Dave's May '24 Newsletter
An apology, my Run 'n' Gun book reveal and much more!
Hi folks, Dave here with my May newsletter, which features some rapid-fire updates on all my current projects, two new releases and some fresh comic con appearance dates.
First, a quick apology to all subscribers
I wanted to kick-off by apologising to you all for posting here more than usual over the last month. As many of you will know, I was running a very tough Kickstarter campaign for the Killtopia: Nano Jams anthology book.
We hit our target in the end, but it was a real fight the whole way, thanks to several factors. I got a bit desperate when it was looking like we would’t hit our goal, so decided to send a few more updates out via Substack - despite this purely being a monthly newsletter. I should have known better, however.
I lost a bunch of subscribers because of that, and there’s no hard feelings there, as it was entirely their decision to make. But to the rest of you who are still here; thank you and I won’t be doing that again, I promise!
My new premium subscription is live!
Over the past month, I’ve been posting weekly comic creating guides as part of my premium subscription tier. Thanks to everyone who has recently subscribed, your support really does help me continue to make my books!
The premium tier is only £3.50 a month (or £20 a year if you prefer), and it gets you access to the guides, which are full of advice based on my experiences as a comic and book writer over the past ten years - and advice I’ve gained from others in the business.
You can check out some free previews below - cheers!
Run ‘n’ Gun book reveal!
At long last, after almost two years of working on it, publisher Bitmap Books has finally revealed my next video game history book.
Say hello to Run ‘n’ Gun: A History of On-foot Shooters!
The book clocks in at over 400 pages, throughout which I examine over 40 years of run ‘n’ gun history.
Kicking off in the late 1970s, the book takes you on a decade-by-decade tour that includes over 300 games. Each game has been covered individually, including making-of stories, wild trivia, gameplay impressions, gameplay tips and lush visuals and design.
The book covers notable heavyweights of the genre, such as Contra, Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug, Cuphead, Sunset Riders, Ikari Warrior and Blazing Chrome. It also includes many lesser-known gems that you absolutely must play.
Lastly, it features write-ups by several guest contributors (who we’ll reveal soon!) and guest forewords by industry legends that I am itching to reveal (but I can’t yet..)
Bitmap Books is aiming for a July launch, so preorders for the first print run will open soon. Sign up to their mailing list for an alert once orders open to avoid missing out!
Killtopia: Complete Edition preorders are open now!
Next, publisher Titan Comics has opened preorders for the Killtopia: Complete Collection hardback book, which launches across the UK and US on September 24th, 2024.
Here’s the cover:
The 288 page book collects Killtopia #1-5 for the first time, with all new bonus material and remastered editions of the first two books.
You can preorder a copy now through your local comic book store, or at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Forbidden Planet and other stores.
You’ll find preorder links for all retailers on the official Killtopia site.
Two new Killtopia: Nano Jams pages
Production continues on our first anthology, and I wanted to quickly share two fresh pages with you all.
The first page is from 'Warm Hug' by writer Simon Birks and artist Drekas Art.
It's one of those anthology shorts where saying too much would definitely be a spoiler - but what I can say is that it follows two Neo Tokyo citizens as they head underground to document a rare resource that has become sought after by the world...
Next up, we have 'Imiter' by writer Christa Harader and artist Zak Kinsella. This short focuses on a security drone that becomes profoundly altered by some of the nasty stuff it has captured in Neo Tokyo's Killtopia hunting grounds.
Lastly: I’ll be at MCM London Comic Con next Fri-Sun
That’s basically the announcement, hah! But yeah, I’ll be tabling my wares at MCM London Comic Con, Friday May 24-Sunday May 26 in Artist’s Alley.
Stop on by if you’re at the show for a chat!
Thanks again everyone, stay well and have a great week!
-Dave
Hey Dave, congrats on the successful kickstarter!
Also as a comics fan and humble proam creator, I would like to say that we know there will be a time you will need to rally the troops, because this is the way you get to the next project and keep the lights on, so thank you for the heads up but dont worry we are here so we can all together build a great community, and get more cool comics!
Have a great one!