Today, the 50th anniversary of the death of Edna Purviance, author Linda Wada releases her long-awaited and much looked-forward-to book The Sea Gull. I have been privileged to see an early manuscript of this exciting work and cannot wait to hold the completed book in my hands.

To quote from the Edna's Place blog:

"This book is about her lost 1926 film, directed by Josef von Sternberg, who would later create "The Blue Angel" starring Marlene Dietrich. This would be the only film produced by Charlie Chaplin that did not feature Chaplin as director or actor. The film would never be seen by the public, and the story behind its creation and demise is fascinating. The book features over 50 recently discovered, and never-before-published production still photos from the film."

Linda has dedicated years to the study of the wonderful Edna Purviance and has discovered so much about Edna that was not previously known. Some of it appears in this book, but there is so much more that will one day appear in the Edna biography she is also working on. If you have any interest in film, film-making or silent film and the people that made them, go and check out this book.

First, the news... I will not be doing any work on The Rainbow Orchid until at least the second half of April, though at that point I will then be working the rest of the year to finish the book, depending on the publishing deal. The reason for the gap is that I am working on another comic strip, and its deadline has priority. I might drop a teaser for the new strip here every now and then (like the one below...)

If you've pre-ordered a Rainbow Orchid book, then I apologise once again for the delay. Still sorting out some business on it, but they are coming! Any worries at all, just contact me, and I'll be sending out a newsletter soon.

And now some links... Firstly, have a look at Matthew Badham's blog, it's got some great independent comic-related tidbits, including recent interviews with David Baillie and Stuart Kolakovic.

I'd also like to point you in the direction of my brother's new music project, City Music, available for download at the Internet Archive. If you liked Spacewreck, you'll like this, another 'narrative in sound'. Lovely stuff.

Does anyone else hate those 'Snap' website previews that keep popping up every time your mouse hovers over a link?