Wormwood: Down the Pub Sneak Peek

I just got my advance copies of Wormwood: Down the Pub so figured I'd share a little. It won't be out til December in stores.

If you want to make sure you can get a copy, tell your fine comics retailer to order it in for you with this code: OCT084219

Or THIS code for a special sketch variant cover: OCT084220

Remember, much of the time with the smaller comics like mine you have to *ask* them to get copies in for you, otherwise they'll just stick to the superman/spiderman stuff they know people know about!

One more thing...Micronauts Acroyear

Just put this up on ebay. A little something different to what I'm used to really. No, it's just a random picture basically...with artist proof.

The Comic Outpost Signing with Darick Robertson

So a couple weeks back now I did a signing at The Comic Outpost up in San Francisco. I was up there just to hang out generally and catch up with friends.

The signing was organized for me by the mysterious Z, and I got to meet one of my fanboy idols, Darick Robertson who not only drew TRANSMETROPOLITAN, one of my all time favourite books, with current Great Khan of the comic book Golden Horde, Warren Ellis, but currently does the art on the magnificent comic, THE BOYS, with Garth Ennis. If you've never read either, I highly recommend both. Fine chap that he is, he even tolerated my crap sense of humour!

And as you will see from the pictures...took much glee with putting guns to people's heads as well.

Darick was a top bloke, the signing, though small, was a lot of fun and I also managed to pop in to APE ( Alternative Press Expo ) while in town to. For all the really pretty photos, full credit must go to Aaron Munter and his spiffy camera.



One of my favourite cities of the world. ( despite the fact Bill O'Reilly wants to give the place away to Al Quaeda. )


I cruised the APE con briefly and did a quick signing. Cheers to all who stopped by!



This photo of the Comic Outpost signing was taken by Aaron Munter, as are all these others below.



Templesmith+Robertson=blahblahblah etc



More Templesmith+Robertson=blahblahblah etc



Darick Robertson likes guns.



Stupid pose. Stupid man-boy.





You know if anyone ever needs to put my mug on an interview or anything again, or one of those comic book websites, it should be one of these!

More soon. I still have all my stuff from the Texas convention the week after. For now, deadlines await!

What comes next?

Wormwood Pint Glasses- Set of 4

Yep, you may have seen these things in the latest Previews catalog...or you may have not. Hence, why it's time to give these things a plug on the blog now that I have the luxury of being home and not on a plane every 5 minutes...

Chris Ryall Editor in Chief/ Head Obligatron of the Ursula Cluster on Gastrex Prime just put em up on his blog ( which you really should check out for lots of cool sneak peeks at a whole range of things ), but naturally, since I designed the things I get to show a few more nifty shots.











Now remember, if you want these, you're probably going to have to go up to the counter and *ask* your friendly retailer. My stuff is not Spider-man comics. They won't magicaly get them in for you unless they know someone wants them, so let them know! The order code to tell them for the pint glasses is: NOV08 4122

Since I'm a lazy bugger, this is what Chris wrote about them:

"Everyone agrees that Ben Templesmith's WORMWOOD, GENTLEMAN CORPSE reads better after you've had a couple of pints. Or maybe it's that Ben looks better after a couple bitters? I forget. Either way, Wormwood has long professed his love for the dark stuff in the pages of his comic, so we figure it's time to help enable more home-drinking. In January, we're going to offer actual merchandising, which is a bit rare for us (nary a Zippo lighter, shot glass or DOminatrix-brand Real Doll in our catalog right now)--a set of four WORMWOOD pint glasses, each adorned with new art from Ben (the package itself will also feature some new Wormy art).

The Guinness (or Boddington's, if you non-corpse gentlemen prefer blondes) is extra, but at least now you can toss that old paper cup and impress the sig. other in your life. And if they're not impressed at the start, they will be after they've emptied a few of these glasses.

You can even develop some Wormwood drinking games:

# Take one drink every time Wormwood does
# Take two drinks every time someone refers to Mr. Pendulum's lack of genitals
# Take three drinks every time a tattoo comes to life
# Take four drinks every time you see some tentacled beastie
# Take five drinks to make the Leprechaun Queen look attractive
# Pound the rest of your beer every time Wormwood switches bodies


And so on...
The glasses are offered in the January issue of Previews, Diamond order code NOV08 4122.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

I put up an ebay auction on a rather odd little thing I did up a year ago.

One of those blank covered classics, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" which I did a sketch cover for. Ends today, so if anyone's interested check it out. Al proceeds go to feed my kitties.

London MCM Expo- The pictures

Finally got around to formatting my pictures from my recent trips. I was basically at a show every weekend for 3 weeks, also trying to fit some work around them. Exhausted by week three, but much fun was had. Bg cheers to Bryan for bringing me out and to all those who came by to see me and get books signed.

Here then, is a few pictures from my trip back to Old Blighty. Much fun meeting friends and making new ones...


Back in Old Blighty.


London MCM Expo, the convention center itself.


Before the London Expo started...


A half decent sketch I did


Obligatory convention drinking.


I don't think I was on drugs? ( I judged a Cosplay contest )












Pud's T-shirt.


Professional.


Paul Duffield. Awesumo artist on Warren Ellis's FreakAngels. Beautiful work. ( And you should go read Freakangels for free every friday at www.freakangels.com. )


Emma Vieceli. Sad. Mute. To make her feel better, we kept asking her questions she could not answer. Yes, we were bastards.


Fraser Irving. Gnome Molester. Been watching Chris Cunningham Aphex Twin music vids too much.


Fraser Irving must be stopped.


Some Kultcha. ( Never encountered this stuff before. )


Templesmith, Lee, Sharp.


Brea Grant. Honoured to meet Brea, a fan of Wormwood which shocked the hell outta me. I foresee comics in her future. ( And big movies and things she'll star in too obviously. )


Greg and Brea


Drinking in Paris. I end the trip with a quick side one to Paris. As always happens when there, end up at a cafe/bar drinking heavily and talking politics. Many thanks yet again to Theirry Mornet!

Whizz World Dallas!

No time no time no time. At airport gate. Disturbingly early in the morning. Need to get my flight!

I'll be at WWTX this weekend. Also doing a signing at Comic Asylum for my art agent Mark Hay this thursday evening.

Here's the info I've been given for all signing times. There's some big names coming ( No, I'm not talking about me among those...)

Here is the Splash Page Comic Art signing schedule for Wizard World TX.

Friday 11/7/08
12:00PM – 2:00PM Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo
1:00PM – 3:00PM Ben Templesmith
3:00PM – 5:00PM Marko Djurdjevic

Saturday 11/8/08
10:30AM - 12:30PM Marko Djurdjevic
12:00PM – 2:00PM Ben Templesmith
2:15PM - 4:15PM Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo Joker Release
(Will be signing the Joker HC only)

Sunday 11/9/08
1PM – 3PM Ben Templesmith

I'm also hosting a special signing event Thursday night Nov 6th at my comic shop: The Comic Asylum.

The Comic Asylum, will be hosting the exclusive JOKER Release Event Book Signing for Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo's new original graphic novel project.

Marvel cover artist Marko Djurdjevic and Wormwood Gentleman Corpse/ Hoxford creator/artist Ben Templesmith, as well as Mitch Breitweiser, Captain America Chosen & Zero Point artist will also be in attendance signing books & greeting fans.

A limited edition signing plate will be given away to the first 100 customers who purchase a copy of the book at the signing. The signing will be held on November 6th, 2008 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at The Comic Asylum in Garland, Texas. For more information, please go to www.comicasylum.com

The good Doctor & Martha.

Some concept art for an upcoming comic.

Hope those of you eligible in the US today voted! Roll on the verdict!

Wormwood Gentleman Corpse: Down the Pub

Yep, it's some new Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse! After this, it'll be a little while before another miniseries, which is already mapped out in my head. If you want to make sure you can get a copy, tell your fine comics retailer to order it in for you with this code: OCT084219

Or THIS code for a special sketch variant cover: OCT084220

Remember, much of the time with the smaller comics like mine you have to *ask* them to get copies in for you, otherwise they'll just stick to the superman/spiderman stuff they know people know about!

If all else fails, remember there is always the IDW Publishing online store. Where all currently in stock/non sold out Wormwoody things can be found. This issue will be available there once it's come out in stores. ( Well, the nice stores I am eternally grateful to for carrying my works! )

Here's what IDW say is in the issue....

The Gentleman Corpse himself introduces two little-known tales from the past, as well as an all-new story in this special one-shot featuring 28 pages of beer-stained art and story from Eisner Award- and Horror Guild-nom'd writer/artist/gadfly Ben Templesmith (Welcome to Hoxford)

Robertson+Templesmith

With a message to someone, about something, courtesy of Aaron Munter's camera at the Comic Outpost signing.

Was a great little signing, followed by alcohol and good food. APE, earlier in the day was also cool. Cheers to everyone who came out to see me ( And Darick ) at both.

Isotope after party was also cool. Together, James Sime and I are apparently going to change the face of comics. Namely, people will start wearing decent suits. Personally, I'll settle for at least some pros turning up to cons wearing pants. The one thing about SoCal you'll find is that everyone dressed to go out like they just woke up.

Currently at San Francisco airport. ( One of the coolest little cities on the planet ) Many more photos from a bunch of stuff to come. Just been busy. Miss sleeping in my own bed. Being on the road for virtually a month after agreeing to do far too many conventions across the globe. Love them all but sometimes it's nice to have a weekend at home.

Besides, it's not like I have about 5 comics and 3 art books to finish.

Signing up at APE & Comic Outpost in San Francisco!

Hoxford #4 page in progress & London Expo

I'm over in London right now, being accosted by good beer & friendly people who know how to make a decent cup of tea, so not blogging much just lately.

If you can make it down to the Docklands area where the Excel Centre is today or tomorrow, swing on by and say hi to the rather large contingent of comic book people turning out for the Expo. I'll actually have a whole bunch of Wormwood and Welcome to Hoxford original art available for sale or just to look through and see how the books are done.

So here's a little more Hoxford, as the final issue comes out next month. Hope those of you who've been awesome enough to pick it up have been digging it so far. Many thanks yet again for all the support!

You know I still get asked "how much do you do on computer?" or "do you draw on computer?" a helluva lot. As you can see, most of it is still based in the real world. Probably more than most "traditional" superhero comics these days which aren't even inked anymore, just darkened up in Photoshop with colours added digitally.

London MCM Expo, 25-26 October 2008

Hoxford & Wormwood online previews

If you never tried the books but wanted to see some of the insides...here's your chance.

Some people are apparently being far too kind with Hoxford #3 and giving it good reviews. Cheers fellas.

Wormwood:

Get your own - Open publication

Get your own - Open publication

Your vid for the weekend: La Pequeña Sarah Palin

Please make sure you're not about to eat before you watch this one. It's not nasty or anything...but...you'll understand when you watch it.

This may not show on the main blog, so just click the link instead!

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse Volume 1 Deviant Edition Hardcover

Nicked this bit from Amazon:

A special hardcover edition of Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse. Collecting the original Wormwood story, "The Taster," plus the four-issue "Birds, Bees, Blood & Beer," in which we discover that things are awakening in the city. Things that have a nasty habit of leaving mutilated bodies in their wake and it all reeks of demons and dark gods up to no good. Owing a favor to his lazy ghost-cop buddy Trotsky, Wormwood, the gentleman corpse, and his oddball entourage are brought in to investigate the case (or at least hopefully not stuff it up too much.) Also includes additional bonus sketches, art, and original comic pages by Templesmith.

Yup, a whole bunch of extra paintings/drawings just for this edition plus other fancy stuff a hardcover should have.

Look for it Feb/March 2009

# ISBN-10: 1600103758
# ISBN-13: 978-1600103759

Doctor Who & Welcome to Hoxford...

No, not together exactly. That would be...odd and disturbing.

This has gone live now, so guess I can show.





Yup, I got to do a doctor who cover to the mini "The Forgotten" by Tony Lee and Pia Guerra from IDW. With luck, we'll see if I get to do any more sometime soon. I loves me some Doctor Who.

As you can see from the original, I faded some actual photos of the characters back in on the final and Tenants facial expression changed during the approval process.

Also...





Welcome to Hoxford #3 Is out today in all good comic stores. Thanks again for the support you guys ( and gals ) have given the miniseries. Truly been amazed at how successful it's been thus far sales wise and the generally nice reviews.

This issue, things start to get a little...nasty.

If you can't find this issue or the previous 2 either, they're basically sold out now, so stores may not be able to restock. Unless you want to wait ages for the TPB version, your best bet to get copies may be at the IDW Publishing store here: store.idwpublishing.com/index.php?cPath=2_27_151&osCs...

A vid for the weekend: XXX

It's not what you think. Kiddies can watch. Sort of.

Cheers to Cyrus Cobain for steering it my way!


Diesel's SFW XXX Party Clip - Watch more free videos

http://www.break.com/index/sfw-porn-clips.html

Hoxford nearly finished.

Been hugely focused last week and this week on getting the final book done.

It's been an insane trip doing this book, from the amazing numbers it's done ( my most successful writer/artist project to date ) as well as the interesting hollywood crap going on ( no, there's no deals done or anything but interest on something I wrote, not just drew makes me feel all mushy inside. )

It's almost done. If you can't grab the issues ( Issue #3 has done bigger numbers than issue #2 so far ) then there will be a TPB ( That's Graphic Novel to the mainstream people ) collecting everything plus a whole lot of "making of" material within a few months.

Here's a few snippets of what has been my life as I've pulled all-nighters the last few days.









Also done recently, signing over 1000 Limited edition prints to be packaged with the special versions of the Dead Space game, which launches October 14th

The Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition comes with:

* The Dead Space game
* Special Ultra Limited Edition packaging
* Dead Space Downfall Animated Movie (DVD)
* Bonus content DVD
* Exclusive custom lithograph art illustrated and signed by Ben Templesmith
* 97-pg Dead Space art book written and illustrated by the development team
* 160-pg Graphic novel
* Ishimura crew patch

iFanboy - Episode #91 - Ben Templesmith

iFanboy - Episode #91 - Ben Templesmith

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The Presidents of the United States

All 43 ( well, technically 42, but Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms ) plus, technically, I think the 44th as well will be in time for printing.

A portrait each, plus some facts. Especially about some of the lesser known ones. Damn some were sick/quirky/weird bastards.

Ordering info etc to come.

Back soon...

With a slew of work. Working all weekend too. ( Although I will be watching the US Presidential debate and expect to be fully intellectually stunted by the experience. )

Oh what fun. For now, I leave you with this.

Welcome to Paris

Back in the studio now, after a great trip in Paris ( after starting in Vegas for the Diamond retailer summit, which was also great! ) Now back to trying to get up to speed with all the work...and more art to post here...

Paris was a blast. A special thanks to Thierry Mornet for organizing me being there for Delcourt, as well as Francois, Jeanne and big Dave, all of which it was great to catch up with and hang out with.

Most of the photos I took were of the alcohol I drank. If you're that interested, they're all on my flickr anyway, but here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Welcome to Paris. A crisp tuesday morning.



Francois at Delcourt



Thierry at Delcourt



My France schedule. And this was only the first draft of three. And still had another interview added on the monday afterwards. Must've done 15 or more all up. ( There was even a radio ad for Wormwood while I was there. )



MTV France. Actually wanted to interview me outside a launch party for a Manga Delcourt were doing.



The release form. I'd probably told them I enjoy golden showers from small children while eating baby seals or something, but I signed anyway.



The lovely Jeanne. And that's her being friendly.



Steeeve. Top bloke.



The Delcourt green room.



Another TV interview thing. This one was for their version of Scifi channel I think.



One of the Delcourt artist signing areas. The festival was very much in the public street in a nice pedestrian type area. Very much designed to give ordinary folks a taste of the comics ( Albums ) from the publisher. This is a brilliant thing I support. ( of course there were plenty of normal fans there too, and thanks so much for coming out to see me! Apologies for my shitty french. )



And some fantastic French comics. Not a super hero in genital hugging tights in sight.



The second street in the same area. I would do a signing here the second day. One of the prettiest places I'll ever do a signing at too.



Some sort of audio interview where I'm explain what Koala tastes like and how you have to stew it properly or something.



I also did a signing at a Virgin Megastore in Paris while there. They had these bloody big Wormwood displays throughout the store, not just at the signing table. Impressive. many thanks to Marie for organizing it all.



This is a weird mash potato/cheese mixed thing that has the consistency of chewing gum. Tastes good though.



Yes, I will let French girls draw on me. ( Actually I'll let most girls draw on me regardless of nationality )





Warren Ellis in two minutes. For some reason, someone at the signing asked for a portrait of my lord and master, Mr Ellis. Based purely on vague memory and my pure mystical bullshit, this is the quick end result. Sorry Warren.



One of my signings. One girl insisted on hiding for the photo. Another I think gave me my best advertising photo ever for the book, holding it like that.



Someone ( Marie ) showing off their Dave McKean sketch from a previous festival. It made me cry.



No, I'm not going to tell you what it says, but suffice to say they wanted me to learn it so that I would get many a slap in the face from complete strangers.



On the last day, I got my first tattoo. A cross of the Knights Templar for me. ( Since it's a bit of my history apparently ) Yes, my family has potentially been killing Saracens since way back.

Anyone in Paris?

( Et Ben sera aussi en dédicace au Virgin Megastore Grands Boulevards le samedi 13 septembre de 16h à 18h! )

I'll be there, sampling the booze and the food! ( And signing and sketching too of course. )

More info here:

www.editions-delcourt.fr/special/bercy2008/index.php

And

www.album.fr/librairies/librairie-album-comics/librairie-...