Networking back in the London Underground and Small Press days does have its perks! I approached the editor Terry Martin at a convention and asked if Murky Depths, his anthology magazine for Dark speculative fiction needed an artist. I had to compete for it as I recall. Still, a few work samples later and one of the writers, the well-established adventurer Lavie Tidar liked it and asked me to do a comic based on his script on an X-mas Love story between a Fly Keeper and the Owner of a butchers across the road. This would be for the 6th Anthology.

I mostly kept to the script but I designed the characters from scratch, adding a little twist here and there. It was my idea to show only these two human characters on screen, and hint that they are talking to imaginary beings, as you soon see as the story goes.

The story and published anthology met with success, and I followed up with another contribution 2 years later for the 15th Anthology with writer Robin Bell, this time on a vampire story with a twist. The style was a little more experimental as wilder influences infiltrated matters, but in all, it took off well with the creative team. Next to other legends like Al Ewing, Jasper Bark and others, I received a spotlight page where I discussed my art life story, projects and ambitions, which was very nice of Terry to include. Murky Depths has met closure now as all creative's have gone on other paths, but overall this experience has a provided a very proud feather to include in my creative cap.

Murky Depths by Terry Martin and co. X-mas Love Story written by legend Lavie Tidhar. Susie Pepper's Teeth by Robin Bell Lettering by Martin Deep. Art by the Tuke. Done with water colours and markers on A3 Bristol board. These pages are presented without the text. Please support the official release and the creator links below.

Murky Depths Homepage
Lavie Tidhar Blog
Robin Bell Blog