Aphelion: Rise of Calvus - the Genesis
Part Three: Coming Soon
It’s been a while since I gave an Aphelion update, you can read the first one here.
Aphelion: The Rise of Calvus has been in somewhat of a limbo this year, I won’t go into too much detail but some personal issues, time constraints and a delay receiving an art commission for a variant cover all conspired against us. But the stars seem to be realigning and the mystical apsis should be upon us soon.
But now we have good news.
The image above is the cover for i#1, by series co-creator Baz Renshaw. I don’t know about you but I think it’s a banger!
Baz is currently hard at work churning out the sequential page art, which will be in the same style as the cover. We will have a variant cover by a named artist. We can’t wait for you to see the book when it’s available. On that, we will have physical and digital copies available from the Engine Comics website or, hopefully, your local comic shop.
As things stand issue one will be a bumper 52 pages and we really hope that you will love this story as much as we do.
Without giving any spoilers, this first issue is set during the Roman occupation of Mauritania and follows the exploits of a ruthless and ambitious Centurion named Calvus who, having quelled a bloody slave revolt, is setting his sites on a sovereign island too the north. There will be political intrigue, war, conspiracy and… well, let’s just say there might be a few surprises along the way to subvert your expectations. This will not be a comic for young readers, or the weak of heart.
Engine Comics
Aphelion isn’t the only title from Engine Comics. Check out the website for more info. Some of you might be familiar with the annual comics magazine Red Eye (order copies here). Barry Renshaw has been a part of the UK indie comics scene for many years and has recently made a return to the convention circuit.
Baz will be attending ding The Lakes Comic Art Festival this weekend (27th-29th Sept)
He will be a guest at the Preston Comic Con in October.
Engine Comics will also be tabling at Thought Bubble in November. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend this year, but do go and say hi to Baz and Ace if you happen to be there.
Housekeeping
Just a brief word on what’s happening with Sweet Nightmares. I am aiming to continue pumping out weekly content for the foreseeable. This includes an article about antagonist/protagonist mirroring as a story device. There will be another chapter in the ongoing saga of Xorlali Dela in 'Enter Shikari - a story set in the same world as Aphelion. But on a personal front, I (Troy) have written some script submissions for indie comic anthologies that (if they are accepted) should see the light of day next year, including (hopefully) another collaboration with artist Torgo Wells. Possibly a story or two in the next phase of 2000ad fanzine Zarjaz - also next year. Plus, a couple of other developments that might be bubbling under the surface. Rest assured I shall reveal all as soon as In know more, if the news is as positive as I hope.
In my other life as a freelance fitness coach I have expanded the TM Fitness digital shop and you can now purchase some of the top rated training and nutrition plans without needing to subscribe monthly: CLICK HERE
In the meantime check out my Sweet Nightmares partner in crime
on his substack, where he is serialising his novelette Lyfe.Troy
Bravissimi! :))