Long List: 2023 Projects

Gary Chaloner, writer/artist. Graeme Jackson, colourist. Michael Michalandos, writer. Tim McEwen, artist.

Adventure Illustrated #2 is a 36 page comic featuring three ongoing series produced by Gary Chaloner and a few of his mates, all of whom are award-winning Aussie cartooning professionals at the top of their game: Michael Michalandos and Tim McEwen (Greener Pastures), with a little help from Darren Close and Graeme Jackson.

Cyclone Force (featuring Flash Damingo & Killeroo)
Greener Pastures
Red Kelso: 1931

Josh Head (under pen name - Raphael Iacocca) - All artwork, writing and production.

Lawless Misconduct #1 is a 68 page comic book; the first of 3 issues in a series. Influenced by the art of mid-century detective / romance comics, this is the stream of consciousness nightmare of its self-serving creator Raphael Iacocca.

Shaun Keenan - Editor/Creator
Dan Feuerriegel - Creator
COMICS2MOVIES - Publisher
Stephen Kok - Letter
Kieran Jack - Graphic Design Layout

In a dystopian future, the world is separated into the glittering paradise of the LIGHTS and the slums of the DISTRICT. Aquila (Annie) works as a low-level enforcer who is extremely ambitious. Follow Aquila as she rises up the ranks to become a councilor in the LIGHTS.

But be careful of what you wish for as once you are at the top, you become the MARK! Will Aquila survive or will her ambition for power be her undoing?

Martin Copping - Creator
Stephen Kok - Writer/Creator
Shaun Keenan - Editor/Creator
COMICS2MOVIES - Publisher

From the creative mind of Martin Copping an Australian film, television, theater, and video game actor best known for his role as the title character in the grindhouse film Zombie Hunter, the voice of Mozzie in Rainbow Six: Siege, and a starring role as 2Lt. Lucas Riggs of the Australian Army 20th Battalion in Call of Duty: Vanguard, comes an exciting new fantasy horror graphic novel KNIGHT!

In a world where there is more darkness than day, nocturnal creatures have become the apex predators and humans their prey. Humanity now relies on its knights for survival, but their numbers are few and the monsters in the night are increasing.

Dan Feuerriegel - Creator
Stephen Kok - Writer/Creator/Letter
Shaun Keenan - Editor/Creator
Kieran Jack - Graphic Designer/Layout
COMICS2MOVIES - Publisher

In a dystopian future, the world is separated into the glittering paradise of the LIGHTS and the slums of the DISTRICT. Detective Sebastian Vetro works on the most horrific of cases between both worlds as an enforcement officer. When a horrific crime occurs, sometimes that moment can fracture opening up glimpses into the event.

Follow troubled Detective Sebastian Vetro on this crazy cyberpunk ride as he uses these fractures that he experiences to solve crimes within the Lights and District.

Will he be able to control this power he seems to have obtained or will it destroy him?

Morgan Quiad - Writer/Creator/Letterer
Shaun Keenan - Editor
COMICS2MOVIES - Publisher

Sir Idris Harrow, Bloodsmith, the independently wealthy nobleman, is called to the home of Lord Montague to investigate the apparent possession of a young boy by a creature from the Abyss. Harrow soon learns that this child is not the only victim but hundreds of others throughout the city have been afflicted by supernatural tumors, their minds and bodies supplanted by a cruel, demonic intelligence.

Harrow and his team (a mysterious woman named Tilda Abigail who shares a deep connection with the spiritual realm and carries a puppet through which she communicates, and Dane Flint, a gunslinger and tinkerer with a gift for mechanical wizardry) must unravel the mystery and stand against the forces of darkness before London is overrun.

Jared Prestwidge, writer

Satan’s favorite pet, a Hellhound named Howie, escapes the pits of Hell and settles down with a human owner, Louise, in New York City. But when Hell's forces rise to take back what's theirs, the pair must find a way to come out the other side and earn the fresh start at life that they both crave.

Angie Spice, writer/artist

This collected edition includes single issues #1, #2 & #3 that complete the “Maydena Arc” in full colour!
An adventure, noir, historical, Australiana feature set in 1940’s Tasmania; Geraldine Barker diverges from a courier run in search of the elusive Tasmanian Tiger and finds herself stranded in the remote township of Maydena.

Karl Brandt, writer/colourist

'Fables of Fear' is a collection of seven terrifying tales by writer/colourist Karl Brandt and artist David Parsons, featuring lettering from FutureQuake’s own Bolt-01. From the ancient dunes of the outback to a frozen hunting planet, these short, sharp tales are as harsh and unforgiving as the landscapes themselves!

Just me!

"Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" (or Art School Blues) is an autobiographical memoir of Holly's art school experience in Byron Bay: art trends, favouritism and a super bitch called Marsha.
As an artist with a disability, participating and paying for private art school was no small feat, only to be met with teacher's pet behaviours and flat out sabotage.
In her signature style, Holly makes this year of hell funny, and finds out later this is a common occurrence in creative art schools, where you just have to ignore the bullshit and focus on your own practice.

Paul Mason - Writer/Artist/Story cover
Amanda Bacchi - Assistant Editor
Glenn Ford - Editor
Dudley Hogarth - Publisher

"CIA operative Harrison Gross continues his investigation into the "Mac-V Ghost", this time interviewing a former "student" of the infamous "Crime School", who found himself pulled into off-to-book activities in the Mekong Delta, 1968."

Part of an ongoing series of stories featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom in the Vietnam War.

The short story was published as a back up story in The Phantom #1940 (March 2023).
https://www.phantomcomic.com.au/collections/new/products/issue-1940-fortnightly-2023
​

Paul Mason - Writer/Artist/Story cover
Amanda Bacchi - Assistant Editor
Glenn Ford - Editor
Dudley Hogarth - Publisher

"The Phantom arrives in Saigon 1967 as Kit Walker; Reporter, looking for ways to travel across Vietnam to find the missing Wambesi Prince. Meeting Australian journalist Barry Mengel, he is taken to the local Black Markets where he discovers an old enemy of his ancestors..."

Part of an ongoing series of stories featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom in the Vietnam War.

The short story was published as a back up story in The Phantom #1942 (April 2023).

Paul Mason - Writer/Artist/Story cover
Amanda Bacchi - Assistant Editor
Glenn Ford - Editor
Dudley Hogarth - Publisher

"The Marshall Sisters find themselves on USO Tour entertaining the troops, and run into some trouble trying to reach Da Nang before the 1967 Christmas special..."

Part of an ongoing series of stories featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom (and other Phantom support characters) in the Vietnam War.

The short story was published as a back up story in The Phantom #1943 (April 2023).
https://www.phantomcomic.com.au/collections/this-years-comics-2023/products/issue-1943-fortnightly-2023

Paul Mason - Writer/Artist/Story cover
Amanda Bacchi - Assistant Editor
Glenn Ford - Editor
Dudley Hogarth - Publisher

"Saigon: The Tet Offensive in 1968 has thrown the city into chaos. Australian Journalist Barry Mengal is attempting to cross the city to get back to the Daily Press office to report on the new developments in the War, but finds himself face to face with the Ghost Who Walks, and a colleague with a secret agenda..."

Part of an ongoing series of stories featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom in the Vietnam War.

The short story was published as a story in The Phantom #1952 75th Anniversary of Frew Publications edition (September 2023).
https://www.phantomcomic.com.au/collections/this-years-comics-2023/products/issue-1952-fortnightly-2023

Amanda Bacchi - Story and Edits
Paul Mason -Story, Script and Art
Glenn Ford - Editor
Dudley Hogarth - Publisher

"1914. Singh pirates are on the run, hiding in outback Queensland with bushrangers and cutthroats. Little do they know they have been followed by the Phantom, but not the one they were expecting..."

Part of an ongoing series of stories featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom character Julie Walker, sister to the 17th Phantom; much older, but still fighting.

The short story was published as a back up story in The Phantom #1947 Colour special (June 2023).

Hayden Fryer, Art and Story.
Tinman Johnson, Song Lyrics.
Zack Castro, Variant Cover.
Merran Davies, Editor.

In this heart-warming supernatural tale set on the night before Christmas, an eldritch candle is lit and the dinner table lovingly set for the return of the most dearly departed.

David Hazan, writer
(Shane Connery Volk, artist
Luca Romano, colourist
Justin Birch, letterer)

Tales from Nottingham #1: Legend has it that in April 1192, Conrad of Montferrat, the King of Jerusalem was felled by two assassins. It was later learned that this was an attempt to sow discord amongst the crusading nations by blaming the killing on Richard the Lionheart. One assassin was captured and died in captivity…The other escaped the Crusaders’ grasp. This is the story of Aya’s first assignment. This is the story of the day she truly became…Hashashin.

David Hazan, writer
(Cecilia Lo Valvo, artist
Federico Bertoni, artist
Marissa Louise, colourist
Lucas Gattoni, letterer)

Magic is all but extinct. When the last ailing wizard casts a final desperate spell to summon the descendants of ancient bloodlines to a school for magic now in disrepair…those chosen ones find a horror of the likes they’ve never experienced. They will have to confront the deepest parts of themselves, their tragic pasts, and defeat each other to survive the ordeal.

David Hazan, writer
(Shane Connery Volk, artist
Luca Romano, colourist
Justin Birch, letterer)

When a spate of murders in Edwinstowe is blamed on witchcraft, Everard Blackthorne, the Sheriff of Nottingham, is sent to investigate. What he finds is far more twisted than he could have imagined (appeared in Tales from the Cave #1).

Louie Joyce, illustrator. Ryan K Lindsay, writer.

Xin and Sloane spent their childhood fighting over the family pet -- Gilgamesh, a four-ton, fire-breathing dragon. The family is torn apart when Sloane turns to a life of crime after stealing Gilgamesh, forever corrupting the creature’s heart. In their stark future, the estranged sisters reunite for a final knock-down-drag-out kung fu battle on an opulent yacht. This is a tale that’s about much more than violence and sororicide... prepare yourself for an emotional exploration of how nothing can hurt us worse than family.

First story: Creator, writer, artist - Dillon Naylor.
Second story: Creator, writer - Dillon Naylor. Artist - Ian C Thomas. Colourist - Tamara Wighton.
Design - Ryan McDonald-Smith with Dillon Naylor.
Project coordinator - Nat Karmichael.

When Penni follows the faint sound of music deep into the woods, she not only discovers fairies... but the world's smallest rock band! This hardback book collects each and every episode of "Rock 'n' Roll Fairies" from "Total Girl" magazine, published between 2003-2007. Beautifully coloured, these 118 pages are a fabulous way of introducing younger readers into the joys of graphic novel reading. But it's also one to be enjoyed by people of all ages!

Writer: Jason Franks
Artist: Kay (non Australian)
Letterer: Glenn Ford

A two part Phantom story set in the 1970s. The Phantom must foil a terrorist attach at a Pinstripe Wizards gig at the Mawitaan Concert Hall and come to terms with rock'n'roll music.
Published in The Phantom #1956 and #1957 (link in Project Website is for part 1 only)

David Hazan, writer
(Alex Moore, artist
Lucas Gattoni, letterer)

Death Drop, a hitman turned drag queen, enters a race against time to find her missing drag sister as a mysterious rash of killings and disappearances spreads across the city. With the specter of her former mentor haunting her every step, Death Drop must decide how far she is willing to be pulled back into a life of violence in order to protect her community in this supernatural queer noir.

Author and illustrator, Rachel Coad

A snake, an octopus and the near death of Johnny Ramone. The almost true account of the 1977 New York City blackout.

Set in the 1970s, the story’s capstone is the 1977 New York City blackout.

Ray the snake is a sad, lonely, middle aged insurance salesman from Midway Kentucky, looking for a better life. Strawberry is a Glow Octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis) with an inability to control her glow. Strawberry finds herself in constant trouble; she has a prison record and an FBI file to prove it.

The unlikely pair embark on a road trip to New York City, where they rub shoulders with rock royalty. Things get electric – in more ways than one.

A tribute to all kinds of music, from elevator to opera.

About the Author:
In a painting career spanning 20 years, Rachel Coad has exhibited in both Australia and the UK. In 2016 she was awarded Black Swan Prize for portraiture. A history in illustration and design. This is Rachel’s first graphic novel. Or as she likes to call it: ‘A long comic’.

Mitch Collins, artist. Gary Proudley, writer. Wolfgang Bylsma, editor/letters

Chapter 1 in the Mega Fauna series.

Writer: Christof Bogacs
Pencils/Inks/Colours/ lettering: Marie Enger

Ages: 8+ Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

After the sudden disappearance of his mum, high school freshman Shay is thrust into a secret world of monsters that exists underneath his small West-Virginian town of Humble Valley. With the help of his shapeshifting aunt Sa'Belle, he must search for his mother while doing what he can to safeguard the citizens of the Under Kingdom' and try to maintain his normal high school life.

Writer: Christof Bogacs
Art: Beck Kubrick
Back up stories by: Marie Enger, Axe Marnie and Ray Nadine

MEAT4BURGERS
Ages: 14+ Genre: Horror, Comedy

When Trace wakes up in VAL-U-BURGER™ they have no idea how they got there and no memory of who they are.

The rest of the employees seem pretty blasé about the whole thing. Turns out the same thing happened to them too…

Sandra Broman

Up All Night is a chronicle covering 7th March 2020 until 19th June 2023, a time which changed the world. Drawn and written as it happened, from the utterly bizarre to the terrifically dull, it allows us to look back with accuracy on the weird years we lived through. Was Kanye West really running for president? Did the army really patrol Melbourne's borders? Were we not allowed to speak on Paris metro lest we release the virus? Does 50ml of vodka daily help? All this AND MORE! I was up all night, drawing with frenzy so it could be documented for the future as it would not be believed otherwise.

Anthony Christou (writer and artist), Stephen Kwok (letterer and editor), Christy Butt (graphic design)

Kobaloi - Goblins are Greek is a single-issue spin-off from the main series, Luminous Ages. It focuses on fantasy goblins from the dream space that found their way to Ancient Greece and became the inspiration for the mythical creature, the Kobaloi. The story also includes many popular characters from Greek mythology such as Hercules and Dionisys.

Anthony Christou (Main editor, also contributed lettering, writing and art)
Stephen Kwok/ Es Kay (Contributed writing and lettering)
Christy Butt (Contributed graphic design and lettering)
Kate Mandalov (writer)

The Bai Ze and the Book of Monsters is an anthology of short comics with a focus on the myths of Asia, primarily China. It is set within the world and the main timeline of Luminous Ages but focuses primarily on characters and stories outside the main story. It is the first in a series of Luminous Ages anthologies, the Book of Monsters.

Anthony Christou (primary editor, also contributed writing, lettering and art)
Dana King (writing and art)
Stephen Kwok/Es Kay (lettering)

The Hakutaku is the second volume in the Book of Monsters anthology. This volume has a horror focus, unlike the first volume, with stories inspired by the creatures of Japan, China, and the Philippines mythology.

Anthony Christou (Primary editor, also contributed writing, art and lettering)
S.C.A.R/ Steve Carter and Antoinette Rydyr - contributed 2 illustrations
N.S Kane (story)
Chris Pitcairn (art)

9 Sexy Tails of the Kitsune - Book of Monsters Volume 3 continues the horror focus from volume 2 of the anthology series while also adding some NFSW elements. The stories focus on the foxes of Asian mythology, the Japanese Kitsune and her mainland cousins the Chinese Huli Jing and the Korean Kumiho.

Oli Ward (entirely self produced)

The fourth issue in a series of comic books about a killer robot with a strict moral code who falls in love with a cyber criminal. Each episode is presented in a cartoon style with an absurdist lighthearted tone and includes adult content. this issue involves the couple uploading their minds to "The Cyberverse" an online reality that exists parallel to the real world which was designed to satisfy every impulse, and desire that one may have on a whim. it explores themes of drug use, internet obsession, and pornography addiction.

Sarah Winifred Searle, layouts/pencils/colors/letters

Steamy Regency romance about an arranged marriage between two people who have been "ruined" in different ways.

Words, art, layout, design by Aśka

After many years of collaborations and illustration gigs I started to write my very own graphic novel. But it took me a while to get to this point, and it’s been a journey full of false starts, wrong turns and frustrating revelations.
"A Work in Progress" is comic about this journey, which playfully investigates the allusive process of creation and the mental state of the artist, who is always on the verge of ... something.

Caroline E. Schuster, writer; Enrique Bernardou, artist and letterer; David Bueno, artist and colourist

Based in the agrarian world of commercial sesame farming in northern Paraguay, Forecasts tells a story about what happens when global insurance companies promise financial safety nets to local farmers struggling with the effects of climate change. This striking graphic novel brings together original ethnographic research and Paraguayan gothic art to confront the limitations of finance to respond to a deteriorating environment.

Taking a human-centered approach to complex weather and financial models, Forecasts offers new ways of looking at overlapping speculative futures in a monstrous landscape. Based on more than a year of fieldwork in Paraguay, the book follows one man's possible journeys through a season of planting and harvesting, buffeted by losses and sustained by the hope that he can cultivate conditions that will help his family thrive. Forecasts makes a sweeping account of environmental and financial risk accessible through the intimate story of one family's triumphs, heartbreaks, and hopes for the future.

The graphic novel is followed by appendices that provide historical, anthropological, and methodological insights, as well as classroom guides, exercises, and questions that make this book ideal for teaching.

Oscar McKay, writer and illustrator
Douglas Dixon, editor

Chips is a short comic about time travel in outer space, doing things you're not supposed to do, and how good hot chips can sound when you haven't had them in a while.

Sarah Firth

A delicious mix of daily life, science, philosophy, pop culture, daydreams and irreverent humour, Eventually Everything Connects is a work of graphic non-fiction that is comforting, confronting and mind-expanding in equal measure.

WTF is going on? How can I find joy in these precarious times? Is my smartphone hijacking me? Why am I so horny? What do I do with this grief? What's it like being the slug that lives in my bathroom sink?

Eventually Everything Connects is Sarah Firth's debut graphic novel, a collection of interconnected visual essays created over eight years. Sarah invites you into her wild mind as she explores ways to see with fresh eyes, to face the inevitability of change, and to find freedom in sensuality.

With raw honesty and vulnerability, Firth reminds us that the profane and the sacred, the tender and the cruel, the rigorous and the silly, all coexist in dynamic tension. This book is a delicious mix of daily life, science, philosophy and irreverent humour that is comforting, confronting and mind-expanding in equal measure.

Jason Pamment

From Treasure in the Lake's Jason Pamment comes a graphic novel of friendship and self-discovery in a gorgeously illustrated world, perfect for fans of Amulet and Lightfall.

Fitting in can be hard, especially when you're as small as Ember. He's hoping his luck changes when Lua, a kindly sea turtle, escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on a wondrous island. There, Ember learns that first days can also be hard – especially when they involve fantastical cave-dwellers, ferocious storms and classmates that aren't interested in making friends.

As he struggles to adapt to his school, Ember finds himself at the heart of an otherworldly mystery, facing a strange monster from the deep. And though Ember's classmates may seem of little help, any good student knows appearances can be deceiving – and friendship can come from the most unexpected of places.

Trace Balla

This beautiful graphic novel is a stand-alone companion to Landing with Wings by CBCA award-winning author Trace Balla. Join Miri on her quest to help a rescued baby emu find its feet in the world, and as she connects to her community in joyful and unexpected ways. From the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime and Rockhopping comes a beautiful ode to working together to make the world a better place.

Join Miri in her special spot, high up among the dappled leaf-light, and below with her neighbour Wingo, two joeys, a wombat and a baby emu!

A story about friendship, taking down barriers and creating community, finding your own path in the world and inspiring others along the way - from one of Australia's most unique creative talents.

Steve Mushin

Mind-bendingly original and full of intricate illustrations, Ultrawild is totally unique, containing over one hundred outrageously funny, scientifically plausible inventions for rewilding cities and saving the planet.
Join maverick inventor Steve Mushin as he tackles climate change with an avalanche of mind-bending, scientifically plausible inventions to rewild cities and save the planet.

Jump into his brain as he designs habitat-printing robot birds and water-filtering sewer submarines, calculates how far compost cannons can blast seed bombs (over a kilometre), brainstorms biomaterials with scientists and engineers, studies ecosystems and develops a deadly serious plan to transform cities into jungles, rewilding them into carbon-sucking mega-habitats for all species, and as fast as possible.

Through marvellously designed and hilarious engineering ideas, Mushin shares his vision for super-high-tech urban rewilding, covering the science of climate change, futuristic materials and foods, bio reactors, soil, forest ecosystems, mechanical flight, solar thermal power and working out just how fast we could actually turn roads into jungles, absorb carbon and reverse climate change.

Developed over seven years, Ultrawild is an optimistic book about creative thinking, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and the potential for massive change. Filled with laugh-out-loud design-ridiculousness, it aims to empower and excite a new generation of designers, scientists, engineers and ultra-wild thinkers.

Remy Lai

Winner of the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, this thrilling contemporary fantasy graphic novel about a girl who befriends a boy ghost stuck between the worlds of the living and the dead is from the bestselling creator of Pawcasso.

Twelve years ago, the boy and the girl lived. But one was supposed to die ...

July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren't real. So she pretends they don't exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He's a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth – for William to live, July must die.

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.

Brenton E. McKenna, writer and illustrator

Ever wonder about the shadows lurking in the bush at night?

Yawuru creator Brenton E McKenna brings you a superb storytelling experience of the outback supernatural, in his new black-and-white graphic novel, Hairy Holes.

Begley and Redley Hole are two hairy hole people living ordinary lives in the bush - that is until their world is lifted up and tossed on its rear when a lost tourist named Joplin stumbles upon them with promises of friendship and help to search for their parents.

Featuring some of Australia's toughest animals, suspiciously hairy holes in the desert and a crash course on the wonderful world of the internet, this hilarious graphic novel will crack you up and take you on a 'kray-zay' ride - one the whole family will enjoy, hairy or otherwise.

Kim Lam — writer, illustrator.

Commissioned for the 2023 Perth Comic Arts Festival ‘Tale Town’ exhibition at the State Library Western Australia and Tale Town community newspaper. ‘ Mẹ—Mình’ responds to the theme ‘Who Cares?'—in response to mainstream economics' undervaluing and erasure of feminised labour throughout history. I had my mum's blessing to tell my version of her story—a process which involved writing down some oral history for the first time.

Rob Lisle - Writer/Letterer
Leigh Chalker - Penciller/Inker
Ben Sullivan - Penciller/Inker
Ryan Vella - Penciller/Inker

When death comes to Rosie’s door she responds in kind. Rob Lisle, Leigh Chalker, and Ryan Vella weave a bloody tale of a woman who seeks to avenge the fall of hope.

Rob Lisle - writer/artist

Rob Lisle aka Spedsy. Who needs action, adventure, andthrilling heroics when you can havedepression, anxiety, and slugs!

Sluggish isn’t so much a story as it is a peak inside someone’s brain. His name is Herb, and he’s a weirdo… or is he just like the rest of us – barely hanging in there?