Team M.O.B.I.L.E. Comic
Issue 3 of Team M.O.B.I.L.E., the audio comic app I've been illustrating is now available for downloads on itunes for iphone and ipad devices.  This issue is set in the fictional 'Game World' theme park where the teen agents investigate the mysterious disappearance of children.  Team M.O.B.I.L.E. is a Rok Comics production, created by Jonathan Kendrick, Ferg Handley (script), Andrew Chiu (art), Kris Carter and Kirsty Swan (colour) and Jim Campbell (letters), backed by a full UK-US voice cast and soundtrack.  The first two issues are still available for free through both itunes and google play.

I drew this last year, but a considerable amount of lead in time to publication is required once it leaves my drawing board, as John Freeman, Rok's editor has to co-ordinate the completion of the coloured and lettered stages of the comic, and oversee production of the audio soundtrack, animation sequences, and app development - as well as managing publication of Rok Comics other titles!  He also finds time to promote UK comics in his Down The Tubes blog which is worth checking out.

 
 
I've completed my drawing chores on all 22 pages of issue 3 this week.  I still have the cover left to do but plan on focusing on that next week.  The issue finds the team on a mission at a fictional theme park of which I've added a preview shot below.  Kris Carter is tasked again with turning my black and white illustrations into glorious technicolor.  Ferg Handley takes over from John Freeman as the writer as John has his hands full with an array of projects over at Rok Comics, partly involving their sister company Rok Records.  Ferg has also written some more historical biographies for BBC Bitesize's history channel, one of which I'm fortunate to be illustrating even as we speak. 
 
 
Some turnarounds recently completed for Rok Comics ongoing digital comic Team MO.B.I.L.E.  The turnarounds will assist Rok's animation team in producing the cool animated panels that are embedded into the comic book app.
A promo video for Team MO.B.I.L.E. #2 showing some of the animation featured in the latest release:
 
 
ROK Comics has announced the expansion of its audio comics range, withTeam M.O.B.I.L.E. 1-2 and Houdini now on sale for iPad, iPhone and Android devices for free, with many more titles in the works.  I have provided the art on the first two issues of Team M.O.B.I.L.E and I'm currently hard at work on the third issue.  Below is some preview art from issue 2 and a You Tube promo spot Rok comics have developed which demonstrate the audio and animation capabilities of the apps published.

Links

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. The series was created by Jonathan Kendrick, written by John Freeman,  features art by Andrew Chiu, colours by Kris Carter, and lettering by . 

•  Team M.O.B.I.L.E. #1 is FREE for iPad and iPhone:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/team-mobile-comic/id516600477 Team M.O.B.I.L.E. #1 is free for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rok.comics.teammobile01

•  Team M.O.B.I.L.E. #2 is free for iPad and iPhone:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/team-mobile-2/id549502691?mt=8

•  Team M.O.B.I.L.E. #2 is free for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rok.comics.teammobile02

Houdini is an ongoing adventure comic recounting all-new adventures of the world’s greatest escape artist. Written by magician Jamie Allan Nicklin and composer and script writer Simon Wheeler, the launch issue features art by the highly-regarded Spanish artists Rafael Broseta and David Belmonte. 

• Houdini #1 is FREE for iPad and iPhone at:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/houdini/id531385730?mt=8&ls=1 
• Download Houdini #1 FREE for Android at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rok.comics.houdini 
 
 
ROK Comics, Britain’s dedicated mobile comics publisher, has published its first originated audio comic title for the iPad – TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E.

Featuring a fully authored audio soundtrack and its own theme tune, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the exciting story of teenage secret agents battling dangerous enemies across the globe.  An ongoing adventure story, the first issue of TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. centres on the story of misfit duo Maisy Brown and Sam Thompson, who are recruited into a secret organisation to battle crime, terrorism and other dangers.

TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the creation of ROK Group PLC co-founder Jonathan Kendrick.  The strip is written by John Freeman from storylines by Jonathan Kendrick, with art by Andrew ChiuKris Carter is colouring the title, with Jim Campbell providing lettering and logos. [Further Details]

The first issue can be downloaded now for free via iTunes.
 
 
Been a while since I provided a work update.  This has been partly due to taking on consultancy work outside of the illustration bubble to alleviate some of the stresses and strains of being a freelancer.  

So, on with the update:
Picture
Team M.O.B.I.L.E.
Here's a preview image from issue 2 of Team M.O.B.I.L.E  I completed a few weeks back.  The series is being launched shortly on the iPad by Rok Comics.  It's produced by the same creative team as the first issue - John Freeman (writer), me (art), Kris Carter (colours), and Jim Campbell (letters).  I'm working in good company in terms of comic industry Eagle Award nominees, with John nominated for Strip in the Favourite British Comics category, and Kris for Lou Scannon in the black and white category.  FutureQuake which I contributed a strip to last year is also in the running in the same category.  Jim Campbell of course has contributed his lettering skills to Strip amongst probably other nominated comics on the shortlists!

Ahead of its iPad release, there has been heaps of audiovisual work done on the first issue to produce an immersive experience.  The theme tune can be heard by clicking on the sidebar to the right, and there is an interview with John which coincided with the recent Hi-Ex Comic Convention in Glasgow to shed more light on the project.

I have begun work on the cover for the third issue whilst the script is being finalised.  

BBC Bitesize
I've completed an illustrated biography of a historical figure for the BBC Bitesize website which provides study aids for children and young adults about to sit there exams.  I was pleased with the figure I was assigned as they have strong links with Manchester.    The commission comprised of 27 illustrations in a widescreen format, and  hopefully I'll be able to post some images on here once they are online.  

Rising Stars
I'm currently working on illustrations for a couple of titles for Rising Stars, an award winning independent book publisher for the children's education sector.  The illustrations will be A2 in size which is not something I've tackled before.  My main worry is whether my computer will cope when I move on to the colouring stage in photoshop.  I'm looking for any excuse to upgrade to a macbook!

Franklin Watts
I've just commenced initial work on a graphic novel for Franklin Watts as part of their reluctant reader series of books.  Franklin Watts are part of Hachette, one of the major industry book publishers so it'll be a good opportunity to get my work in print with them. 

A few other bits and bobs are in the pipeline.  Hopefully be able to reveal more in the next update.

 
 
The end of the first book is drawing to a conclusion with the first sighting of the M.O.B.I.L.E. headquarters.  Another great colouring job by Kris Carter over my black and white art.  Rok Comics are currently developing the ipad version of the Team M.O.B.I.L.E. comic for launch with a few bells and whistles added.
 
 
The comic book has had a name change to a snappier title.  New web address as well: www.theteammobile.com
It's up to episode 9 now.  I'm currently pencilling book 2 which I guess covers episodes 23 onward.  Here's some illustrations from episode 8 & 9 out now: