In the world of Malcolm Magic, no-one throws a party like those Pinchers, and I gotta say, they've pulled out all the stops again! What are they celebrating? Well, you'll just have to wait until you read the com, peeps! In the meantime, enjoy the pencils, and don't worry about that in the middle, he ALWAYS works with a safety net*.

Lorenzo!!


*If you count a safety next as three hundred drunk pinchers and a brass band. Ooooch!

So, the final issue of Malcolm takes the gang back through some previously-visited locations from the course of their adventure. This little page-starting panel shows them strolling back towards the familiar sight of the giant gates of Triffic City.
Say it with me: "Open up, Bozos!"

Lorenzo!

So, I'm a bit late on the uptake with this one, but it's that time of year again when Bobber and Mimi skoodle of to spend five months in the snowboarding resort of Morzine, doing whatever it is snowboarders do out there! Just a little note to say we miss you guys, and can't wait to see youse in the new year, now get in here and blog some pics!

Here's a shot of Bobber in his new "Office" in their appartment on the slopes! Happy writing, broski!

Lorenzo!

Okay, so technically this is "Top secret MOON! project concepts! (part THREE)", as the cover to the 6th MOON! SB features art from this project too, but let's not get into that. I'm prodducing a lot of environmental designs for various parts of this here secret thing, and here's a little one of 'em...

As Bobber's script says, "Apocoplypto: A nice little City"...

Lorenzo!

Those of you who already have your hands on a copy of Issue 11 of Malcolm Magic will know it's something of an action extravaganza! In contrast, the final chapter, issue 12, is a more laid back affair, giving me the chance to do a few final flourishes with environmental designs and suchlike before I wave goodbye to the worlds of Fuzzton, Happy Hippy Dale and Nodsuf for good. In light of this, I'm having a lot of fun with all the pull-back shots and reveals the script dictates, and I thought you guys might like to see another. Here then, is the Painted Hall (unpainted)...!


Lorenzo!

Ah! I see Marky's stepped up to the ole' Blog plate to bat a couple of innings! Awesome! This is officially now the TEAM Blink Blog, and that means we'll have Blinkety-thinkings coming at you from three angles; London, Bristol, and France! Yeah! Seriously, do check out that video Marky posted a link to, it's awesome, and have a look around DRAWN!, the site it's hosted on, as it's a fantastic resource of artistic inspiration. In fact, you'll find me in there most days updating my thread in the comics category of the DRAWN! forums. Enjoy, and welcome to the Blog, Marky!

So, everyone here in the UK comic scene is talking, and their talk says "BIRMINGHAM"...

That's right, folks, it's time for another con, and this one's gonna be a doozie. Sounds to me like all the usual UK kids are gonna be there, and you just know that means the Blink as well! Malcolm Magic issue 12 will be launched at the show, along with the new MOON! Sketch Book, a copy of which will be free, as usual, with every £10 spent at the Blink stall! Yeah!

Here's the cover for your perusal, and we'll see you there on the 9th/10th December!

Lorenzo!

...and I just read Lorenzo's last posting...

Get a room guys!

:)

Seriously, happy birthday Esty. Here's something I drew for you.

Mxx

(I think mine is better...)

Woozers - this blog's been up for ages now, and I can't believe this is my first post!

Nothing Blink-related though, just a link to a cool video I found. It's a music video created on a whiteboard! Yup - whiteboard animation - it's the way forward...

Check it out!

Also, check out this site for a 'doodle association' game that will help you waste literally HOURS of your time...!

- Mark

Okay, so today is the birthday of my wonderful girlfriend, and I wanted to come in here and get all emotional, so turn away those of you with weak shmultz tolenances...

Esty is the most beautiful and downright inspirational person I have ever met, and if I wasn't lucky enough to be her guy, I would be proud just to count her as the greatest friend of my life. She makes me laugh every moment we're together, and is constantly amazing me with her abilities as a fantastic fashion illustrator, art editor, and genuinely wonderful person. I could have spent half the year working on a birthday card for you baby, and it still wouldn't have shown anywhere near how dedicated and in love with you I am. Unfortunately, that ole' Malcolm got in the way (as usual), and so all I can offer is this humble sketch, but know that it's filled with all the love I have, and that you to me are perfection. Every day I wake up with you, I fall in love with you all over again.

Kisses, baby, and I'll see you tonight,

Lorenzo!

Well, it was with a heavy heart that I embarked on the pages for the last ever issue of Malcolm Magic!! Sob!(Keep it together, man, keep it together! you need to be strong for the Blinkers!)

Ahem.

Okay, so while I mop up the tears, here's a couple of pencilled panels from the final issue, shown here in the Blink Blog ahead of the forums! Lucky you!

Hope you likey, peeps!

Lorenzo!

Ooh! What's this!! Marvellous Mister WHO?!!! How very, very intriguing!!

More soon, peeps!

Lorenzo!

Well, now that Bobber's "comfortably settled" (read up from the last three posts, folks!) I can get down to the REAL business of celebration! The reason Bobber and Marky are slumped in a drunken heap in the corner of the room is indeed an exciting one.

An exceptionally cool book on the history of our favourite artform has just come out called Great British Comics by the great Paul Gravett.

Frankly, this book is amazing, and is a must for anyone who has a passion for sequential art of any kind, or who just wants to see more of this county's rich comics history. Most excitingly for us though, is that on page 79 you'll find dear old Malcolm Magic!! Wowza!! Opened a few bottles of "Monsieur LaPunch's Celebratory Ale" down in the Blink Lounge Bar about that one, I can tell you!!

(from the back of the room:) "Cheers! Hic!"

Shush Robin. Anyways, the comic has it's own site HERE, so go check it out!

In the same book as Frank Hampson and Roy Wilson - melts into a puddle of "joy".

Lorenzo!

Oh, hello Lorensho! I wash jusht telling the folksh about our exsh...exshi...about our good newsh...


Erm...why are you looking at me with thoshe eyesh...?


...should I go an' have a liddle lie down?

Okay.

Cheersh! Hic!

(sound of tottering, followed by a fall, followed by frantic giggles)

Ahem.

*clink*

"Cheers! Hic!"

(sounds of a fairly messy party coming from the west wing of Blink Towers)

...eh?! Oh! Hic! Shorry fellow Blinkersh! Bin' doin' a bit o' shelebratin' on account of shome rather shpiffing newsh we jusht got in by telegram here at the great Blinky Towersh...

So, here at Blink Towers we have more than enough to keep us all busy, what with Malcolm ending, the new series of MOON! on it's way, ONITC (okay, okay!), and yet there's always room for more, it seems!

I can't tell you too much, but I can tell you that there's a Top-Secret MOON! project in development alongside the series which we're very excited about. Can't say much more for now, but mark March '07 in your diaries and be sure to check back in here for future updates/teasers. First up, here's a couple of slices of concept work we've been coming up with exclusively for this project...

More soon, kids!

Lorenzo!

Hello, chums!

So, the second ever annual Blink Twice Art Auction is now well underway, with about four days to go as I post this lil' ole' Blog. Full details can be read on the Ebay auction page, and also in the announcements section of www.studioblinktwice.com but here's what it's all about:

We sell just one piece of original art from the Blink underground vaults a year, and for 2006 it's the cover of Malcolm Magic issue 11!! The Board, framed, will be sent out to the lucky winner along with a COMPLETE SET of Malcolm Magic UK-Only single issues - soon to be discontinued. If you live outside the UK, this is probably your only chance to get your hands on a set of these rare beauties, so we're gonna send the swag POST FREE to ANYWHERE in the world!! Aren't we good to you?! So, what are you waiting for, fellow Blinkers, get bidding, and may the best FAN win!

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUCTION!

Lorenzo!

The dust has finally settled and the Excel centre sits empty but for a few distraught fans that were distracted by their recent purchases and forgot to leave before the heavy doors bolted shut. Sorry guys. Someone will let you out soon. I'm sure. maybe.

Anyway, it was a simply fantastic convention from start to finish. For those of you unaware of the London MCM Expo, it's one of the largest Animé and Gaming shows in the UK, and this year featured an expanded Comic Village with great UK creative studios (Ablaze Media, Markosia and Modern Monstrosity) getting a chance to meet 1000's of new fans.

In fact the attendance this year was mind-blowing. Some 25-30,000 fans turned up over the weekend to get their paws on the latest goodies from Japan, American and good old Blighty. The venue paid tribute to the biggest names in the entertainment industry with Manga, Atari, Sony, Microsoft, Universal Pictures, and of course BLINK TWICE!!!

Yes indeed, we were there with bells on! After spending a busy Friday putting our stand together we were really looking forward to meeting fellow creators, old fans and new fans alike, but even we were stunned by the reception we received. In one day we sold out of Issue 1, Issue 2 and Book 1, followed on Sunday by Book 2 and the Limited Edition Sketchbook!!!! It was a joy to see so many new readers taking a chance on a new property. The MOON! limited Art Prints had the folks drooling.

The atmosphere was brilliant all weekend, as the hall buzzed with the sound of thousands of happy folks. The fever pitch rose as we approached 2pm, when everyone in the Hall tried in vain to get into the main room for the HOT FUZZ press launch. We were tied to our table but heard the roar of the crowd that greeted Simon Pegg and Nick Frost when they took to the stage. Boy it was LOUD! Our chance came later when I stealthily managed to side-step the HOT FUZZ entourage and spend a little (30 seconds) quality time with Mr Pegg. Yeah, I gave him some Blink Twice swag. Sure, he shook my hand and thanked me. Perhaps I patted him on the back and told him he rocked. But in no way did I lose my cool. Well maybe just a little. But I didn't say I wanted to BE him. That was Mark. (in private *grumble* *grumble* - M)

Sat finished, it was home to Mark's Blink residence for a well-earned slap up feed and a beer or four. There's no nicer way to end a busy day. Timed to perfection, the clocks went back, granting us an extra hour in bed. Sunday morning therefore kicked off in a positive fashion. The crowds, though smaller than the monstrous first day, were no less enthusiastic and Lorenzo was kept incredibly busy sketching like a machine for all and sundry. I was kept busy in a quite different way.

Having been invited to join a panel on comic production and contractual agreements on Saturday, the event organisers collared me again on Sunday to ask if I'd be willing to judge the cosplay final. For those of you unfamiliar with this term it essentially means 'dressing up as your favourite animated/computer game character'. No different from the hordes of Batmen, Spidermen and storm troopers I've seen at previous conventions; just a different theme. I was more than happy to help out, as it would provide me, at the very least, with a good tale to tell down the pub the following week! Was I in for a surprise.

The event was stunning. Each entrant had really gone to town on producing their outfits, spending £100's of pounds in order to get every last detail correct. Judging therefore looked to be quite hard as so many individuals had nailed their chosen alter-ego perfectly. But that's where the style points came in. Every entrant had to perform a skit on stage in character and this was where we separated the Marios from the Luigis. 3 minute dance routines, choreographed sword fights, dubbed voice-overs, comic turns. I thought I'd seen everything a con had to offer until a 6 year old girl dressed as Lilo from the Disney movie came on stage and performed a number with a stuffed cuddly Stitch. Genius.

As soon as the prize-giving was over I instantly offered my services for next year. I wouldn't swap that job for all the comics in Slough.

We wrapped the Convention up with a round of hearty pats-on-the-back and the promise that next year would be even bigger, even better, and even more BLINK.

Thanks again to the organisers who were amazing all weekend; to the fans who came especially to see us; to all the new readers - hope your purchases made you smile; and a special thanks to Mark and Lawrence without whom none of this would be possible.

Hopefully we'll see you guys in 2007 - when the full Team Blink are reunited at the Bristol Expo in May!

Laters.

Okay guys, here's the last slice of scribblings from the Expo. There's a ton more to go up, but I'll save them for a Skritchy Skratchy gallery update. In the meantime, enjoy monsters, Uneee-cycles, and a girl dressed as a pup!

Lorenzo!