AWARDS

Below are the various awards we have won individually & collectively over the years:
NSW WRITERS AUSTRALIAN TITLE OF THE YEAR: 2004
Jaeger Series.
Storm Publishing.

AUSTRALIAN ALTERNATIVE COMIC VENTURE OF THE YEAR: 2005
SuburbanKnights: An Adventure In Music.
Produced by Foolproof Comics in conjunction with FBi Radio

WEBCOMIC OR COMIC STRIP OF THE YEAR: 2006
Billy: Demon Slayer.
Produced by Siberian Productions.
SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY OF THE YEAR: 2006
Welcome To Woodville.
Produced by STaB Comics.

COLLABORATIVE COMIC/ PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR: 2007
NEWCASTLE WRITERS FESTIVAL/ THIS IS NOT ART
OzSlaught Issue # Zero.
GHOTI, Inc – inclusive of Foolproof/ fictionym Comics, Siberian Productions, STaB Comics & Storm Publishing.

BEHIND THE SCENES

OZSLAUGHT

Here is a look at the production of the cover to OZSLAUGHT #4 - illustrated by Tanya Nicholls of STORM PUBLISHING. We see it here in 4 stages - roughs, pencils, inks & finally coloured. This sequence also appeared in our SERIOUS COMICS gallery installation of 2009

(see HOME PAGE for the link)

SERIOUS COMICS

Now here is a bit of a look at the production of the standee we used as the greeting to our SERIOUS COMICS gallery installation - illustrated by Shannon Browning of STaB Comics. We see it here also in 4 stages - roughs, pencils, inks & finally coloured. (see HOME PAGE for the link to the SERIOUS COMICS gallery installation)

TANYA NICHOLLS & TONY NEWTON

As mentioned in the ABOUT US page, Tanya is a prolific writer and illustrator. Tony as well, but to a slightly lesser extent. To that effect here is a link to 2 short videos showcasing thier drawing talents & a little bit about what we do... COMING SOON!

Storm Publishing:

Foolproof/ fictionym:

HISTORY

Interest in the Australian Independent Comics scene is mediocre at best. Some last the distance year-to-year, but many fall by the wayside. Those underground hits that DO ‘make it’ after a fashion owe their success only partially to their fan base, & mostly to the insane, dogged persistence & never-say-die attitudes of their creators. And money… money helps.

In the last few years of the larger organised conventions in Australia (Supernova & such), 3 comics publishers have stood out from the crowd of little guys & kept their dreams going somehow – Siberian Productions, Storm Publishing & Foolproof Comics. Siberian is Hayden Fryer – always trying new avenues to push his market out.. Storm is Owen & Tanya Nicholls – Tanya is the artist & creator & the most HUUUGELY prolific in the Aussie Indy Comics industry. Finally we have Foolproof Comics – Jason, Nathan, Pablo & Tony. Tony is the driving force in the group & most enthusiastic member… which leads us to the X-Over.

A Bucket Of Chutney

So how the hell did we come up with this ludicrous storyline? The origins of the monster began at Foolproof Comics in the dim past of 1999. Shortly after they had formed, they conceived a story line similar to the DC/ Marvel ‘Amalgam’ tales* in which Shadowbolt & Black Sparrow (or Sparrowhawk as he was known back then) were smooshed into 1 entity known as Sparrowbolt. This concept is something they deny vehemently to this day as the only record of it was cunningly lost by Tony - & so he was blamed for the idea. Not a problem as he (rightly) thought there were legs to the idea… it only took another 7 years to bring it to fruition.

The Sparrowbolt Trilogy

This egg of a crazy idea spawned a mini-trilogy that revolved around Foolproof godling Mr. Kismet trying to remove his Achilles heel Lightning Force from his plans, creating Sparrowbolt & giving us a brief glimpse into the future & parallel universes.
It was followed by a quick tale even sillier in scope, meant as a parody of all the big DC/ Marvel x-overs called ‘The House of C’. Further – using an in joke at Foolproof, there was a faux poster “BEWARE: THE LEGS ARE COMING’ done as a nod to the fact that Tony added legs to an unfinished drawing of Nate’s which annoyed him greatly. Out of these daft beginnings the colonel of the X-OVER was born!

A Siberian Storm Brews…

After a brief meeting at Supernova #2, Foolproof member Tony met the folks at Storm Publishing & they have been fast friends ever since. Recently Tanya has been collaborating more & more with Tony as they bring forth stories & ideas. Of note were the ill-fated ‘Potatoes In Jackets’ – a parody of the popular main-stream ‘Bananas In Pyjamas’ children’s TV show. After nearly 10 years, Tony had not been able to think of a THING to do with them & as Tanya enjoyed the idea, handed the reigns over to her. Inside of a day she filled a comic with silly 1-page jokes worthy of publication. So armed StormProof was born – ever so briefly.

Then came Hayden Fryer who also leapt into the breach with ideas & zeal a-plenty to create the Siberian Stormproof – an even shorter lived arm of creativity. The ideas were still hot to trot & they didn’t die… they EVOLVED…

STaB In The Dark

Then in 2005 Shannon Browning appeared by utter chance. Tony was to meet up with artist Colin Wells in Parramatta one day & Col had no idea where to meet – except at the Phantom Zone comic shop. Shannon was working there & overheard the excited chatter of indy comic stuff. He was brand spanky new to the indy comic industry & was keen to help out & Tony was kind enough to sell some of his 1st comic at Supernova for him. Since then Shannon has become fast friends with all the creative folk, especially with Tony with whom he shared common interests & life stories.

Here & Now

Which brings us to here & now. After expanding & collaborating on the X-OVER parody idea, it evolved into a decent story-line involving ALL the characters from all 4 comic universes (+ a 5th in the form of Nimbin Studios courtesy of Hayden’s chatter). Some of Tony’s friends outside of the comic industry were by chance getting into maternity wear & brilliantly crafted children’s stories with Paul Squassoni (& his brother Steven) under the “PSsT” heading – these too were to be absorbed.

The idea became such a roller coaster it was decided we would all print under a single banner at the end of it all in a bid to have a bigger presence & maybe… just maybe… make something of this hobby of ours. Hell, we’re going to give it our level best shot & see how we go. WELCOME TO GHOTI Inc!

Running through 2007 & 2008 - Foolproof & fictionym Comics, Siberian Productions, STaB Comics & Storm Publications have banded together to bring you an Australian Independent Comics crossover event… OZSLAUGHT!
Through the machinations of an ill-tempered godling known as Mr. Kismet - all 5 universes are crushed & smooshed together to form a new, bizarre amalgam-verse. Full of strange, yet familiar characters & tangent time lines, the remaining heroes from each universe must team up to put things right… or die trying! Join us on a roller-coaster ride through our collective comics characters as they meet for the 1st time in an event fraught with peril & adventure… and zombies!
OzSlaught…Together We Stand!

Ozslaught is a project of co-operation by local Australian Independent Comic Artists, Writers and Publishers. A massive, multi issue, cross-universe event featuring all of the contributing creators characters. For more information, check out the rest of the site.

All characters and their images and logos are copyright 2007 by their respective owners. All rights reserved in all countries, including North America.
We invented the damn things, we own 'em!!
No part of this Website, including the characters and images portrayed within, may be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the webmasters and Character Creators and Owners, except for review purposes.
Website created by Shannon Browning 2007