I'm still working on the new Julius Chancer strip, The Secret of the Samurai, and the deadline is fast approaching so I haven't had much time for the blog, I'm sorry to say. I do have a few things lined up though, including some other great comics I'd like to recommend - all coming soon!

In the meantime I can tell you that The Secret of the Samurai will debut in issue 75 of The Phoenix (no. 73 came out today). To make sure you don't miss it (and a load of other fantastic stories), visit the Phoenix shop right here.

In other news, I'll be selling, signing and sketching at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal, which takes place 19-20 October. I'll also be at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival - taking part in three events on Sunday 25 August - more on that soon.

Right ... back to the drawing board!

The latest issue of The Phoenix (no. 70) includes a full-page announcement showing that the next Julius Chancer story will be appearing within those pages soon, and that it is to be called The Secret of the Samurai.

As already stated, this is a shorter adventure of 20 pages (four episodes of five pages each) and it takes place a couple of years before the events depicted in The Rainbow Orchid. Look out for more information soon, and in the meantime, go and check out The Phoenix's brand new website!