Writer, author and graphic novelist, Christopher Bunting

Defining Hulk & Wolverine artist unleashes TOUGH GUY!

2011-12-08T02:11:00.000-08:00

Halloween treat

2011-10-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a Halloween treat. Mohawk Media has announced the first issue of my new series:

Dracula vs. Robin Hood vs. Jekyll & Hyde.

Issue #1 is available to download now from Eco Comics.

Above is the art showing the combined cover art for the first 3 issues... and for an exclusive look at some artwork from #1, head to its official Facebook page.

2011-07-13T03:38:00.000-07:00

Not many updates, I know. Doing some prose work, the first prose I've written in quite some time. Forgot how enjoyable it was. It is a novel, short story, novella? Stay tuned. Also been working on something with a legendary artist who had a big hand in bringing us one of Marvel's biggest stars. And could both these projects even be related somehow?

Eco Comics

2011-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have a number of titles on the way via Mohawk Media's new "groundbreaking" environmentally-friendly range, Eco Comics.

These include Heroic High... Supplanter... Pirate Queen... and more yet to be announced.

For a free downloadable preview click here.

Reviews of Mr. T GN by the experts...

2010-11-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

What the EXPERTS and HEAVYWEIGHTS OF THE COMIC BOOK WORLD are saying about the Mr. T graphic novel…

"Don't just buy this book! Don't just read this book! Don't just treasure this book! Take it wherever you go and keep it close to your heart. This graphic novel would take a bullet for you, if it could!"
- JOHN LAYMAN, writer of comic books MARVEL ZOMBIES VS. ARMY OF DARKNESS; XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS; & THUNDERCATS

"This punchy graphic novel brings the larger than life character bang up-to-date and at the same time retains all his retro charm. Whether it's a trip down memory lane or an action packed adventure you're after, there's something here for any T fan."
- WRITING MAGAZINE (leading national UK newsstand journal)

"T is back, and he's tougher than ever. Mr. T is a favorite celebrity of
mine since I was a kid, starring in movies and TV shows, even in Saturday morning cartoons and on cereal boxes. He's a pop culture icon, who has always strived to have a positive effect on people young and old, something you see coming through in this story.
It's big, bright, colorful, with a good message and a lot of fun, just like Mr. T himself."
- BRANDON PETERSON, artist of INCREDIBLE HULK; ULTIMATE X-MEN; & J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI’S STRANGE

"The book just oozes fun and frequently had me grinning from ear to ear. At the end of the day, all I can say is that I pity the fool who don’t buy this graphic novel!"
- STEPHEN CROWTHER, reviewer, FRACTALMATTER

Mr. T is out now worldwide... & for limited time only at a special price from the official store: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/mr-t-store.htm

Mr. T graphic novel out now

2010-11-26T04:24:00.000-08:00

Here's one for all of you who don't like no jibber-jabber!

The Mr. T graphic novel is out now in all good stores and online worldwide.

If your comic book store/shop doesn't have Mr. T in stock, they can get it from DCD (Diamond Comics Distributors). If your bookstore doesn't have it, they can order it by its ISBN: 9780956018908

Alternatively you can order from the official store:

www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/mr-t-store.htm - for a limited time, these are at a special price ... and all copies ordered will be signed by moi.

And, a bit late notice, but if you hurry you can even have the chance to win a copy signed by ... meeee!

The A-Team Movie: review

2010-10-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

I've not written a movie review for some time, be it for print magazines like TOXIC, or online publications, mainly as I've moved further and further into scriptwriting.

In the interests of fairness, I'll lay my cards on the table:

Firstly, I am writer of the official Mr. T graphic novels.

Secondly, by coincidence, Mr. T artist, JL Czerniawski, has worked with The A-Team movie's director, Joe Carnahan. As a result, I once emailed Joe asking if I could write The A-Team movie.

However, considering that 1). Mr. T doesn't appear in The A-Team movie, and 2). Joe never responded, meaning I've as much chance writing an A-Team movie as I have the next Harry Potter novel, I feel that I'm relatively impartial.

Added to that, I am a diehard fan of the original TV show, so I think this creates all the ingredients for an interesting review.

So perhaps the following summary will not be quite what you expected:

The A-Team movie is good.

Surprisingly good.

It is however a strange blend of reinvention and reverence.

Director Joe Carnahan clearly follows the blueprint for success laid by Christopher Nolan's Batman movies and J.J. Abrams's Star Trek - the latter even getting a sneaky homage as if to acknowledge this, when Hannibal yells, "Fire everything!"

Yet despite this apparent wish for distancing from the "cheesiness" of the TV show of the '80s, there remain amazing parallels.

The movie's casting has been eerily similar to that of the TV show. A heavyweight actor for Hannibal Smith, as Liam Neeson steps into George Peppard's shoes. Two up-and-coming stars as Face and Murdock (Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley respectively). And a charismatic non-actor as B.A. Baracus (Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson).

The fifth team member, the van? It gets a… flattering… appearance.

The story brings to the screen for the first time the infamous "crime they didn't commit". The plot itself owes more than a tip of the jeep to the TV show's fifth season opener, The Court Martial.

Even so, the film remains determined not to become a simple rehash. Jessica Biel's character, Sosa, proves a good addition, while the cause of B.A.'s fear of flying is inspired. Added to advances in cinematography and budget since the TV show, the movie retains a fresh feel.

Much of this must be attributed to Joe Carnahan, who proves the ideal director. He brings style and substance. In addition to a "flying tank", a scene which not only outstrips anything the TV show could muster, but most modern action movies too.

The cast of The A-Team itself also deserve much credit. Neeson radiates charisma and gravitas as the cigar-chomping Hannibal Smith. But many will also be surprised by the screen presence displayed by Bradley Cooper (Face), who essentially becomes Neeson's co-lead. A madcap Copley proves a perfect Murdock, while I'll focus more on Quinton Jackson (B.A. Baracus) later.

The four of them aren't the only characters to make it over from the TV show's original "mythos", as the contradiction of reinvention versus reverence continues. Characters including Morrison, Pike, and the especially cleverly-used Lynch, all appear.

So that's the positives, and a lot of them there are too.

But my last point above brings me to my first criticism. So I'll approach this as a writer.

Many of supporting characters are remarkably fleshed out for an action movie. They even get some great lines to chew on. Pike at gunpoint in a car comes to mind.

I would therefore have written TV show originals, Dirk Benedict (Face mark I) and Dwight Schultz (original Murdock) far stronger roles and some crowd-pleasing lines. Cameos are the norm, but why follow the herd down a well-worn path? Joe Carnahan overlooked how J.J. Abrams handled Leonard Nimoy (the original Mr. Spock) in Star Trek.

Without Benedict and Schultz, The A-Team TV show would never have been the success it was, and this movie would not exist. Plus, their takes on the characters still ooze from Bradley Cooper's and Sharlto Copley's, right down to Copley's hand puppetry and varying accents.

Dirk Benedict has apparently since claimed that his cameo appearance felt insulting, and even the most reasonable onlooker might feel inclined to agree. He and Schultz deserve far more.

As already stated, Mr. T does not appear in the movie, apparently refusing to appear on these same grounds of a cameo being an insult.

While we all know money talks at the end of the day, staying with Mr. T, is he missed?

My opinion is what T lacked in acting skill he made up for in charisma and screen presence. He helped the show become the smash-hit it was. Let's face it, he WAS the star (notably, originally intended to be versatile acting veteran, George Peppard).

Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, despite his own talents, is no Mr. T. Jackson plays a far too jolly, good natured B.A. Baracus. The menacing, brooding hard-man who could snap at any given moment, and who had no time for jibber-jabber, as portrayed by Mr. T, is long gone.

It was this character who provided much of the show's internal dynamic, action, and humour.

Jackson, a non-actor, also seems to have a habit of delivering his "quieter" lines so fast at times to almost make them incomprehensible. Mr. T's barking B.A. Baracus could never be accused of this.

At the very least then, the "true" character of B.A. is certainly missed. But in his defence, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson has all the tools, he just needs the right script. So forget a recast for the sequel; as writer, I would return B.A. to fearsome form.

On to my final criticism.

You heard it over the trailers… you even heard B.A. whistling it while window cleaning… but where oh where has The A-Team theme tune gone? Its cameo appearances are far briefer than Benedict and Schultz's. I don't think it got a full airing once. Even the "window cleaning whistle" from the trailer hasn't made the final cut.
Me, as writer? Forget dance beats or orchestras; I'd insist on Slash on guitar, riffing that famous tune in a pumping rock song. Now how cool would that be?

The lack of the original B.A. persona, and decent roles for the original actors - and the neglected theme tune - is certainly a crime which HAS been committed.

As writer, these would be the first elements I'd address in the sequel.

After all, it's so rare to look forward to a sequel, and who would have ever thought people would for The A-Team movie?

And that's an achievement due to a great director, cast, and script, which give the viewer the right to say, "I love it when a plan comes together!"

The Tough gets going! (click image for larger version)

2010-06-07T02:33:00.000-07:00

Official Mr. T Mohawk Media website

2010-03-01T02:16:00.000-08:00

Have you checked the official Mr. T Mohawk Media site lately? http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/

There's lots of Mr. T goodies, including...

All the latest news: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/cgi-bin/news_display.pl

A FREE downloadable preview of the ENTIRE first chapter from the official Mr. T graphic novel: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/preview.htm

Cool Mr. T characters profiles: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/characters/profile.php ranging from Metal Ed and Mr. C (see his model sheet below) to Indigo Jo and RH-19-40 ... and many, many more!

The official store, offering the print edition Mr. T book signed by me; a digital, downloadable "TDF" version; original Mr. T art; and the increasingly rare Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition graphic novel: http://mohawkmedia.co.uk/store/

Have something to say, or have a licensing query ... perhaps you'd like to produce Mr. C or The Quad Squad (model sheet below) action figures or t-shirts? ... Then Contact Mohawk Media: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/contact.htm

2010-01-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

Mr. T graphic novel publisher Mohawk Media has recently run its first in-depth interview with me (on their site now). In it, I discuss editor-in-chiefing their upcoming projects, The A-Team movie, and of course, the Mr. T GN.

Copies of Mr. T signed by me are available through the site's store.

And, yes, as reported on Newsarama, Mohawk Media is accepting submissions from artists!

Mohawk Media accepting penciler & artist submissions!

2009-12-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

PUBLISHER PUTS OUT CALL TO COMIC ARTISTS

Mohawk Media launches talent search

Publisher Mohawk Media has today announced that it is in search of artists for upcoming comic book and graphic novel projects.

Having had success with its Mr. T graphic novels, the publisher is readying to get new projects underway in 2010. To help spearhead this search, Mr. T author, Christopher Bunting, has been appointed as Editor-In-Chief.

Bunting says: "As a freelance writer, one in the early stages of his career, I know just how tough it is to break into comic books."

"I’ve often heard aspiring artists say there are no openings. I’m therefore proud to be part of this Mohawk Media initiative to give artists the opportunity to become published, and be involved in some of the coolest titles of 2010!"

The publisher recommends the following:

· A brief email about yourself and any published experience, accompanied by a minimum of 5 sequential pages

· Story pages only (no pinups, paintings or portraits)

· Your strongest – and preferably, recent – work

· A variety of genres if possible

· Samples in jpeg or PDF format only. Links will not be opened

· All submissions to chris@mohawkmedia.co.uk

Bunting continues: "Remember, comics are a storytelling medium. Those are the skills that you need to demonstrate."

"We’re excited to see what comes in. Good luck!"

Notes:

· For further information: chris@mohawkmedia.co.uk

· The official Mr. T graphic novel is distributed to the comic book trade through Diamond Comics Distributors, and to the book trade by Bertrams. ISBN:9780956018908. It is also available signed by the author from the Mohawk Media store: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/mr-t-store.htm

Scribing the indescribable!

2009-05-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

Expect an announcement soon about Mohawk Media's next major project.

It's really going to be something! And while I would normally try to leave crafty little clues as to what, this one is pretty much indescribable!

And guess who'll be scribing it?

HMV takes on Mr. T

2009-04-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, the news is true, Mohawk Media has secured a major groundbreaking deal that sees the Mr. T graphic novel in HMV stores throughout UK and Ireland.

I'm heavily quoted in the official press release, so don't feel I can add much more, but this is a great result and I can't tell you how pleased I am that this book is breaking into the mainstream.

It's a gorgeous looking graphic novel with a fantastic, all-original fun story ... and for only £8.00 in HMV you'd be a "crazy fool" not to grab a copy. Read the full press release here.

How To Break Into Comics

2009-03-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

Due to popular demand, signed copies of my comic book, How To Break Into Comics, are now available through this site.

This is a fun comic book that I wrote, with Kit Wallis on art, and published by Antarctic Press, a leading US comic book manga publisher.

Uniquely presented as an actual narrative, it looks at writing, art, the submission process - all the aspects and attributes needed to become a successful comic creator.

Plus this story may even be Antarctic's first crossover of many of its popular series, as it stars characters from Ninja High School, Gold Digger, Warrior Nun Areala, The Courageous Princess, and Dragon Arms!

To order your signed copy, see the sidebar on the right ->

2009-02-27T02:07:00.000-08:00

Still busy working on some exciting developments concerning the new Mr. T graphic novel - expect some major annoucements quite soon.

Mr. T himself, meanwhile, is over here in the UK. Many of you probably caught him on The One Show (BBC1) last night or BBC Radio 1 today.

2009-02-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

Been a very interesting time on the Mr. T front recently.

Was interviewed by Irish radio station Newstalk yesterday, and also discussed my thoughts on the announcement of The A-Team movie, to be produced by Ridley Scott.

Meantime, the art is coming in for my next graphic novel, which is looking amazing. This project is a biggie!

2009-01-05T08:39:00.000-08:00

The New Year has started well, with the buzz on the recent launch of the new Mr. T graphic novel gaining momentum and the interest of national magazines to radio stations across the globe.

The new Mr. T graphic novel can be ordered for a special price from the official Mr. T store: http://mohawkmedia.co.uk/mr-t-store.htm

Elev'enses

2008-12-23T02:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a Christmas treat: a rarely seen, fun little story I did, with gorgeous art provided by Rebecca Woods. It hasn't got a Christmas theme, I'm afraid, but is rather a riff on a certain Greek myth. Enjoy!

T, anyone?

2008-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

Mohawk Media officially unveiled the all-new Mr. T graphic novel today (cover on left)!

For more info: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/cgi-bin/news_details.pl?&id=23

Here’s how to order (details pulled from above press release):

The Mr. T graphic novel can be ordered direct from publisher Mohawk Media at http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/store for the exclusive price of £6.95 (UK) / $15.95 (US) including delivery. Alternatively, visit your local comic book store.

The Mr. T graphic novel is distributed to the comic book trade through Diamond Comics Distributors (DCD). A major announcement is expected soon regarding book trade and online distribution for 2009.

The book’s ISBN is: 978-0-9560189-0-8.

2008-12-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

Doesn't time fly...!

To prove that this isn't exclusively a Mr. T website (I'll leave that job to Mohawk Media), I'll have updates soon on a number of comic book projects, including Pirate Queen and Hero High. Stay tuned. But there'll be no update at all on that all-new, all-secret graphic novel that I'm currently working on.

Going... going...

2008-10-30T02:48:00.000-07:00

Some good news: the Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition Graphic Novel has completely sold out from the official Mohawk Media store. Which is great timing too, as it makes way for the worldwide (ie. "non-limited") edition of the book that is coming soon (see the Previews blog entry below)!

If you're still after a copy of the Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition, some remain available at: http://www.lulu.com/content/1387633

With only 4,000 copies in total, it won't be long until it vanishes from the shelves completely.

But above all, I'm happy it's proving so popular and getting such a positive response. It's a great story, even if I do say so myself!

Previews

2008-09-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

The new Mr. T graphic novel (the "worldwide edition", as opposed to the "Limited Advance Edition" released back in Feb 2008) is in the current edition of comic industry bible, Previews Magazine.

In fact, there's a full page (page 301) dedicated to Mr. T!

Ask your comic store to order your copy now. I'm busy helping put the book together as I speak, and trust me, it's going to be absolutely amazing. And if you're a retailer, don't miss out either!

The cover price of the 128 page Mr. T is £9.95 (UK) and $16.95 (USA).

Expect major announcements from publisher Mohawk Media in the coming weeks.

CBG talks CB

2008-08-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

So ... yes ... I was wrong: industry-leading US print magazine Comic Buyer's Guide #1644 doesn't include an interview with me about the Mr. T graphic novel.

But issue #1645 does!

Ha de ha, that was a whacky prank I played on you.

And not only is it a terrific interview, that also discusses my other work such as Action Man and How to Break into Comics, it takes up a whopping 2 whole pages with lots of nice Mr. T graphic novel images! I would recommend checking it out. (Cover image below.)

What more could a talented young writer, looking for that elusive chance with the likes of Marvel or DC, ask for!

Mr. T-reat

2008-08-14T11:50:00.001-07:00

Here's a very rare treat: an exclusive of Mr. T pencil work by the graphic novel's illustrator, J.L. Czerniawski. And if that's not enough T-filled goodness, the color version follows ...

All you aspiring comic book and graphic novel creators out there (writers and artists) should take special note of the effects that the color art has on the pencil art.

And who is it that Mr. T is squaring off against? As if I'm going to tell you! You'll just have to read the Mr. T graphic novel to find out!

First name: 'Mr', middle name 'period', last name 'T'!

2008-08-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

You may well have caught the recent announcements in the comic book press (or failing that, The Guardian, and many other worldwide newspapers and websites) about a graphic novel starring entertainment icon, Mr. T.

And it’s written by yours truly. So it’s not only Mr. T’s first ever (and long overdue arrival in the) graphic novel, it’s mine also.

Publisher Mohawk Media has been doing an amazing job catching much of the worldwide buzz and coverage about this event on its official website: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/

I will, however, just bring a little clarity due to queries I personally have received …

· Available right now is a Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition Graphic Novel. It’s on all the major online stores such as Amazon and Amazon UK, while Mohawk Media has a great offer at its online store (including all copies signed by me). It is limited to 4,000 copies only.

· Next up – in time for Christmas 2008, I am told – will be the regular, “non-limited” worldwide edition of the Mr. T graphic novel. This edition should have a lower RRP (cover price) than the Limited Advance Edition, plus lots of cool bonus materials. And even a bonus chapter! Basically, like Mr. T, it will kick butt.

Now that’s cleared up, I will be bringing exclusive snippets and info on the Mr. T graphic novel over the coming weeks and months.

To get the ball rolling, here’s the jacket cover for the Mr. T: Limited Advance Edition Graphic Novel … nice, huh? (Click for a larger version.) The illustrator is the infallible J.L. Czerniawksi.

PS. I’m told that industry leading print magazine, Comic Buyer’s Guide, is running an interview with me about Mr. T in issue #1644; although I haven’t seen it myself yet to confirm this.

Return of the blog

2008-08-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Where oh where did my little website go?

Nowhere, silly, it’s still here. See?

The thing is, I consider fiction as a form of art. And I think Oscar Wilde said it best (I’m sure that I paraphrase badly, mainly because I can’t find the quote anywhere on google):

"The audience is interested in the art, not the artist."

Many great and highly successful comic book creators now have blogs, but all too often they fall into the trap of discussing politics, religion, family, sport, what they ate for breakfast … generally anything but that which got them fame: comic books. Which is fine. But they lose sight of what their regular visitor (the non-obsessive kind) wants: insight and discussion concerning their profession. Namely: comics.

I very reluctantly go the route of making my blog my personal sounding board. My thinking is that if I can’t give a fig about what my comic writing heroes think on non-comic related matters, chances are it applies equally to visitors to the site of someone with a young writing career, who is still rising up the ladder (by that I do mean me). And last but not least, personal opinion is, *gasp*, private.

For my previous blog entries, I settled on dispassionate updates of my published and in-development writing projects, often really relying on hints, in order to retain publisher confidence and not give too much away.

Which was fine – but my blog entries became a little, well, staid (yes, I’m a writer. I may use words you don’t understand; get over it!).

So let’s have another go. I’m by no means promising access to some of my innermost thoughts (or outermost ones, come to mention it), but I will attempt to provide information on my past, present and future writing projects, as and when permitted. I may even raid the “archives” to bring unseen material to the public. Exclusive and behind the scenes info and insights into my profession? You’ve got it! But with the focus on the writing, and not so much on the writer. Just the way the audience like it.

P.S. Marvel, please stop calling me. (I’m only kidding, you guys can call whenever you like!)