The Small Press Spotlight is a semi-regular feature on Hypergeek where I dedicate an article to all the excellent small press and indie publishers out there, as well as self-publishing artists. This is accomplished in the form of company/creator profiles, highlights of key works, reviews of the company/individual’s latest releases, and general articles about the small press scene.

The last article was a profile of Unico Comics, which I followed-up a review of upcoming one-shot ‘The Legend Known as…‘ Today I plan to do a feature on UK based Small Press publisher, Orang Utan Comics, followed shortly by a reviews of their latest comic releases ‘FTL #1‘, and ‘FTL #2‘.

Orang Utan Comics is a UK based independent comic book publisher that is not solely limited to working with UK based creators, but works with a studio of creative talent from across the globe. Oran Utan Comics was founded in 2007 by Ian Sharman and Peter Rogers, who assembled a wide variety of creators together in order to publish their first independent comic, the black & white anthology book, Eleventh Hour #1. Eleventh Hour #1 was met with good public and critical reception, and the team followed up with a second issue of the series shortly after. Eleventh hour #2 was received even better than the first issue, and after Orang Utan collected the issues together, they received three nominations for the 2008 Eagle Awards, including a nomination for best black & white comic book! Shortly following this nomination success, Eleventh Hour gained the attention of UK publisher AAM/Markosia, where it now has a permanent home.

Other projects from Oran Utan duing this time included the title Baby Boomers, by writer Richard McAuliffe and artist Chad Cicconi. The studio describes this comic as “Calvin and Hobbes meets Spy vs Spy”. Baby Boomers #1 is no longer in print, but is available to view as a webcomic, which is hosted by AAM/Markosia.

The next big success for Oran Utan Comics was the comic Alpha Gods, written by co-founder Ian Sharman, with art by Ezequiel Pineda, and coloured by Mauro Barbosa. Alpha Gods issues #1 and #2 were originally only available to read online, through ebook publisher, Myebook, where to date they have each been read by close to 90000 readers. Response to the comics has been incredibly positive, and rightly so, because it is a wonderful piece of work. If you would like to see a more in depth look at the series, then please be sure to check this review that I did a few months back. Alpha Gods is now available to purchase as a POD comic from Indy Planet. I have the printed version of the comic, and it is really worth the purchase price, it looks even better in print that it does on the screen!

Orang Utan Comic’s latest venture is a new anthology series, titled FTL, or Faster Than Light. FTL #1 is already available to buy, and features thirty-two pages of beautifully greyscaled art, and has new stories by Orang Utan Comics veterans Ian Sharman, Peter Rogers and Trey Wickwire, along with a brand new story from Dwight L. MacPherson. FTL #2 is set to be released very shortly, and issue #3 is already being put together.

For More about Orang Utan Comics be sure to keep an eye on their official website at http://www.orangutancomics.co.uk/

Bibliography:

Eleventh Hour #1

Eleventh Hour is an anthology title which showcases the talents of Orang Utan Comics’ writers and artists. Issue One includes the stories Purgatory Blues (Rogers/Akberali), Bloodstain (Rogers/Nobre/Sharman), Brothers In Arms (Rogers/Walsh) and Young Gods: Slash & Burn (Sharman/Valiente).

Eleventh Hour #1 is printed in black and white with a full colour cover.

- Buy from Indy Planet

Eleventh Hour #2

Eleventh Hour is an anthology title which showcases the talents of Orang Utan Comics’ writers and artists. Issue Two includes the stories Eye Of The Storm (Rogers/Akberali), Danick And The Dragon (Sharman/Wyatt), Abattoir (Rogers/Nobre/Sharman) and Project Raven (Donovan/Larson/Sharman).

Eleventh Hour #2 is printed in black and white with a full colour cover.

- OUT OF PRINT

Baby Boomers #1

Think Calvin and Hobbes meets Spy vs Spy and you’d not be too far off Baby Boomers. The heartwarming tale of two adorable infants and their ongoing desire to cause each other as much physical pain as possible. Join writer Richard McAuliffe and artist Chad Cicconi as they do their part to convince the next generation of comic readers that perhaps having children of their own one day might not be the best option to take. Or, for those of you who have already spawned, it’ll hopefully make you realise things could actually be worse.

Baby Boomers #1 is printed in black and white with a full colour cover.

- OUT OF PRINT

Eleventh Hour Collector’s Edition

Collecting the first two groundbreaking issues of Eleventh Hour published by Orang Utan Comics, the Eleventh Hour Collector’s Edition is the perfect way to find out how the Eleventh Hour phenomenon began. Featuring eight stories over 68 pages and collected in a stylish tradepaperback format, with a brand new cover by Eagle Award Nominated artist Azim Akberali, this Collector’s Edition is essential for old and new fans alike. The art has been completely digitally remastered, much of the lettering has been re-done, the Young Gods strip features all new artwork by new Young Gods series artist Ezequiel Pineda and all this is topped off with an introduction by Paul (Doctor Who, Captain Briatin & MI:13) Cornell!

Eleventh Hour Collector’s Edition is a 68 page tradepaperback printed in black and white with a full colour cover.

- OUT OF PRINT

Eleventh Hour Vol 1

Take a journey into the realms of the imagination where vampires stalk thier prey, schoolgirls fights with aliens, and an inept knight quests to save a fair maiden from the clutches of a vile dragon. See a young boy turn invisible after a lifetime of being ignored, witness the end of an advanced civilization, and take a look into the twisted mind of a murderer.

Eleventh Hour Vol 1 is an 80 page tradepaperback printed in black and white with a full colour cover.

- BUY FROM AAM/MARKOSIA

Alpha Gods

Written and Illustrated by Ian Sharman, Ezequiel Pineda, Mauro Barbosa

The Alpha Gods’ first mission sees them taking on an ancient evil, Malak. He is a Nephilim, an ancient race that was spawned when fallen angels mated with human women. He’s seeking a way to bring his “fathers” through to our world, and only the Alpha Gods stand in his way.

In the year 2086 humanity faces a new threat, Extra Humans. The government is struggling to cope with the growing number of mutants, aliens and supernatural beings who are living amongst us. People are beginning to panic and so, in 2050, the Department for Extra Human Affairs was established with a remit to try and contain the problem. By 2086 the situation has escalated, so they have formed a new rapid response strike force, the Alpha Gods. Who better to police the Extra Human community than Extra Humans themselves?

- Buy from Indy Planet

FTL #1

Written and Illustrated by Dwight L. MacPherson, Ian Sharman, Peter Rogers, Trey Wickwire, Cherie Donovan, John Charles, Riccardo Latina, Valentina Bianconi, John Cboins, Izzy Davis, Yel Zamor, Melissa Hudson, Nuno Nobre.

The first senses shattering issue of FTL will take you to a future Earth ravaged by a war between humans and robots, you’ll see a young girl seduced and corrupted by the darkness of vampirism, you’ll ride with a group of vampire hunters as they hunt the last true vampire, and you’ll see terrifying beasts return from myth and legend to lay waste to mankind!

FTL is Orang Utan Comics’ flagship anthology series! Expect the very best quick fire stories in these pages, from some of the most exciting creators working in comics today. This is the comics anthology where anything goes! Vampires! Dragons! Robots! Ninjas! Knights! Vikings! Cheerleaders! You name it, you’ll find it in the pages of FTL!

- Buy from Indy Planet

Coming soon: FTL#2, FTL #3, and The Intergalactic Adventures of Slam Ridley.

Check back later today for my reviews of ‘FTL #1‘, and ‘FTL #2‘.

Related posts:

1. Small Press Spotlight: A Profile of Unico Comics
2. Small Press News: Alpha Gods Available to Buy in Print
3. Small Press Comic Review: Alpha Gods #1 & #2
4. Advance Small Press Comic Review: ‘The Legend Known As…’ #1
5. Press Release: Nightmera Comics imprint from Chimera Comics