A short update to say that my Manga Jiman competition entry made has it into the top 10 this year!

Since its inception back in 2007, I’ve entered the Japanese Embassy’s Manga Jiman competition five times, partially completed a script or comic at least another four times1, and had the great pleasure of making the top ten twice (working alongside cartooning wunderkind Matthew Robinson). But this is the first time I’ve ever made the shortlist working entirely by myself – all the writing and all the artwork. I’ve gotta say, it feels good – like all the work I’ve put into improving my drawing over the years is starting to pay off.

The comic will be available to read online after the final results are announced at the award ceremony in March. In the meantime, please enjoy this small handful of behind-the-scenes sketches and WIP images 😉

  1. Fun aside: I actually drew a comic for that very first Manga Jiman competition back in 2007. I pulled an all-nighter (on a school night!) to finish it, but I didn’t manage to draw all eight pages in time. I successfully completed an entry for Manga Jiman‘s second outing the following year. I may or may not have pulled an all-nighter to finish this year’s comic…