Best of 2010

Hey, Happy New Year! Okay I know January is nearly two thirds they way through but a) I was busy and then b) I was on holiday and to finish us off c) I've been unwell. I had a fairly busy end to the last year and strolled straight into the Christmas holidays eagerly. 2011 started and quickly I've been hit by an eye infection that progressively got worse and spread to both eyes. So a little bit of forced downtime which, if the pills keep doing their job, will be finished soon and I'll be back on track.

In the meanwhile I'm going to re-post some Scotch Corner posts that haven't made their way to this blog yet and also to begin I'm going to put up the Forbidden Planet Blog 'Best of 2010' questions that I did back in December that for one reason or other didn't actually make it onto their blog, maybe my choices where too close or repetitive to others? Anyway, it would be easy with the passing of time to update or add to the list and selections that I made but I've left it alone, so here's my 'Best of 2010'.

FPI: Can you pick three comics/webcomics/graphic novels which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

The trouble with picking these after you've read some of the choices made by other people is that you either see something you instantly feel you agree with and had somehow forgotten or that you all pick the same titles as each other.

I'll start by picking a title a few others have, At The Mountains of Madness by Ian J Culbard (and not forgetting H.P. Lovecraft). Not only is this a quality looking title the flow and design of the pages works so well that it is a literal 'can't put downer'.

My second choice is the mainstay of British newsstands, 2000AD. Judge Dredd's problem with a certain mayor and the captivating Strontium Dog story with the unforgettable demise of Feral had me reading the comic in the queue to buy it. 2000AD seems to be running on high supply of thrill power this year and for those who stick with it through thick and thin this year has seen us well rewarded.

Speaking of being well rewarded, my last choice is the second volume of 'The Rainbow Orchid' by Garen Ewing. Apart from being overjoyed for Garen when he announced that Egmont where to publish The Rainbow Orchid I was also overjoyed at the prospect of getting to see more than the first book in print. Some fans have been waiting a long time for new RO (I know it was online but it's not the same) and Garen delivered with this second volume and excitedly the third book will be out next year!

FPI: Can you pick three books which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

As usual I'll have to put in a book that is more pictures than words and that's 'The Art of Hammer: Posters from the archives of Hammer Films' by Marcus Hearn. Who doesn't love painted film posters? Not all of the examples in this book are of illustrated posters but they sure are all pretty to look at, lovely design work, great and iconic films.

One of my favourite actors released a new autobiography so 'The Elephant to Hollywood' by Sir Michael Caine has been an amusing and insightful read. He writes in such a way that you actually read it in his voice (or an impersonation of his voice) as you go along.

BBC2 just had an hour long documentary about the subject of my last book hosted by the author, 'Operation Mincemeat' by Ben Macintyre. It's a good year when Ben Macintyre brings out a new book and when its one to do with the real secret plot to foil the Nazis it ticks all my boxes. Fascinating read. 

FPI: Can you pick three TV shows and/or movies which you especially enjoyed over the last twelve months and tell us why you singled them out?

I'll repeat one of picks from last year and start with Doctor Who. How good is the Eleventh Doctor! Loved the new series, Matt Smith catches the essence of all the past Doctors and adds his own personal touch, and you have a great married couple in Amy and Rory onboard as well. The series was great, my kids loved it and it made a great change not to have an emotional down hearted Doctor for a change, full on Geronimo!

Christopher Nolan's film Inception seemed to be a love it or hate it for many people but I'm strongly in the love it camp. A sci-fi film that looked beyond the MTV style Matrix formula for what the human mind can conceive. Plus Hans Zimmer's soundtrack became an instant favourite.

Let Me In directed by Matt Reeves saw the return of Hammer Films with the remake of a 2008 Swedish film. Originally I wanted to see this purely for it being a new Hammer Film but ended up really enjoying this horror film which struck quite a few chords for me. Plus Owen, the 12 year old boy who the film centres around had the most amazing moon surface wallpaper in his bedroom, I'd like that wallpaper for my bedroom (don't think the wife would though).

FPI: How did 2010 go for you as a creator? Are you happy with the way you got your work out this year?

I drew Judge Dredd for the Megazine and got into the pages of 2000AD with a Terror Tale, most other things have paled in significance :) What can I say I think I've had a fairly happy year artistically, lots of goods things seemed to happen this year and I've had a lot of support from friends and colleagues which has been great. 2010 seems to have ticked for me and I couldn't be happier about that.

FPI: What can we look forward to from you in 2011?

Again same answer as the year before. I have nothing confirmed as yet. I have about two or three personal projects that I hope move on a bit but in the meanwhile I'll continue to produce sketches and art and post over at my own blog (http://www.gnreid.blogspot.com) and at Scotch Corner (http://scotchcorner.blogspot.com). I hope I get to do some more comic work, and I would like to find my way back to the paint brush a few times too.

FPI: Anyone you think is a name we should be watching out for next year?

I'd like to cheat here and mention two people I think everyone should look out for. One is an old name who has been gracious enough to do a few guest posts over on Scotch Corner, Alex Ronald drew Dredd and various other strips a few moons back but left the comics industry for the sparkling lights of the film and gaming industries. He's been tempted back to comics by painting 'The Vampire Vixens of the Wehrmacht' which will debut in issue 7 of Wasted by Bad Press in February.  Here's his blog site: http://alexronald68.blogspot.com/

And the second is artist Matt Soffe, a regular contributor to a long list to UK small press comics and the ongoing webcomic Fractal Friction. Matt has developed so much in the last year that its been a genuine pleasure to keep checking out his blog site (http://mygrimmbrother.blogspot.com/) and see his work. There's something quite raw and instinctive about his work and he's also (like myself) happy to throw out some ink sketches to get his mojo going. I love seeing his work.

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