Planet Jimbot's debut comic is Amongst the Stars #1 by Jim Alexander (King's Crown/Metal Hurlant Chronicles, Birds of Prey, Marvel Milestones) and stunningly drawn by Mike Perkins (The Stand, Astonishing X-Men the Wedding Issue). It's a tale of of wayward people and even more wayward aliens.  For £3.50 we'll send an issue straight to your door. Please contact planetjimbot@gmail.com for details. Ta very much.

I'm Kapow bound.  I'll be at Table 34 so come seek me out.  Gabriel #4 will make its debut in the big smoke bringing the series to its triumphant end.  With art by Dave Hill, Will Pickering and John Royle, it's a cracker!  For info on all things Gabriel, GoodCopBadCop & Scout One, contact me at planetjimbot@gmail.com

A nify interview where I wax lyrically with investcomics.com.  Do I succeed in making myself appear devilishly interesting and chique?  Only you  can decide...

http://investcomics.com/features/both-sides-of-the-story-with-good-cop-bad-cops-jim-alexander

Gabriel #3 by Jim Alexander, David Hill & Will Pickering is on sale now. The mystery that is Stewart Gabriel and his relationship on one side to the demon Bacillus and the Knights of St Tempar on the other reaches its penultimate stage. Also, the first part of Growing Pains. Every child has to grow up sometime.

If you'd like a copy for £3 (UK) or $6 (US) including postage/shipping, contact: jim@blackheartedpress.co.uk

Also on sale: Gabriel #1-2, GoodCopBadCop #1 & Scout One #1.

I have an IMdb page!

'Kings Crown' was originally published in Metal Hurlant. Ridley Scott's favourite comic. Written by me and drawn by the legendary Richard Corben, it's medieval grunge as our mc Guillame fights all-comers trying to win the king's crown. And trust me it builds up to one humdinger of a sting in the tale. The story is now heading for TV; adapted for the upcoming 'Metal Hurlant Chronicles'. Wowser! In fact when I first saw the trailer on LC's phone - having just got back from Hi-Ex in Inverness - when I got up the next morning I was sure I had dreamt it. (LC reassured me that I hadn't.) "Trailer," I hear you cry - yes trailer, and here's the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErrhNdIxQ_U

Cartoon Network Action Pack #67 is out now. It's the final issue from DC. There won't be another one. Taking the wild wacky world of comics as a whole, it's probably not particularly newsworthy, but indulge me a moment, it's the end of an era. My association with the title was in the main as writer of Samurai Jack - including Aku's Fairy Tales - and by gum there are some good 'uns in there. Latterly I scripted a couple of Ben 10s and for the final issue a Generator Rex tale called 'Wood for the Trees'. It's an enjoyable yarn; contains some good liners; wasn't originally scheduled for this issue but included as a last minute thing, but you know what, it's a pleasant and warm feeling to be in the very last one. Many thanks to all my co-conspirators (and over the years there's been a few of you). Cartoon Network Action Pack helped me become a better writer. As one door closes, lots more doors to open.

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJust to make it official GoodCopBadCop #1 is now available to buy.

You know what, having been so closely involved with all the stages of the comic, it still seems a little unreal being able to reach across and flick through the pages. GoodCopBadCop looks great, different, strange, challenging, rewarding. I just feel lost in it like a tiny bit of me occupies each and every frame. But don't take my word for it...

Cost is £3/$6 including shipping. If you're interested feel very free to contact me at: jim@blackheartedpress.co.uk

Ta very much.

GoodCopBadCop #1 debuts just in time for next weekend's Cardiff International Comic & Animation Expo (trying saying that with your teeth out).

'In a modern take on Jekyll and Hyde, the Good Cop and Bad Cop just happen to be the same person. 3 all-new stories written by Jim Alexander (Batman, Star Trek Manga, Metal Hurlant) and strikingly illustrated by Garry McLaughlin (Junkie Dad, Year of Fear, Taking Flight).' So it says on the back of the comic so it must be true!

I have a table over the weekend (Sat 25 & Sun 26 Feb) in the Caernfon Suite at the Mercure hotel, so come along and chat with me. Try and not poke at me and take pity on me and buy one or all of my comics. Ta in advance!

Gabriel #2 is now on sale. In addition to the second part of Gabriel where the mayhem and intrigue (if I do say so myself) continues; there are four bonus strips drawn by Declan Shalvey ('4 Days'), Chris McLoughlin ('In the Park') and Tom Nimmo ('Wall of Bread' & 'Pizza').

What can I say: buy, read, digest, eulogise.

Contact me @ jim@blackheartedpress.co.uk Cost is £3/$6 including shipping.

Also on sale Gabriel #1. Great review here: www.crikeyuk.co.uk/FeaGabriel.html
Also on sale Scout One #1. See my blog entry just under here.

Scout One - my Scottish super-hero story with Sha Nazir - is out now.

Here's the blurb: In a world overrun by terror, despair and monsters, three kids cling to the belief that there once existed a champion of good, a super-hero now gone and all but forgotten. Despite the dangers and sheer hopelessness of the situation, they decide to go in search of the super-hero known as Scout One.

It's difficult to do this little gem justice as we are trying to do something (just a little bit) different to a genre that, it would be fair to say, has been round the block one or two times. But I genuinely feel we have something for parents and kids; the ones who huddle round the tele on a Saturday night to watch 'Dr Who' and then half of them suddenly go missing once 'Strictly Comes Dancing' comes on (!) Published by Black Hearted Press, give it a read and tell me what you think.

Contact me @ jim@blackheartedpress.co.uk
and I'll invoice you £3.95 (including postage) per issue through Paypal. Cheers!

I'm now a member of Black Hearted Press who are probably best known for organising this years Glasgow Comics Con, but they produce comics now - top notch comics to a terrific standard. And they very kindly asked me to come on board. My first missive with them is 'Gabriel' #1, which consists of material I retain copyright on that I think definitely deserves another run out. Look people don't thank me all at once.

Okay the blurb: 'Gabriel' Part 1 by me and David Hill: A demon runs rampage through the city of Glasgow. It is a different Scotland with a non-secular police force; a society where god and the devil is reality. Events centre round Stewart Gabriel, who has personal demons of his own.

The back-up strip is 'Manchester' by me and Andy Dodd: It is the end of the world. For one man the last day on earth is quite possibly the happiest day of his life.

Comic is priced £3/$6 including shipping either side of the pond. A digital copy is available for £1/$1. Send your order to jim@blackheartedpress.co.uk. Ta very much!

Oh I meant to say I have the lead strip (Ben 10) in Cartoon Network Action Pack #64. I even manage to squeeze in a little homage to 'Father Ted'. Where FT had a plastic cow, my story has a teeny flying saucer. I sincerely hope you are all keeping up with me here.

Oh - on the subject of Ben 10, I met Duncan Rouleau (one quarter of 'Man of Action') at NYCC a few weeks ago - what a gent.

Cartoon Network Action Pack #62 is out now from DC and features my debut Ben 10 story. Ben 10 is something of a phenomenon with intelligent ongoing storylines and evolving well-loved characters. Just ask your 8-year old. Note to self: as templates go for successful, fresh (regularly reinventing itself) franchises it’s not a bad one to follow. For me personally it was good to sit down and read ‘Paper Scissors Stone’ in its fully published form - which comes across as (hopefully) a breezy, engaging and exciting read - and which belies the sheer amount of blood and sweat excreted bringing the story together. I know. I paint such a delicate picture. Hats off to everyone involved for making it happen, especially the wonderful Luciano Vecchio (no relation) on art.

Laptop Guy #1 is out now. Brainchild of Sha Nazir I've contributed a couple of stories - 'Notebook Kid' & 'Ctrl-Alt-Delete'. It's an incredibly enjoyable collection of gentle madcap stories that I guarantee will bring a smile to your face. Sha and myself are collaborating on a new project. Even for a worn out old hack like me that's pretty exciting. More to follow no doubt over the next few weeks and months.

As for the present, check out Laptop Guy on
http://www.blackheartedpress.co.uk/

Well the Glasgow Comics Con was a hoot. Terrific fun. Sha and John did a remarkable job putting it all together. That's me at the writers' panel sitting next to the Rory McIlroy of comics Mr Mark Millar. (Thanks to TeamGrrrl for the photo.) And thanks to everyone who attended my workshop. I hope y'all gleaned something from it. It's probably too late now to claim for a refund if you didn't :-) And congratulations to all the awards winners. Being there for Alan Grant's outstanding achievement award was something pretty special. You can read about the SIBCA winners elsewhere, but two guys Craig Collins for Roachwell - a terrific piece of work - and Jim Stewart for Ganjaman - mainstay of the Glasgow scene when at its most moribund - also deserve a shout. Wow what a great day.

Bristol comes but once a year. Well, at least in terms of the Bristol Expo it does. I like Bristol in May. I like the canal walk. I like the Old Fish Market. Dammit I’ve even been known to walk through the old cemetery on a sunny day in May and feel strangely but appropriately inspired. Last Expo was something of an eye opener. David Lloyd had a friendly go at me. He said I was a good writer, but needed to apply myself more. It wasn’t enough to do little bits of writing here and there, fitting it in when I had the time. I had to make time. And you know what, it was the kick up the backside I needed. I found the extra hours. I get up earlier in the morning and write later in the night. And while I went into last year’s Expo with a heavy heart and the knowledge that the Samurai Jack work was drying up, I go into this one with 6 Cartoon Network scripts under my belt (Ben 10 and Generator Rex, each one 8-10 pages long). I also have 'Savant' scheduled to appear in the upcoming Strip magazine published by Print Media Publications. More of these in future posts, but you know what, when things aren’t going for you, you just have to suck it up and, for fear of repeating myself and paraphrasing a certain Bruce Willis movie, try harder. I think I knew that, but still needed someone to remind me of the fact. So God bless David Lloyd. The sooner we give the man a knighthood the better. Join me at the Bristol Expo Sat 14th and Sun 15th May. Sir David Lloyd, the petition starts here.

Just putting the finishing touches to two strips for two very different target audiences. The first is a 'Laptop Lad' script for Sha Nazir. Sha's self-publishing this lovely little character whose head is shaped like a (you guessed it) laptop. I'd say it's 'PG' rated not by intention, but that's just the rating the character comfortably sits in. Although I've probably pushed that as far as it can go with a 'rabies/energetically brushing his teeth/causing lots of mouth foam' gag. Trust me it looks worse when you read it in isolation like that; works perfectly fine in the context of the story. Anyhoo the story is about a young overactive nephew running riot much to the amazement and despair in equal measure of his poor uncle. Good clean, hygienic even, family fun.


The other thing is a 'spec' script for 'Crossed' published by Avatar. 'Crossed' was devised and originally written by Garth Ennis; zombie-like infected taking over the world where the disease takes away all inhibitions. So a Crossed will make a gash in your body with a knife and then promptly - umm how can I put this delicately - make love to it! Impaling, Severed limbs, sodomy by blunt instrument - my spec script ticks all the boxes, but y'know I love zombie movies (the well-made ones anyway) and there's a thin line between the 'man's inhumanity to man' subtext and an excuse for good sick, filthy even, fun.


I'm reminded of Steven Spielberg who during the day filmed the holocaust horrors of 'Schindler's List' while at night edited the dinosaur romp 'Jurassic Park'. As a species we are fascinated by horror, but we only have the capacity to take so much of it. As Colonel Kurtz once so succinctly observed; where there is only horror in peoples' lives it consumes them body and soul. Maybe the world would be a better place if everyone stopped for a while, no matter what they were doing, and watched Gary Tank Commander.

Lovely innit? This is the first page of 'Savant' written by me and drawn by Spanish duo Ferrer and Vila (are they Real Madrid or Barcelona supporters? - I do not know). Full details can be found on: http://stripcomicmagazineuk.blogspot.com/2011/04/seek-out-savant.html

Bristol Comics Expo this weekend and I'll be there. Will be participating in the 'Writing for Dummies' talk at the Mercure Saturday 11am. I mean at that time in a Saturday morning is there anything else worth watching now that Jamie has left Toonattik? If you can't make it this is what I'll be saying in a nutshell: "writing is all very well, writing for comics more so, but in the meantime get a real job sukka!" It's my first Bristol show in 4 years. I'm a-looking forward to it!

The latest Aku's Fairy Tale tells of a thumb-sized Jack who has, you know, issues. No creator credits on this one, an oversight, but it rarely happens and to be honest I'm not too worried. In any case everyone knows it's written by me. I mean come on who else would come up with the line: "Alas, his father was so poor he did not have two peas to put in a pod." International bankers should hang their heads in shame. Anyhoo 'Thumbling Jack' appears in Cartoon Network Action Pack #47 published by DC. Occasionally one hears talk of a Samurai Jack movie. Now wouldn't that be a good thing indeed?

Watched the first episode of the new Doctor last night. The highlight was by way of introduction having him taste various foodstuffs ('you're Scottish fry me something' - classic) before settling on fish fingers and custard. I also liked 'the corner of your eye' idea, although they could have done more with this. Doctor's new assistant seems to be a younger version of Donna, although I'm not complaining that much ;-)

Unfortunately the plot seemed to be taken from other episodes - the jumps in time as the Doctor first meets a character as a girl then a woman (Girl in the Fireplace), alien hiding from a galactic police force in a hospital (Smith and Jones), the Doctor using a phone to hack into some world network or other (did it to the Cybermen in Age of Steel, did it to Master with the Archangel Network) and I know his speech at the end where he tells an alien race that the earth is protected is a direct reference to David Tennant warning off the Sycorax in The Xmas Invasion, but it just seemed to force us to compare the new Doctor with the old one (at the moment there isn't a comparison), which hardly seemed fair to the new boy.

Incredibly ironic that one of the most repeated shows on the BBC should recycle quite so many plot lines? Anyhoo my son David enjoyed it and now they've got that always tricky first episode out of the way it's upwards and onwards (hopefully).

The Jimbos

In advance of the big night on Sunday just a little bit of fun:

Best Picture-
'The Blind Side' hasn't been released yet. Strange one that. Perhaps they are waiting for Sandy Bullock's Oscar win to propel it along. Or maybe not. Have seen the trailer though, so it does feel like I've seen the film.

Onto the ones I have seen. Let me tell you it's not been a good year. 'Avatar' - immersive but not involving. 'District 9' - great concept but derivative. 'An Education' - didn't really go anywhere. 'Precious' - surprisingly funny in places but unremittingly bleak and not in a good way. 'Up' - I rather liked it but not great. 'A Serious Man' - quirky and bizarre but didn't go anywhere. It's getting a bit of a habit with the Coens I tells ye.
Special mention goes to 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'Up in the Air'. The former's first scene demonstrates what a terrific film maker Tarantino is, film does descend into a piss-take if a highly enjoyable one. The latter is well acted, goes off the rails a little but gets back in track - good ending.

The one standout is The Hurt Locker. Doesn't say anything new about the nature of war, but it's stylish, packs a punch and my interest never wavered.

Direction-
This reward seems so indistinguishable from Best Picture don't you think. Or it did when Mel Gibson won it for Braveheart. Special mention to Quentin for Inglourious, but the gong goes to Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker.

Actor in a Leading Role-
Acting was generally very good as it usually is. I haven't see Jeff Bridges who appears to be the shoo-in. Taking the remaining four Clooney, Firth, Freeman and Renner, I would look at the one character who undergoes the most change during the film and on that criterion I'm plumping for George Clooney in Up in the Air.

Actor in a Supporting Role-
Matt Damon deserves a mention for being completely convincing as the captain of the South African rugby team in 'Invictus'. The winner though lights up his movie every time he's on screen. That's Chistoph Waltz in no-friend-to-the-spellchecker Inglourious Basterds.

Actress in a Leading Role-
Showed enough subtlety to make the character's development believable. Step forward Gabourey Sidibe for Precious.

Actress in a Supporting Role-
This is a tough one. I can't really separate Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick (both Up in the Air) and Mo'Nique (Precious), but I'm going to plump for our Vera as she's part Ukranian.

Animated Feature -
'Up' will get it, but for me the award goes to 'Fantastic Mr Fox'.

Cinematography-The Hurt Locker

Writing - Original Screenplay- Inglourious Basterds

Writing - Adapted Screenplay- Up in the Air

Music (Original Song)- “Almost There” - The Princess and the Frog

Music (Original Score)- The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects- District 9

Art Direction- Avatar

I know we're in the technical categories but does Sound Mixing and Sound Editing merit separate categories? How can the second Transformers film be nominated for the former and not the later? Oh hell I'll give them both to Avatar. Also I thought the sound on Star Trek wasn't very good.

Makeup-

Star Trek. I thought Star Trek's green people were just as good as Avatar's blue people.

Film Editing-
I'm giving it to Precious because it relied on editing, in particular seamlessly incorporating the fantasy segments, more than any of the other categories. And for the most part it worked I think!

So tallying up we have The Hurt Locker 4, Up in the Air 3, Avatar 3, Inglourious Basterds 2, Precious 2, and with 1 each Fantastic Mr Fox, Frog and the Princess, District 9 and Star Trek.

The latest Aku's Fairy Tale 'Jack and his Shadow' appears in CNAP #46. This is an offshoot of the show where Aku narrates a tale with Jack as the bad guy. In this one drawn by Philip Moy the nefarious samurai is one of four princes. Two other princes have quite familiar names if you follow the fortunes of a certain Royal family. Striking a rather wretched figure Jack tells us early on, "No one likes me…life is so unfair…this morning an acorn fell on my head and it really hurt…" What's more it looks like Jack has no chance of winning the tournament to determine the next king; no chance that is until the intervention of his own shadow. As I describe this I can't get the image of Roger Moore out of my head. So there you have it another Aku's Fairy Tale. The best ones are where the bad guy (Jack) does a reverse-Scooby Doo and gets away with it despite those meddling kids. In this story Jack does have his comeuppance I am thoroughly ashamed to say. But there is a little twist and the story's good fun throughout and it's even got a bucking bronco! There are worse things out there - like Scotland throwing away a 10 point lead against Wales in the rugby…

Reasons to be Cheerful Part 1: the cold snap seems to have given way to the great thaw, well at least in the central belt of this place we call Scotchland. This means I only need wear three layers of clothing before contemplating visiting the local shops. Reasons to be Cheerful Part 2: 'Samurai Jack: Tower of Aku' written by me with art by 'man of 2009' Ethen Beavers out now in DC's Cartoon Network Action Pack #45. The story is inspired by the Bridge on the River Kwai. And it's got a bomb disguised as a birthday cake. Ethen has done a bang up job on this one. I have celebrated the fact by eating a fruit scone.

Happy New Year all! I know 2009 was tough for a lot of people. Let's hope things picks up in 2010. If they don't, I'm giving up this writing lark once and for all and take up being a chef.

This year from me should see more Samurai Jack and Aku Fairy Tales for DC, 'Cuckoo' to appear in Insomnia's 'Focal Point', and 'Food Chain' in four parts for Markosia. And who knows what other delights and challenges will fall my way all in the name of keeping me off the streets. It's called care in the community y'ken! Keep watching this space, well that is until the dots start to appear. Happy New Year all!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #1: 2012 Final Prayer:Manchester

Another year, another number one. 'Manchester' appears in the quite excellent Bob Heske anthology, which takes its inspiration from the Mayan prediction it'll be the end of the world as we know it (in a couple of years time). Think of the big budget movie 2012 and concept wise it's on similar lines - but please don't let this put you off the book! :-)

The remit for artist Andy Dodd and I was to create an 'end of days' riff, which we set in Manchester basing the main character a little on Morrissey. I'd just read 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson and I wanted to integrate into the story elements of the last man alive walking through the deserted streets. I wrote the script, but it's up and coming Andy Dodd's art and lettering that brings the strip alive. I still get one helluva kick out of the last page where we answer the question, "Will it be sudden? Will I die alone? And in Manchester?"

'Manchester' is available in e-preview form. The strip features alongside 'Harkington' by Duncan Eagleson and is well worth a gander. Click on the link below. Once there scroll down a little and click on the pale orange button that says 'launch this myebook now!' Then tell me what you think.

http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=17811

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #2: Samurai Jack:Like Father

I've said it before but the beauty of Samurai Jack is with one story it can be full-out action, another can be comedy, and 'Like Father' published in CN Action Pack #42. A tale from Jack's youth and his first unrequited love Anna. To impress Anna, Jack climbs the tree of wisdom and acrobatically plucks an apple from its branches. Before he can give Anna the apple, though, some older kids beat him up and take it from him. He then faces his father seemingly in disgrace.

"No...," his father says. "They took it from you, yes, but not without a struggle. I see before me not a twisted wrist but determination...I don't see a scrape to the forehead, only courage. Not a black eye, this says to me honor instead. Son, you make me proud. Never forget."

For me 'Like Father' represents what it's all about to write. To see it on the printed page makes all the sweat and tears worth it. Can't explain the sheer joy the comic page can have for one such as I, you either get it or you don't. I'm hoping it's the former! Not for the first time Ethen Beavers does a magnificent job on the art front. He is my man of the year!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #3: Calhab Justice: Hogmanay

These days a sighting of Calhab Justice is as rare as a new Hugh Grant motion picture. I mention it as much as I can get away with on this blog (initially I typed in 'blob' there, and was tempted to leave it in). It was with some surprise then when I received an e-mail from Jon Haward informing me that 'Hogmanay' was reprinted in January's Judge Dredd Xmas GN 'Season's Beatings'.

I mean wow. The story still reads well and John Ridgway's art is as superb and uncluttered and smart as ever.

One wag lamented that all 'Hogmanay' involves is some future Scottish judges in plainclothes first footing each other for New Year. Which is kind of the point really. "Japanese whisky, huh?"

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #4: Aku's Fairy Tales:Sandarella:A Shoe Story

Aku's Fairy Tales is still going strong I'm happy to say. The scenario has Aku telling a fairy tale to two children that puts Samurai Jack in a bad light. The children's names are David (named after my 8 year old son) and Mya (my 6 year old niece).

Sandarella is Cinderella with talking sandals (obviously) brought to life by the superlative Philip Moy. You can find it in CN Action Pack #41. Other Aku stories are based on the Boy who cried Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, and The Labours of Hercules. Text heavy, take an eternity to write, will probably drive me mad one day, but I just absolutely love doing 'em!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #5: Camp Lazlo:Food Fight Frenzy!

Another opening strip this time for CN Block Party #59, which was the last issue before cancellation. I was a regular contributor, my two main strips being Johnny Bravo and Camp Lazlo. Oh how I loved writing Johnny Bravo. Oh how I lived and breathed the dude. My favourite line: 'Man I'm so hungry I could eat a diplodocus!'

As for 'Food Fight Frenzy!', here's a wee bit of dialogue to give you a - ahem - flavour. "Hmm...is that the sizzle of ham I can smell? And the cooking of baked beans, and of stewed pudding...all rounded off the pungent odor of stale armpit sweat...? Oh the horror, the horror." Messily (but in a good way) drawn by Mike Kazaleh.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #6: Layer Zero:Beautiful People

'Beautiful People' is the opening story of Layer Zero: Choices, the annual anthology published by the good folks of Insomnia. Have another two scripts in the bag for Insomnia; 'Growing Pains' for next year's anthology and the 30-page 'Cuckoo' due to appear in 'Focal Point'. We're still looking for an artist on the latter if anyone is interested.

As for number 6 in the list, here's the official blurb: "This is a story of the ‘Beautiful People’, one actor, one actress, two fabulous film stars, who come together in a tidal wave of mutual attraction and self-preservation. It is the ‘Beautiful People’ who rule the world. Essentially a love story, but one in which we ask the questions what keeps them together and what drives them on? Sometimes it’s only an act of terrible violence and sickening cruelty that brings out the best in them. It is only then that we get to see what's inside." Art by Dean Stahl. Sorted!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #7: Spider-Man & Captain Britain:Blast to the Past

This little beauty has been reprinted several times both sides of the pond. You can catch it in this year's 'Marvel Europe TP'. Originally intended as a means of introducing Captain Britain to a new generation of British comic readers, the re-emergence of the good Captain at the time created quite a lot of hype on t'internet. Quite overwhelming it was. It didn't make myself or artist Jon Haward superstars, but hey it was good the 48 hours or so it lasted.

The story itself has Cap and Spidey up against nasty Nazi the Red Skull armed with the cosmic cube. I suppose the strength of the story lies in how effectively I weaved the origin of Captain Britain into the main plot. It probably irritates the hell out of those who already know it, but to be fair they were never intended to be the target audience. I wrote a follow-up for Panini/Marvel UK, again drawn by Jon, reuniting Cap and Spidey against the Fury this time. Far superior in every way, it was subsequently unheralded and consequently sank without a trace. Now there's a hidden gem worth digging for should you ever have the inclination.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #8: Heavy Metal Dredd:Kiss of Death

A strange year that saw two of my old Judge Dredd Megazine strips reprinted. One appears in 'Heavy Metal Dredd' a graphic novel published by Rebellion. Originally Heavy Metal was an uncensored take on Judge Dredd, but as time passed became a showcase for artists Simon Bisley and John Hicklenton. I worked on 'Kiss of Death' with the latter. I have a lot of time for John's work and his overlapping mosaic long-limbed style approach. Featuring rampaging psychotic mutant kissergrams, what we have is an elaborate excuse to build up to a killer last line. Which I won't give you here. Ask me next time you bump into me.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009 #9: Samurai Jack:No Refund

Appearing in DC's 'Cartoon Network Action Pack' #39, 'No Refund' pits Samurai Jack against a trader refusing to give dear old Jack a refund no matter how faulty the force field cloak/grappling gun/escape compass he sold him. Oh and there are robot pirates, which say things like 'Ye swarthy dog! I'll sort ye out with this mechanical axe!' What's not to like? Art by the supremely talented Ethen Beavers.

It's that time again. Time to prepare for the end of year festivities and mass Irn Bru and shortbread consumption. Time to look back at the year and revel in one's achievements and forgive one's odd indiscretion here or there. Oh and time for Jimbo's Top 9 of 2009. And I can exclusively reveal there's been enough material published (or re-published) in 2009 to justify another Top 9 featuring everyone's 25th favourite comics writer ranging from Spider-Man to Judge Dredd to Samurai Jack. Please note boy and girls with the exception of Nos. 1 & 6 (which are creator owned) each comic strip listed is copyright its respective publisher. So without further avail…

Nice. Innit?

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #1: The Ripper Legacy

Collecting the original mini-series originally published by Caliber with a major overhaul by artist Mark Bloodworth. I also took the opportunity to right some writing wrongs and there you have it an 80+ page tome. Repost if ever there was one to the dude who asks what I’ve done besides 6 page stories (not that anyone has asked me that kind of thing for a while). And it's good. I think it's really good. Oh and I got to pen the introduction.

Welcome to a journey not only into the heart of darkness, but one where you rip out the heart and put it on display also. Welcome to the pages of The Ripper Legacy, and please begin. Jim Alexander. March, 2008.

You can find out more at: http://www.transfuzion.biz/TITLES/ripperlegacy.htm

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #2: Samurai Mack

It has been my great privilege to work with many great artists - and oh man in my humble opinion come up with some pretty damn good work. Occasionally - only very occasionally - I read a strip that ends up as near perfect as I imagined in my head. It's one of those very rare things, where the artist takes my panel descriptions and produces an end product story and art (but especially story) with which I can find no fault. 'Samurai Mack', which appeared in Cartoon Network Action Pack 29, did just that. And that's why it's number 2 on this little list of mine. Winter woolly hat off to artist Mr Philip Moy. He's one to watch guys and gals.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #3: Lego Batman The Videogame

Batman Lego game on the X-Box? Free comic inside? Wondering why you recognise the name of the writer? That's because it is I! It's a neat little no-dialogue piece showing the same story from the very different perspectives of the Batman and the Joker.

It was a whirlwind commission and not without incident. Michael Wright at DC Licensing contacted me to ask if I was interested. I of course said yes and having pitched successfully was faced with the prospect of completing the script over a weekend. The days in question just happened to coincide with a stag weekend held in Madrid. Not only that but on the Saturday I turned on my ankle (non-alcohol related honest), which grew to the size of a large cabbage. And it had grown even larger by the time I returned to Glasgow on Sunday. I could hardly put any weight on the bugger and the next day needed my pal Drew to drive me to my son’s school in order to pick him up. But I still got my Batman Lego script done on time. Hey I know you're thinking it so I may as well say it - "what a guy!"

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #4: Aku's Fairy Tales

Aku's Fairy Tales is an occasional series appearing in Cartoon Network Action Pack where big bad Aku tells children (named after my son and niece) stories that cast Samurai Jack in a very bad light. I took the inspiration for the series from the Samurai Jack cartoon episode of the same name. I thought these pithy irreverent text heavy 4 page strips would break things up a little. The first as way of introducing the strip portrayed Aku as the good guy, but it was the evil dastardly Jack who took all the credit for Aku's heroics. The other two appearing this year riffed on Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk. And all drawn by the fair hand of Ethen Beavers. Oh and in case you're wondering they take me an eternity to write, but hey I'm not complaining (well not all of the time)!

Hell I even got a good review out of it. Comicbookbin writes, "Jim Alexander's Samurai Jack mini-story is a really novel comic fantasy that captures a sly, funny side of the menacing Aku." Couldn't have put it better myself.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #5: 4 Days

Appearing in Big Jim Stewart's underground magnum opus Ganjaman Presents #1, 4 Days is a one-pager by me and one-time winner and the other time nominated Eagle mainstay Declan Shalvey. There are words, but really Dec's pictures say it all. Ganjaman Presents is a wonderfully erratic, eclectic, gloriously disrespectful ensemble piece featuring luminaries such as Doug Moench, Gilbert Shelton, Bryan Talbot, and Alan Grant. And Big Jim published it all off his own back. I mean wow. Was delighted and honoured to contribute in my own small tiny way. Happy New Year to ye all!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #6: Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries: The Golden Carrot

I had two stabs at Granny, Sylvester and Tweety. The first one The Tweety Effect wasn't great. There was some good stuff in there, but I think I just tried too hard. The Golden Carrot, which appeared in Looney Tunes #166, was no less ambitious but I think a more satisfactory affair. It featured Marvin the Martian, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam. Not only that at the end Granny walks off the comic page in order to chastise and wave her umbrella in the direction of writer and artist (Chynna Clugston). Except that the writer doesn't bear my likeness, but was drawn in the guise of inker Mike DeCarlo, moustache and everything! I suppose that was rather naughty of Mike and his shady hirsute behaviour is even acknowledged by the editor in the final edit! I'm not even sure about the spelling of lapsang souchon either. Mad, I tell ye, mad!

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #7: Sideburns: Conjoined Sins

Appearing in Bullet Proof #2 a rather eclectic, bold new UK anthology edited by Matt Yeo. Or should I say reprinted but with a spanking new lettering makeover. Lets face it the number of lettering mistakes on its original publication in Negative Burn was nothing less than shocking. Superbly drawn by Jon Haward, this was the second outing of our dog-eared ham shackled private detective. And not particularly lovable either as in the end he condemns one of his friends to a brutal gang war execution. I can't quite remember what frame of mind I was in when I wrote this one, but I could probably make an educated guess :-)

The third Sideburns script is in the can and with the over busy Mr Haward. It doesn't have a happy ending either.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008 #8: Camp Lazlo: Vote Lazlo!

The cover story of Cartoon Network Block Party #51 (cover by Robert Pope and Mike Decarlo, interior art by Mike 'say it quickly' Kazaleh). The blurb says it best: Scoutmaster Lumpus is missing, and Lazlo and the other campers decide that one of their own must replace him! They do so by contesting an election. I wrote the script in the middle of a typically seemingly interminable US presidential race. Can you remember the time when people were discussing the result between Obama and McCain as too close to call? And then one Monday everyone realised the voting was due the next day and that history was finally going to be made. A month or so later this story came out and I was so grateful I hadn't put any topical references in there. Cute baby hamsters, maggots crawling into ears, mind-control rosettes, someone throwing a shoe at the departing Scoutmaster... No nothing topical in there at all.

Jimbo's Top 9 of 2008: #9 Samurai Jack: Waiting For the Cavalry


This is the first of three Samurai Jack entries that rank as my publishing highlights for 2008. This year I've scripted a lot of stories starring the tall chap and it does help that I'm such a fan of the character. The best thing about Jack is how I can tell a story from his and others' perspectives keeping it fresh and iconic. 'Waiting for the Cavalry' appeared in Cartoon Network Action Pack #31. A four-page story told from a boy's point of view describing Jack's timely arrival to save a town from a group of marauding wrecking machines. The townspeople prayed for the cavalry to arrive and Jack duly obliged. The artist is Philip Moy and this is one of his pencilled pages (which I unashamedly lifted from his blog). Note the top left panel where Jack is finally, fully, revealed at the start of the last page. Looking all iconic and cool. With that chain in his hand don't be surprised if he's not in fact queuing up for the new Guns n Roses CD. Man he's that type of guy.

Hey, hi kids. Just a quick note (and my first entry this year I'm aghast to type) to say I'll be attending the up and coming NYCC. Indeed my flight leaves Glasgow Int. at 9am the morrow. Things have been a little quiet I'm the first to admit. Alas The Last Posse has been shelved indefinitely. Since then I've handed in a bunch of Samurai Jack and other Cartoon Network strips to DC. And scheduled for June is the Ripper Legacy Graphic Novel written by me with Mark Bloodworth on art and published by Transfuzion. More on all of this later - honestly. I do miss this blog. I miss the therapy. Okey doke I need to dash and I'll see y'all over the weekend somewhere in Manhattan. Cheers, Jim.

And while I'm on it I'm waiting for Ewan McGregor to grow old enough to play Ed MacBrayne in the movie.

It’s strange. After Scotland’s injury time loss to Italy at the football some weeks ago, which means we won’t be going to next year’s European Championships in the land of cuckoo clocks and lederhosen, I found myself searching the web looking for comments on ‘Calhab Justice’. Calhab was a strip written by me featuring a future Scotland, which appeared in Judge Dredd Megazine, oh, about 15 years ago. It went on for a wee while with artists John Ridgway, Colin McNeil, Lol, and Kevin Cullen contributing their woolly socks off.

Future Scotland as in reflecting the Scottish political situation back when another term of Conservative government (yep, the Tories in power, told you it was science fiction) was at odds with Caledonian yearnings of self-government. You know in some ways it was pretty prescient if I say so myself. I type now in a land with a Scottish Parliament run by the Scottish Nationalists.

Needless to say the story evolved, and not to everyone’s taste. Hipsterdad sums it up on his blog in his occasional review of old Megazines: “The weak link is certainly Calhab Justice, which has devolved from a light-hearted story about frontier judges fighting addictions to radioactive whiskey into some mad thing about a psychic super-judge obsessed with having children and bringing about the next stage of evolution or something.”

As attempt of explanation I have admitted in the past to my head disappearing up my arse, but I’ll have to think up something different in the future. And it would appear that I’ll never be forgiven in some sectors for pitching the main Calhab Judge Ed MacBrayne as a cross between Judge Dredd and Billy Connolly. But one can only run naked through Sauchiehall Street so many times before coming to the decision that full recompense has been paid.

And y’know 15 or so years on it’s still good to see the strip garner so much comment. It hasn’t been forgotten unlike so many other fragments of pop fodder over the last one and a half decades. And hey some of you guys have even fessed up to liking it. And there are some comments out there that tickle me pink, like a blog entry from Alex F (no relation), which ties into the comic strip panel up above:

“And of course there's comedy. We don't see the main character's face in this one, but rather his hapless chief commissioner - an indication that the series is very likely to make a comeback. One which will involve more mismatched police shenanigans. It almost doesn't matter what the story is (Calhab Justice, by the way) - you just need a certain kind of protagonist and you could transpose this panel onto the end. Strangely, this doesn't bother me.”

Strangely it doesn’t bother me, either.

In the middle of scripts at the moment. Few weeks ago I was commissioned a nice bundle of six scripts for DC/Cartoon Network (4 Samurai Jack and 2 Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy). I've now finished and sent off all the Samurai Jack. Don't know if you've seen the cartoon, but I think it's great. Jack is a Conan/Ronin-like figure who battles a magical monstrous tyrant called Aku. Primarily action, but with time for reflection, and dare I say it even a little pathos. I like it a lot. All in all I've scripted eight stories now for Jack, three having been published so far (the latest called 'Checklist' is in Cartoon Action Pack #18) and y'know it took me those first three strips, maybe not to find my feet, but to do the character justice. And I think with these new ones, particularly 'Tunnel of Stone', I've done just that. There's a source of personal satisfaction to be found there that I can barely begin to explain.

Now I'm starting the Grim stories with gusto. There's a different kind of tempo with these characters, dare I describe it as madcap...? The opening line reads, 'This here represents my greatest achievement since I balanced a saucepan on my head a week last Tuesday!' Capmad maybe.