WORK IN PROGRESS: ORANGES

I'm currently working on a strip called Oranges. Here are a few stages of the process.

Initial writing/layout:

Pencils:

Inks:

Next step is scanning and adding tones.

(The lettering is done, just redacted for this blog post).

FRED EGG COMICS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2023

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!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT 1979 / CHRISTMAS PRESENT 2023

THAT COMIC SMELL: Christmas 2023 Our Favourite Reads

The latest episode of the podcast is out now. Our annual Christmas get together, discussing our favourite comics of the year. Have a listen here.

My picks included:
The Register by Joan Edam
Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell by Eddie Campbell
Pricks by Fraser Geesin
Thunder Child by Matt Hardy, Rob Jones, Kevin Castaniero, Simon Gough, Fred McNamara
Vehi-Kill by Matt Hardy, Norrie
Timequake by Chris Lowder, Ian Kennedy, John Cooper, Alberto Salinas and Jesús Redondo
Starblazer by Grant Morrison, D Broadbent, Enrique Alcatena, Mick McMahon
Standing Outside the Station, Sweating by Alex Potts
Dwellings by Jay Stephens
Bogie Man by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Robin Smith

Have a Merry Christmas!

MARVEL STAR WARS EXPLORERS: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

I'm guesting on the latest episode of this fun podcast, with hosts Brian Rudloff and Sam Stovold.

Having discussed all the 70s and 80s Marvel Star Wars comics, they are now expanding the scope of their topics. 

This time it's the comics adaptation of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, by David Micheline and Jackson Guice.

Have a listen here.

THAT COMIC SMELL: From First to Latest

The latest episode is now online. This time we discuss some first issues and their latest installments.

I bet you can guess which ones we preferred!

Have a listen here.

ENOUGH NONSENSE at OPTICAL SLOTH

Kevin Bramer has reviewed Enough Nonsense over at Optical Sloth.

"This is another collection of short pieces by David and friends (nothing is longer than a couple of pages this time around), and it’s yet another solid pile of stories. If you’re thinking that “yet again” is a slam, no it is not. Somebody putting out quality work on a consistent basis should never be taken for granted."

Have a read of the whole review here.

ENOUGH NONSENSE at PROS AND CONS

Chris Piers of Comics Tropes has posted his latest Pros and Cons video: Opening Viewer Submitted Comics for November 2023

He has a look over Enough Nonsense around the 38 minute mark.

Have a watch here.

EQUALITY

Equality is out now from Pocket Thoughts, edited by Ryan Ewing.

It features work from Ryan, Rain Fenek Bloodworth, Drew Campbell, Gurn, Heather Knowles, and Cheyenne Zaremba.

I'm in there too, with a story called “A discussion Regarding Equality”.

Pick up a copy here.

ENOUGH NONSENSE Previews 5

Last round today of previews from my new comic Enough Nonsense.

Legacy. Story, art: DR.

Birdsong. Story: DR, art: Stuart McAdam.

Reviews. Story: DR, art: Tim Kelly.

Fluffy. Story: DR, art: Tom Stewart.

Real Numbers, Story: DR, art: Veddabredda.

Writer Complaint. Story: DR, art: Zu Dominiak.

Enough Nonsense is now available here.