Unbelievable sad news from Paul H. Birch, Joe Ahern died on 6th April (I can't believe I'm writing this). Quite a few of you reading this probably knew Joe in some capacity or other, or were at least aware of his excellent work.

Paul, Joe and I worked together on a number of projects, mainly for Blue Comet Press on 'The Devil's Workshop' and 'Zorann Star Warrior', and in the past few months we were to collaborate again on 'Snowstorm' for Bulletproof Comics. I hadn't actually been in direct contact with Joe for a little while, but when I saw his profile on the Bulletproof website, he'd included some lovely comments about my Rainbow Orchid work. Looking at the letters he wrote to me he was always friendly and encouraging, without being at all condescending, and I looked up to him as he fostered a professional attitude to whatever work he was doing at the time.

This is from Paul:

"Joe contributed the Sindrome strip to the fanzine Amalgam before doing illustrations for Fantazia magazine. He did work for the small American publisher Blue Comet Press and assisted James Hodgkins on a number of projects for major publishers. The last 12 months had found him forging ahead, taking on clients of his own. He was very talented and not enough people knew that. More importantly, he was a loyal friend who loved nothing better than a good chin-wag."

Finished the Sea Dog strip. A bit rushed, but because of the rush to finish it came that freedom of not worrying too much about getting every little thing right. I particularly cheated on many of the backgrounds (rough, abstract even), something I'm usually more meticulous about as I like a good sense of environment.

So, fast and loose, but completed.

At last I have been able to start work on Jason Cobley's 'Sea Dog' strip for Accent UK's Pirates anthology. Not particularly good as the deadline is Monday March 1st. But anyway, at least it's set sail!

The Rainbow Orchid gets reviewed at Poopsheet, and while not totally positive, I feel it's an honest and open critique and little to strongly disagree with.

"Based on the evidence of The Rainbow Orchid, the next five or ten years will make Ewing a creator to watch. I predict that if he can keep up a steady rate of production he will easily outgrow the problems presented herein. I would be greatly surprised if the coming years did not see him graduate to the full-size album format he clearly longs to achieve. On that day we shall hail Ewing's arrival, but that day is yet to come."

A quickie by Garen Ewing (me) © 2004

This article appeared in the East Grinstead Observer today. I'll put it up on the web (with others) at a readable size at some point...

East Grinstead Observer 4 Feb 2004: The Rainbow Orchid

Regie Rigby who has a weekly column at the Silver Bullet Comics website has named The Rainbow Orchid the Fool Britannia Small Press Comic of the Year 2003. Marvellous.

The Rainbow Orchid is now available to buy from Ottakar's Bookshop in East Grinstead. Thanks to Andy of Dachshund it is also available in Gosh Comics in London (opposite the British Museum).

After a nice busy week, I've had a very productive Saturday, getting a couple of jobs out of the way that have been lingering.

The day started with me getting my tax bill. This was very nicely countered by the next piece of post - The Girly Comic issue 4. Every strip was a good read, but the prize goes to Mitzi's rat tale, which was just terrific. The two jobs I got out the way were the almost final stages of two theatre poster designs and logos - one for Jack the Ripper and one for Godspell. That means I can have a relaxing Sunday... finally.

An excellent online resource for British independent comics is the long-admired Zum, (I bought my first issue in around 1992) and they have just published their more than welcome review of The Rainbow Orchid Part One.

"...It is not just ambitious but it works and with élan. The different levels of the story and their attendant styles lend a tremendous feeling of depth to the whole book..."

Click here to read the full review.