Tops and Bottoms 23/10/2024

Morning Folks,

I have just got back from a Spanish island where all I did was read and take the occasional dip in the pool. To make up for such brazen laziness I have thrown myself back into the website. There are a couple of podcasts coming your way in the next few days.

First up. A BIG 30th Birthday shout for my buddy, co-publisher and collaborator Mr Adam Falp. Don’t think for a second that he will stop giving everyone the side-eye, it’s not that big a birthday! But here’s hoping that he continues to supply the world with his cracking Underground Comix artwork. Still the guvnor!

Meanwhile over at the ACP this week it’s just the three of us talking about what we dig, and don’t always dig, in a horror comic. Unusually I rant somewhat about the half-arsed crap we often see these days. Have a listen.

As you may have noticed from the numbering there are only fourteen weeks until the 500th episode. We’ll be holding a live event in a room above a pub in Central London on the 25th of January 2024. Have a listen to the episode for full details. ALL are welcome.

The event is designed to raise money for two charities.

Chosen by our Slack Community Sarcoidosis UK is a charity that supports those suffering this disease.

Sarcoidosis is a condition where lumps called granulomas develop at different sites within the body. Granulomas are made up of clusters of cells involved in inflammation. If many granulomas form in an organ, they can prevent that organ from working properly. It can affect many different parts of the body. It often affects the lungs but can also affect the skin, eyes, joints, nervous system, heart and other parts of the body.

You can donate by visiting this link.

The second charity is the same one that Drawn Under the Influence issue 1 raised money and awareness for. One that provides support and research into a disease that very few of us have remained untouched by.

You can visit and donate to Cancer Research UK by visiting the link here.

To help pay for the venue and once the expenses of the day have been paid we’ll be donating all money from the raffle and March to these two charities. We also now have a mercy store that will go to supporting the day and the two charities. And you can find that here.

Small Press Book of the Week.

Two this week!

Hacksler.

I got this through in a surprise bundle from that Zine Freak named Matt Simmons as I got back from holiday. In fact I have a pile of Small Press waiting to be read. If you enjoy well drawn stories about headless chickens (literally) and dogs getting their noses stuck up other dogs arses (literally) then this is for you!

Messy Comics: The Last Resort.

Joint top is an entirely bigger comic. One the size of a broadsheet UK newspaper but instead originating from that land called Mary in the United States of A-MERICA!

Created by my buddy Matt Strott this feels fresh yet has all the gumption of an old school newspaper collection, bundled up like a Sunday Funny on good old newsprint. Just a perfect read for a lunch hour where I needed something to make me smile and take my mind off work! Not yet available for sale, although it should be. You can pester Matt on Twitter/X @MesyComics for your own copy! I really hope he does more.

Tops.

Skin Police 1.

Took me the week on holiday to catch up with this new series from Oni Press. And I am ashamed at myself that it took so long! Written by Jordan Thomas with art Daniel Gete this is a gripping science fiction story with hints of Philip K. Dick. Beware the DUPES!

Bottom.

Hokey Chimera: Fishing.

I’ll let the pages speak for themselves on this one. Little tip – if you are going to put a pencil line down to make sure your lettering is straight then rub it out afterwards.