Body talk…

The 2015 ESPN magazine Body Issue is on sale and Marvel’s mightiest flex their muscles alongside sporting heroes

The Body Issue is a celebration of sporting heroes and the effects that years of hard work and dedication have on the human body.

There are six regular covers (showcasing different athletic body types and sports) and a special Super Heroes edition insert. This Marvel Insert compares the different physiques of some of Marvel’s mightiest heroes and are illustrated by the likes of Frank Cho and Jim Cheung.

The Body Issue’s are full of inspirational photography (without showing any ‘naughty’ bits) and there are multiple covers – showing today’s sporting superstars. You can view the 2015 (and previous year’s) covers here. My favourite from the 2015 series is a body-positive effort featuring the beautiful and powerful US Hammer Olympian Amanda Bingson.

 

 

 

Empire of the Ant-man…

The UKs best-selling entertainment magazine gets a refresh

Simple effective design and drop cap

Loads to look at

Empire has always been one of my favourite magazines to read and I am a long-time subscriber. I enjoy the magazine’s editorial consistency and mix of features and reviews. The design has always been – outside of stunning features – either rather plain or bonkers (random colour slabs behind review copy anyone?). The July 2015 issue is however, rather beautiful…

The two review sections – In Cinemas and Review – have a lovely new grid system that allows plenty of white space (without feeling empty). I love the big splash images and the delicate greyscale drop-caps. I also think the ‘like this, watch this’ box outs help break up the page well. Alongside the reviews are fantastic catch-up viewing guides, tables and more.

Arrows

The whole issue is linked via a delightful set of arrows that flow throughout – pointing to important information, tidbits and images – encouraging the reader to examine even the smallest details.

The colour palette is quite muted using greys and creams alongside blues and greens but don’t let that put you off – it really lets the images and movie features stand out.

There is some weird pacing in places. I don’t personally like features that start on a single page and the Magic Mike XXL feature is a little lost because of this but, I’ve worked in magazines long enough to know this was probably due to advertising constraints.

All in all this is a very solid start and I can’t wait for the next issue to drop through the letterbox.

In the trenches…

Garry Walton commission brings WW1 hero to life

I love a good, old-fashioned tale of bravery – especially when they feature the unfortunate young men who were thrust into the battlefields of WW1. One of the best parts of my job is commissioning the illustrations that accompany such stories.

This particular image is printed in Your Family Tree issue 154 (which is on sale now) and shows a reader’s great-grandfather who served in the 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales’ Own) during the conflict.

I think you’ll agree that Garry Walton has captured the feel of WW1 perfectly in this image.

Ant-man teaser arrives…

Entertainment Weekly’s magnificent magnifying cover really hits the spot

You can’t move for Marvel movies these days. Following on from the success of Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers et al comes Ant-Man starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas.

I’ve never been a big fan of the character  – as I prefer my heroes to be very big, very strong, angry and green (you know who I’m talking about) – but I think you have to applaud Marvel for making movies based on less well known characters. Check out this stunning infographic to see if your favourite is heading to the big screen.

Ant-Man may have been a movie with issues (Edgar Wright leaving halfway through production etc etc) but I think the trailer looks half decent. It is only a teaser but there is something about it that gets my juices flowing.

I also love the superb cover photography from Entertainment Weekly’s January issue. It’s quirky but does a good job of promoting the movie in a visual way. I guess Paul Rudd should count his blessings that the sun wasn’t bright that day or else he’d be a bit crispy.

Ant-Man is released on Friday 17 July 2015.

Your Family Tree…

Digital back issues currently only 99p each on Google Play Newsstand!

The end of a year is always the busiest in magazine-land and 2014 was no exception. The short deadlines mean I haven’t showcased my work in a while, but as 2015 is here, I thought I’d better start blogging in earnest once again.

The good news is that all of my recent work on Your Family Tree is currently available for only 99p an issue. There is a wealth of genealogy topics to delve into and issues are available for less than the price of a caramel latte.

The latest issue (151) is also available at this bargain price. Tracing your family history back 600 years has never been easier – especially as you can now take YFT with you wherever you go. Visit GooglePlay and start tracing your family line today. What are you waiting for?

The dead have highways…

Madefire and Seraphim join forces to bring Clive Barker’s Books of Blood to life on the Motion Book platform.

Review: Clive Barker’s Next Testament #1 & #2 (Madefire/Boom! Studios)

Next Testament arrives from the mind of Clive Barker and was previously posted on the sublime Pipedream Comics: The Ultimate Guide to Digital comics…

Review: Milk for the Ugly (Madefire)

I loved this independent motionbook from the talented people at Madefire. This review was published on the essential Pipedream Comics: The Ultimate Guide to Digital comics…

Review: Mono: Pacific #2 (Madefire)

My review as posted on the excellent Pipedream Comics: The Ultimate Guide to Digital comics. Love digital comics? Then you need to visit Pipedream…

Review: Mono: Pacific #1 (Madefire)

Here’s a review that I recently wrote. It was previously published on Pipedream Comics: The Ultimate Guide to Digital comics. There’s loads more to read and discover over there so please pop along…