John Reppion's Blog, page 6
August 10, 2023
Queens of the Lost World #2 out now
Queens of the Lost World #2
(W) John Reppion, Leah Moore, (A) Silvia Califano
Legendary Spanish artist Sanjulián is known throughout the world for his beautiful and haunting covers for Creepy, Eerie, Famous Monsters, Vampirella, and many more. Now his most vivid paintings are coming to life in Queens of the Lost World, in this collaboration with the master himself! Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion with art by Silvia Califano, this ongoing series features characters inspired by iconic paintings like “Dragon Queen,” “Warrior,” and “Glass of Death” in a thrilling fantasy adventure!
Order now via Incendium online
Find your nearest Comic Book Shop
The post Queens of the Lost World #2 out now first appeared on moorereppion.
July 14, 2023
Tales from the Library of the Occult #5 – HONEY
Tales from the Library of the Occult is an irregular series from Library of the Occult Records.
5 strange and terrifying tales, written by John Reppion.
5 eerie and atmospheric soundtracks, created by different artists.
5 gripping readings.
5 incredible covers.
5 releases.
HONEY - Tales From The Library Of The Occult by Nolan Potter's Nightmare Band#5 – HONEY
NPNB presents the latest installment of Tales From the Library of the Occult.With a short story by English comics writer John Reppion and narration by UK voiceover artist Peter Baker. NPNB provide the score for a sweet-but-creepy, femme fatale parable in the ’70s English folk horror style. It’s a sound steeped in the Giallo horrorscapes of Goblin, the pagan-pastoral janglings of Pentangle, and the cloud-obscured soundtracks of a pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd.Side A gives you the whole story, as narrated by the deeply sonorous tones of Peter Baker, with the band’s score serving as backdrop for Reppion’s tale of hallucinations in the English countryside. Side B brings the music to the forefront, allowing one’s mind to wander and create its own adventure.Pressed on honey-colored vinyl and with a gatefold sleeve that includes art by Suspirialand and read along text of the tale.Released July 14, 2023
Written and produced by Nolan Potter and Dillon Fernandez.
Story by John Reppion.
Narrated by Peter Baker.
Nolan Potter – Flute, guitars, electric pianos, organ, vocals, synthesizers, bass, percussion, drums (track 4).
Dillon Fernandez – Guitars, synthesizers, percussion, harmonica, drums (tracks 2, 5, and 6).
Cover art by Suspirialand.
Album layout and design by Tom Mcdowell.
The post Tales from the Library of the Occult #5 – HONEY first appeared on moorereppion.June 28, 2023
MACC-POW! 2023 at Macclesfield Town Hall, Sat 1st July
Moore & Reppion will be at MACC-POW! this weekend.
You can find us in Macclesfield Town Hall, from 10 am to 4 pm, this Saturday (the 1st of July). Entry is FREE! and MACC-POW is a family-friendly event.
We’ll be signing and selling books, including The Doors: Morrisson Hotel, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Motley Crue: The Dirt Declassified, and Joan Jett: 40 x 40.
For more information, and a full programme of events, visit the MACC-POW! website.
See you there. 
May 30, 2023
John and M D Penman Green Knight talk at Dead Ink Books
John Reppion and M D Penman in conversation about their adaptation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
At Dead Ink Books, 375 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool, L15 3JJ
Thursday the 22nd of June, 6pm.
Tickets are £5 each and are available via THIS LINK.
The post John and M D Penman Green Knight talk at Dead Ink Books first appeared on moorereppion.May 5, 2023
Wombat Coleus keyboard
Back in October 2022, the lovely people at Wombat Keyboards sent me one of their Pine Pro keyboards, and I absolutely loved it. So, when they very generously sent me one of their Coleus keyboards last month, I had high expectations. So, did the Coleus live up to them?
The Coleus is an 84-key / 75% keyboard with a compact US English Apple layout. I should say right from the start that this isn’t a layout I’m used to working on. It’s compatible with Windows 8/10/11, macOS 11/12/13, Linux, Android, and iOS.
To really understand the full range of features and functions of the Coleus, I first had to download the manual from the Wombat site.
The Coleus connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 (three Bluetooth device connections can be stored and cycled between using Fn + 2, 3, and 4), RF2.4GHz (dongle in the box), or wired via USB 2.0 (A to C and C to A adaptors included in the box). The Coleus also has a little dial for volume control (push/click to mute/unmute) which is incorporated at the rear right of the board in an incredibly aesthetically pleasing typewriter Platen Knob style. This dial can also be programmed to control other parameters but, if you know me, you’ll know I’m too scared of irreparably messing things up to try that. At the left rear of the Coleus is a discreet button which, when in Wireless/battery-powered mode, switches the keyboard on and off.
The Coleus has an onboard 1000mAH LiPO battery, which takes five hours to fully charge from empty. The manual recommends that you charge the Coleus at least once a month, for at least two hours.
The Coleus comes in a choice of five colourways: Space Gray, Silver, Pink, Light Green, and Light Blue. I got Grey, which looks kind of industrial and very professional. Keycaps are black with a white surround, they’re low-profile with an inner “step” to fit your fingertip. The keycaps are made of hard-wearing PBT with white dye sublimation characters.
Now, as I’ve already said, although we do have a MacBook in the house (which we were very kindly given by a friend for our eldest to do his school work during lockdown), I’m not really used to working on an Apple layout keyboard. I’ve read other reviewers saying that the Coleus is a lot like a classic Apple Magic keyboard. To me, it basically feels like a deluxe laptop keyboard with all the keys I want and need, but not necessarily in the configuration which my muscle memory expects them to be in.
The Coleus comes with a choice of Low Profile Linear Red or LP Tactile Brown switches. I got the Reds, which are really nice to work on and not too soft feeling (as linear switches sometimes are). The switches are hot-swappable, meaning that they can be easily swapped out for other 2-pin switches with no need for soldering or unnecessary messing about. I did find that when I tried to remove a key from the Coleus to get a look at the switches, the switch lifted right out with the keycap. These keys are tight on there, so that’s just a little something to be aware of if you’re planning on changing things up.
The Coleus weighs just 80 g, so it’s a very lightweight, portable board. It even comes with a lovely little Wombat branded soft pouch to protect it from bumps and dings when it’s in your bag. The Coleus doesn’t have flip-down feet to adjust the typing angle and this, combined with the low profile keys, does mean that it’s a very flat board to work on. You feel as if you’re typing from above, as opposed to in front of the Coleus. Again, this isn’t something which is going to bother you if you’re used to working on this kind of board but, speaking personally, just being able to tilt the Coleus up a few degrees feels like it would make typing just a little bit more comfortable.
Unlike the Pine Pro, the Coleus is RGB-backlit. Out of the box, the lights are set to a tasteful rainbow ripple effect, but you can work your way through about 15 preset light effects using Fn + → and pick whichever one suits you best. You can also go for a solid single-colour backlight (Fn + ← to cycle through the colours) and adjust the brightness of the RGBs using Fn + ↓ and ↑. Further customisation is available via Wombat’s own free Pouch software.
Customisation of the Coleus using the Pouch software isn’t limited to the keyboard’s lighting. Hotkeys, Macros (10) and other behaviours can also be created and tweaked to the user’s heart’s content.
Ultimately, the Coleus is a compact, lightweight, and extremely powerful keyboard. It has a sleek, minimalist look and feel, and is perfect for both space-saving desktop use and as an on-the-go, take-anywhere keyboard.
Between the Pine Pro and the Coleus, I personally much prefer the former. However, I can definitely see the appeal of the Coleus, especially for Mac users. With its Dedicated Apple hot keys, and the sheer amount of custom options available, the Coleus seems like it’s probably the keyboard many, many Mac users have been waiting for for a long time.
The Wombat Coleus is available now direct from Wombat Keyboards for $144.99 USD
The post Wombat Coleus keyboard first appeared on moorereppion.April 27, 2023
Redragon K644 Caraxes Pro keyboard
The very nice people at Redragon recently sent me sent a really interesting keyboard: the Caraxes Pro.
Now I have very recently got my first pair of prescription glasses which I wear for working as well as reading, but the Caraxes Pro had me wondering if my prescription might be too high. I plugged the keyboard in, started typing and, when I glanced down at the keys (which I do more often than I should, even though I’ve been writing for 20 years), it felt like the Caraxes Pro was massively magnified. After lifting my glasses, putting them back on, lifting them again, and so on for far too long, I eventually realised what was going on. The Caraxes Pro has deliberately oversized keys. It is a chunky keyboard. A big fella. An absolute unit.
The Caraxes Pro is a 61 key / 60% keyboard with 1.2 sized keys, so it’s blown up to the size of your standard 65% keyboard. Because of this, it does not have a designated del key (FN1 + / = Del), which is a bit of a pain for me personally, but that’s a matter of personal taste really. It has an ANSI layout, Is Windows OS only.
Connection options on the Caraxes Pro are wired via USB-C, Bluetooth 3.0/5.0, or 2.4 GHz wireless (dongle stashed in a little niche under the board). There’s a three-way switch on the underside of the board which allows you to select the mode. Upto three Bluetooth connections can be stored and cycled through using FN2 + Q, W, and E.
The Caraxes Pro has a black plastic base, and the oversized keys are a mix of orange, off-white, and black, with transparent characters for Redragon’s “Vibrant Groovy” RGB lights to shine through.
I’ve just this second realised that the Caraxes Pro is named after a Game of Thrones dragon. Have I been missing something really obvious for years? Are other Redragon keyboards named after famous dragons and dragon-related things and I just never noticed or made the connection?
The Caraxes Pro comes with a choice of Outemu Red, Outemu Blue, Outemu Brown, and Outemu Low Profile Red switches (here’s everything you need to know about Outemu switches, switch fans). I got the Outemu Reds, which are linear and pretty quiet. The larger keys do mean that I find myself having to hit the Shift key a little harder than I would normally with linear switches. The switches on the Caraxes Pro are fully hot-swappable, meaning that they can be easily swapped out for any other 3 or 5-pin switches with no need for soldering or unnecessary messing about. A unique Redragon socket design makes switch mounting new switches easier and less wobbly.
The Caraxes Pro weighs about 60 g so, despite its chunky appearance, it’s a pretty light-weight keyboard. A pair of flip-down feet adjust your typing angle and help to keep the board steady on your work surface.
The Caraxes Pro has RGB backlights with 20 presets. Brightness and speed of light effects can be adjusted on the board, and there’s a music sync mode which allows the effects to pulse in time with whatever tunes you’re listening to (although I have to admit, I haven’t worked out how to activate that, since the only instructions in the box are a Quick Start Guide). You can, as always, further customise the RGB settings using Redragon’s own free software.
The Caraxes Pro has an in-built 1600mAh battery which takes 8 hours to fully charge. Battery life is 120 hours with backlights off, and around 30 hours with them on. Fn + Space turns your Num keys into a battery charge meter – the more keys are lit up, the higher your charge. If the 1 and 2 keys light up red then you know it’s time to plug in.
As a matter of personal preference, I’m not really happy working on any keyboard which doesn’t have a designated Del key. So, for that reason alone, the Caraxes Pro wouldn’t be a go-to keyboard for me. Many, many people feel differently of course, and you might very well be one of them. The Caraxes Pro is a great-looking keyboard, however. It’s compact and lightweight, and easily connected. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “the keys on this keyboard are tiny. I wish there was a keyboard with bigger keys!” then I’ve got good news for you. There is, and it’s not going to cost you a fortune.
The Caraxes Pro K644 keyboard is available to order now from Redragon for $59.99 USD / £48 GBP
The post Redragon K644 Caraxes Pro keyboard first appeared on moorereppion.April 18, 2023
Redradgon K631 Castor Pro SE keyboard
Recently, the nice people at Redragon very kindly sent me one of their K631 Castor Pro SE keyboards to try out.
The K631 is a 68 key / 65% keyboard. It’s ANSI layout only and is compatible with Windows OS only, because the K631 is primarily designed as a gaming keyboard. It has a Del key, which is always necessary in my book. Connection options are wired via USB-C, Bluetooth 3.0/5.0, or 2.4 GHz wireless (dongle stashed in a little niche under the board). There’s a three-way switch on the left side of the board, next to the USB port, which allows you to select the mode. Upto three Bluetooth connections can be stored and cycled through using FN2 + Q, W, and E.
The K631 comes in a choice of two colourways: Mint & White, and Mint and Black. I got Mint & Black, which immediately had me craving a very specific kind of mint choc chip ice cream from the 1990s which they definitely don’t make anymore. The K631‘s Mint & Black keycaps are made of ABS and are classic OEM profile.
The K631 comes with its own custom switches which have an incredibly low operating force of 37g. That’s lower than your average linear switch, meaning that the keys on the K631 are very sensitive and “soft” feeling. In terms of gaming, this is going to be a good thing for many users, but I have to admit that they are just a little too “soft” feeling for me when it comes to typing. The K631‘s switches are fully hot-swappable, however; meaning that they can be easily swapped out for any other 3 or 5-pin switches with no need for soldering or unnecessary messing about. A unique Redragon socket design makes switch mounting new switches easier and less wobbly.
The base of the K631 is made of dark translucent plastic which, in Redragon’s own words “let[s] the light shine through the keyboard and makes the RGB effort more fabulous”.
The K631‘s “Vibrant Groovy” RGB backlights are indeed both vibrant, groovy, and also fabulous. 20 multi-coloured backlight effects can be cycled through using FN1 + PgDn. There are no in-built static light modes, sadly. So, while you can pick and choose your colours, you can stop them from pulsing. Well, actually, you probably can, because you can use Redragon’s own free software to design your own effects, as well as creating and editing Macros for shortcuts. I always worry I’m going to somehow irreparably damage a keyboard by messing with this stuff, however, so I steer clear.
The K631 weighs just 0.47 kg, so it’s genuinely a lightweight keyboard whose 65% form and wide functionality make it very, very portable and useable. The in-built 1600 mAh battery takes around 6 hours to fully charge, will last around 30 hours of continuous use with the RGB lights on, and 120 hours without.
Some people would doubtless call the K631 Castor Pro SE a “budget keyboard” and intend that as some kind of slight or insult. However, I think that the K631 is actually a great example of a really affordable, portable, useful, fun and functional mechanical keyboard. Gaming keyboard for the kids, or on the go? It does the job. A lightweight portable keyboard to connect to your Windows laptop? It does the job. The K631 has just as good a look, feel, and functionality as plenty of keyboards twice, or even three times its price.
The K631 Castor Pro SE keyboard is available now direct from Redragon for $59.99 USD
The post Redradgon K631 Castor Pro SE keyboard first appeared on moorereppion.April 17, 2023
Queens of the Lost World coming in May 2023
Leah Moore & John Reppion (W) • Silvia Califano (A) • Ariel Olivetti (CA)
Legendary Spanish artist Sanjulián is known throughout the world for his beautiful and haunting covers for Creepy, Eerie, Famous Monsters, Vampirella, and many more. Now his most vivid paintings are coming to life in QUEENS OF THE LOST WORLD, in this collaboration with the master himself! Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion (Doctor Who) with art by Silvia Califano (Star Trek: Year Five), this ongoing series features characters inspired by iconic paintings like Dragon Queen, Warrior, and Glass of Death in a thrilling fantasy adventure!
$4.99 • 32 pages
In shops: May 3, 2023
Queens of the Lost World on Incendium Online
Find your nearest comic book retailer
The post Queens of the Lost World coming in May 2023 first appeared on moorereppion.
March 28, 2023
Epomaker EK68 keyboard
The always lovely people at Epomaker recently sent me one of their EK68 keyboards to try out.
The EK68 is a 66 key / 65% keyboard, with a discreet volume knob at the top right of the keys (click to mute/unmute). It’s ANSI layout, compatible with Mac and Windows (Win/Mac mode select switch at rear), and connects via USB-C, or wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 or 2.4GHz Wireless (dongle stashed in a niche at the rear, next to the connection mode select switch).
The EK68 comes in a choice of Black Purple and Black Gold colourways. I got Black Gold, which my eldest son said reminded him of a JCB, but which I realised actually reminded me of a favourite book cover of mine. The key caps on the EK68 are PBT double shot Cherry Profile. On the Black and Gold keyboard, these are a mix of black, grey, and yellow, with bold yellow characters on all by the yellow keys, which have black characters.
The EK68 comes with a choice of Epomaker Flamingo, Epomaker Budgerigar, Gateron Pro 2.0 Yellow, and Epomaker Bluebird switches. I got the Budgerigars, which I thought I’d try out since I’d recently tried the Flamingos on the MC66. Later I realised that I’d already tried them on the TH96, but I loved them on that, so I’m not complaining. They’re pleasantly clicky, but not too clicky, and I really like the feel of them. That said, when Leah is sharing the office with me, she finds them a bit loud, so they might not be ideal for quiet workspaces. (You can hear a sound test of the Epomaker Budderigar switches here).
The switches on the EK68 are hot-swappable, meaning that they can be easily swapped out for any 3 or 5-pin switches of your choosing with no need for soldering or unnecessary messing about.
The plastic body of the EK68 has a nice grey metallic look which I thought was aluminium at first, but isn’t. The EK68 is a steel plate, gasket-mounted keyboard with Sound Absorption Foam incorporated. The EK68 weighs 830 grams on my kitchen scales, so it’s definitely light enough to be a laptop bag carry-around keyboard. A fair of flip-down silicone-footed feet give you a bit of extra angle adjustment and added stability. The Built-in 3000mAh battery is going to last you about a week from fully charged if you’re using backlights, or three times that if you’re using the EK68 without lights.
The EK68 is RGB backlit, with the usual Epomaker array of presets and customisation options. You should know by now that I almost always switch to a solid colour rather than a light effect, but the EK68 is the first keyboard which has ever made me immediately opt for a solid yellow backlight. It looks fantastic.
As a lover of 65% keyboards, the EK68 ticks a lot of boxes for me. It combines many of the elements of two of my favourite smaller boards: the Durgod Fusion and the Epomaker B21. It’s a compact, lightweight, take-anywhere kind of keyboard. It’s got everything I need for a desktop keyboard (yes, even a Del key), but it’s also perfect for on-the-go connection to a laptop or tablet. Maybe, though, you might want to opt for quieter switches if you’re thinking of working in a library, or some other quiet space.
The post Epomaker EK68 keyboard first appeared on moorereppion.March 27, 2023
Judge Dredd Megazine 454 out now
Cover by Tom FosterOUT NOW: Judge Dredd Megazine #454STORM WARNING // Dead & Gone, part six
Brit-Cit, 2147 AD. Much like its Mega-City counterpart, Brit-Cit Justice Department has its various divisions, from Tek to plainclothes, Tactical to Psi, and one of its more prickly operatives in the latter is Lillian Storm, who has the ability to talk to the dead, and is always accompanied by her ghostly helpers. Now, Storm has been seemingly laid to rest to cross into the afterlife…
Script: John Reppion / Art: Clint Langley / Letters: Jim CampbellThe post Judge Dredd Megazine 454 out now first appeared on moorereppion.
