UPDATED: Dumbass comics - Neill Cameron

I'm always happy to feature Neill Cameron the blog (see all previous entries here) and I was intrigued to come across these early works of his recently. A three issue series 'Dumbass comics' came out around the turn of the millennium. There was also a collected edition 'Absolute Dumbass'. 

The comics have rusty staples and are "just" photocopied pages - great for a nostalgia rush!

These are no longer available on Neill's webshop so I'm just recording their existence for posterity.

Dumbass comic #1

image not to hand - can you help?

Dumbass comic #2, £1.25, 2000

28 pages

Dumbass comic #3, £1.25, 2002

32 pages

The lead story in both issues features "Cleansing services: Special Ops" and there's talk in the back of Dumbass #2 of a 2nd issue of their own standalone comic not going ahead - that presumably means there was a successful first issue. One to look out for. 

Neill's brother James also contributed to these.

If anyone has a copy of issue 1 of Dumbass comics...I'd be delighted to see it, cheers!

UPDATE: friend of the blog ColinYNWA (look for him on the 2000AD forums) was good enough to remind me of the existence of the short-lied 'Panel Beaters' section in the back of Comics International back in the day. This stand-alone Special Ops strip is from issue #163 (dated September 2003)...

UPDATE: friend of the bog James Cameron has supplied me with this image and message...I still can't find a copy of #1 [of Dumbass comics] but I did get Mum to scan the original. It's not perfect as she didn't want to take it out of the frame but it's something!

So here we go then, not the cover of issue #1 of Dumbass comics but instead the original art. I'll settle for that. Thanks to James's mum for her efforts. Plus James & Neill & Henry Flint, whose work adorns the cover.

UPDATE: Bulldog Empire - Neill Cameron & Jason Cobley

I've now added (at the bottom of this post) more details about where you can find reprints of this strip...

After nearly 2,000 posts its seems hard to believe that I could have someone making their first appearance on the blog but it happens. In fact today we have two people on their blog debut - artist Neil 'Mega Robo Brothers' Cameron and author Jason Cobley.

They owe their appearance today to my recent purchase of these two comics from the estate of the friend of the blog, the much missed Colin Noble.

First up is Bulldog Empire #1 - this was produced in 2005 (priced at £2.95) and was a limited run of 200 copies. This particular copy is numbered 73. Cover (and interior) art is by Neill Cameron. Classic US comic size, black & white interior art, 32 pages (including covers). 

You get 20 pages of Bulldog empire and then 6 pages of Brittany Bell and her brilliant Bimech (by Neill Cameron & Stu Perrins). 

...it's a wraparound cover & here's the back 

Here's issue 2 (front cover), this is from 2006 and was a limited print run of 150 copies (of which this is numbered 4). £3.95 for 44 pages of comics (black & white art by Neill Cameron throughout)

and the rear cover

The cover of issue 2 was re-used as the cover to 'The mammoth book of best new manga' in 2006. In fact that book reprinted all the Bulldog Empire material that had appeared in the standalone comics.

Barney also tells me that there were 8 pages of Bulldog empire in Judge Dredd megazine #253 (cover dated 9th January 2007)

I've also discovered that Paragon #35 (from Davey Candlish) also featured the first 7 page strip from Bulldog Empire #1

I've recently been alerted (thanks ColinYNWA on the 2000AD forum) to the short-lived small press section in the back of Comics International magazine back in the day. This is from issue #164 (October 2003) and is a stand-alone episode of Captain Bulldog. 

UPDATED: Redeye - Accent UK

To call Redeye a 'fanzine' might make you think of something a lot more amateur looking than it was. To call it a 'magazine' might make you think of glossy paper and full colour printing - and it didn't have that either. Instead, it sat someone in between those 2. A4 sized, colour covers, 60-100 pages long, absolutely jam-packed with news, reviews, interviews, retrospectives - with a real focus on British comics. Everything I could love in a magazine really. 

The fact that it was supposed to be quarterly but only came out about twice a year wasn't a problem because it was always full of stuff I wanted to read. It was printed with a really tiny font - thus meaning that it took even longer to get through your 60, 70, 80 pages of content.

All updates highlighted in red and c/o friend of the blog Jeremy Briggs.

Redeye, issue 1, November 2003, cover art by Martin Eden

Redeye, issue 2, May 2004, cover art by Neill Cameron, 68 pages

Key features...interviews with Jason Cobley, Frazer Irving. Also material on David Lloyd, Dan Dare and Dave Gibbons.

Redeye, issue 3, November 2004, cover art by Grant Springford, 64 pages

Key features...interviews with Alan Grant, Paul Cornell. Also material on Brian Bolland, Dan Dare and Bristol 2004 convention report. 

Redeye, issue 4, May 2005, cover art by David Hitchcock, 80 pages

Key features...interviews with Jock, David Hitchcock, Ian Edgington, D'Israeli, Leah Moore, John Reppion & Shane Oakley. Also material on Action and the 2000AD art of Carlos Ezquerra.

 

Redeye, issue 5, Jan 2006, cover art by David Bircham, 96 pages

Key features...interviews with Tharg, Ian Edgington and D'Israeli. Also material on Starlord, Alan Moore in 2000AD and convention reports.

Redeye, issue 6, January 2007, cover art by Tom Gauld, 98 pages

Key features...interviews with Tom Gauld, Steve Yeowell and Lee Kennedy. Also material on the 2000AD art of Mike McMahon, the story of V for Vendetta and the Judge Dredd story 'Origins'. 

Redeye, volume 2.1 [wraparound cover] - pdf copy only

Redeye, volume 2.2 - never published but this is what would have been in it (due September 2009)

UPDATE: Bulldog Empire - Neill Cameron & Jason Cobley

I've now added (at the bottom of this post) more details about where you can find reprints of this strip...

After nearly 2,000 posts its seems hard to believe that I could have someone making their first appearance on the blog but it happens. In fact today we have two people on their blog debut - artist Neil 'Mega Robo Brothers' Cameron and author Jason Cobley.

They owe their appearance today to my recent purchase of these two comics from the estate of the friend of the blog, the much missed Colin Noble.

First up is Bulldog Empire #1 - this was produced in 2005 (priced at £2.95) and was a limited run of 200 copies. This particular copy is numbered 73. Cover (and interior) art is by Neill Cameron. Classic US comic size, black & white interior art, 32 pages (including covers). 

You get 20 pages of Bulldog empire and then 6 pages of Brittany Bell and her brilliant Bimech (by Neill Cameron & Stu Perrins). 

...it's a wraparound cover & here's the back 

Here's issue 2 (front cover), this is from 2006 and was a limited print run of 150 copies (of which this is numbered 4). £3.95 for 44 pages of comics (black & white art by Neill Cameron throughout)

and the rear cover

The cover of issue 2 was re-used as the cover to 'The mammoth book of best new manga' in 2006. In fact that book reprinted all the Bulldog Empire material that had appeared in the standalone comics.

Barney also tells me that there were 8 pages of Bulldog empire in Judge Dredd megazine #253 (cover dated 9th January 2007)

I've also discovered that Paragon #35 (from Davey Candlish) also featured the first 7 page strip from Bulldog Empire #1

Neill Cameron - recent books to collect

One for all us Neill Cameron collectors out there, here's what you're looking for in his Mega Robo Bros series. Plus this'll help me keep track of which volumes I've acquired so far...

• Power Up
• Double Threat
• Robot Revenge
• Meltdown
• Next Level [got!]
• Carnival Crisis
• Nemesis
• Final Form [got!]

His wikipedia page (here) also helpfully points out that the first 4 volumes had been published in a different format before the (above) volumes came out...

• Power Up (Previously published as Mega Robo Bros (2016, David Fickling Books, ISBN 978-1-910200-83-4))
• Double Threat (Previously published as Mega Robo Rumble (2017, David Fickling Books, ISBN 978-1-910989-81-4))
• Robot Revenge (Previously published in Mega Robo Revenge (2019, David Fickling Books, ISBN 978-1-788450-90-4))
• Meltdown (Previously published in Mega Robo Revenge (2019, David Fickling Books, ISBN 978-1-788450-90-4))

You could also look out for these Waterstones exclusive version of his two latest books...

The exclusive edition has the following ISBN 9781788454087
what makes it exclusive is that it came free with bonus Donut Squad sticker sheet

The standard edition has the following ISBN 9781788453585

The exclusive edition has the following ISBN 9781788453752
what makes it exclusive is that it came free with bonus Donut Squad sticker sheet

The standard edition has the following ISBN 9781788453400

Donut Squad - Neill Cameron

Just leaving this image here for posterity. 

Original art by Neill Cameron that was up for sale in 2024.

UPDATED: Dumbass comics - Neill Cameron

I'm always happy to feature Neill Cameron the blog (see all previous entries here) and I was intrigued to come across these early works of his recently. A three issue series 'Dumbass comics' came out around the turn of the millennium. There was also a collected edition 'Absolute Dumbass'. 

The comics have rusty staples and are "just" photocopied pages - great for a nostalgia rush!

These are no longer available on Neill's webshop so I'm just recording their existence for posterity.

Dumbass comic #1

image not to hand - can you help?

Dumbass comic #2, £1.25, 2000

28 pages

Dumbass comic #3, £1.25, 2002

32 pages

The lead story in both issues features "Cleansing services: Special Ops" and there's talk in the back of Dumbass #2 of a 2nd issue of their own standalone comic not going ahead - that presumably means there was a successful first issue. One to look out for. 

Neill's brother James also contributed to these.

If anyone has a copy of issue 1 of Dumbass comics...I'd be delighted to see it, cheers!

UPDATE: friend of the bog James Cameron has supplied me with this image and message...I still can't find a copy of #1 [of Dumbass comics] but I did get Mum to scan the original. It's not perfect as she didn't want to take it out of the frame but it's something!

So here we go then, not the cover of issue #1 of Dumbass comics but instead the original art. I'll settle for that. Thanks to James's mum for her efforts. Plus James & Neill & Henry Flint, whose work adorns the cover.

Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics (part 8)

It's finished now but the Story Museum in Oxford recently had an exhibition (curated / created by Neill Cameron) entitled "Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics" - details here. 

There was plenty of original art featured in the exhibition....

I showed an initial selection of original art images here

A second selection XXXX

A third selection XXXX

A first set of images of the exhibition itself XXXX

A second set of images of the exhibition itself XXXX

A third set of images of the exhibition itself XXXX

A fourth set of images of the exhibition itself XXXX

and now a final set of images... 

It should be noted that these aren't actually in Ka-Boom - instead they're the artwork on the toidet doors (downstairs) - but they are by Ka-Boom organiser Neill Cameron.

Ultimate Comic Battle with Jamie Smart and Neill Cameron

There's a great opportunity to catch-up with comic creators Jamie Smart and Neill Cameron at this Waterstones organised event in London next month.

You can book tickets here

Let's see what Waterstones have to say about the event...

Comic superstars Jamie Smart (Bunny VS Monkey, Looshkin) and Neill Cameron (Mega Robo Bros) will show you how to create your own amazing characters…and then enter them into Jamie and Neill’s ULTIMATE COMICS BATTLE! Who will win? Who will survive? Who will end up enclosed in 2,000 tons of LEMON JELLY? There’s only one way to find out!

Suitable for ages 6+

As part of this event Jamie and Neill will invite children (and adults) to join in by creating their own characters so please do come with some paper, or a sketch book and pencils/pens.

Tickets
£12 general admission for 1 person (incl. booking fees)

£30 entry for 1 person and 1 copy of Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig (RRP £12.99)and 1 copy of Mega Robo Bros 6: Carnival Crisis (RRP £9.99), to be collected at the event.

£38 entry for 2 people and 1 copy of Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig (RRP £12.99)and 1 copy of Mega Robo Bros 6: Carnival Crisis (RRP £9.99), to be collected at the event.

Please especially note that ticket holders 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult (who must also purchase a ticket) in order to gain entry to the venue and to remain in the venue for the duration of the performance. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry to unaccompanied ticket holders who are 16 years of age and under.

Jamie and Neill will be signing copies of Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig and Mega Robo Bros 6: Carnival Crisis after the event, but due to time limitations within the venue we are having to limit the number of books being signed to one book by each author/illustrator, per child.

If you have further questions, please contact: events@waterstones.com

Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics (part 7)

It's finished now but the Story Museum in Oxford recently had an exhibition (curated / created by Neill Cameron) entitled "Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics" - details here. 

There was plenty of original art featured in the exhibition....

I showed an initial selection of original art images here
A second selection here
A third selection here

A first set of images of the exhibition itself here
A second set of images of the exhibition itself here

A third set of images of the exhibition itself here

and now a further set of images...

Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics (part 6)

It's finished now but the Story Museum in Oxford recently had an exhibition (curated / created by Neill Cameron) entitled "Ka-Boom - the art of creating comics" - details here. 

There was plenty of original art featured in the exhibition....

I showed an initial selection of original art images here

A second selection here

A third selection here

A first set of images of the exhibition itself here

A second set of images of the exhibition itself here

and now a further set of images...