Thought for the Day

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."

~ Arthur C Clarke

Slaine: Book of Scars

If there's one comic book character I'd like to write in a gamebook (other than Batman) it would have to be 2000AD's Slaine. Slaine is back in the weekly at the moment with Book of Scars.

Here, Pat Mills' (Slaine's creator) talks about the enduring appeal of the Celtic Woad Warrior.

Short Story Saturday: Merlin's Mother

I was watching Tales from the Royal Bedchamber recently on BBC4 when suddenly, part way through the documentary, the expert being quizzed about what royal beds were like in the Middle Ages whipped out the following picture.

Presenter Lucy Worsley was delighted and amazed asking of the nun, "Who's that?" The expert went on to explain that it was a scene showing the conception of Merlin the wizard. To read a different take on the same incident, check out my story Incubus in Dark Heart: A Collection of Short Horror Fiction.

Gamebook Friday: Joe Dever's Lone Wolf

Coming soon from Forge Reply...

Steampunk Thursday: The Ultimate Secret

The Ultimate Reich, the great enemy of Magna Britannia, the unwavering stronghold whose power extends from the depths of Africa to the outlands of Mexico, and even across the barrier of time itself. For more than half a century, the Führer’s empire has plagued the world, but thanks to the efforts of a brave handful, the Reich’s most terrible secret may be on the verge of exposure.

 Follow an Italian monk, a century-old Russian vampire, a couple of British analytical engineers, a pair of Welsh mercenary soldiers and one clever, resourceful Indian girl through a string of stories set across the world of Pax Britannia, showing corners of the globe never seen before and changing the balance of power forever...

Written by David Thomas Moore, this exclusive ebook novella will be available soon from Abaddon Books.

Writing Systems of the World

Tie-in Tuesday: First Moshi Monsters Movie Announced

Mind Candy has announced the first ever Moshi Monsters movie, set for theatrical release in UK and Ireland on 20th December.

Universal Pictures International Entertainment will be the global distribution partner for the animation including Theatrical, Home Entertainment, Digital and TV distribution.

The animated feature Moshi Monsters The Movie is currently in production by Mind Candy in conjunction from Cornwall-based animation studio Spider Eye and will take viewers all over the Moshi world from Main St to the peak of Sillimanjaro.

Michael Acton Smith, CEO and creator of Moshi Monsters, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Universal Pictures International Entertainment on distribution of the first ever Moshi Monsters movie. This is our first foray into movies and Universal brings the expertise needed to ensure the best possible success. We can’t wait for Moshi to hit the big screen.”

Darran Garnham, chief business development officer for Mind Candy, added: “This strategic global relationship with Universal Pictures International Entertainment will open up the Moshi Monsters brand, characters and rich world to new fans and markets around the world. We are all incredibly excited.”

Eddie Cunningham, president of Universal Pictures International Entertainment, commented: “As distribution partners, we are very excited about working with Mind Candy to bring the global phenomenon that is Moshi Monsters to the big screen through Universal Pictures UK and deliver a multi-platform multi-screen experience to children everywhere.”

Hmm... I wonder if they'll be doing a novelisation of the movie, and, if so, I wonder who they got to write it... ;-)