Bayou'd be mad to miss it

Another project that Alexi Conman has contributed to that should see publication later this year is Bayou Arcana (Volume 1: Songs of Loss and Redemption), edited by Jimmy Pearson and published by Markosia.

Bayou Arcana is a 'southern gothic' fantasy/horror anthology of linked short stories (each with a different creative team) about a magical swamp and the community of escaped slaves who've made their home there. To make the structure even more complex, the creative teams are all made up of male writers and female artists to hopefully give the book an interesting and balanced artistic dynamic.

Alexi scripted a story called 'Tohopka', about a half-Hopi emotionally-repressed bounty hunter of that name, who sets out to capture the escaped slaves. Alexi is very pleased that the story is being drawn by Vicky Stonebridge, who has a really vibrant art style with a genuine sense of magic that will suit the book perfectly. With a host of other great talent involved, the book is sure to be a winner and Alexi is very much looking forward to seeing it complete.

For more info (including ordering options), Alexi urges you to visit the Markosia website.

Wood you believe it

Although Alexi failed to conquer the world in 2011, he maintains that goal for 2012. One of the comics projects that he's involved with that will be released this year is Into The Woods.

Conceived of and edited by the stupendous Stacey Whittle (of Small Press Big Mouth fame) with design and production by the astounding Andy Bloor (of Accent UK fame), it's a really varied anthology of fairytale stories, ranging from the light and fun to the dark and eerie.

Alexi scripted a four-page story (somewhat towards the dark and eerie end of the spectrum) called 'Changeling' for the book. As the completion deadline approached, things were looking uncertain for this little tale (due to a couple of changes in the project's artist roster), but at short notice, to Alexi's immense approval, one of the most hotly-tipped artists currently working in the UK small press stepped in - Conor Boyle. Aside from being ruddy good, he's lightning fast and turned in some great pages that Alexi thought made a tricky story work really well.

In addition to 'Changeling', the book features seven more stories:

• Nic Papaconstantinou, Bevis Musson and Filip Roncone - 'Amber And The Egg'
• Richard McAuliffe and Sara Dunkerton - 'Red Riding Hood'
• Scott Harrison, Lee Grice and Filip Roncone - 'The Madness From The Sea'
• Daniel Clifford, David Wynne and Ian Sharman - 'The Black Shoes'
• Lee Robson, Simon Wyatt and Filip Roncone - 'The Lang Pack'
• Ollie Masters and Valia Kapadai - 'Time For A Change'
• Matt Gibbs and Alice Duke - 'Samhain'
• Stu.Art - 'Blood & Sacrifice'

Plus pin-up/cover art from Graeme Howard, Vicky Stonebridge and Andy Bloor & Steve Howard.

Having seen much of the finished material, Alexi is mightily impressed with the high level of quality that's maintained throughout and urges you to pick up a copy when it's released at Cardiff International Comic & Animation Expo on 25th-26th February.

Boom Bang A Bang

Alexi apologises for being somewhat late in reporting this, but the third issue of The Big Bang (a brilliant comic series by Jack Fallows that Alexi provides vague assistance with) was released at Thought Bubble. Alexi was really pleased with how it turned out. It's just a little stand-alone story examining a life spent trying to make sense of the incomprehensible. More info on Jack's blog and you can purchase it (and the first two issues) easily via Jack's Etsy shop.