Nick Kyme

…and with trailers like this who wouldn’t be wetting their pants in anticipation? OMG…

Is it just me, or would a lot of other people really like to see Blur do a full length movie version of something like this. I’d settle for a narrow plot with tons of characters kicking the sheeeeiittt out of each other.

Yes please!

Whilst on the subject of online bashing, have to say that I don’t do it that much. I’ve linked up in a few games now and then, most notably with Stevie Parker on Lost Planet 2 and I love the PSN, but I don’t online bash – never have. I’m not a Warhammer Online gamer nor do I play World of Warcraft but this, DCU Online, is something I think I could get into and probably lose a good chunk of my free time over. Looks like I may need to clear my schedule a bit…

Holy samurai mashing, dragon fighting, Nazi bashing, weird ass, kick ass girly ninja action Batman!

That pretty much describes the trailer for Sucker Punch, the new Zack Snyder movie previewing at SDCC. I just caught a glimpse of it on IGN.com and thought I should share. Needless to say, this is the first I’ve seen of this bad boy. I’m seeing mental asylums and genre-bending like the bejesus, so I’m thinking a matrix style, mind battle doodah going on here. Can’t say I know a crapload more than that. Looks frikkin’ awesome, though.

The article linky is right here, the madness starts below…

Forgot to mention something earlier (oh, I’m fed and watered by the way but starting to feel like crap as the afternoon wears on…), I am also looking forward to getting my grubby, geek mits on a copy of Batman: Under the Red Hood, which is on its way to meet via Amazon.com. I have to wait about a month for this sucka to get here but judging by the trailer it’ll be worth.

And since we’re in the mood for trailers, here’s a preview of the next DC Animated Movie, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, courtesy of YouTube.

Fans of the graphic novel series will realise that this movie is an adaptation of Superman/Batman: Supergirl, a really good story that under went a title change to presumably give it a broader appeal. Anywho, this looks great too and is a testament to the great quality output that DC are producing with their straight to DVD animated features. Let’s just say they are pooping all over Marvel’s, frankly lacklustre, efforts.

And just because it’s cool, here’s Batman: Under the Red Hood, too…

I’m sat at home ill today. I’m nursing a bloody annoying cold (yeah, it’s man-flu – shut up, okay), thanks to my plague-ridden desk editor at BL.

I wish crush you, Davis. Crush. You.

I watched Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths again (and the DC Showcase: The Spectre – both of which are awesome), have eaten breakfast, lolled about feeling sorry for myself, taken max-strength flu tablets and am Lemsipped up to the freakin’ eyeballs – now I’m bored.

So to the blog cave, Blog Man, for some bloggage – o’h yes…

So, what’s new?

Well – he says between sniffles and coughs – again, Davis I will snap you in two for this (I’m Best Man at a best mate’s wedding at the weekend and really need to write my speech…) – I’m officially past my word count on ‘Forgotten Sons’ (that’s the Heresy short I’m doing for Age of Darkness). It’s gonna be a mite longer than 12,000 words, methinks (sorry eds, but that’s the way I’m rolling at the mo – sometimes you write short; sometimes long – I’m on ‘long’ right about now, so suck it up ‘kay). I’m chuffed with the way it’s panning out; part legal drama (but in a cool way), part thriller – I think/hope you’ll all likey.

Fretting over Fall of Damnos (though there was a saweeeet looking dps in our latest trade catalogue of this bad boy, complete with quote about how someone really liked my writing and characters – woot!), not because it’ll be tough to do; yeah, it’ll be tough but that’s not why – I just need to get this Heresy short nailed and my speech written and my health back in order so I’ll be able to get somewhere in the ball park of the deadline. Arggh!

Okies, so I’ve been watching a few films lately, taking advantage of my membership to Lovefilm.

Most recently, Youth in Revolt and Edge of Darkness. The former was very funny, quirky and odd (a typical Michael Cera movie of an independent bent); whilst the latter was Mel Gibson dullness, dressed up as political thriller – yawn.

On the silver screen, I watched Inception (a separate post on that is in order, given it’s sheer awesomeness) and Shrek Forever After (yes, I’m still a sucker for 3D, and yes I will be going to watch Toy Story 3 in the same medium – do one).

Culturally, I had my first ever experience of Cirque du Soleil (my girlfriend informed me, a few weeks prior to the performance, that there was more than one type – ignorant beast that I am, I had no idea), the Saltimbanco show. It had a real street festival feel to it, apparently a little smaller in scale and grandiosity than some of the other shows, but was charming, mischievous and wonderful all in the same colourful, flashy hat. Recommended.

Last week I was out with the BL posse (the entire gang, barring Davis who was busy brewing up his lurgy to infect us all with – Crush. You.) on an ‘away day’. Lot’s of team bonding and crazy-ass antics ensued – photos headed to the blog in the next day or so.

Got some signings coming up. There’s UKGD, of course in September (27th, methinks?), but I’ll also be doing a mini-tour for the release of Firedrake - that’s going to be in early October in Oxford, Aylesbury and Uxbridge. If you’re around or can be around and can’t make GD then I hope to see you then. Oh, and don’t forget that in early September (see previous post of the exact date – I will update the events diary soon, I promise…) that I’ll be crossing signs pens with the big dogs: Abnett, McNeill, Swallow,Vincent and Mitchell (and possibly more besides) at the Forbidden Planet mega-signing of Sabbat Worlds - that there big anthology with Mr Dan’s name on it. Banzai!

That’s about it for the non-specifics. I may be back later with some other guff; for now, I’m going to make lunch and have a little sleep in the vain hope that when I wake up my head won’t feel like it’s filled with play dough.

PS Grimblades is now officially released and just want to give it a quick shout out. As I was saying to the missus the other day, I am very proud of this book and while it won’t get the same attention as a Salamanders novel I still hope that folks go out and get a copy. I’m supposed to be writing a guest blog spot about it for BL, so if you’re still undecided, take a look at that and see the light…

Good morning everybody peeps!

I always seem to be apologising for my lack of/inconsistent bloggage – I’m trying to do better. Honest, I am!

So, what’s in the pipe then. Well, Firedrake is due to be signed off on Monday when it will go to the printers and return all spanky and new and, well… like a book. Cool. Nice to see there’s references in the back to Salamander andFireborn, so if you yet to sample the delights of the sons of Vulkan then that’s the place to start.

Looking at that ad got me thinking about how The Tome of Fire trilogy has become a little mini-franchise in its own right. Funny, but I’d never intended this – it just sort of happened. Regular readers will already know I have plans to extend the franchise further with at least one more short story about the Dragon Warriors and a hardback novella (if they’ll let me) relating those terrible events that went down on Moribar that created the DWs in the first place – oooh…

Once I get done with Nocturne (of which there’s a little trailer for in the back of Firedrake) then that’ll be the close of the Tome of Fire and I’ll be putting my scribe’s quill to some other works instead. Still, a pretty hefty body of work. Someone do a word count for me at the end of it all, ‘kay?

Ooh, ooh, forgot to mention that Salamander just went into its fourth printing. This is big news for me and I want to say a big thanks very much to everyone who enjoyed and bought the book, and who are still buying it. Without you chaps and chapesses, there’d be no Tome of Fire. So, you’re legends – all of you – each and every one. I’ll do my best to reward you faith and support with awesome stories about the Salamanders. Natch.

At the mo, I’m working on ‘Forgotten Sons’ and have got about 5,000 words in. Writing for Heresy, though, it’s like having to learn a whole new language. It’s not like 40k, or at least it is but is different in a way you really need to be aware of or you’ll end up writing something that doesn’t really fit into the milieu – bad Kyme; don’t do that. Don’t worry, I won’t. Must say, having just read the first drafts of both The First Heretic and Prospero Burns, I was definitely thrust headlong into ‘the zone’. And scared shitless, given how good both those novels are.

In other news, keep you eye out for Grimblades or ‘Grimsbyblades’ as one amusing wag had it in the office (Mark Newton, please step forward…). This is my Empire Army novel, a story of brotherhood, war, magic, mad shit and intrigue in the Warhammer world. It’s easy sometimes to forget about these smaller books (I know I do) in favour of the shiny Space Marines but I’m proud of Grimblades and think you’ll be missing a treat if you let it pass you buy. Okay, end of sales pitch. It’s out in August, so go haul ass.

Another imminent-ish release that I’m associated with if not authoring solo is the excellent Sabbat Worlds. This is an anthology edited by and featuring two stories from Mr Dan Abnett, as well as a host of other BL luminaries. God knows how I got in on the action (desperation maybe? Just kidding…), but I’m thrilled I did. Like Firedrake, Sabbat Worlds is pre-released at UK Games Day 2010, but that’s not why I’m banging on about this excellent collection, o’h no…

Together with the mighty Dan Abnett, Graham McNeill, James Swallow, Nik Vincent, Sandy Mitchell and possibly some additional special guests (to be confirmed), I will be attending a signing at Forbidden Planet in London. All the details are linkyed here.

Okies, that’s your lot. Look out for a guest blog spot by yours truly on the Black Library website. Deadline’s next Friday, so you may or may not see it some time after that.

Toodles.

PS I’ll be announcing the signing tour for Firedrake in the next few weeks. Keep you eyes and ears pinned here and on the Black Library website for dates, times and details. If anyone brings me Hobnobs (the King of Biscuits), then I’ll be eternally grateful.

PPS Seeing Inception tonight. Hopes are high after it’s quality reviews. My own thoughts to come…