#theprguy

  So here we are at the half way point. Well that's when I started this freakin address, now we're in July... delay after delay, alas we are here.

It's been a busy few months. So much has happened since I outlined the plans for the year ahead - a lot of positive change that is going to keep the project moving forward at a steady rate. As I look over some of the goals we had at the beginning of the year, lots of them have changed. We are fortunate that we have no limitations in respect to the ability to continue to evolve our model to what best suits our needs. The journey of School of Bitches from the shadows and into the lime light was always going to be a precarious one, but its a journey that I was always destined to take... I just never thought I would walk with so many that, as my friend Ant puts it, "carry the faith." No longer reliant on validation from tired regressive formats, we are determined to carve out a new path, one that’s less travelled, and more celebrated. But before we get into that, first things first…

PROMOTIONAL IMAGE, VIRTUES CHRONICLES

Virtue’s Chronicles

Yes our first chapter (Virtues Chronicles) is finally coming to an end, and we have discussed many variations on release schedules here at HQ, over the past few months. Having toyed with the idea of releasing a bumper issue with the remainder of Virtues Chronicles in it, as well as looking at the original plan of individual issue release - which worked heavily around appearance at events that were cancelled throughout the year – we’ve made an executive decision. We’ve decided to release the forthcoming Issue 3 as originally projected including Part Three of Virtue’s Chronicles, but the fourth and final parts remaining will not be featured in the periodical going forward, (ie. Issue 4) - the rest of the story exclusive to the forthcoming standalone paperback.

The Issue format was always one that was subject to change and never intended to be a serialisation of the entire story of Genesis. That is what the books are for. Now that there are other Chapters being worked on we can expect the periodical to take on the more promotional role it was expected to originally have. This will keep the Issue’s current, as we move towards a time where books are launched independent of support through comic con appearances and the like.

Now although that means those exclusively following the comic will not find out how Virtue’s Chronicles ends, there can’t be many of those kind of die-hard fans that wouldn’t want the paperback anyway. So it’s an executive decision, and fuck it it’s done. It’s for the best.

...The paperback?

Although the exact details aren’t yet finalized, we expect to launch Virtue’s Chronicles as a standalone paperback at the True Believers Festival in February 2015. The book will contain various other artwork and content relating to the location and setting, as well as the entire Chapter with various desired revisions. (Special Edition if you will, but don't worry I'm not changing anyones lightsaber color, just a few minor niggles.)

We fully expect as suggested above, entire Chapters to transcend the periodical and we’ll keep on moving towards this. It’s a very complicated story and chopping it into smaller pieces isn’t going to help long term with continuity and so on.

The Kindle

We've finally taken our first steps into digital distribution, via the Amazon Kindle market. The elusive Issue 1 has sold out in physical form, and with the aforementioned launch of the full standalone papeback, we will not be reprinting any of the printed Issues past their initial runs. This keeps the periodical both relative to our journey and an extremely rare item as the years go on. It's also immensely practical, for business reasons obviously. The Kindle platform gives us the unique advantage of making the Issue's once again available, and to potentially reach a much larger audience, both locally and otherwise. Smartphones can run Kindle apps now so the appeal to this once device specific service has signficantly grown. With our limited ability to ship overseas in any substantial manner, it also helps us lay the foundation for a larger audience. The platform also allows us promotional distribution, i.e. giving it away for free to coincide with upcoming public appearances...in Cheltenham...hint hint. So #staytuned for more news on that. Issue 1 KIndle Link Issue 2 Kindle Link So... Issue 3?

With these new plans for the future of Virtue's Chronicles, we're pleased to announce that Issue 3, featuring the third part of James adventure will be launching at the end of the summer. (August) A definitive release date is impending, but the periodical itself is basically finished, we’re just fine-combing it.

PROMOTIONAL IMAGE, TONIGHT THE CITY SLEEPS...

Tonight The City Sleeps

So, the next chapter is coming along nicely with the script for the first part recently completed and finalized, thanks to help from series veteran and star of this chapter Anthony. Ant lent his pen/mind to help give his character that element of realism that I couldn't do alone, and has helped shape the script to the green light. Preliminary drawing has now started, and as mentioned in the past, the art style for this chapter adopts a completely different approach compared to Virtue's Chronicles. This decison has really allowed the story and tone dictate the visual appearance, and it’s shaping up to be one hell of a crash into the School Of Bitches universe. Fireworks will fly. Expect to see a ton of promotional work, (see above) in the next few months building up to its launch. The first part of Tonight The City Sleeps will be the primary feature of Issue 4, which will be released at this years Malta Comic Con - in November... and we've already got some interesting plans for our return. (see above again!) More news on this Chapter's progress will follow over the next few months.

Finally, for all things Tonight The City Sleep related we're changing the hashtag, to #ticktiktick, as I don't want to start trending with the next militant slaughter. Although our PR Guy would probably advise the other way on that?

Oh yeah... Where is your PR Guy? Well despite his best efforts, (see Issue 3 - well when it's out!) he is still 'part of the team' and still working with us on all things PR related. With our decision to have a quieter schedule for the first part of the year: - no releases, few public appearances - Lee's took a backseat, working largely behind the scenes on our behalf, and doing something he calls 'actual work'. Despite his cavalier attitude he is actually quite important, and has been tending to other responsibilities.

"Being in #PR is not just all press releases and reposting articles about #PR. You have to have nice shoes too. " - our PR Guy

Rest assured us he will be taking a more active role in the coming months. Well that's what the message said.

WORKING LOGO, FROM THE ASHES

...From The Ashes

The SOB universe was never intended to be explored by just the few that will write Genesis. The actual story arc of Genesis is entrusted to a close circle, but the 'universe', that is, the world in which the story of Genesis runs its course, is rife for exploration..

From The Ashes will be a series of books, that are each an anthology of stories from varying locations in the world of Genesis. Moving away from central characters and plotlines, in some cases visiting places where characters never even went. This allows freedom for contributors to explore the subject matter, whilst not detracting from the storytelling in the Genesis arc. Dhalia has taken Creative Lead and is set to reveal the project at the Malta Comic Con with Premonitions, a collaborative works set in the dystopian Malta we outlined last year. Dhalia’s working with a handful of Maltese based artists of various notoriety and hopes this to be the footnote to the first fully-fledged ‘From The Ashes’ book. In collaboration with Wicked Comics, we are delivering a presentation at the Comic Con to attract other potential artists, writers for contribution to the full book.

Premonitions?

Expected to be approximately 12 pages or so, the booklet will feature the work of Jasper Schellekens, Maria Isabella Grech, the ominous Shin Obi and of course Dhalia himself – and their respective interpretations of the subject matter. Building from the foundation made with the postcards we showcased last year, some of the stories/art will pay homage, whilst continuing to add to the universe. Deadlines are set for August on this one so we should have some pretty pictures to show you soon. I will keep you updated on this one.

So about those public appearances...

SCARDIFF - Sunday 19th October 2014 - CONFIRMED The horror expo is in our hometown so we couldn't not go really. Just a month prior to Malta, we'll be promoting Issue 3 as well as a series of exclusive postcards especially made for the event. These will depict Cardiff post-event, and introduce the audience to the city that will see many an epic battle before the story is over.

MALTA COMIC CON - Saturday November 29th / Sunday 30th 2014 - CONFIRMED GUESTS Unsurprisingly, what will be third visit to Malta will be accompanied by suitable fanfare. Described as fan favorites by the organizers Wicked Comics, our return this year to our spiritual home will be extended.This time our appearance at the Con will be preceeded by an exhibition, and as well as the aforementioned From The Ashes presentation, Premonitions and the release of Issue Four, this years Con is shaping up to be a landmark for School Of Bitches.

 ??? - TBA September 2014 - CONFIRMED Despite our attendance at Comic Con’s and the assortment of similarly themed events we are, as I started out saying - looking to carve a new path. The comic-con model can only take us so far, with the focus typically on the more traditional comic format, soon someones going to notice we're trying to dismantle everything they've built and they're going to get mad. So we're being pre-emptive.  Unhappy with the name Comic Con generally, we have been discussing the idea of a different kind of event/exhibition for some time... and... well, it looks like we may have an opportunity to see exactly what a ‘School of Bitches’ exhibition would entail. Further details on this mysterious event will follow shortly.

A few things I haven't mentioned...

The SOB logo - I did mention it in a previous post but just to reiterate. Everybody knows the name, its not changing. We could give a fuck. The 'favicon' logo is just fit for purpose.

Dropping the Chapter number - We decided to drop the Chapter numbers from the titles on press releases/ promotions. Again not representational of any massive shift, the numbers are essentially still there and will remain printed and included as they always were intended to across the works itself. Whilst work continues to move towards individual chapter release, the addition of the chronology only serves to confuse the reader, as of yet they have no point of reference.

Uh...like the whole Volume II thing? - Nothing has changed here, it's just been pushed back. Dhalia working on From The Ashes: Premonitions, myself on Virtue's Chronicles and Tonight The City Sleeps, it's been all hands on deck. By the early part of next year, my duties as resident artist will have reduced, as will have Dhalia's somewhat, so we will pick up where we left off with our plans for Volume II. Once Tonight The City Sleeps... is finished, there will be a substantial amount of time to work on this, as Myles is doing the artwork for One Love freeing me up to work on the future... expect more about this side of things in the next State Of The Union address next year.

Social Studies? - We are planning to add a section to the website, detailing, reviewing and reflecting upon various forms of post apocalyptic fiction. From TV shows to books, comics... the intent is to deliver the definitive commentary on everything post apocalyptic - a how to guide as it were. Don't get it twisted though, this is not going to be your typical Empire magazine reviews... more details on this very soon.

 State Of The Union format - next years address may not be a lengthy tumblr update... it may actually come in the form of a broadcast direct from School Of Bitches own HQ.... Sounds like a job for toddcollierfilm ! #staytuned

And those other things I did... Not wanting to be a politician about shit and forget everything else I mentioned at the beginning of the year, here’s a quick breakdown of the rest;

One Love – progress on this Chapter is going slow, but the script for what would be described as a 3 issue arc is complete, and progress has been made on the technical layout. We hope to have a further update in as many weeks. In the words of The Rock (circa 2012) Boots To Asses.

1995- Forever – no progress has been made on this since last updating, mainly due to Dhalia's focus on From The Ashes. The intention is to resume again beginning of the year.

Something In The Way: Dhalia is actually working on this Chapter, despite his involvement with From The Ashes. With much of the story written, he is currently still scripting with the intention to finish by the end of the year.

Things To Do In Gloucester When You’re Dead: work on this has been suspended as focuses shifted to other tasks. We expect to begin again early next year. This Chapter is the last of Volume II so the urgency is minimal at the moment.

Judas is near a finished script with Requiem For A Submarine, a Chapter that has finally found it’s legs in the School Of Bitches universe. I’m looking forward to getting teeth into this one, this completely fresh perspective in the universe is going to be the first steps for an audience into a much larger world. Involving no direct plot alignment with anything in the main arc, it’ll be interesting to see how this is received.

Attend 2D Festival Derry 2014  CANCELLED: Unfortunately Derry did not happen this year, which was a tragedy considering its success in attracting such wide variety of people. We supported a local comic shop (MAD about Music) on Comic Book Day, and continue good relations with our friends over at Uproar Comics, who are becoming behemoths in this game. Fingers crossed the event resumes next year.

Attend Lakes Comic Festival DECLINED: Declined invite to the prestigious A Club of British Comic Events, I guess our name doesn’t ring out quite loud enough yet, or at least into the right ears. Ah well. I’d hold my glass up... But I don’t drink.

And finally, just one more thing...

1 OF 5 SHORTLISTED FOR: Best British Black & White Comic,True Believers Awards, London Film & Con, Earl Court, July 12th 2014.

"Needless to say, I had the last laugh." - Alan Partridge

  So it’s been a while since I last updated... I've started almost every post in the last year with those opening lines, or it feels like it at least.

I often during a spare 5 minutes look back and see just how much I used to update this tumblr - almost twice a week at some point, with pictures and progress reports, lists of sh*t i still need to do.

It’s incredible how productive I seemed to be. Now months go by, with just a few pictures, and a few iritable words about this or that, so abstract due to the gaps in between, I’m surprised any of this makes sense - to anyone else at least.

The irony of course being, a lot more work these days is being completed. Procrastination for me is just working on another part of the project. Or sometimes I sleep. But it is good, I would like it no other way. I used to be so distracted by people and the mediocre. It used to matter to me.

Alas no more.

  We are approaching the middle of the year, so my next Tumblr update will likely be the bi-annual introspective review of progress thus far, the 2014 State Of The Union: Part Déux. This will outline the definitive plans for the remainder of the year... the first address at the beginning of the year, is full of hopes, dreams and promises, a declaration of intention, if you will; - whereas the second will be instantly more grounding, marking the half way point through the year, establishing the harsh realities and deadlines for the next six months.

Kind of like the difference between a political party campaign and a political party in office.... but without the second home allowance scandals.

  So, in the interests of not treading the same ground in the SotU I’ll keep this update brief.

I’ve essentially finished the drawing for Part Three of Virtue’s Chronicles, with a “beta build” kicking about School Of Bitches HQ at the moment. There are a couple of issues and adjustments that need to be made on a few pages, and as the script is not yet finalized it hasn’t been lettered either, but it’s a manageable workload. I can confidently say that Part Three is complete, with a few slight alterations and the lettering to do - Dhalia now has the most work to do on it, which is a nice change for sure. Stretching 32 pages long (with no adverts :p) Part Three was the biggest Part so far, and with everything that is left to play out in Virtue’s Chronicles, it definitely feels like we’re “over a hump.” That’s not to say that what is coming up isn’t going to be incredibly exciting to draw and read!!! I haven’t actually started on Part Four & Five, as we are temporarily suspending any further work, with production only as far as storyboards to continue for the time being. We are working hard on a very real “close” to the Virtue’s Chronicles chapter, but for the moment our plan requires us to stop working on it...

More details on exactly what this “plan” entails in the upcoming State of the Union.

  You may have noticed a new logo now appears at the top of your browser window, and has taken the place of the previous “avatar” across most School Of Bitches media. This does not represent any kind of significant change - it’s just a crisper, sharper more recognisable image at a glance. We still wave the School Of Bitches flag proudly.

  NEW “sob” LOGO, FINAL

  One Love’s progress continues, although suspiciously quiet… I’m hoping for a promotional image out of that camp shortly.

Dhalia is working on a bunch of different things and as mentioned in a previous post we hope to have something to show you from his own project set in the School Of Bitches universe, From The Ashes: Premonitions in the next couple of weeks. Finally, Tonight, The City Sleeps gets the green light; having received Anthony’s supporting script for Chapter XII earlier this week. With the aforementioned shift away from Virtue’s Chronicles temporarily it lends some time to start working up some imagery…really excited about now getting to start this Chapter.

Well that’s me done.

Exclusive image for all the Tumblr followers? OK.

  (DETAIL) PAGE 32, PART THREE, VIRTUE'S CHRONICLES

 There.