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Nov. 2nd, 2009

07:34 am - Observer/Jonathan Cape Graphic Novel Competition

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The Observer newspaper has been running a graphic novel short story competition for the past three years, but this is the first time I've ever entered. The winner was announced on Friday and printed in Sunday's Observer: Viven McDermid's story Paint.

What I love about this competition is the way it really makes everyone work an extra bit harder on their comics and also how it throws up new artists and unconventional styles and stories. More often than not I've never even heard of the artists in the winning pool - the competition seems to draw creators from all kinds of artistic backgrounds. This is great, as part of the competition's remit is to discover new and emerging talent, as well as publicising the medium as a whole. People often seem to view it as a technical 'who's the best' kind of competition and I think that's a bit unfortunate. It's all about testing what can be done with the medium and stretching the boundaries a bit.

My entry, Blip, is below. I had huge fun doing it. Congratulations to Vivien and runner up Joff Winterhart and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's entries.

1.



2.

3.

4.


[The Forbidden Planet blog has more details on the winners.]

Originally published at Scribblehound.

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(33 comments | Leave a comment)

Comments:

[User Picture]
From:[info]mr_lambi
Date:November 2nd, 2009 07:39 am (UTC)
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What a great little story! I really enjoyed it.
Our creativety ahs doomed us...man, what a downer.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 08:09 am (UTC)
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The truth hurts... but thanks very much anyway!
[User Picture]
From:[info]wilburonline
Date:November 2nd, 2009 09:03 am (UTC)
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i particularly like the background art here.
good stuff, david!
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 09:14 am (UTC)
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Thanks! I used the competition as an excuse to try something different.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tanukitsune
Date:November 2nd, 2009 09:25 am (UTC)
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I love how each of the elements have a pet that's suited to their element, although Water is my favorite! <3

Lovely story! X3
[User Picture]
From:[info]stevegreen
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:06 pm (UTC)
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Air might have looked better with butterflies. I thought for a second her hygiene was being called into question.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:42 pm (UTC)
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Heh heh! They were going to be butterflies to begin with but I thought that was a bit too Barbie Princess.
[User Picture]
From:[info]stevegreen
Date:November 2nd, 2009 05:15 pm (UTC)
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I do hope Air doesn't suffer from wind.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 05:16 pm (UTC)
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Oof!
[User Picture]
From:[info]stevegreen
Date:November 2nd, 2009 05:22 pm (UTC)
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Hey, could be worse. Earth might have soiled himself.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 05:38 pm (UTC)
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That would be rock bottom.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:41 pm (UTC)
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Thank you! Originally the pets were going to have more dialogue but there wasn't room. Maybe that'll be another comic.
[User Picture]
From:[info]jabberworks
Date:November 2nd, 2009 10:27 am (UTC)
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Ooo, lovely!!! That water hair makes for such nice layouts. I'm so glad you made a comic for that, congratulations!!! Are they going to have an exhibition of the entries anywhere? They really should do.

Hey, want to come to the National Climate March with me on Sat, 5 Dec? I bet we could come up with some kick-ass signs! :-D

It starts at 10am at Lincoln Inn Fields, goes to Hyde Park to meet up with a larger rally called The Wave (we're all supposed to wear blue). Then The Wave starts from Grosvenor Square at noon and finishes on Parliament Square around 3. Gary just said he's up for it, want to come? Here are the links:

http://www.campaigncc.org/climatemarch2009
http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:45 pm (UTC)
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Thank you! I think someone's trying to put together an anthology of the entries - we'll see.

Wow - environmental cosplay! Ironically, we may be on a 'plane to Amsterdam that weekend (smack wrists). I shall consult my social secretary.
[User Picture]
From:[info]wjc0
Date:November 2nd, 2009 10:51 am (UTC)
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Great story David. And it looks great!
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:48 pm (UTC)
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Thanks WJC! Btw, can't believe it's a year since your cauldron story - that witch still gives me the creeps.
[User Picture]
From:[info]cleanskies
Date:November 2nd, 2009 11:14 am (UTC)

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Words cannot convey how much I love this comic of yours! Beautiful!
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:49 pm (UTC)

Re: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Wow - thanks very much! May be I should do a little printed version.

Edited at 2009-11-02 16:51 (UTC)
[User Picture]
From:[info]kapdwa
Date:November 2nd, 2009 11:18 am (UTC)
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Very good!
I like the aviatrix design for Air.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:49 pm (UTC)
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Thanks - she was almost an 60s-style air hostess but it looked a little too camp.
[User Picture]
From:[info]daleof
Date:November 2nd, 2009 12:08 pm (UTC)
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That was awesome!
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:49 pm (UTC)
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Thanks Dale!
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From:[info]catboots
Date:November 2nd, 2009 12:11 pm (UTC)
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Amazing :D
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:50 pm (UTC)
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Thank you!
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From:[info]mangazebra
Date:November 2nd, 2009 02:52 pm (UTC)
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this is awesome! I love the characters and the colouring is lovely. :) must make situations really awkward with that goldfish saying rude things all the time XD
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:50 pm (UTC)
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Thanks! He's a nice little character - there's more mileage to be had from him, I think.
[User Picture]
From:[info]cdave
Date:November 2nd, 2009 03:01 pm (UTC)
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Pesky zoomorphic states.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:51 pm (UTC)
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Such a drag being an elemental!
[User Picture]
From:[info]stevegreen
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:06 pm (UTC)
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Very sweet.
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 04:51 pm (UTC)
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Thank you, Steve.
[User Picture]
From:[info]stevegreen
Date:November 2nd, 2009 05:46 pm (UTC)
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It actually reminds me of one of the finalists for this year's Delta Film Award, an animation put together by schoolchildren (under supervision by two film-makers) and featuring anthropomorphized planets as a kind of solar family, saving the Sun from evil robots.
[User Picture]
From:[info]captainseby
Date:November 2nd, 2009 06:14 pm (UTC)
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AUUGHHH SOO GORGEOUSSSS
[User Picture]
From:[info]tozocomic
Date:November 2nd, 2009 08:40 pm (UTC)
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Ha ha! Thank you!