About Me
Frontier Entertainment was the idea that never became anything more than an idea. It was swirling around my head. April 2007- One month before the Bristol Comics Expo. I was busy talking to the folk who would appear via MySpace, introducing myself. Kev Sutherland. Lew Stringer. Andy Diggle. The idea of producing a comic was in my head, but after previous experiences seemed rather impossible. After all, how can you expect a 12 year old to know about printing and marketing? I didn't. But in the months prior to the Expo I had gained a broader knowledge of self publishing, finding as much information as I could on the subject. It then became clear that publishing was no easy task, so I kind of dismissed my chances. Then the day of the Expo came. I woke up at five in the morning to prepare for the drive to Bristol. It was a pleasant drive- I read the Watchmen on the way. I met the people I talked to on MySpace, although it wasn't them who were most instrumental. When I talked to Kev Sutherland about self publishing, he told me that he has never done it, so can't really offer any advice on the subject, but he knew somebody who could- David Lloyd, who most will know as the artist on V for Vendetta. While I asked for a sketch of the V mask, I asked about self publishing. He said that personally he wouldn't do it again, as it didn't really teach him anything about art- time wasted. I'd hit a brick wall, as far as I was concerned. My art tutor, Tim Perkins was there, and despite looking for him all day I just couldn't find him, so before I rushed off to the DC panel, I had one final search. Despite not finding him until later, I found someone else. Sean Phillips. He was doing a Wolverine sketch for a fan. I asked if there was any chance of me getting one, and he said yes, but I'd need £10. I emptied my pockets and found only £4. The small-press industry got the better of me- and left me broke. Sean then said it'd be alright, and drew a sketch anyway. By this time, it had become natural to discuss self publishing while getting a sketch, so I did. Then I saw that Jake, his son, was there, and he had self published a book called Roboy. I told Sean I was thinking of self publishing in a few years. He told me that I shouldn't wait- Jake published his when he was 11. And there was the inspiration- I'd go along with that idea swirling in my head. Although leaving me gasping for air and burning a huge hole in my pocket, Bristol was a great success. And Jake, who published Roboy, is now an artist with us today, so good things definitely came out of Bristol. Now lets see if good things come out of Frontier Entertainment...
