Link: http://fallenheroescomicdotcom.wordpress.com/

The very first time I met Barry Nugent in person was at Bristol Comic Con two or three years ago (my memory is not what it used to be!), I'd been listening to his podcast Geek Syndicate for a while and I had recently launched The Sidekickcast. We got on really well and as I'd heard that he'd written a book I asked him if he could bring me a copy, that book was Fallen Heroes. I brought my signed copy home and it went straight onto my bedside cabinet ready to be read and to this very day I'm ashamed to say that is where it has stayed. I want to read it, I look at it longingly all the time but since we started the podcast it has been impossible for me to find the time to read anything that isnt a comic and 'for' the podcast. I tell you all this so you can imagine how elated I was to hear that Fallen Heroes was being adapted into a comic book, finally I could read the story with the added bonus of pictures, always good for me.

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Link: http://www.insomniapublications.com/

One of the many rumours (and I do mean rumour!) flying around the Bristol Comic Expo this year was that Insomnia Publications was on it's way out. This came on the back of book release dates being delayed, mass exodus of staff and their distinct lack of any presence at the Expo even though they had a table booked with books to launch and portfolios to view. Until now I've kept pretty quiet about the situation as I count quite a few of the people involved with Insomnia good friends and it never helps a struggling company to throw about rumours of it's imminent demise.

So here as far as I can determine are the facts:

Nic Wilkinson, Alasdair Duncan, Martin Conaghanand Matt Gibbs have all resigned from their positions at the publisher

The publisher had no official representative at Bristol Comic Expo even though they were supposed to be there and creators that were supposed to be with them at the Expo turned up and manned Insomnia's table themselves with no support from the publisher

Will Pickering; artist on Burke and Hare had to bring copies of the book down from Scotland to Bristol himself

At least one Insomnia book that was due to be launched at Bristol Comic Expo has been delayed until later on in the year

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Whilst at the British International Comics Show 2009 (BICS 09) this weekend I was lucky enough to sit down with Martin Conaghan and Will Pickering; writer and artist respectively of graphic novel Burke and Hare from Insomnia Publications' new Vigil historical imprint. The book tells the ghoulish true story of serial killers William Burke and William Hare in early 19th century Edinburgh.

During the interview I was truly blown away by the level of enthusiasm both creators had for the story of Burke and Hare, not just the story everyone knows but the real truth behind the murders and their historical significance. These guys have lived and breathed this story and it shows in every part of this chilling and macabre production.

Direct Download of Interview