The year got started with a cartoon done for Pocket Thoughts Annual #5, edited by Ryan Ewing, called “Moral Panics”.
The first two That Comic Smell (Fernando Pons, Mike Sedakat, Tom Stewart, and myself) podcasts of 2023 were on “Intention Fails, Favourite Reads, Christmas Gift Show Off” and “Mike’s Longboxes of Goodies”.
I guested on Tony Esmond’s podcast Never Iron Anything, discussing Star Brand & the New Universe.
Brian Rudlof and Sam Stovold’s podcast Marvel Star Wars Explorers talking about the newspaper strip story, The Return of Ben Kenobi.
Alan Grant was the subject of the next TCS podcast, paying tribute to this talented writer and editor.
This was followed by us finally discussing Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, the mid 1980s crossover juggernaut.
I contributed a comic called Legacy to Trickfilm #3, edited by Charles Brubaker.
Tony Esmond of the Awesome Comics Podcast and Never Iron Anything podcast guested with TCS to discuss Mad comics.
I then returned the favour and chatted with Tony on Never Iron Anything about Power Pack by Louise Simonson and June Brigman.
The TCS ongoing reread of Justice League International by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis reached its sixth instalment.
Drawn Under the Influence reached its third issue. This time edited by Eamonn Clarke. I contributed a comic called Personal Message.
I released my latest comic book, Enough Nonsense. It was written by me, with art from myself and also Claire Brown, Peter Conrad, Clio D, Zu Dominiak, Joan Edam, Helena Edwardson, Andy Hanks, Donna Hart, Paddy Johnston, Marc KZ, Tim Kelly, Stuart McAdam, Francesca Mancuso, Norrie, Neil Paterson, Iestyn Pettigrew, Neil Scott, Mike Sedakat, Tom Stewart, Andrew Strachan, Vedabredda, and Cherish York.
I contributed a comic called A Discussion Regarding Equality to Pocket Thoughts Presents, edited by Ryan Ewing.
Comparing the first issue of series to the latest issue was the topic of the next TCS podcast. I chose Hulk #1 (1962) vs Hulk #3 (2023), and Star Wars #1 (1977) vs Star Wars #38 (2023). Not hard to predict which were my favourites!
The Marvel Star Wars Explorers have expanded their repertoire to other comics, now that they’ve covered every Marvel comic of the 1970s and 1980s. I joined them to discuss the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom adaptation by David Michelinie and Jackson Guice.
The final That Comic Smell was our Christmas get together, where we discussed our favourite comics of the year.
A nice foray outwith comics was a guest appearance on And Why Not? with Stuart Mulrain, discussing a favourite movie of mine, Moonstruck.'
As we move into 2024, certain comics related projects are already up and running for me. Much work has been done on the upcoming That Comic Smell Comic, and the podcast will be continuing. I’m also working on a longer form comic story.
Hope you all have a great 2024!
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