My small part in Pop Culture

My small part in Pop Culture 

In October 2015 the last of the big three pop culture conventions rolled into town, the Australian Movie and Comic (AMC) Expo was being held over the weekend of the 17th-18th and I popped into the Melbourne Show Grounds to lend support to the publisher of a comic that was featuring two of my stories: Darren Koziol of Dark Oz publishing.

Darren Koziol’s mother Gillian says that anyone else with his initials would probably never utilize them or be scarred for life. She made this joke as we were going over the logos of Dark Oz’s DECAY comic the bi-annual horror anthology that has just reached its milestone 20th edition. Gillian was referring how Darren’s name and love of the horror genre has been used in a rather imaginative way in his publications branding. Decay of course comes from his initials why Dark Oz is made up from the first three letters of his name.

Darren began DECAY as a labour of love back in March 2010 writing stories, compiling other talent and editing in his own time. That he now has released twenty issues and become the longest running Australian horror anthology with over 150 creators contributing is a grand accomplishment considering he is still self-publishing. Along the way he has made friendships that has resulted in some of Australia’s top artists contributing as well as others as far flung as the UK, USA and Argentina.

Darren’s belief in his comic has taken him all over Australia attending the various pop culture conventions promoting and bringing his product to the market place. Based in South Australia Darren has since an early age been fascinated by horror, fantasy and science fiction, with a genuine affection for the earlier styles as opposed to the more modern high tech. effect laden movies of the last decades. This has been carried through with DECAY’s sister publication RETRO SCI-FI which comes out once a year, usually in tandem with one of the twice yearly DECAY comics.

While talking to Darren it is evident he is very proud of his achievements, more so with issue twenty because this comic he has designed and the lay out himself as well as contributed lettering (a new skill he taught himself) because of necessity due to the unavailability of others who he had relied on in the past. Another milestone was the republishing of the CUTHULU (stories based on the popular H.P Lovecraft monster) issue as an US comic standard size. The CUTHULU issue was one of the more popular comics with an original commanding a price tag of $150. Needless to say they were a popular item and good seller at the convention.

Darren’s enthusiasm is still high with each issue getting that little bit more notice and sleeker in quality, one of Darren’s stories was picked up by International SciFi/Fantasy magazine Heavy Metal last year, so the rewards can be measured.

 In these days of Kickstarter, short lived anthologies that run out of steam by the second issue and Aussie publishers that only release a four arc comic series one issue a year at a time it is great to have Darren and DECAY helping putting new creators and exciting stories out at a regular schedule and giving Aussie comics the shot in the arm it constantly needs.

For more information on the comic: www.darkoz.com.au

originally published in the BBCN issue 239 Nov 2015

DAVE DYE - The ANZAC Legend Graphic Book

Dave Dye’s The ANZAC Legend


Recently at the AMC Expo – a convention that caters for all things Geeky, such as comics, movies, collectibles and lots of normally sane people dressing up in rather elaborate and crazy outfits- It is also a great place to meet other Australian artists and writers. I was fortunate to catch up with author/artist Dave Dye. Dave is responsible for the ridiculously well researched history book told in graphic novel form: The ANZAC Legend. Dave’s passion for the project comes from his 28 years served in the Australian Regular Army where he obtained his Diploma of Visual Arts and where he worked amongst other areas in the Intelligence Battalion. Dave’s work as an illustrator was varied including signage, education and propaganda. This work even led him to a stint in Iraq before he retired to concentrate on his Magnum Opus. The ANZAC Legend is novel as it is told in sequential form (as in comic book) and makes it more accessible as the reader follows the events that led up to, include and go beyond the Gallipoli landing. On his retirement Dave spent three years and over 5,000 hours preparing the book which includes detailed maps drawn from Dave’s first-hand view of the area after taking countless photos on his trips to the peninsula. In writing the book Dave has tried to keep it historically accurate and clearing up certain myths that grow over time due to conjecture and short cuts in storytelling. While not a complete history of Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in the Great War, the ANZAC Legend as Dave puts it: ”The book was created to act as a record of the events from the declaration of war, through those leading up to an including the landing on the 25th of April 1915 at Ari Burnu by the ANZAC’s. It also records the events of the first week and a half after the landing….The story is presented in a manner which makes it easier for the layman to understand why, who, where and what took place.” I believe he has done a sterling job in presenting a comprehensive and easy to read history that is compelling and suits all ages.

Over 200 pages of finely detailed work.

From students to history and war buffs. Dave hasn’t ruled out going beyond this book and continues to tell more of the involvement of the ANZAC’s in World War One, but at this stage it’s one book at a time. The book itself produced by Dave’s own publishing house Wotsleft Books was originally released in 2014 and contains over 200 pages detailed pages. It has been well received winning ComicOz “Best Australian Original Comic Book of 2014” as well as being short listed in the 2014 Ledger Awards – the Oscars of Australian comics. Dave works as a freelance illustrator these days operating out of Mildura. You can find out more about Dave and purchase the ANZAC Legend at www.wotsleftbooks.weebly.com

Dave Dye (Left)

REPLICATOR comic book review

COMIC REVIEW
Replicator #1 

Self-published via Kickstarter 2016
Writer: Robert Arnold
Artist: Armin Ozdic
Colourist: Ross A Campbell
Letterer: Jaimie Me
Editors: Nick Glenister, Alison Arnold



I’ve always loved me a near future dystopian/plague/climate calamity yarn, so when I read the opening pages of REPLICATOR, I knew I was in for a treat.
The comic tells the story of a deliberately released virus called the Red Death in modern day Britain that forces the country to be isolated generating food shortages and martial law. Eventually forcing the healthy (and rich and useful) to shelter in a walled city called Sanctuary guarded by the latest and the deadliest of men and technology.

Life goes on outside of Sanctuary but the ones left behind are reminded that those inside are far more precious and any indiscretion committed against those from Sanctuary if they leave the city (illegally) are swiftly executed.
This is where we meet our protagonist Ryker. Whose sense of justice seems to fall short of what is required by the security forces. Blank faced, armour wearing humans without much compassion.

Actually, we first meet a totally different and more aggressive Ryker just prior to this. In a two page shoot-em-up involving powerful hand guns, grenades and what looks like a super villain, that happens 18 months in the future. Obviously, Ryker has had some life changing episodes since then that we are going to eventually find out.
There are a few scenes in this first issue that hint at conspiracy and super powers.

Lovely colour work by Ross A Campbell

These are entertaining and well-paced, it all finishes all too quickly on a cliff hanger ending and the reader is left not sure where everything is going.

Thus the problem at hand.

This comic being a successful Kickstarter project only committed to this issue are we going to see what happens next within my lifetime? I hope so because this has the makings of a great series.

Rob Arnold has created a great story and draws the reader in. Artist Armin Ozdic style reminds me of both Javier Berreno and Fernando Melek from Simon Spurrier’s Crossed tale Wish You Were Here. Clean and neat and when asked to draw a splash, really delivers.

I enjoyed REPLICATOR and look forward to more, I just wish it wasn’t something far off on the horizon than something I could pick up next month at the LCS.

A haunting Splash Page by Armin Ozdic

For more info:

The original Kickstarter link

Replicator website

Replicator Facebook

RETRO SCI-FI Vol. 3

RETRO SCI-FI Vol. 3
This week end at the Adelaide OZ ComicCon Dark Oz is releasing 2 titles: DECAY No.21 and Retro Sci-Fi Volume 3. Carlos Angeli and I team up again to have a bit of fun in the Space Opera spoof Foe Killer Jones And The Vortex OF Discovery (a more pretentious title I could never ever think of again) Darren Koziol  will be selling copies at the Dark Oz stall and also the following weekend in Melbourne at the Supanova convention which is being held at the Exhibition Centre.
If you can't make the cons and you want to buy a copy, you can go on line and purchase them at www.darkoz.com.au
Here is a sample of my story and the covers (including DECAY  variant) of the new releases.

DECAY ISSUE 20

Two of my scripts/stories have appeared in the latest edition of Dark Oz's DECAY . Australia's longest running horror anthology. I was under the belief that only one was to appear with another to be published next year as well as a  story being run in DECAY's sister publication RETRO SCI-FI. So we'll see how that pans out.

Cover art for DECAY 20

Jason Paulos and Dave Dye Australian comic book legends also make an appearance in this colourful gore-fest not for the squeamish. Of course I can't be objective since I'm in it so this isn't a review just a call to go out and buy the thing and promote Aussie comics.

The Night Before Christmas is about two young aliens on "schoolies" who cause all kinds of mischief and ultimately stack their Dad's car ruining Christmas for everyone. Literally
Artwork is supplied by the talented Argentinian Carlos Angeli. With Letters done by Dark Oz editor Darren Koziol.

The second is a story I wrote for the OZ ZOMBIE universe and tells the story of a lone survivor looking for lodgings in the abandoned upper crust residences of apocalyptic Melbourne.
This one was drawn by someone I know nothing of or have any contact for, a local by the name of Mick Anderson.

REVIEW OF THIS ISSUE BY SCARYMINDS.COM.AU

DARK OZ DECAY and RETRO SCI-FI as well as selected back Issues are available here.
This is a composite of the content titles in this issue.

Review-HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two

Review HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two
Contributors: Various, Edited by Garth Jones

Then
 In the tradition of Alan Moore's Dodgem Logic, Tales from the Crypt, 2000AD, Oz Magazine and Metal Hurlant, Home Brew Vampire Bullets is an anthology of 75% R-rated (but not necessarily adult), uniquely Aussie myth spinning, prose, politics and pulp soundtracked by Rose Tatts, soaked in Melbourne Bitter and dyed defiantly navy blue.

Now
Home Brew Vampire Bullets is an Australian pulp narrative anthology showcasing comics, gonzo journalism, scathing political polemics and MORE.

Available as Digital download and Print On Demand Details Here

 HOME BREW VAMPIRE BULLETS Number Two was delivered on time as promised and with it a few surprises. As an anthology it is still finding its feet,, experimenting with content and styles.
 A direction I’m quite pleased with,
This issue is more reminiscent of Dodgem Logic and Oz than the first which was heavy with sequential and satire pieces. Slightly larger than issue One it features Aussie comedian heavyweights Tony Martin and Justin Hamilton and top of their game comic contributors such as Sacha Bryning, Dean Rankine, Scott Fraser, Matthew Huynh and Matthew Dunn amongst others. This issue sees the first issue sequentials tucked away (with the exception of Scott Fraser’s Melbourne based supernatural turf war piece, SHADOW RUMBLE) the vacant pages have been jammed packed with essays, prose and pictorials which take nothing way from the original anthology concept but totally enhance it. Respected scribes Emma Beddows, Emmet O’Cuana, John Harrison and Laura Crawford provide informative and entertaining pieces as interesting as they are insightful and Kellie Gollings’ ABANDO photography is gorgeously reproduced and is a great argument for the procurement of the printed version. With the he addition of Turd Circus’ Tony Lewis we are also privy to some of the funniest satire you’ll see in Australia at the moment. The thing HBVB has going for it that I admire is that it has real “I’m a bastard, so what? “ attitude,   (just check out the provocative cover for proof) and wants to push the boundaries of safe traditional magazines. Who knows? Maybe the time is right to bundle everybody’s differing ideas into one package and fuck the niche markets. HBVB has a massive potential as a new outlet for established and new talent and its bold graphic design and content is loud enough to be noticed within the mainstream and hopefully scare it enough to take notice.
Issue Three promises the return of the sequential pieces BOLT, MARALINGA, HEAVY ANGEL, BABALON SHOKK and HOLT which were a large part of the promotion of Issue One,
BRING ON ISSUE THREE.

DECAY Issue 18 Review

Dark Oz DECAY is Australia’s longest running independent horror comic.
Those unfamiliar with DECAY, it is the brain child of South Australian resident Darren Koziol (The DK in DECAY) who, as well as writing and creating themes, tirelessly edits, publishes and travels around the country to various conventions promoting the comic and its contributing artists. This means he can put out at least two editions a year where others falter. This hard work has come to fruition when one of the DECAY stories was picked up by SciFI/Fantasy icon Heavy Metal.

DECAY caters to the gore hounds, slasher fans and horror buffs but in a distinctly Aussie way. DECAY is full on mature reading fun that revels in its unrestricted format. Koziol has created recurring characters such as The Sisters, three ageless sexy vampires who have a long history of mayhem and carnage and the Oz Zombie themed stories telling stories of the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse in an Australian environment and other artist are free to explore and build on these stories.

The latest edition of DECAY, (Issue 18) was released to coincide with the Sydney- Brisbane Comicon double header. It is an A4 sized comic in both colour and black and white and printing is high quality. At $8 a copy it is great value when compared against the monthly mainstream imports. Its front cover prepares the reader for what's in store and the first story Sister: Class of 2014 leaves them in no doubt the cover was in any way a false advertisement, all in vivid colour. With 27 writers and artists (check the screen grab below for more details) making up the contributors list and there is plenty of variety in story and styles. Colour is used to great effect in the stories Sisters: Harvest and the Oz Zombie based Papa gone a huntin’ just as the modern gothic of The Lazarus Box and the patient revenge of The Forgotten Patrol are as effective in black and white. A favourite would have to be Adoption. Katrina Young’s artwork with the gentle colour wash is a brilliant accompany to Brendan Crates story. The animal characters expressions reminded me of Frank Quietly’s art in We3.
The Selkie and The Cure are other stories that stand out for a short sharp shock.
 DECAY deserves your support because it offers something other Aussie comics can’t. Consistency, in quality and delivery.
A great read for a good price and worth it just for the great Chris Wahl artwork on the back cover.
Danny Nolan

SAMPLE OF ARTWORK FROM DECAY #18

Gorgeous artwork from ADOPTION

CAST AND CREW