Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Steve English wins Bucket Prize with Mobile Phone-inspired comic

Steve English with his
'Tartan Bucket'
Steve English, creator of the ROK Comics-published strip Madd Science, has just been awarded the first Tartan Bucket Prize (named in honour of famous Scottish comics character Oor Wullie) organised by Dundee University in conjunction with D C Thomson.

The aim of the competition was to design a cartoon character and story that would be suitable for the likes of weekly print comics Beano and Dandy.

Steve's winning entry, Belle's Magic Mobile, will feature in the Beano in January 2012.

"It's about a girl with a magic mobile phone that she gets from her grandad who looks suspiciously like Alexander Graham Bell," Steve tells us. "I'm hoping there's lots of scope for follow up stories. I'm madly inking some new stories to show the Beano, but time will only tell if they see it that way too.

"They're going to publish it in January," he reveals. "Chris Murray, the guy who organised the Dundee Comic Day, has said he would probably put an exhibition together for that time too."


Madd Science is one of three creator-owned iPhone apps available from ROK Comics, the others being Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci and The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin.

ROK Comics fans will recall Steve also won our very own comics competition, back in 2007.

In addition to his competition success, his football humour strip Football Earth now features in two more publications, She Kicks published by Baltic Publications and Farnborough OBG matchday programme.

Friday, 28 October 2011

ROK Comics partners with STRIP Comic Magazine for first iPad title

ROK Comics is pleased to announce the launch of a digital edition of the new UK adventure anthology comic STRIP Magazine, published by Print Media Productions.

Initially only available in print in dedicated UK comic shops, the digital edition of the first issue is now available worldwide for iPad from the Apple iTunes store.

Published by new graphic novel and magazine company Print Media Productions, STRIP Magazine is an adventure anthology comic featuring some great art and stories from some brilliant creators including PJ Holden (Judge Dredd), John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys), Michael Penick (Insurrection), John Ridgway and many more.

Offering a range of strip stories, comics news, interviews and features, plus a fully re-mastered version of the classic British comic strip Hookjaw, this is a first issue you will not want to miss!

ROK Comics partnership with Print Media Productions is one of several new agreements with comics publishers and comic creators. These include the release of an iPad edition of The Iron Moon, a steampunk graphic novel created by acclaimed film writer Stephen Walsh and veteran British artist Keith Page. A special 'prequel' strip for The Iron Moon appears in STRIP Magazine #1.

The opening page of Black Ops Xtreme,
drawn by PJ Holden.
© Print Media Productions
ROK Comics recently launched its first fully originated comic, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. which is initially being published as a weekly web comic (at www.theteammobile.com), followed by roll out on iPad and other devices.

An ongoing adventure comic, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. centres on the story of teenagers recruited into a secret organisation to battle crime, terrorism and other dangers – some stranger than others – created by ROK founder Jonathan Kendrick.

ROK Comics has previously published creator-owned and licensed strips for mobile, with three iPhone apps – Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science by Steve English.

Further iPhone and iPad apps, working with a number of different publishers, are in development.

ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ROK Global PLC was co-founded by US Billionaire John Paul DeJoria and UK-based serial technology-specialist entrepreneur, Jonathan Kendrick.

In addition to being co-founder of ROK, John Paul DeJoria is Chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, the producer and manufacturer of Paul Mitchell hair care products and is also co-founder of Patron Tequila, the world’s leading premium tequila brand.

ROK has pioneered many new technologies in the rapidly-evolving mobile and web space, including high quality mass-market Mobile TV

Print Media is a new British company formed by Ivo Milicevic, who has been publishing comics and graphic albums in Bosnia and Croatia for 20 years, working with publishers such as Bamboo, Casterman Dupuis, Les Humanoides Associes and King Features Syndicate. PMP UK plans to publish comics and graphic albums in the UK market, developing their own characters but also working directly with creators and other publishers to create new graphic albums and comic strips. More info at www.printmediaproductions.com

• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com

• STRIP Magazine #1 can be downloaded at: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/strip-magazine-1/id474222695?mt=8

• The Iron Moon can be downloaded at: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-iron-moon/id472627046?mt=8

• Read Team M.O.B.I.L.E. at www.theteammobile.com

ROK Comics releases first iPad Graphic Novel, "The Iron Moon"

Lancaster, England, 28th October 2011: ROK Comics, Britain's dedicated mobile comics publisher, is pleased to announce the launch of a digital edition of the steampunk graphic novel The Iron Moon, a creator-owned comic story by acclaimed Commando comics artist Keith Page and film writer Stephen Walsh.

Described as 'Rorke's Drift in Space', The Iron Moon is a fast-paced steampunk-inspired adventure starring no-nonsense adventuress Charlotte Corday and is now available worldwide for iPad from the Apple iTunes store.

In the story, the twentieth century is just around the corner and Queen Victoria is hale and hearty as she heads into the second century of her reign. The British Empire stretches from the white cliffs of Dover to the red skies of Mars. Go-getting men and women of the imperial dominions flock to the colours, eager to make reputations and fortunes in the wilds of high space.

Take lieutenant Charlotte Corday, for instance. Born in what used to be known as France, she has risen to prominence through the ranks of the Royal Space Navy and now finds herself up to her neck in her greatest escapade yet. Watch as she travels to the mysterious Iron Moon! Marvel as she grapples with a conspiracy that may see the galaxy plunged into war! Goggle as she meets new and strange races, both mechanical and biological! Ponder how she manages to put away so many cups of tea! And prepare to have your brain scrambled as she scoops us up and carries us to the very limits of this universe... and into the next!

ROK Comics partnership with Stephen and Keith is one of several new agreements with comics publishers and comic creators. These include the release of an iPad edition of the first issue of the adventure anthology comic STRIP Magazine, published by Print Media Productions, which includes a special 'prequel' strip for The Iron Moon.

ROK Comics recently launched its first fully originated comic, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. which is initially being published as a weekly web comic (at www.theteammobile.com), followed by roll out on iPad and other devices.

ROK Comics has previously published creator-owned and licensed strips for mobile, with three iPhone apps – Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science by Steve English.

Further iPhone and iPad apps, working with a number of different publishers, are in development.

ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

• The Iron Moon can be downloaded for £4.99 at: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-iron-moon/id472627046?mt=8


• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com


• A print edition of The Iron Moon is available from Print Media Productions – www.printmediaproductions.com

Praise for The Iron Moon

"Keith Page's artwork here is a joy and a revelation... In recent years his own style has really developed and The Iron Moon is proof of the dedication and hard work he's devoted to his craft. Keith has put an amazing amount of detail into the drawings and the book is a rewarding experience... A refreshing change from all the computer coloured pages usually found in comics these days."
Lew Stringer, Blimey, It's another Blog About Comics

"... Keith Page’s imaginative artwork complements and enhances Walsh’s writing. It brings the fantastic and bizarre world to life, no mean feat considering some of the things that the script has asked him to do. That he has done everything asked of him... and done it with such style is an achievement that deserves all the plaudits it will get."
Gordon Robertson, Comic Buzz

About the Authors

Iron Moon writer Stephen Walsh has written multiple volumes of DC Thomson's Commando Picture Library, as well as the graphic novel The Acid Bath Case (illustrated by Kellie Strom). He co-wrote the feature films How Harry Became A Tree, released in 2001, directed by Goran Paskaljevic and the upcoming Where The Sea Used To Be, directed by Paul Farren. He's currently working on a documentary about John Ford with the director Sé Merry Doyle, as well as preparing further adventures of Charlotte Corday with Keith Page.

Inspired by the great British comics artists of the past such as Frank Hampson, Don Lawrence and Joe Colquhoun, Keith Page has worked full-time in comics and illustration for some 17 years. Subjects have ranged from television-related material such as Thunderbirds, science fiction, and his current war stories of all periods for Commando. A variety of Keith's work can be seen on www.keithpageukcomicsartist.blogspot.com.

About ROK Global

Listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ROK Global PLC was co-founded by US Billionaire John Paul DeJoria and UK-based serial technology-specialist entrepreneur, Jonathan Kendrick.

In addition to being co-founder of ROK, John Paul DeJoria is Chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, the producer and manufacturer of Paul Mitchell hair care products and is also co-founder of Patron Tequila, the world’s leading premium tequila brand.

ROK has pioneered many new technologies in the rapidly-evolving mobile and web space, including high quality mass-market Mobile TV (which can be streamed, live and on-demand, over mass-market 2.5G as well as 3G and Wi-Fi) as well as mobile security technologies and multi-language text-to-speech technologies.

Monday, 3 October 2011

Cartoonist Callout for The 9th Annual 'The Cartoon Days of Christmas'


ROK Comics creator Rich Diesslin has just announced the 9th Annual On-line The Cartoon Days of Christmas, which aims to offer cartoonists interested in some free promotional fun.

This year's Cartoon Days of Christmas will begin on 1st December and run until 5th January 5th at www.the-cartoonist.com. Cartoons need to be submitted by 28th November in order to be posted on the web site.

Each cartoonist will have a page featuring two or more cartoons on the theme of humor in the Christmas season.

"It will be G-rated fun for the whole family and help to keep the hustle and bustle of the holidays in perspective," says Rich.

How it's looked in past years can be found at www.the-cartoonist.com/tcdc_july.html

Rich, whose 'Mobile Gospel' is available as a ROK Comics-produced iPhone app, is known for his freelance cartoons and cartoon books on a variety of topics including his recent e-book KNOTS Scouting, Out-to-Lunch general and Gospel cartoons.

"This foray into Christmas humour is one of the ways the cartoonists can draw attention to their cartoons, blogs and web sites," Rich enthuses."It's free publicity for those participating, and this year they will again be able to have two cartoons added to the gift shop to generate a little bit of revenue next year."

What you need to participate:
  • RSVP e-mail to Rich so you can be kept up-to-date on any developments
Basic stuff needed for your web page:
  • Two or more cartoons on Christmas (G or PG-rated)
  • A brief biography (one or two paragraphs)
  • A banner and/or contact information
  • E-mail them to Rich by 28th November 2011 via RLDesATaol.com
  • Promote the event to your contacts
  • Enjoy the show!
Content will be screened for suitability on a family-oriented web site! Further information is available upon request, including interviews and graphics as needed.

Thursday, 1 September 2011

ROK Comics launches Misfits from M.O.B.I.L.E.

ROK Comics, Britain's dedicated mobile comics publisher, has just launched its first originated comic title – MISFITS FROM M.O.B.I.L.E.

MISFITS FROM M.O.B.I.L.E., drawn by Andrew Chiu, is the first fully originated ROK Comics title and will initially be published as a weekly web comic (at www.misfitsfrommobile.com), followed by roll out on iPad and other devices.

An ongoing adventure comic, MISFITS FROM M.O.B.I.L.E. centres on the story of teenagers recruited into a secret organisation to battle crime, terrorism and other dangers – some stranger than others.

And if you’re wondering why a secret organisation would risk such young lives, there’s a very good reason, and all will be revealed in the coming weeks…

MISFITS FROM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the creation of ROK founder Jonathan Kendrick, a concept he has been developing for several years. Inspired by a love of James Bond and comics, he came up with the back story for the comic, including its top secret 'MindMerge' technology and gadgets.

The strip is written by John Freeman from storylines by Jonathan Kendrick, with art by Andrew Chiu. Kris Carter is colouring the title, with Jim Campbell providing lettering and logos.

John Freeman's credits include work for Marvel, Judge Dredd Megazine and other comics but he's perhaps better known as an editor, for ROK Comics and titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, STRIP Magazine and many others. Andrew Chiu's credits include 2000 AD, the mainstay of the British comics industry, DC Comics, Vertigo Comics and ILEX Press.

Kris Carter is a digital colourist, illustrator and web designer whose credits include Transformers and Doctor Who and Jim Campbell is a professional comic-book letterer and occasional artist whose credits are far too numerous to details but suffice to say, he's worked for pretty much every major British comic publisher and some American companies, too.

ROK Comics has previously published creator-owned and licensed strips for mobile, with three iPhone apps – Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science by Steve English.

Further iPhone apps, working with a number of different publishers, are in development.

ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ROK Global PLC was co-founded by US Billionaire John Paul DeJoria and UK-based serial technology-specialist entrepreneur, Jonathan Kendrick.

In addition to being co-founder of ROK, John Paul DeJoria is Chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, the producer and manufacturer of Paul Mitchell hair care products which achieves in-salon retail sales of approximately US $900m annually through more than 100,000 salons worldwide. John Paul is also co-founder of Patron Tequila, the world’s leading premium tequila brand.

• Follow MISFITS from M.O.B.I.L.E. at www.misfitsfrommobile.com


• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com