HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Admittedly, having New Year on a Monday night has killed the vibe a little. But I do hope you all have a good one.

A big thank you to anyone and everyone who has shown support for my artwork in 2018. From visitors to the Spring art show. Regular readers of Babayka-Lives. Or just those who enjoy my pin-ups. As an artists, it’s always good to know people are getting something out of your artwork.

I have many plans for 2019. I’m currently hard at work on my next SLASH-UPS pin-up. The theme of which, I hope to announce soon (although you can get a sneak WIP peek below). It’s something I’m very excited about, and have been enjoying working on over this Christmas holiday. Let’s just say I got to tick something off my artistic bucket list, drawing this current image.

I’m also working on new Babayka Land content as always (and hope everyone enjoyed the latest cliffhanger). As well as trying to move a couple of smaller side projects along.

Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas last week (if indeed you celebrate Christmas). And hope you all have a great 2019.

Step Into My Parlour.

I wish I could end the year by announcing what I’m working on next, but since I can’t, I can at least post a sneak peek of it to finish 2018 on.

I will be giving more details on this new piece of art in the coming weeks, but for now, this is all I can show… a spider readying his parlour.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2018.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas this morning.

I’m both a little behind on all things Christmas-y this year, and a little hung over, but I would quickly like to take this chance to send out some Christmas wishes (for those that survived the night, and weren’t taken by Krampus for their sins. God help us if he ever gets access to peoples’ internet search histories).

I have both boxsets of Game Of Thrones and American Horror Story to keep me going for the next few days this Xmas. As well as plenty of Vodka and Pringles and a loaf of Stollen (which I’ve really been getting into in recent Christmases, even though I hate fruit cake). As well as a couple of new graphic novels to read.

So those are my plan for getting through this Christmas. I hope people out there have their own. I know not everybody celebrates Xmas, and many can find it stressful, this time of year.

I will try and give an update on exciting stuff happening in 2019 soon, so stayed tuned.

Surviving The Purge.

As I put Babayka-Lives to rest again this weekend until it returns (hopefully) in 2019, it’s with a heavy heart I must make this next announcement.

While I have recently witness the carnage the forthcoming Tumblr anti-nudity purge has been having on professional photographers (who I very much consider artists), it wasn’t until I recently signed in and saw some of my own work had been “flagged” that I realizes I was also gonna have to take action and make some changes. I foolishly thought anything that clearly wasn’t photography or pornography wouldn’t be caught up in this nightmare… I was sadly wrong. So from now on, all nakedness will have to be censored on the webcomic until further notices.

While Babayka-Lives isn’t really known for its nudity, and in reality this will only effect a few pages, and therefore I hope to survive the purge this coming Monday. It’s still something that has been force upon me and my art, and not something I agree with or want to do.

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m very anti-censorship. Especially when it comes to nudity. Things like this come way too close to villainizing the human body, and feel like decisions made by people who are as far away from being artists as is humanly possible to be, while forcing very strong beliefs on artists and their art and output.

Who knows if Tumblr will still be around this time next year? As it’s clearly become a platform that is no longer a safe space to be creative or express yourself in for artistic types. I am nothing short of baffled at its recent business decisions.

I hope readers will understand. And this of course doesn’t effect Babayka-Lives in printed format. I’ve always secretly considered the books the best place to read this series anyway, and this just proves it. Digital is just way too easy to be tampered with. 

I feel very sorry for those that do express themselves more fully and include sexual themes in their work. You have my sympathies if you too have been caught up in this shitty purge. It honestly feels like a win for the bad guys and taking a step backwards, if I’m totally honest.

The Best Till Last.

As the year starts to come to an end, I still have a couple more treats up my sleeves for readers.

Firstly… it’s the last instalment of Babayka Land for 2018 over on Babayka-Lives this weekend. Tune in one last time this year to see what awaits the rattled solders hunting Babayka, as they come face-to-face with a big surprise.

And lastly, here is the final Rat victim of Vampire Cat (a character James Holcombe recently created for a quick art show). This last Rat is my personal favourite, as he looks a little like he died happy, laying on his back, with a slight smile. Maybe secretly, it’s how he wanted to go… sucked dry by a big kitty…

One thing I did like about 2018 was I finally got to do some Vampire artwork again this year. I do have a soft spot for drawing bloodsuckers.

Dead Rat Returns.

Hope readers enjoyed last weekend’s instalment of Babayka Land. Just a couple more days left until we return to Krayvengrad this Saturday, as the hunt is on for the mystery girl.

Until then, and to keep people going, here’s the finish version of Vampire Cat’s victim Rat from earlier in the month, who’s just been sucked dry by an evil vampiric feline. This little guy was hung on a gallery wall with other dead rodents.

It was fun to break out the makers again and do some sketching.

Back To Babayka Business.

While Halloween might be dead and buried, just waiting in its tomb until October next year so it can rise again, for those still looking for chills this Winter, head over to Babayka-Lives this weekend for new Babayka Land action.

Tensions build, as Baransky comes face-to-face with his underdressed attacker. But who should be more afraid of who?

Also keep those suggestions for horror subgenres you might wanna see tackled by SLASH-UPS in a future pin-up coming. And hope people enjoyed our Vampire pin-up output last month. We haven’t ruled out a return to the Vampire genre down the line, but for now we’re open to hearing what other people might like to see.

Can You Guess?

Tune in this week to find out who’s throwing rocks at Baransky (the answer may surprise you), as Babayka-Lives continues this weekend.

I won’t lie, this might also be the best instalment I’ve drawn so far, where you get your finest look at Baransky’s herpes lip.

Dead Rat.

Having just finishes reading the second book in the Rats trilogy recently and enjoying it greatly, I was please to get a chance today to actually get to draw some sinister rat action myself today. Although these were not giant killer rats, more rats that had fallen foul to a Vampire cat.

Here’s a sneak peek of one in the mapping out stage.

Small Consolation.

The only good thing about Halloween being over for another year, is the day after, you get to see photos of what everybody wore yesterday online.

I do love seeing what people wore for Halloween.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2018.

Wishing everyone a happy and spooky Halloween this year. Hope you’ve all been eating plenty of sweets and watching tons of horror movies this October.

As promises, to celebrate Halloween today, two new Vampire theme pin-ups have been done by myself and James (our first SLASH-UPS artwork since our Halloween 2017 art show) for horror fans to enjoy. You’ll be able to find James’s pin-up over on his Deviantart page in due course, as he shows what Vampires do with their fangs during the midnight hours (Hint: it‘s gross). And I do my first ‘Model and Monsters’ pin-up this year, as we find out what happens when Boo tries to party her way into Vampire society (Hint: she’s probably gonna feel very dehydrated by the time the sun comes up).

A little something for all Vampire Lovers out there, we hope. From mild bondages and what to do with a nocturnal party crasher, to the horrors of undead dental care and growing older. We hope you enjoy our Vampire Halloween offerings.

Please feel free to suggest any other horror sub-genres to us you might want to see tackled in a future SLASH-UPS challenge. We are very open to suggestions, and have briefly talked and about ones we’d like to do down the road.

And head over to my gallery section on Deviantart now to check out both black-and-white and coloured versions of my new pin-up, as crushed velvet takes on skin-tight PVC in Vampire Soiree. A party you’re all invited to, so wash those necks and sharpen those fangs.

And again, have an amazing Halloween, everyone, I’ll post a preview of both fang-tastic pin-ups together below. Enjoy:

Halloween Reading.

Since hopefully many of you will be making Babayka-Lives part of your spooky reading list this Halloween. I thought it might be fun if I posted what I’ll be reading this year too.

Also on a side note, it’s good to see a UK publisher putting out a horror anthology comic again.

Yana For Halloween.

Just a quick and final reminder that Babayka-Lives returns this coming Saturday just in time for Halloween.

Rejoin Yana, Elizabeth and Katchalov as they try and make their way out of Krayvengrad and back to safety. But are they alone out there in those dark woods?

Final Bite.

This will probably be my last update on all things SLASH-UPS: Vampire Halloween before the big day itself (unless you’re reading this on my blog, in which case there might be one or two more updates, but no promises).

Although it was great to do a full on art show last year in a spooky haunted crypt and everything (has it really been a year already?), I didn’t really get much time to enjoy Halloween last October, as I was working on the show with James full time. So while again I have been busy with horror stuff, I’ve been trying to enjoy it a little more this year.

Speaking of which… today I post my final Vampire promo pic. I had a lot of fun doing something different and making these recently. I’ve been dieing to get back into photography and horror effects for a while now. And although sadly I didn’t have much luck persuading other people to join in with these (my Vampire hypno skills must be waning this Halloween), I found making them a really fun little side project.

As you can see, this time I’ve gone from Vampire to Vampire Hunter in this final pic, as I channel my inner Peter Cushing. I always like seeing what people dress up as for Halloween, so consider this my effort for this year.

So tune in this coming Halloween to see the new SLASH-UPS Vampire theme covers by myself and James. I’m happy to say I’ve already seen James’s cover and it’s looking awesome. I’m both very nervous and very excited about posting my own Vampire cover.

Also, Babayka-Lives returns next weekend just in time for Halloween. I know my readership usually goes up a little during this spooky time of year, so feel free to give the series a 'catch up' read to get yourself in the right Halloween mood and remind yourself what has previously gone before.

Babayka Will Return.

I know in all the mad chaos of trying to get SLASH-UPS: Vampire Halloween ready to go, I maybe haven’t been giving as many Babayka-Lives updates as I should, but I can assure you Babayka Land will be also returning this Halloween, so for any readers worrying I’d forgot, have no fear. The next instalment goes up in just two short weeks on the 27th.

And just to make it official, I’ve also announce it on my webcomic.

I love Halloween… but jeez it's a busy time for me.

Bite-Size Update.

October is here, so I thought I’d give folks a quick update on SLASH-UPS Vampire Halloween happening at the end of this month.

It’s all a bit up-in-the-air right now as to what will be posted and where, but be assured we (myself and James) both will be doing a new Vampire theme pin-up for this forthcoming mini-event. We are currently both hard at work rustling up new fang-friendly content in honour of the big day.

But in the meantime and to get people in the mood…

Yes… lock up your wenches and pray you remembered to hang up that garlic, as after a couple of weeks off, the Vampire has returned to the village for another frenzied feeding on anyone unlucky enough to cross his\its paths, in the second Vampire promo pic. Creeping about in the shadows with a bloodlust that must be satisfied, no one is safe from his\its hungry fangs.

No pretty boy Vampires here who sparkle in the daylight. Just an undead ghoul who has your scent.

Who will survive this Vampire Halloween and who will end up getting sucked dry via their neck? Find out soon.

Bug Attack Season.

It’s that time of year again when insects start flooding into my room in droves. It’s just a constant fight of man vs. trillions of annoying little bugs of all shapes and colours and sizes just trying to force their way into my home. Every type of creepy-crawly is currently trying to move in for the winter or die trying.

And yet for some strange reason I refuse to kill the ladybirds… in a weird roundabout way is that sexist?

Savage World Horror.

Again… I don’t really collect modern toys as I don’t have the space or funds to, but seeing these Savage World horror figures, I wish I could. They look awesome.

They’re like 80’s slasher villains meet He-Man.

Why So Hannibal?

It might not be Halloween yet, or even October, but shops here in my hometown have slowly started to be invaded by Halloween stock. As a horror guy, I always enjoy this short time of year, even if it doesn’t last long.

So here’s a quick couple of photos of a couple of Halloween goodies I’ve bought recently while out-and-about.

A cheap but not too shabby Hannibal Lector mask. I’ve been after one for years, and was pleasantly surprise to find one recently for pretty cheap in a shop here. A plastic glow-in-the-dark slasher knife (although wouldn’t a knife that lights up in the dark be kind of counter-intuitive for a slasher killer?) And a rip-off unofficial Joker mask that came with a terrible Scream style hood (which I wish I had taken a picture of before taking it off), which, thanks to the teachings of youtube, I attach my own strap to.

Coming Soon… SLASH-UPS: Vampire Halloween.

To celebrate everyone’s favourite morbid holiday next month, myself and (hopefully) James will be doing a mini online SLASH-UPS event this coming Halloween to chill and entertain all horror fans out there.

Join us this Halloween, as myself and James (again… hopefully) will be doing a brand new cover pin-up each to be posted at the end of October, our first since the St Mary In The Castle Art Show last year.

I’m sure most of you have guess by now,  but we’re be ‘wetting our fangs’ in the throat of the Vampire horror genre this Hallows Eve (probably the only genre we didn’t tackle in Volume one). As we both do our take on those undead bloodsuckers. So polish those crucifixes, sharpen those stakes, and guard your necks, as two new SLASH-UPS Vampire covers will be tapping at your window in the midnight hour very soon.

We’re give more details on what to expect as we get closer to the big day itself (there’s even rumours I’ve done my first new model and monster pin-up in over a year just for this Halloween event). But until then and to kick things off, please enjoy this Vampire promo pic (freshly uploaded above), to get everybody in the mood. And keep an eye out for more Vampire pics coming your way over the next few weeks.

There’ll be terror… surprises… and the odd guest… so we hope you’ll be there, folks.

Also, I should say for anyone worrying, Babayka-Lives will also be returning this Halloween, have no fear. As the hunt for Babayka continues, what will happen now our team has been split into two? Find out soon.

Smoking Serrock.

I’m so freaking ready for Halloween right now, it hurts. It’s hard to be a horror lover when the sun’s out, and the days are long, bright and cheerful. I need some cooler nights and spooky goings on.

I’ve already been keeping an eye out for Halloween decorations and picked which creepy cocktail I’m gonna try making this year. I also think next weekend I’ll try and finally reveal what my plans are for next month’s best morbid holiday of the year (I’m sure most people have guess the theme from recent subtle hints). So tune in for that news in seven days.

But until then… keeping with my promise to show more artwork as it happens, here’s a (somewhat) freshly inked Serrock.

Rattus Rattus.

I’ve decided after reading James Herbert’s The Rats last year and actually enjoying it quite a lot, that I’m gonna try and do the whole trilogy, so this week I started reading the follow up (I can assure you the books actually called ‘Lair’ not ‘Air’, BTW, but my thumb covered up the ‘L’ in this photo).

The rat attack action moves from London to Epping Forest just outside of London in this sequel, as the Rats go from city to country. Although I’m very aware I’m 60-pages in, and still no one has been attacked by a rat yet, I am enjoying this sequel.

I’m determined to one day do a ‘Rats’ homage pin-up when I get the time.

Halloween Clue.

With it being the start of September at the weekend, I feel like it’s ok to start getting into Halloween mode now, as the nights start to draw in and the temperature starts to slowly drop.

So with that said, here’s something that came through my letterbox this morning, and another subtle (not so subtle) clue as to the theme of this years Halloween shenanigans. And no it’s not religious, it’s more for keeping these certain beasties away at night.

Bootleg Horror Figures.

I have neither the space or the money to start collecting bootleg horror figures, but I really wish I could. They look like such poisonous toxic fun.



I have this secret fantasy of making a really good BAD Babayka action figure one day.

There’s Wally.

I always use to think of myself as a one man ‘Where’s Wally’ finding machine. So it’s a little disappointing to know now there really is one.



I find the idea of face recognition technology really scary, and the fact that even Wally isn’t safe now kind of proves my point.

Any Gun Can Play.

Every once in a while, I’ll draw a panel that just feels pure western to me. This is my latest.

Believe it or not, there was a time growing up, when I love westerns just as much as horror movies. From classic American cowboy movies to spaghetti westerns, I use to watch so many as a kid.

My love for a good western isn’t gone, but sadly really good cowboy movies are few and far between these days. The last western I really enjoyed was Bone Tomahawk from 2015. Where as with horror, there always seem to be something interesting going on in the genre.

I think Brides Of Babayka is pure horror. While Babayka Land is horror with a little bit of western in there (even if it is set in Russia). Although I don’t think fancy gun-play fits into the Babayka universes or anything, and no one’s wearing a stetson (or any kind of hat).

Unloved Trashy Vampire Movies.

While I do love a classy Vampire movie like Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979), Martin (1977) or Byzantium (2013) (which was partly filmed in my home town), I have to say I also like the odd trashy Vampire movie. Maybe ones that don’t get nearly as much love from critics, and ain’t as polishes, but still deserve some love.

So here’s a quick and short list off the top of my head of  trashy Vampire films I secretly quite enjoy. A few dumb-fun Vampire movies I like:

Dario Argento’s Dracula (2012): I think one of the reasons I have a soft spot for this movie, is that people don’t usually make Dracula movies like this anymore. While this film maybe has its faults, I give it extra credit for going back to a meaner style Dracula. I don’t like my Dracula as “romantic” or “misunderstood”. Plus with its Asia Argento wash tub scene (every Vampire movie should have at least one wash tub scene… even if the film is set in the future or outer space), and what with the scene when Dracula turns into a giant CGI praying mantis, I do for the most part enjoy this film, I won’t lie.

The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires (1974): No Christopher Lee, sadly, but you do get Chinese Vampires and Kung Fu. This was made when Hammer was maybe starting to go out of fashion, but I like the more epic feel to this one. Plus Szu Shih is awesome in it.

Killer Barbys (1996): By far the trashes movie on the list. 90’s Spainish punk band vs. evil Vampire Countess (well… more her crazy henchmen, really). I watch this one again the other night. This might be the one hardest for some people to love, as it does get pretty ropey in parts, but I just have a soft spot for ‘Punks vs. Monsters’ movies. I’m also holding out hope to one day see the sequel, Killer Barbys vs. Dracula.

Razor Blade Smile (1998): Back when a Vampire dress all in skin tight PVC and carrying guns was kind of fresh and new (although personally I‘m not a big fan of Vampires with guns), before Hollywood and Video Games turned it into a cliché. It makes me sad Briton doesn’t make more trashy Vampire movies like this these days. I feel much like costume dramas, it’s one of the things we do best in England.

So that’s my list. But be warned if you choose to watch any of these above Vampire flicks. One man’s guilty pleasure movie is another man’s wasted film night. So tread carefully.

Halloween In July.

Being a horror comic book writer and artists, I tend to try and make a big deal out of Halloween. People just seem more open to all things horror in the colder months before the new year. Like a masked killer brandishing a kitchen knife… Halloween is a busy time for me and starts way earlier in the year.

I know it might not seem it, but I am busy getting certain things sorted during this unbelievably hot weather. One of those things is making sure I’ve got something special in the bag for Halloween later in the year. I usually set aside some of my summer down time to do this every year, but it always feels weird planning and working on stuff for Halloween in the blazing summer heat. 

I’m sure those of you with a keen eye have probably already pick up on the theme I’m going for this Halloween.

Fang Face.

I did spend sometime this week cleaning up an old Halloween Vampire mask of mine to use in a future project that’s coming up. And so decided to take a few pictures…

I have to confess, one of the things I wish I had got into when I was younger is mask making. Not that there was youtube tutorials or anything when I was a kid, and I never knew how or what they were made of. But making an awesome horror mask from scratch is on my bucket list… along with actually buying and owning a bucket.

Oddly Apt.

I don’t usually go in for MEME humour… but this one seems oddly apt to me.

I’m just gonna put this here to remind myself (and possible you, too) that society is a fickle and overly demanding mistress that can never really be pleased.

Copycat Thrillers.

I love the way old horror comics use to just rip each other off so much back in those days when it came to covers. 

And whatever happened to couples peril?

Walk On Water.

I know people usually come to this blog for more gruesome things (like sexy Vampires and Babayka action), but today, since I was out-and-about in the sun, here’s a nice pier photo.

More Sexy Bloodsuckers.

Following on from the weekend, here’s some more sexy bloodsuckers getting inked…

I tried hard with these Vampires to make each one feel a bit like his\her own character. I also wanted them to be a kind of blend of classic Vampires and new modern leather clad ones, too. Sexy, regal and fashionable. A mix of old and new.

The exact nature of this pin-up will have to remain a mystery for now, but let’s just say they’re having a party and not everyone at the party is a Vampire...

Oh how quickly guests become appetisers at a Vampire Soiree.

Sexy Bloodsuckers.

I don’t often flirt with the Vampire genre, as it is very much an overfish pond, but every once in a while I will do something fang related. 

Here’s a work-in-progress photo of my latest try.

I’d like to think I learn a little something from every pin-up I do. With this current one it’s that Vampires look good with sideburns.

That Time Of Year Again.

Cometh the Summer, cometh my annual shout-out request for feedback and fan-art.

What with the art show now over and Babayka-Lives hibernating (webcomics are strange creatures that seem to sleep during the hot weather and thrive during the cold), if you’ve ever harboured a secret desire to get involve and either leave feedback or do some Babayka-Lives related fan-art, now would be the perfect time, folks.

I’ve always like the idea of filling the Babayka shaped gap during these sunny months with reader’s fan-art. As an artist, it’s a huge buzz to see other people depict your characters and show them some love. Plus my Deviantart Babayka-Lives fan-art folder needs fattening up. I seem to be curse that nobody who does me a pin-up has an account.

I’m honestly open to any and all art. From computer renderings to paintings on cave walls, all is welcome, I love all art and enjoy seeing different takes. I also again plan to print some fan-art in the back of Babayka Land: Part Two, much as I did with Part One. So some people could very well see their artwork in print.

Also any thoughts and feedback on work from this past year are also very welcome, if folks have any?

Topics for feedback could include, but are in no way limited to:

* Did you enjoy SLASH-UPS and would you like to see a second edition?

* Horror themes you like to see tackled if there is a SLASH-UPS 2?

* Did you visit either the SLASH-UPS or Violent Femmes exhibitions, and if so, did you enjoy them?

* Points of view on events that have happened so far this year in Babayka-Lives?

* Favourite characters or moments from Babayka Land so far?

* I heard someone complaining at the show that they couldn’t read Babayka-Lives because it’s too scary. Has anyone else had to jump ship and stop reading Babayka-Lives because it got too bloodcurdling? And if so, what scene frightened you off?

As always, and even when it’s not Summer, you can submit feedback and fan-art to the usual address.

The End For Now.

This coming weekend really signals the end of all things Babayka related until the Autumn, folks.

Babayka-Lives starts its Summer break this weekend, as we leave Newton, Oleg and the soldiers on the deserted Anton family farm (although minor spoiler, we’ll soon find out they’re not alone). And leave Yana, Elizabeth and Katchalov out in those dark woods of Krayvengrad for now.

And this coming weekend is also your last chance to see my artwork as part of the current Violent Femmes: Dangerous female characters in comics show, still happening at the Crypt Gallery in St Mary In The Castle until the 10th.

While the webcomic will be down and the art show over, I will try and keep things interesting here on my blog over the coming months for those popping back for regular updates. Admittedly since last summer, I’ve had two books out, a reissue of a book, and two art shows, so I do wanna take things a bit easier and catch some sun this summer, but I assure people I will be about (just probably with sunburn).

Hang In There.

I can say nothing about this photo as it’s something secret I’m currently working on.

Kind of looks a bit like a new faux comic logo, though, no? What kind of comic would have a comic logo like this?

I find Bats strangely adorable in their own kind of way.

Femme Fun In The Sun.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening night party last Friday. It was a bitching turn out.

I’m actually thinking this will probably be my last art show for a little while now, so I can get back to concentrating on my sequential work with the odd pin-up on the side. I do like art shows, but I’m a publisher at heart, truth be told. Watching people sip booze and eye-up my hanging artwork makes me very nervous. Given the choice, I’d pick my art on the page over the gallery wall any day. But it is fun to have the odd show.

I would like to quickly clear up one question I’ve been asks a lot recently. Yes, all the artwork in the Violent Femmes exhibition is new. There’s nothing in there from last year’s Halloween SLASH-UPS show. It’s all new stuff. It’s more Brides heavy artwork this time around, with zero Babayka (to fit the femme fatale theme of the show), as well as a couple of fun side project pin-ups in the Mature corner. With Mercedes The Muse as Rose from Troma’s Rose And Viktor: No Mercy. And a sneak peek at a secret new pin-up I’m currently working on. I can assure everyone it is not the same show as last years.

Here’s a couple of photos of what people can expect for those brave enough to enter the crypt during the next couple of weeks (Fun Fact: Crypts are surprisingly cool during the hot weather, as I found out when I had to hang my art on a super hot sunny day recently.)

Also, I have tried to make sure there’s new Babayka-Lives action going on during the show‘s run, just before its summer break. So tune in this weekend, as the mercenaries complete the first part of their mission.

Back In The Crypt.

Like a ghoul, I have returned.

I wonder what kind of qualifications you need to be a Crypt Keeper? I bet I’d look great in a dusty habit.

Opening Night Party.

While the Violent Femmes art show does open next weekend, folks will be able to get an early peek at the show on the Friday night before, at the opening night party.

With bands, a bar, and the official opening of the Violent Femmes art show, it promises to be a fun packed night.

People will also be able to buy copies of Brides Of Babayka and Babayka Land: Part 1 from Hastings own comic peddlers Wow and Flutter, who will be at the event also. As well as other sequential delights, no doubt.

So if booze, comics, live music and an art show in a real life crypt are your kind of thing, please feel free to join us. All are invited.

Doors open at 7:30-PM this coming Friday the 18th.

Also just a reminder that Babayka-Lives has also returned, with a new update this very weekend.

The Fly Catcher.

I know it’s a weird thing to brag about… but I caught two flies in the same bug trapper yesterday. I know that might not seem like much to some, but if you saw how fast these two little bastards were buzzing around my room, and how small my bug catcher is, you’d give me a medal.

I never thought I was going to catch one, let alone two at the same time.

And yes… for those wondering, I did release them back outside alive and safe (hence why I use a bug-catcher and not a rolled up newspaper).

Babayka Land Continues.

Just a quick reminder that Babayka-Lives continues tomorrow, as we head to the Anton family farm.

The Finish Thing.

And just to bring things full circle… here’s the finest panel. After being cleaned up, scanned and cleaned up again in photoshop.

It’s only a screen grab, but hopefully people can still make him out in all his turtleneck and battle scar glory.

How did Katchalov get his battle scar? I’ll probably leave that one to fan fiction.

Returns Soon.

I’m also gonna post Babayka-Lives return date here as well, if only as a reminder to myself, as I keep forgetting the date I said it would return.

I get the feeling May is going to be a crazily busy month for me.

Weekend Reads.

I've finally defeated the beast that was my 1166-page copy of IT. At times the girth of that book felt like the real monster that needed slaying. I do feel a lot better for manning up and finally finishing it, though. It was a great read with a great monster.

I had a thought today that clowns are the new zombies. There's usually some craze going on in the horror genre and a monster or monsters people can't get enough of. For ages it was zombies, but slowly I think it's shifting more towards clowns. 

I'm moving onto comics and Werewolves now with volume one of Moonshine this weekend.

Violent Femmes Art Show.

These last couple of years have been crazily busy for me. I don’t know why, but stuff always seems to happen all at once in life. I’ve had three books come out pretty much back-to-back, a Halloween art show last year with illustrator James Holcombe, and now…

Yep, like some kind of ghoul, I’m heading back to the crypt (well… the crypt gallery in St Mary In The Castle in Hastings) for a new show.

Violent Femmes: An Art Show Of Dangerous Female Comic Book Characters. This art show will be aim more towards Femme Fatales and bad girls, but still with a pinch of horror.

The official show’s blurb reads:

“Violent Femmes is an art show celebrating all things Femme Fatale in comic books. We bring you a show featuring some of the meanest, sexiest, and most dangerous female comic book characters of the moment: There are wives with knives from Spanish comic book artist Maria Osuna Marcos' blood thirsty "Killer Housewives" series; there are the beautiful but sinister underwater Mermaids of Juliet Brando’s haunting "Land Creatures"; and the murderous misadventures of Yana and co, the deadly Russian Brides of Andrew Reed’s ongoing horror webcomic "Babayka-Lives". 

Join us if you dare, as hearts will be broken (as well as various other body parts), as we celebrate the deadlier of the sexes in this alluring new sequential art show, bringing together some of the most formidable female comic book villains from three very different modern creators.

This exhibition is dedicated to temptresses, villainesses and bad girls, with high heels and even higher body counts to their names. They are currently spreading terror in the world of comics and online, and this show will get your heart racing with both temptation and trepidation.

Violent Femmes: An art show of dangerous female comic book characters.

They’re not really bad… they’re just drawn that way.”

I think my love for all things ‘Femme Fatale’ is well documented, what with drawing a comic that’s full of them. This show will feature more Brides heavy related artwork this time around. I won’t be re-hanging any bits of work that were in the SLASH-UPS show last year, it’ll be all new stuff, that focuses more on Yana and the other Brides, rather than Babayka.

The show runs from the 19th of May, till the 10th of June, with an opening night party planned for the 18th of May (more details on that to come).

I hope to maybe see some of you there.

And speaking of ‘Yana and Co’… for those waiting to hear the return date of Babayka-Lives before it’s summer break this year, I’m happy to say it’s now up on the main site.

Happy Friday The 13th.

Much like Homer Simpson, I’ve “finally harnessed the awesome power of the hook”.

Yep, to celebrate this Friday The 13th, I’ve proudly hung up my two Hockey Masks today in celebration of this special day.

I’m now just trying to decide which Friday The 13th movie to watch tonight… Weirdly, I’m really starting to lean towards Part 5. I film I use to hate (because of the lack of Jason), but I’m starting to warm to more in recent years.

Freshly Inked.

I almost forgot… but I’m happy to say here is a photo of the panel from last month now freshly inked. I’ve been doing some serious inking over the last couple of days, and here are the results above. This photo is so new, I haven’t even had time to rub out the pencil marks yet.

I have to say, this is my favourite drawing of Katchalov I’ve ever done. He’s not a likeable character, but I enjoy drawing him.

Also in other news, for those waiting for an update on the return of Babayka-Lives… I would very strongly recommend tuning into the webcomic this weekend, where I will be posting the date of the comics return this Saturday.

A Sad Fact.

I’ve recently had to restock up on a few art supplies in the last couple of weeks, and realizes the depressing true fact that there is now no local art shops or stationery stores for me to get my much needed  materials from, and I’m now solely dependent on Amazon for all my art equipment needs.

I find this revelation incredibly sad. I don’t wanna go too much into my Rock-N-Roll lifestyle on here, but I use to really like a good potter around an art shop or stationary store.

It just feels wrong that I’m no longer in walking distance of art supplies.

Up Today.

Going up today just in time for Easter, and for those missing their regular Babayka-Lives action and in need of something to hold them over, I’ve just posted two pages of unlettered comic book pages over on my Deviantart page:

HERE.

And

HERE.

And a reminder I have a pretty hefty Babayka-Lives filled folder on my Deviantart page also that readers might enjoy keeping an eye on. It’s probably the best place online for Babayka related artwork.

Speaking of Babayka-Lives (as I have so much during this blog post), I will try and give people an update on its return date soon.

Hope everyone has a fun and happy Easter.

Pencil Art.

Truthfully… my new camera is not the best at doing close-up photos. I had to work really hard to pull off this shot so close. I also think my shadow gave this photo a weird sepia colouring tone for some reason.

However on the plus side, I think it’s good enough to actually pick up pencil artwork in detail, and therefore for once lets me show off my pencilling in a photo for this blog. So for those that may have wondered what my pencil art looks like before the inking? Here it is…

I will also try and remember to take a close-up photo of the same panel when it’s inked, but no promises, as I know I’ll probably forget.

Looking Ahead.

While I can’t really go into any great detail yet about what this is a title for, as it’s part of something secret happening soon, and hasn’t been announce yet, and therefore for now will have to remain a secret.

But I thought people might like to see the design and artwork that I did for the logo of this secret project recently.

I am differently getting more and more into doing type and font these days. I'm pretty pleases with how this one came out.

Diary Entry #919.

Day four and still snowed in… food is running low, and I’m pretty sure bloodthirsty Yetis brought over by the storm are circling the house. I’m sure they’re out there in the woods… watching…

My mood remains the same… bored and a little cranky.

Meanwhile On The Coast.

Took my new camera out for a walk today to give it a try out. I’m still trying to figure out the best settings, and with the frosty wind blowing hard today, my hands weren’t as steady as they could have been.

But still… here’s the notorious ‘Beast From The East’ snow storm coming in from across the channel, about to hit.

I just prey this ungodly forthcoming snow storm doesn’t also bring with it Yetis.

Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice...

True Fact: If you say Beetlejuice three times, but only whisper it, a much smaller Beetlejuice will appear. A fun size Beetlejuice, if you will.

I took this photo on my new camera. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot better than the camera on my phone.

This little Beetlejuice figure is something else horror related I got for my Birthday earlier in the month.

Babayka Land: Part 1 of 3.

For those that prefer their Babayka-Lives in hardcopy rather than online, I’m please to announce that you can now order the first part of Babayka Land from today HERE.

Please be aware this is not the whole of Babayka Land, as it’s part one of three, and contains the first 32-pages (I.E. all the sequential pages posted so far) of the book only. Roughly the first third of the story.

Follow Newton, Elizabeth and Oleg, as they enter Krayvengrad to research a book base on Oleg’s time there as a child before fleeing to escape an evil stranger that had set up home in the hills and was slowly picking off the population one-by-one. But it doesn’t take long before the threesome find the abandon village is still as dangerous as ever, and entering was a grave mistake.

This edition also contains bonus pin-ups (including two by Illustrator James Holcombe, and Spanish comic-book artist Maria Osuna Marcos), as well as photos of the recent Babayka-Lives exhibition from last Halloween at the crypt gallery in St Mary In The Castle in Hastings in the UK. As well as a gruesome, special found footage cover, created just for this edition.

Should you have any questions on this new release, please email them to the usual address HERE.

All sales do go towards making sure there is a part two and three, and really do help keep this series going. 

SLASH-UPS 3D Tour.

For those who didn’t make it to last Halloween’s SLASH-UPS Art Show held in the real life haunted Crypt Gallery of St Mary In The Castle, in Hastings in the South East of the UK… Please enjoy this short video I recently put together and posted on youtube.

I wasn’t sure if I was gonna share this vid, as I just shot it quickly for fun on my 3D camera on the spooky late night myself and James had to stay in there and put up our artwork. But I thought some people might get a kick out of seeing it.

It’s shoot in old school 3D, so you’ll need your Red\Cyan glasses for this trip.

I have to confess maybe secretly in my heart I was more just using shooting this video as an excuse to go on a 3D Ghost hunt, lol.

Not This Year.

I was lucky enough this year for my birthday to get a little head yesterday.

Well… I guess clearly this isn’t the year I outgrow my childish sense of humour.

My apologies for the bad sex pun, and give yourself a bonus point if you can guess which movie maniac this is.

Imperial Tart.

If you were to currently accuses me of smelling like a tart… you’d be kind of right.

I smell delicious right now.

Hit Pause.

Just a quick reminder that Babayka Land pauses for a short break starting this weekend.

But fear not, I have something very big and Babayka related coming reader’s way very shortly. Something I’ve been working on very hard lately, that hopefully folks will enjoy.

So watch this blog in the coming weeks for more details.

Surprise Guest.

Perhaps of all the riddles that the Guest-Book from last years SLASH-UPS Art Show threw up, I have to say the strangest is by far this one. Someone simply wrote “Such Fun” and then signed their name as what looks to be “Yana”. Complete with a little smiley face.

Therefore I have to assume one of three things happened…

(1) Innocently enough, a girl named “Yana” just came to our art show, and signed her name, not knowing that she shares her first name with a character of mine. Not that “Yana” is a very popular name here in the South East of England (I never met one), but I guess it could happen.

(2) A Babayka-Lives fan came to see the show, and decided as a kind of Easter Egg, to sign her\his name as Yana, maybe kindly letting me know a fan had visited.

(3) Much like in Stephen King’s The Dark Half… a fictional horror character has become physical and sentient and now stalks the real world, and we’re all in great danger of her wrath.

The sad thing is we may never know the truth. But I know which of the above three I think it is.

For all those Yana fans out there, be sure to tune into the last instalment of Babayka Land for a while this Saturday, before a brief hiatus, for your final taste of Yana for a little bit. Although I will have a big Babayka\Yana related bit of exciting news coming readers way very shortly. So have no fear.

This Weekend.

What better way to start the new year, then with the return of Yana?

But can Elizabeth and Katchalov work out how dangerous the third member of their new team is, before it’s too late? Can they make it out of Krayvengrad alive? Find out this weekend on Babayka-Lives.

Lego Jason.

Here’s maybe the oddest Christmas gift I got this year (or should that be last year now?). It’s a little Lego Jason Voorhees figure.

I don’t really know very much about Lego or own any other bits of it, but I’m assuming they don’t sell a little female camper figure he can chase around too, huh? A little ‘Final Girl’ or ‘Scream Queen’ type figure for him to be paired with?

I also don’t remember Jason ever wearing burgundy before? Lego Jason likes warmer colours.