Alma Ryan Rírá 4 Cover (Yay!!!!!)

So am back at work in the Ennis Bookshop again full-time and still am putting the comic together.  Finishing touches are being put on the comic this week.  Just to get everyone drooling over a nice cover from Alma Ryan and the design from Muireann Lalor that makes the whole thing pop.  Being back at work has been great but me joints have been aching so this kinda has made me walk on air a little.  So excited about the interior work.

Alma Ryan Rírá 4 cover inked

So Alma has been really busy (everyone else has too, am always amazed at the work handed in).  And here is the cover to Rírá #4 inked so far.  I think it's great looking forward to slapping the Rírá banner on it and seeing the finished piece.

Rírá 4 ag teacht go luath/Rírá 4 on the way.

Tá Rírá #4 ag teacht.  Seo iad cúpla rudaí a bheidh istigh san iris.  Rírá 4 is coming.  Here are a couple of things (samples) that will be in it.

Davy Francis has a great strip handed in.

Phil Barrett has Nícol Óg back up to her eyes in gaming.

These are just two examples of the types of stuff that will be within the pages.  Should have more soon.

Alma Ryan cover for Rírá 4 (Initial sketch of design)

Hi all.  People all over this island are working frantically on their comics, getting them all polished and ready for Rírá 4.  Alma Ryan is different however.  This issue, her sole duty is to provide the cover.  Here is the approved design sketch for the cover.  There were others but this just stood out.

This is just sketch stage, so looking forward to seeing the end result.

Rírá 4 Talent in the Next Issue.

Right so, Rírá 4 has been given the green light.  The last few issues were really well received and I am gonna name the people who have gotten on the list.  God, I wish I could get everyone in the pages of the comic but here is a list of Irish talent involved:

Bob Byrne, Alan Nolan, Philip Barrett, Maeve Clancy, Mike Lynch, Michael Ball, Alma Ryan, Alan Ryan, Eoin Ryan, Stephen Downey, Elida Maiques, Paddy Lynch, Davy Francis, Fintan Taite

And that's just the art and writers.  The background people are the talented Muireann Lalor who is our graphic designer head honcho.  And Gabriel Rosentock will be keeping an eye on the language.

And me?  I will be steepling my fingers grinning like a Bond villain saying, 'Let them come.  We are ready,' but that's another movie.  I can't believe the talent we have in the Irish comics scene, this is only the tip of the iceberg.  We plan to sink a few ships with this team though (not really but you get my meaning I hope).

Coimicí Gael New Project 4

So have coloured the first page to see how it looks of the younger kiddies book.  And there you go.  Far from complete but there will be lettering and I'm not 100% convinced about the clouds.  So another 59 pages to go.

Sarcoidosis, you are a pain in the Bum.

So, I've been off for the past 6 months sick and, on days I have had energy, I have drawn stuff as well as do a little creative wise.  I have gained about 2 and a half stone on steroids and the change over to another drug yokeymebob has knocked the energy levels.  There was a time there a few months back I found it hard to walk about the place.  Still do to be honest.  Now I thought I felt like I was getting better and I could do a little bit of energetic moving. So...

I decided to test this theory.  I got my skipping rope out and decided to test meself to see if I could manage a few minutes of skipping as I want to go back to normal.  I need to lose these extra 2 and a half stones (35lbs for those in the States and Canada).

I have sarcoidosis of the lungs and, apparently, the heart too so was getting worked up just thinking about it. I did it though.  I skipped for 2 minutes.  Towards the end of the two minutes I sounded like a broke concertina.  I was also leaking fluid like a sieve.  Sweaty and wheezy, not a great image.  Stopped for two minutes.  Skipped for a minute.  Stopped for a minute.  Skipped for 35 seconds.  Stopped and swore blind for a minute.  Skipped for 20 seconds, swore and gave up.  My body feels like I have just pounded it into submission, my chest is wheezy and I'm sorry I didn't just listen to me brain going 'Are you sure about this?'  Just have to admit am still not right.

I am just having a little moan.  It's a balls being sick the past few months.  There are people worse off.  But will look at the the up side on days I have had energy I have been able to draw bits and bobs.  The book I am working on to go along with Rírá 4 this year is taking shape and I think I am going to take out the skipping rope again later.