Monday 15 December 2014

A Chronicle of Doom....


Final visit of this year to Ice Station Zebra last 'Thorsday' and, a genuinely unsettling slug of what looked like pink flesh in Shunker 5 aside, it was a corker! Upon arrival this Agent duly took his usual seat, Agent Johnny already engrossed in the day's episode of classic Star Trek ('The Ultimate Computer'). Swill was cranked open and glugged, Wully Woodbines were passed around and, following the concluding half of the fillum Gunpoint (1966), it was soon time for The Streets of San Francisco ('The Twenty-Five Caliber Plague', an intriguing and timely episode following a gun as it passes from person to person, often with tragic consequences, over the course of a weekend) followed by Hawaii Five-0 (itself a conclusion to a 2-parter). With the weather at its worst, Our Man in Pester Whailes elected to stay home, leaving this Agent to brave the elements on his way to the city centre, catching up with Agent Austin of Deadhead Comics 'fer a jar' in Sandy Bell's....

Hawaii Five-0 (Open and Closing Titles)

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Vernon Kell"....


Last, but certainly not least, we have Vernon Kell - read more about him here - who will introduce The Atomic Society to his 'MI5 Masterplan' before the stark realisation he'd "best be gettin' back to my wee country cottage in the little village in the valley soon and there end my humourous mortal existence". Perhaps Ghostman can use his 'mysterious superpowers' somehow...?

Monday 8 December 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "The Scorch"....


Another of Agent Johnny's favourite recurring characters is under the hotspotlight today, as The Scorch (alias John Stark) flames to the fore. Central to this issue of The Atomic Society's events, expect him to investigate the "problematic firestorm area" in Chapter 2 before The Prophet seizes control of his mind, pitting him against Ghostman...!  

Friday 5 December 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "The Prophet"....


(Not quite so) fresh from their encounter in The Atomic Society #1, our favourite body-hopping spook The Prophet returns this issue, putting his sinister 'mind-power' to use - although its limited range only effects a few unfortunate individuals - envisioning a typically leery end result. Can The Atomic Society resist the effects enough to stop him, or are they destined to battle it out amongst themselves....?

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Silas Grogg"....


Todays' profile features Silas Grogg, "the booze-swilling occultist" with psionic senses. Less sinister and evil than The Prophet (up next), Silas is still controlled by such forces - if only The Atomic Society can finally free him, allowing him to read loadsa science fiction and weird tales about ghosts and monsters....

Friday 28 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing: "Red Atom"....


Fresh from his pivotal role in the plot of The Atomic Society, a fully(?) recovered Red Atom (alias Ned Grant) returns this issue to take centre stage in Chapter 4, where - amongst all manner of  leery happenings - you can expect a lecture on 'communism and dialectical materialism'....

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Sir Ralph Ballcans"....


"Tower of London! Ha ha!" It's all Sir Ralph Ballcans can do (as MI5 Section Chief) this issue to deal with the plethora of 'double cross' agents who have given rise to the 'Codename: Evil Hollywood' scenario. Not only this, but he'll be expected to face up to The Prophet before this super tale is concluded....

Monday 24 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Ghosty"....


Aha, say "hello" to Ghosty (alias Myra Crane), another of John Miller's more famous comic creations, having appeared in a more cartoonish guise similar to Captain Zappa. She has her superhero head on for this super tale as we can reveal she was the first Red Atom of 1940!

Friday 21 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Ghostman"....


Quite possibly the most famous member of The Atomic Society of Justice, Ghostman (alias Dan Mason) is firmly at the heart of the second issue's action, making use of his 'occult powers' and 'psionic senses' to detect 'sinister cosmic emanations' that threaten to destroy us all....  

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "The Farankulen Monster"....


Only the renegade Gartnaval surgeon Dr. Hans Farankulen truly knows how this Nazi Naval Intelligence Officer - parachuted into 'Castlebank Park' and subsequently arrested by British Intelligence - was transformed into a reanimated monstrousity during his infamous experiments....

Monday 17 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Dr. X-Ray"....


Today the heroic focus falls on Dr. X-Ray (alias Stan Kranus) that 'master of X-rays and psionics'. Having utilised his x-ray vision to track down the Farankulen Monster in the first issue of The Atomic Society of Justice, Dr X-Ray must now study the file on the mysterious BattleKat....

Friday 14 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Cosmic Woman"....


Fresh from single-handedly defeating The Atom God in the first issue of The Atomic Society, Cosmic Woman (alias Gathra Garthrek) now finds herself pitched into battle alongside Atom Girl as they commence the War Office's 'Assignment - Nevada Desert'.... 

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Colonel Volto"....


Today's superhero spotlight falls on Colonel Volto (alias Jed Volto), a leader of sorts to The Atomic Society of Justice. With 'ultra-voltage' electrical abilities at his disposal prepare to witness him tackle Krag Nelson of Subterrania in one of the concluding sub-chapters....

Monday 10 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Captain Zappa"....


The Atomic Society simply wouldn't be complete without an appearance by Captain Zappa (alias Ron Harris) - "Another futuristic Invader from the year 1967" - in one of his many guises. Under the "Captain Zappa - Secret Agents" project, of which Sir Ralph Ballcans is the first, we will also meet the 1942 Zappas of Jim Alexander and Dave Alexander. As if that wasn't enough excitement for you, the Zappa-Kar makes its startling debut....

Friday 7 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "BattleKat"....


Another character new to the comic this time around is BattleKat. Rather than choosing to join The Atomic Society - "you guys are a local joke!" - BattleKat (alias 'Anny' Cowan) prefers to use her 'telekinetic' paranormal ability' to help fight the good fight alongside her feline companion, Magic Kat....

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Sub-atomic Counter-clocks: introducing "Atom Girl"....


Making her Atomic Society debut in the forthcoming 'Evil Hollywood Over Subterrania' is Atom Girl (alias Suzy Smith). Leaving the London of 1967, and her job 'status' as a toilet-cleaner at 'Gartnavel Psychiatry Asylum', this atomic-powered superwoman is the teams' newest recruit....

Monday 3 November 2014

"Evil Hollywood Over Subterrania"....


9 Superheroes!
50 big bad pages!
5 years (in the making)!


It could only be our very own John G. Miller's "Evil Hollywood Over Subterrania" - AKA The Atomic Society of Justice #2 - the sort of bizarre, time-travelling, mind-bending, horizon-expanding epic that makes DCU's Multiversity look like Multiplicity! Witness the forces of good and evil doing battle across 5 boldly illustrated chapters....


Chapter 1: "Shutdown Inside Subterrania"
Chapter 2: "Zone of Destruction"
Chapter 3: "Evil Hollywood Over Subterrania" (featuring 'Ghostman Versus The Prophet', 'Ghostman Versus The Scorch' and 'Noseferatu Double-Cross')
Chapter 4: "Cosmic Woman Versus Atom Girl" (featuring 'BattleKat Versus Subterrania')
Chapter 5: "The Secret Origin of The Atomic Society of Justice" (featuring Adam Atomgrad and IIllyria', 'Seaside Armageddon' and 'Farankulen Versus Evil Hollywood')


All 3 original artists from the first issue return and this time, like the 'super tale' itself, they are at the peak of their respective powers. Join the trio in mid-December when they will be launching the title in person at the 13th Note in Glasgore! Stay tuned into this blogchannel for more information....



Saturday 1 November 2014

"Burn War Bonds"....


Flaming 'eck! Be sure and reignite this Monday for news of our forthcoming new title....

Friday 24 October 2014

A Chronicle of Doom....


Perfect Stardate to visit Agent Johnny at Ice Station Zebra as Agent Rob got straight down to tuning 'Our Man in Pester Hailes's' telly-visor just in time to catch Star Trek on the new-to-Freeview CBS Action channel at noon. So the first swill of the day was duly downed as plucky Captain James T. Kirk tackled the Gorn captain in the classic "Arena" episode. Thereafter, the dummy of Evil Hollywood over Subterrania was briefly bandied about and (more or less) approved fer printing (the 2 unfinished pages aside). Then, after a bit of carpet capes in the hall, the rekkid player was fired up and the afternoon's swill got well under way in 'ze smoking room'. Not much by way of chat, mentions of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Dracula as screened over the past 7 days, a few asides as to the Grateful Dead's musical legacy as well as further appraisal of Philip K. Dick's 'endlessly multiplicating realities' (as Terry Gilliam puts it). For once, as the grande finale finished, Agent Johnny decided (or rather his extreme swilledness decided for him) not to venture into town. And so Agent Rob alone caught up with Agent Austin of Deadhead Comics for a few shandies prior to returning to Glasgore....

Sights: Star Trek: The Original Series

Sounds: Blows Against the Empire by Paul Kantner, Grace Slick et al: Anthem of the Sun, from the Mars Hotel and Historic Dead by The Grateful Dead: Hearts, B/W Freeway 7" by Marty Balin and Privilege 7" by Paul Jones (as the entirely suitable grande finale given his somewhat unusual connection to Evil Hollywood....)

Paul Jones - Privilege

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Friday 10 October 2014

The Kevolution is upon us....


At last the bemusing wait is over! Freshly smoked from the pages of Khaki Shorts (remember that, huh?) comes this all new, far out, fantabulous, fuzzy, full-length “headventure” featuring good ol’ Kevn and introducing the rest of “The Beautifully Baked Bud Bros” kru: Zig, Flunch, ‘erb and…? 


Heck, Uncle Sam’s just pressed the ‘legalize’ button across the ‘Altered States of America’ and not before time…. As to what happens when Kevn finally hits the street corner, well, let’s just say you’ll be sure to dig it, y’knowhattamsayin’?


Stroll on over to the Braw Books site and grab yourself a copy....

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Wednesday 1 October 2014

A Chronicle of Doom....


A long overdue return to Lanark on Saturday afternoon, catching up a refreshed looking Agent Johnny in his hometown. After quickly negotiating our way through the town centre - Agent Rob reporting on his trip to see The Horrors the night before ("they shouldn't be this boring" was one disgruntled punters assessment)  - wolfing down a tasty lunch courtesy of Old Ma Miller, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. then retired to a shaded nook in the garden fer a brief but jolly 'view to a swill'. Agent Johnny 'fessed up he has about 1 & 1/2 pages to go on his Evil Hollywood work whilst looking over the final pages from Adam J. Smith, handed over 'fer approval'. Thereafter the usual bletherings dominated proceedings, from Philip K Dick's Ubik, the CBS Action Channel - Star Trek coming to Freeview from today, folks, channel 70 at high noon! - to a slightly awkward conversation about future projects, Agent Rob's enthusiasm stayed somewhat by Agent Johnny's comments on completing The (dashed) Atomic Society first....

Sounds: Two from the Vault by The Grateful Dead, Sea within a Sea by The Horrors (a grande finale of the impromptu garden grooving variety....)

The Horrors - Sea Within A Sea

Friday 26 September 2014

Happy Birthday, dear Electric.... Happy Birthday to Soup!

Issue #6, initial cover, by Dave Alexander
Concluding our 2 weeks of Soupy celebrations let's start with the above, the test print of the issue #6 cover that never was. It seems all that saw the issue were in agreement that the yellow just didn't have enough pop and so (for a few issues, at least) a bold red was added to the mix.

Issue #6, initial back cover, by Frank Quitely
Dave reckons only 10 or so of these were printed and isn't entirely sure if the copy he has is the only one still in existence....

Destination Underpants, by Tommy Somme
This illustration, culled from the 1993 Glasgow Comic Convention brochure, was supposed to herald the arrival of Destination Underpants (like most Electric Soup legend this name revolves around Frank Quitely, a bus ticket and the unfortunate mistake of what seems to have been his mother leaning too hard whilst writing an 'essentials' list for a trip to London - evidently it was hilarious enough to spawn the title, but little by way of content)....

Soupermen, L-R, Padam, Jim, Tommy, Frank and Dave
And now we head into the office for some exclusive pictures courtesy of Dave Alexander....

Jim McEwan and Tommy Somme in the Soup offices
Dave Alexander, ultra suave cartoonist....
Padam Singh contemplates all things comic....
Fresh faced Frank Quitely quite frankly needs a break....
Debbie Mathison, the Soup's sole female contributor....
Och aye spy, with Jim McEwan (seated) and Hugh McKenna....
Finally, to round things off here's an informative interview from Glasgow's Evening Times that gives some insight into the genesis of the early issues.... Thanks for reading, yabassas!

Evening Times, 13th January, 1990

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Happy Birthday to Soup (part 5)....

Issue #17 cover, by Hugh McKenna
Not a huge amount to be said as regards today's birthday post, but a few obscure-ish pieces to add into the Soupy mix....

Issue #17 back cover, by Rob McCallum
Issue #17 also came with a 1993 Wall Calendar, stitched together here in all it's glory. Dave Alexander - amid good humoured grumbles as to how he had to compose the piece around other artist's contributions - also confessed to contributing the, er, wrapping paper design that (dis)graced the back....

Issue #17, 1993 Wall Calendar, V/A
Issue #17, wrapping paper, by Dave Alexander
Condensed Soup, cover by Dave Alexander
Condensed Soup, back cover by Frank Quitely
In Dave's words, here's what happened a decade later, "The next outing for the MacBams was in Electric Soup again - this time the imaginatively titled (by me) "10th Anusversary Issue", which was put together single-handedly (by me), distributed (by me) - you starting to see a pattern here? - and which gathered together most of the old Soup gang. Any enthusiasm for a 20th Anusversary Issue had long since evaporated, although a few misty-eyed dreamers did ask."

Anusversary Issue, front cover, by Dave Alexander
We'd guess this blogger was one such 'misty-eyed dreamer' as there was an attempt to rouse the beast for the ongoing Khaki Shorts zine at the time. Shug '90 and Frank Quitely (yep, indeed!) duly rose to the occasion, producing a few new strips and Dave himself did have a rummage about in his drawers, handing over an previously unearthed gem for our middle pages. Blink and you'll miss the reference on John Miller's cracking cover, mind....