Holy crap.
Gestalt Publishing colleague, Shaun Tan, has just won an Academy Award for ‘The Lost Thing.’
Congrats to an incredibly talented and humble guy. Truly deserving of this award and many others.
With Shaun Tan and Wolfgang Bylsma at the launch of Flinch and The Example.
Some truly great reviews have appeared recently for The Example and Flinch – both available through Gestalt Publishing, good book stores, comic book stores and Amazon.
The brilliant site (Cool) Shite has a very thorough review of The Example.
“This Schrödinger’s Cat scenario is explored comprehensively via Taylor’s rhythmic dialogue. Sam and Chris riposte to and fro with the sort of casual offhandedness afforded to transient relationships. It’s almost flirtatious, but never dull, and the naturalness of their humour contrasts beautifully with the silent menace of the briefcase… a burst of applause to all concerned, and a note to other creators and publishers out there – this is an example worth following. - (Cool) Shite
And Comic Book Jesus have reviewed Flinch. Bobby N’s ‘Withheld’ is highlighted as are both of my contributions.
“Other standouts would be Tom Taylor’s work in 96, 000m with artist Tom Bonin. It’s only 6 pages, and opens with two men in a submersible craft on a deep sea mission. The ending is bold and made me laugh because it came from nowhere and really works. Taylor’s other story, with his Star Wars: Invasion collaborator Colin Wilson is a sci-fi tale called White Dove III. Like Bobby. N, Taylor expands a simple premise in to a powerful story.” - Comic Book Jesus
So, head expanded, I go back to another new Star Wars project and something else completely new – ‘The Deep’… coming soon.
This Wednesday August 5th, ‘Star Wars: Invasion’ #2 hits the stands and you can check out the first three pages right here.
On the same day, my play ‘Falling Praying’ begins at the Edinburgh Festival as part of Straylight Australia’s short play season. If you’re around the festival, check it out. It’s a good play, really, I’ve seen it before. Details here.
Meanwhile, Colin and I have been nailed down for another interview over at eucantina – http://www.eucantina.net/interview-with-tom-taylor-and-colin-wilson.
I’ve just found out that there is another preview available over at Dark Horse. Three pages (three of my favourite pages, it must be said) featuring Finn Galfridian and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars: Invasion issue 2 can be read right here (click the pic).
It’s amazing that this thing I’ve been working on for so long is actually seeing the light of day next Wednesday. Be nice, fans.
Gah! All of the work I’ve been working on for years is appearing at the same time!
The Example, a short play I wrote in 2005, which Colin Wilson and I adapted into a comic book in 2007, is officially launched as a comic book this Thursday the 7th of May.
But that’s not all, for the launch is a double launch, with Flinch, featuring my two stories White Dove III and 96000m, also being launched on Thursday.
But wait… there’s more. Because I’ve just found out that the first prequel of Star Wars: Invasion will appear online at www.starwars.com/invasion/ on Friday the 8th!
So, four of my stories, written over four years, will appear within a 48 hour period… what were the odds?
In other news, Randy Stradley has announced that there will be an issue #0 of Star Wars: Invasion. I’ve known about this for awhile (having, you know, written it) and I’m really happy with the extra content in #0.
For the record, this isn’t the other Star Wars project I’ve hinted at… stay tuned.
I’ve done a pile of press in the lead up to the launch of Flinch and The Example.
Here are links to some of it… I had a very good time with the Cool Shite interview.
“Tom Taylor is an ex-professional Juggler who has gone on to juggle plotlines and characters more effectively than any number of balls, chainsaws and kittens. His plays have achieved great success in recent years, winning any number of awards. However in the last couple of years he has found himself working in one of his great loves: Comics. We spoke to him recently about his creator-owned comics and working on a massive universe like Star Wars…” – Cool Shite.
“The action never leaves the confines of the platform and the characters don’t do anything dramatic, yet the work is full of suspense.” – The Australian
“Tom Taylor, writer of THE EXAMPLE, FLINCH and STAR WARS: INVASION” – Faster Than Light (radio program- yep, I talk)
The Melbourne Times (click image to read)
There. That’s most of it.
Colin and I are are interviewed in The Australian newspaper today along with Wolfgang Bylsma from Gestalt Publishing and Erica Wagner from Allen and Unwin. We’re talking all things comics but the focus is mainly on The Example and Flinch.
For some reason they added 4 years to my age… this would make me the same age as my wife.
They’re here…
Join Gestalt Publishing at Dymocks Melbourne for the launch of their upcoming graphic novel anthology Flinch, and their current comic release The Example.
Flinch – Shaun Tan, Tom Taylor, Colin Wilson, James Barclay, Justin Randall, Anton McKay, Bobby.N, Ray Fawkes and more!
The Example – Tom Taylor, Colin Wilson.
Drop in, check out the books, have a drink and a chat – and be sure to stay around after the speeches for a signing session with creators including Shaun Tan, Tom Taylor, Colin Wilson and Bobby.N!
The Flinch trailer, now available to view at www.flinchbook.com.
When: Thursday 7th May 2009
Where: Dymocks 234 Collins Street Melbourne
Time: 6.30pm
Cost: FREE, but bookings appreciated
Bookings: p) 9660 8500 e) levents@dymocks.com.au
Come. Drink. Chat. Buy.
When Wolfgang Bylsma of Gestalt Publishing was contacted by a retailer in Montreal, asking why Gestalt were going ahead with the Flinch book launch when Diamond had canceled the distribution, it’s fair to say he was confused.
After contacting several other retailers and getting confirmation of the cancellation, Wolfgang’s confusion turned to annoyance, then anger. He then turned huge and green, flew into a blind rage, and brought down a small city. I was there; it happened.
By 2am, Wolfgang still hadn’t heard anything from the distributor and was contacting media. The media ran with it. CBR had this to say. The comics reporter went with this – What If Diamond Cancelled Your Comics Anthology And Didn’t Tell You?
Early this morning, Diamond reversed the cancellation… power to the people.
So, the Diamond order code is “MAR094269“. If you don’t want another small city to be lost at the hands of an enraged publisher, you should go hassle your local comic book store to order the book.
The launch for Flinch and The Example is taking place on MAY 7 at 6.30 pm at Dymocks, Melbourne. That’s two books, people; a double launch.
The Example, written by me and illustrated by the incredible Colin Wilson, and Flinch, with Shaun Tan, James Barclay, Terry Downling and featuring my stories White Dove III (Illustrated by Colin Wilson) and 96000m (illustrated by Tom Bonin). Two books. Three of my stories. One launch.
It’s open invite people. Come along. Meet Shaun Tan, Bobby N, Colin Wilson and me. Pick up a copy of The Example and, the book that caused the destruction of a small city, Flinch.
Yes, it’s a long title for a post but I have a bit to say… leave me alone.
JO CHEN
First up, our awesome cover artist for Star Wars: Invasion, Jo Chen, has been nominated for an Eisner! We know she’s brilliant, glad to see that others know it too. Give her awards, people. Give. Her. Awards.
DAVE BUSHELL
Despite the fact that Dave Bushell still looks twelve (the beard fools no one Dave!), he and I have known each other and occasionally worked together for years. His show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of his best ever. But don’t take my word for it, just look at the the amount of TV people and agents in his audience. They smell success. I’m not sure what that smells like… chicken? Go here – book.
LAWRENCE LEUNG
One man who has smelt like chicken for a long while is Lawrence Leung. He doesn’t need me to promote him, but I will anyway. Lawrence is a damn nice guy with a great TV show. Tonight he jumped out of a plane on television and THEN It got impressive. Watch Lawrence Leung’s Choose Your Own Adventure (nice website) Wednesday nights on ABC or go see his comedy festival show, or both.
ZOMBIES!
I have completed my first Zombies related comic book script for a publisher. This amuses me. That is all.
STAR WARS
I’ve finished writing the first five issues of Star Wars: Invasion and I’m ramping up for the next arc. In between these though, I’ve been lucky enough to land another little Star Wars project for Dark Horse and I’m really looking forward to writing it. I will say more as soon as I can. Star Wars: Invasion is all over Dark Horse at the moment, go check it out.
RADIO
I was interviewed by the radio program ‘Faster than light’ today about a number of things, including The Example, Flinch and Star Wars. There will be a podcast. I will post it. Colin and I are also doing an interview with The Australian on Friday.
ANIMATED SERIES
Lastly, we had a meeting today with an animation company about a series that a feature film director and I have been wanting to do for ages. I wrote the pilot in January 2008. It’s all looking good. Things will move quickly. Stay tuned.
