[A Pleasurable Headache] Bolt-01; regeneration; escape
Updates
For those in the British comics scene you will probably already know about the passing of Dave Evans (aka Bolt01) recently. For those not in the know, Dave was a huge driving force in the small press scene in British comics. As well as serving as co-publisher at FutureQuake Press, Dave was an accomplished artist, editor, writer and letterer in his own right.
FutureQuake Press was where I was first published as a comics creator in the form of a small two page strip entitled ‘Retail is Hell’. Over the years I submitted many stories to FQP, and Dave (as well as co-publisher Richmond Clements) was instrumental in giving me that early confidence to write stories, submit them and then work with an artist to bring it to fruition. Dave provided a kind of ‘crash course’ in how to make comics as well as inspiring creators that their output had merit. I cannot stress the importance of this when you are first starting out.
I’ve said it elsewhere, but if not for Dave then I would not have developed the majority of the friendship and connections in comics that I have. Dave’s keen editorial insight and input were also a huge influence on me pursuing similar creative endeavours. Dave had a habit of bringing people together, bringing the best out of them and then just letting them run with it. It says a lot that my recollections and memories of Dave are just a needle in the proverbial.
A JustGiving page has been set up to help his family with the costs of his funeral. It’s a testament to Dave that it’s already met its goal and then some.
John Freeman published a summary of the reactions to Dave’s passing that shows just how many lives Dave touched and how often he gave his time to so many creators wanting to find an outlet for their energy.
Godspeed, Dave.
Links
The origin of COVID: Did people or nature open Pandora’s box at Wuhan?
https://thebulletin.org/2021/05/the-origin-of-covid-did-people-or-nature-open-pandoras-box-at-wuhan/
A long read by Nicholas Wade at The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on the possible origins of the COVID pandemic. The article, which is pretty accessible for something so dense with scientific detail, posits the most likely scenario as the virus being laboratory based. This is not the oft-proposed ‘bio-weapon’ theory, but posits that the virus escaped the confines of the lab accidentally.
Persuading the Body to Regenerate Its Limbs
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/10/persuading-the-body-to-regenerate-its-limbs
Another science-heavy article, this time from The New Yorker. The piece discusses the concept of bio-electricity and how it could potentially be used to regrow human limbs.
Meet the Renaissance Man Obsessed with Mushrooms
https://www.outsideonline.com/2421356/william-padilla-brown-mushroom-mycology
It is a veritable science-fest this week. This excellent article, an extract from an upcoming book, looks at William Padilla-Brown an entirely self-taught mycologist.
How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/10/how-the-pentagon-started-taking-ufos-seriously
Another piece from The New Yorker, this time covering the efforts of Leslie Kean in bringing her level-headed, evidence-based approach to UFO literature.
The Secrets of the World’s Greatest Jailbreak Artist
https://www.gq.com/story/worlds-greatest-jailbreak-artist-redoine-faid
Jailbreaks, heists, and a mastermind criminal obssessed with Michael Mann movies.
Humanity Does Not Need Bill Gates
https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/05/humanity-does-not-need-bill-gates
It really doesn’t.
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I’m off to wait for Hayfever to consume my sinuses and flood my brainpan. See you in two!