Big Tim Stiles, Big Tim's Funny Books, and The Turtle-Boy Podcast acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of Australia. We acknowledge and respect the Ngunnawal people and their Elders past, present, and emerging as the traditional custodians of this region where we live, learn, and work.
In this week’s newsletter I:
discuss what you can find in my Kickstarter, launching next week
quickly remind you of my U.S.Agent Giveaway
DEMAND that you to pre-order the best comic book of 2021 (don’t worry, it’s not another one of mine)
Morning tribe.
It’s hard to believe that its only a week until we launch the next issue of GORILLA MY DREAMS. I’ve lived with this big, blue, crime-fighting gorilla in my head for over five years now, and I’m so grateful that my partner in crime Ahmed Raafat has brought Knockaround-Guy to life.
And now we’re releasing our fourth issue?!
You know, a lot of people talk about making a comic or movie, but not many ever get around to doing it. And of those who do, not many go on to make more than one. It’s completely understandable, because it’s not easy, it can be draining emotionally and financially. So as I say that, there is no judgement in my words at all. I get it.
But I’m about to launch my 4th issue in this series. Forgive me, but I’m pretty proud of bringing Knockaround-Guy this far.
For those of you new to the GORILLA MY DREAMS comics, it started almost five years ago as a webcomic. If you want to have a free taste, 90% of the first two issues are still live over on the GORILLA MY DREAMS WebToons. Seriously, hit the link and read some free comics for a little while. I’ll entertain myself until you get back.
Hey man! Welcome back!
What you just read is the core story of the first two issues of GORILLA MY DREAMS. When I printed up each issue I also filled them with PLENTY of extras including bonus short stories and behind the scenes art progressions. Each issue weighed in at a hefty 36 pages each!
What about the next issue?
GORILLA MY DREAMS: THE SHEEP FROM THE GHOST picks up immediately where that last page you just read leaves off, and sees Knockaround-Guy wake up missing part of his memory. He’s found himself in the convent of the Sisterhood of Perpetual Ewes, surrounded by sheep-people nuns with tales of a mysterious ghost. How did he get there? Who is the enigmatic ghost? And what does it mean to Knockaround-Guy's search for secrets from his past?
GORILLA MY DREAMS: THE SHEEP FROM THE GHOST will come with three different covers…
The red one is the mass-produced, regular cover by Sami Kivelä, artist of some of my favourite comics including Machine Gun Wizards (Dark Horse Comics), Undone By Blood (AfterShock Comics), Beautiful Canvas (Black Mask Studios), and Chum and Deer Editor (ComixTribe)! Get in contact with your local store and order all of them. They’re all great reads!
I am so happy and proud to have Sami on board as cover artist for this issue, the final issue of Phase One of GORILLA MY DREAMS.
The greenish cover is the Limited Edition cover by regular GORILLA MY DREAMS artist and co-creator Ahmed Raafat. This cover will only ever see 100 copies printed. This cover will never be reprinted once those 100 copies sell out. I specifically asked Ahmed to do this cover for me. The black comedy film out of New Zealand, HOUSEBOUND was very inspirational to me while writing this comic, so I found it fitting that the LE cover be a homage.
And finally is the blank sketch cover. I think this might actually be the final issue I offer these blank covers for as well. Another fitting change to see off Phase One of GORILLA MY DREAMS.
I’ve tried to put together pledge levels for all budgets. Here are just a few:
I’m really proud of GORILLA MY DREAMS: THE SHEEP FROM THE GHOST and I genuinely think it’s our best issue since the first . So I’m very excited to get this comic into your hands.
Oh, and if you have a local comic book store that supports independent comics, let them know about this Kickstarter, because there’ll be a couple Retailer Only pledge levels to get some gorilla noir onto their shelves.
CLICK HERE TO GET A NOTIFICATION WHEN THE KICKSTARTER LAUNCHES!
THE ULTIMATE U.S.AGENT GIVEAWAY!
I also just want to remind you about THE ULTIMATE U.S.AGENT GIVEAWAY! There’s only A FEW DAYS LEFT to go in the draw for over $150 worth of comic book loot featuring a character who is near and dear to my heart, as well as inspirational to the characters I write (especially Knockaround-Guy).
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE ULTIMATE U.S.AGENT GIVEAWAY!
Before I let you go, I want to bring a new comic book to your attention. EVERFROST is a 4 issue miniseries published by Black Mask Studios. You’ll need to pre-order this bad-boy (er... girl?) from your local store quickly, before the pre-order window closes.
Why am I so deadset on you getting this comic? Simple; I have been a fan of the creative team for years and they have never let me down.
Here’s the blurb from PREVIEWSworld: Van Louise retired to the ice coast so she could quietly find a way off planet from a world on the wrong side of societal collapse.
She biohacks a dead leviathan to orchestrate passage away into the universe, but her plans are about to get chewed up by a mounting war between the Warlords - violent gatekeepers for the global ruling party - and the Bloom - those who risk extinction living out on the water - as well as a family reunion with her son who she hasn't seen since he died in her arms when he was a child.
Join Ryan K Lindsay, award-winning writer of ETERNAL and NEGATIVE SPACE, as he teams yet again with Sami Kivela, the artistic juggernaut behind ABBOTT and UNDONE BY BLOOD, alongside Lauren Affe, the colourist of THE WITCHER, STRANGER THINGS, and FIVE GHOSTS as they drop an absolute bomb of sci fi insanity and heartbreaking emotion in the grandest Black Mask tradition.
Apparently EVERFROST has interstellar giant alien skull-whales, emotional flashbacks, sky fights, clones, and a giant fucking sword. Seriously, what else do you want?!
If you like what I do with GORILLA MY DREAMS, you’re going to LOVE what Ryan does. The man is an inspiration to me as a writer and also as a human being.
And these kinds of awesome comics live and die on pre-orders. If you’re feeling a little jaded by comics coming from the big two publishers right now, this is how you change that. By pre-ordering incredible comics like EVERFROST, so that your local store doesn’t overlook them.
That’s it for this week folks. Talk again soon.
Big Tim.
"It's alright to be scared. Remember, there is no courage without fear."
Just in case you're wondering why you're getting this email; You're probably a fan of my superhero gorilla Knockaround-Guy, or you're a fan of nerdy comic book giveaways! Either way, I'm Big Tim Stiles, writer of Gorilla My Dreams. Actor, singer, invented the number 8, lover, champion of Canberra people!
I'm also a family man and I'll be the first to admit that my love for my tribe probably overshadows my ability/competence. I struggle with major depression, chronic pain, PTSD, and anger management. These things fuel my writing of comics starring a big gorilla dressed in blue.
If you'd like to follow my social medias I am @BigTimStiles on both Instagram and Twitter.
APPEARANCES / EVENTS
15 April 2021: GORILLA MY DREAMS: SHEEP FROM THE GHOST Kickstarter
15 & 16 May 2021: CANBERRA GEEK MARKETS
Venue: Exhibition Park in Canberra - Corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell ACTJuly 2021: The SWAMP THING 50TH BIRTHDAY Giveaway
Halloween 2021: The ULTIMATE SLENDERMAN Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TEAM-UP #1 Launch
Nov 2021: The GREEN ARROW 80TH BIRTHDAY Giveaway
Early 2022: The ULTIMATE MONSTER FIGHT Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TWO-IN-ONE #1 Launch
Halloween 2022: The ULTIMATE DCEASED Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TEAM-UP #2 Launch
Early 2023: The ULTIMATE KRAVEN THE HUNTER Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TWO-IN-ONE #2 Launch
Late 2023: The ULTIMATE SUICIDE SQUAD Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TEAM-UP #3 Launch
Early 2024: The ULTIMATE DOOM PATROL Giveaway & GORILLA MY DREAMS TWO-IN-ONE #3 Launch
THIS WEEK on the TURTLE-BOY PODCAST
Big Tim and Luke discuss Mirage Studio’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #16! Listen on Spotify!
Mate, you are too good to me! I appreciate the kind words, and hope you dig the comic in two months! I'm juust trying to catch up to the glory that is GORILLA MY DREAMS!