- Smallzone: If you've got even a passing interest in small press comics, you really should check out smallzone. This is the website of Shane Chebsey, a fellow who's devoted all his spare time (and no doubt a large amount of his spare space) to promoting and selling british small press comics. You can buy and sell comics from Shane's site, and he makes appearances at all the major UK comics shows throughout the year. There's a whole host of other small-press related services Shane provides at a cost, and good advice which he gives for free.
- Andrew Waugh (Glaikit comics) : Andy is the fella resposible for introducing me to the mini comix format. I first heard of him though, from his painfully hilarious (or hilariously painful) semi-autobiographical comedy anthology 'Melanchomic'. I'd thoroughly recommend hunting this comic down, it's about as sharp as small-press gets, and features some fantasticaly designed artwork. His previous comic 'The Guttest Story Ever Told', focused on the life of perenial 80's star Steve Guttenburg, as he tried to come to terms with his fading celebrity. It was really a showcase for Waugh's unique caricature visuals and no-holds barred humour, it's a shame the book's now out of print. Fortunately, character designs can be seen (along with tons of other material) on The Art of Waugh, Andy's myspace page. Also to found there (or here in Quicktime) is a rather superb animated short which was put together based on the Gutt comic. It's of highly professional quality, and runs like a cross between 'Monkeydust' and 'South Park'. In fact, the animated short was strong enough for Andy to start developing a pilot show for tv, but this fell-through in pre-production. Down the line though, I wouldn't be surprised to see some more of Andy's work on the small screen...
- David Baillie : For the last few years, David Baillie has been doing what many of us talk about, but few really have the testicular fortitude to carry through; he gave up a solid job in IT and a lucrative lifestyle in London in order to devote himself entirely to freelance illustrative work and small press comics. You can keep track of how he's getting on, in pursuit of his dreams, via his blog here. My first experience of Baillie's work was in the experimental/ autobiographical minicomics he produced as 'Awkward Fascination' in 2003. He's since put together several comics, each of which explore different genres and storytelling styles. In fact, to see (and hear) the writer/artist introduce the comics in his own words, you can view his endearingly cheesy self-promotional movie here. In my opinion, he's never been more poignant and relevant than with 'The Indiscriminant Device', an unbiased and timely London based drama produced in late 2005. You can see his early experimental work from David's own website by following the Pictures link and scrolling to the bottom of the page. While you're there, you should check out 'Just Like Greta Garbo', the Batman/Superman comic he produced for submission to DC comics Head Honcho Dan Didio. Also, I've been sick in his toilet.
- Modern Monstrosity : ...alias Laurence Powell and Oliver Lambden, are currently putting together a small press series which combines elements of pop culture comedy with contemporary fantasy and horror elements. Basically it's like 'Friends' crossed with 'The Evil Dead', and it's called 'Tales From the Flat'. The Modern Monstrosity website is particularly worth looking up though, because of a documentary style photostrip the guys put together depicting their experiences running a stall at the 2006 Bristol Comic Expo (click on the 'Bristol Expo Comic Report' link; the site may not work if you have an Ad blocker on) . The Expo and it's predecessor have become increasingly small press orientated in the last 4 years, and this strip shows, with style and wit, the trials and tribulations that creators go through, trying to be recognised in an increasingly diverse crowd.
- Guide Dog Detective : This is one of those brilliant comics that just either clicks with the reader, or is completely lost on them. A Police action-thriller with more than a few quirks, it's success depends largely on the reader being able to accept (a) the unique anthropomorphism involved; the characters are all animals acting like humans (as oppose to anthropomorphised humans like Blacksad or Donald Duck), and (b) the storyline which is a pastiche of 80's ultra-violent cop movies. As such, the characerisation is a little thin, but the action and attitude comes thick and fast. So if you're a fan of '48 Hours', 'Red Heat', 'Beverly Hills Cop', 'Tango and Cash' etc, you'll lap up this intelligent and well plotted thriller. The Bristol based creator, Jess Bradley, has a great blog, where you can see loads of examples of her character designs and sketches, as well as gaining a keen insight into the inspirations behind her work. Issues 1 & 2 are available now, and you can contact Jess via her blog profile.
- Craig McGill Articles: Craig McGill is a journalist based in Glasgow. He wrote a couple of articles for The 9th Art website. Of particular interest are the ones dated 16th August 2002 and 6th September 2002. Together they form a two part story of how he tried and failed to kick start a small press internet publishing business in Glasgow a few years ago. It's actually a cracking yarn, reminiscent of the triumph and tragedy of 'The Commitments'. A cautionary tale for anyone thinking of undergoing internet, or any other kind of independent publishing with a group of other folks. And I think it's the closest we'll ever get to seeing a comic book called 'Tom Jones: Paedophile Hunter'.