jason Dennis hard at work on the art to 'Cross' 002 at the Kult Creations table!

Check out the big feature on the latest Kult titles on Lew Stringer's 'Blimey! Another Blog About Comics

http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/!

Review!

2010-10-19T02:58:00.000-07:00

Below are some kind words from one of our readers who bought copies of our latest books at the Exeter Expo:

Hi John,
You probably won’t remember me as it was a busy day, but we met briefly at the Exeter Comic Con last month. I’ve been meaning to get back to you for a little while now, ever since I finished reading the two Kult publications I picked up whilst I was there, Cross and The Sixpenny Murder. You did ask at the time for some feedback, and I didn’t want to disappoint, I know how helpful it can be.
To start with, I immensely enjoyed both comics, and for very different reasons. Cross initially caught my attention and whilst we were chatting the story behind the creation of The Sixpenny Murder got me too. I remember saying at the time that comparing Cross to the Vicar of Dibley put me off a little, but the moment you mention zombie Nazis I was sold.
I loved Cross, and I’m a big fan of the original Danger Girl comic, and although very different, I couldn’t help but get the same fun adventure and excitement feeling from Cross. I really-really enjoyed it, and I can’t wait for more. The two stories in the one issue worked well, and I thought the gag in the second one about using underwear as a deadly weapon was just brilliant, it had me laughing out loud when I read it. I think it is a great mix of supernatural, cheeky fun in an action-adventure. Both stories were well paced with well timed ‘twists’ at the end, the art and the panelling is fantastic too.
I’ve been raving about Cross to my friends it impressed me so much. My only criticism would be to drop the Vicar of Dibley reference, I now ‘get-it’ having spoken to you and having read the comic, but I know I wasn’t the only one at the convention put off by it. The thing is, I’ve really had a think about it and can’t come up with a better one. I guess you could argue that it worked; it did get me to take a look at it after all?
Equally as impressed with the Sixpenny Murder. The style of the comic is perfect, the writing style and art fit each other well, and the idea behind the comic just makes it that more special. When I read it I got a real emotional attachment very quickly to the characters, their situation and way their individual stories played out. By the time I had gotten to the last few panels, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of a sick feeling in my stomach as they went to the gallows. The panel with the feet hit a real note with me as the reader; in fact, the whole comic was a big insight to not only the event, but also times. The Sixpenny Murder is a fantastic example of how comics can be used to tell stories outside of what would be considered the norm, and I could see it easily attracting none comic readers too.
I hope you find something useful in my ramblings, all the best and I can’t wait for more, Simon.

simonbreeze.blogspot.com

Armageddon Patrol comics selling out!

2010-10-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

We are now so low of some issues of Armageddon Patrol that I've had to pull the 6-issue packs from sale and replace them with 5-issue packs! I will be saving some of the soon-to-be-sold-out-completely issues (1-4 of AP) for the Birmingham International Comics show next week. But you'd better come early if you want them!

John
johnashort@hotmail.com

Armageddon Patrol and Loxley added to sale!

2010-09-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

My super-heroes-in-Vietnam comic 'Armageddon Patrol' did so well at the Exeter Comics Expo that I thought I should add it to the list of things you can buy off this blog (see to the right!) You can buy a 6-PACK of AP issues for a knock-down price (containing the 3-issue First Mission mini-series plus the specials - Maiden America, Life and Death and Fatal Mistakes!) There are very few issues of the Maiden America special left, so get them while you still can!
Also added to the list in my not-your-grandad's-Robin-Hood comic 'Loxley'!

Just back from the Exeter Comics Expo

2010-09-20T02:25:00.000-07:00

Had a great time at the Exeter Comics Expo. It was fantastic to meet people face to face and some of you said really nice things about the work too!
We'll have a table at the Birmingham International Comics Show in October next, so if you missed us in Exeter come and see us in Brum. We'll have some old stock like 'Armageddon Patrol' on sale too (which I soon hope to be offering for sale on this blogsite.)

KULT CREATIONS at the Exeter Comics expo!

2010-08-31T05:18:00.000-07:00

Kult Creations will have a table at the forthcoming Exeter Comics Expo on the 19th September. Come along and buy copies of Cross and The Sixpenny Murder there! We'll have some badges too!

John A. Short

http://www.fantasyevents.org/exetercomicexpo/index.html

The Sixpenny Murder now available

2010-08-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

Hi,

The Sixpenny Murder comic is now available to buy (see the buttons to your right!) It looks fantastic... All of David Hitchcock's lovely artwork has reproduced beautifully!

All prices include postage!

John A. Short

The Sixpenny Murder is comic soon!

2010-08-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

Coming soon… ‘The Sixpenny Murder’! A 12-page comic telling the real-life story of a notorious Victorian street crime. Written by John A. Short, illustrated by David (Springheeled Jack, Whitechapel Freak, Madam Samurai) Hitchcock and edited by Emily Alison.

‘The Sixpenny Murder’ was produced as part of the ‘Changing Places +’ programme - a 16 week program created by Emily and Laurence Alison and directed at establishing a positive core identity for young people, increasing confidence, empathy and interpersonal skills – with the key aim to reduce gang-linked and weapon-oriented violence (currently running successfully in the North West). The Sixpenny murder will be one component of a module directed at accepting personal responsibility.

We chose the historical tale of the ‘Tithebarn Street Outrage’ from the 1800’s because we wanted to parallel what was said then about youth, knives, and violence with the current views represented in today’s press. We also wanted a subject that would resonate but not hit too close to home, allowing the readers (the young men on the program) to be less defensive and more reflective about events.

We’re really proud of this piece and wanted to produce a popular edition so that everyone (not just those on the Changing Places + programme) could read it.

John A. Short
(with thanks to Emily and Laurence Alison)

Kult at Caption in 2010

2010-07-20T02:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I'll be attending Caption (the small press convention) in Oxford on the 31st Huly 2010. I hope to have copies of 'Cross' 001 and the badges on sale there. Hope to see you guys there!

John

Not A God Botherer!

2010-07-08T02:52:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see the Adsense thing that worked it's way on to this blog? Adsense is meant to scan your blog and put adverts for similar stuff on the site... I kinda figured it would be stuff about comics, but it obviously scanned the stuff about Cross being a vicar and put something about 'Did you know there was one true god' on here instead!
I promise you that just cuz I've done a comic about an ass-kicking female vicar... I'm not a God botherer!

E-Mail

2010-06-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

By the way, if anyone has any problems buying comics or badges by clicking on the paypal buttons to your right there... Please do let me know. Don't just give up in a huff! Email me and I will sort out any hicups!

John
johnashort@hotmail.com

Ardnox High

2010-06-22T02:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

People have been asking what Ardnox High is and where they can see it. Ardnox is an on-line comic strip created Hunt Emerson for the UK education websites for English and Media Studies. Hunt wrote the early episodes before handing over to Laura Howell and then later to me. I seem to have written far more than anyone else now!
It's drawn by various different artists including Hunt and Laura and you can see a sample episode lower down this blog or just link with the edusites and read them all!

http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/category/c/archive/

http://english.edusites.co.uk/index.php/category/c/archive/

John

Cross issue 001

2010-06-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

If you’ve never met the Reverend Abigail Cross before, get ready for one Hell of a sermon, cuz she isn’t your average vicar.

Hidden from the public, the Church of England has been fighting a secret war against the forces of darkness for centuries. It’s their job to manage the creatures that live in our midst and take them down when they get out of hand. They must have agents trained to fight the vampires, werewolves and ghouls who threaten our world. Licensed to kick demon ass.

The vicar of the sleepy Dorset village of Sunnybrook is one of those agents. She is under the direct orders of the Archbishop of Canterbury with all the resources of the Church at her beck and call.

And when she has captured something that can’t be killed, what does she do then? That’s what the custom-built prison beneath the Tower of London is for. Created by William the Conqueror to imprison the Behemoth it has now grown into the hub of the Church’s special operations.

If Abby’s been set on your trail you’d better

say your prayers!