THE BIG KANGAZANG! INTERVIEW PART THREE: ASH COLLINS

This Week:

Meet ASH COLLINS, and find out how he created the fantastic illustrations as seen in the MAXIMUM GALACTIC TRUMPAGE card game…

Ash Collins is a 2D Animator/Illustrator, versed in the ‘occult’ (digital) arts, ‘dragged up in Wales and living in London with my fiancée, two small, destructive children  and a terrified cat’. He describes his work life as ‘doing some freelance here and there when I'm not wiping various foodstuffs off the furniture and/or walls’.

How and when did you first find out about Kangazang?

I was catching the train from Pontypridd to Cardiff with my fiancée every morning, and would often get on the same train as Mr. Cooper. It was upon those rain-sodden journeys that he imparted to us the details of this book he was writing...

What’s your connection to Terry?

I met Terry when I was studying animation at Glamorgan University; he was doing CG animation, a year ahead of me, so I just thought, ‘Oh, another CG animator…’  It wasn't long before I discovered that he was some kind of artist/animator/voice artist/rapper/prop maker/actor extraordinaire.  Talented git.  I live too far away to see him in person anymore, so I have to rely on the internet in order to harass and antagonise him.  (You know, as friends do, right?)

When you read Kangazang, what were your thoughts?

I read the book, and I thought, ‘this has everything I need’. (I.E: sci-fi and comedy). Being 'fortunate' enough to hail from the valleys, I got a big laugh out of the Welsh idiosyncrasies, as well as the little hat-tips to various bits of geek culture and pop culture throughout. It's full of memorable characters and dramatic moments, not to mention heart, and - importantly - laugh out loud slapstick. Well it's important to me!

Regarding books/TV/movie, what genres do you usually prefer?

Comedy. Sci-fi. That kind of thing. I generally need lots of guns and to be made to laugh like a maniac. You have a deep, romantic subplot? Get lost. But I ain't no stranger to classical literature. For reals.

If you found yourself responsible for casting some of the characters in a movie version, who would you pick?

That's a tough one; Terry already mentioned a few actors he had in mind when creating these characters, and he mentioned a lot more when we were discussing the art for the Maximum Galactic Trumpage cards, so I automatically think of those people now! (Jeff will always be Marc Warren in my mind, and Ray is naturally Bill Bailey).

The idea of Matt Berry as philandering Rev. Wilson really tickles me though, as well as Martine McCutcheon as the bald cockney queen Shelley.

As the trilogy draws to a close in the third book, what kind of ending would you like to see?

A happy one, innit? Jeff got off to a sad enough start, I think he needs a happy ending. And I don't have time for open endings - I get distracted so easily, and I don't need to be wandering around musing about a book's ending weeks after I've read it. Headache.

Then again, the books are so much fun, that paving the way for more could only be a good thing...

Have you heard any of the Audiobook?

I have not! I can't concentrate on being read to while I'm doing things, and if I'm sitting still, it's faster to read! Although I see that it's read by Doctor Who legend Colin Baker, so I may be persuaded yet...

If you were to write something, what would you write about?

I'm far too self-critical for that. Anything I write, I immediately declare plagiarised or trite and bin it. Because it is. Although if I could wrestle an original story onto paper, it would probably be about the things covered above (Comedy & Sci-Fi).  And even then it would probably turn out to be Kangazang. You know what? I think I'll leave this writing lark to the pros.

THE BIG KANGAZANG! INTERVIEW PART TWO: MARK DERMUL

This Week:

MEET Mark Dermul, possibly the most knowledgeable Star Wars expert in Europe, a whiskey collector and connoisseur, and founder of the immensely successful ‘Save The Lars Homestead’ Campaign (www.savelars.com).  Mark is a Belgian Star Wars fan from the very first time he saw the movie as a 7 year old in 1977. His work is autograph collecting and visiting worldwide Star Wars locations, while his hobby is in banking. Or is that the other way around? He’s not entirely sure…

How do you know Terry?

Terry and I first met in 2003 during my first ‘Trip to Tatooine’, an 8 day journey across the Tunisian landscape to locate the filming locations of our beloved Star Wars Saga. We’ve been friends ever since. Terry returned to Tunisia with me again in 2010 and finally joined me on our adventure to save the Lars Homestead in 2012.

When did you first hear about Kangazang?

During the 2010 trip, Terry used to read to us from his book, which was simply hilarious. I knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as I got back home.

Did you read the book?  What were your thoughts?

Is this a trick question? Of course I read it! More than once. Not only a funny story in its own right, but I love all the subtle references to other classic sci-fi movies. And Terry does have a way with words. The book has brought a smile to my face many times over. 

What kinds of books/TV/movies do you like?

I kinda like all sort of books, be it both fictional (mostly fantasy, sci-fi and political and espionage thrillers) or non-fiction. As far as movies go, the popular sagas come to mind like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Alien, Avengers, Lord of the Rings, but once I've had my fill of those, I do occasionally watch other kinds of movies too. Drama, comedy, you name it.

If you could cast some of the characters in a movie version of KANGAZANG!, who would you pick?

Let’s stick with the two leading roles, shall we? Jeff Spooner to be played by Simon Pegg and Ray Scump by Nick Frost. That would make me a happy man. But let’s not forget Terry himself. I find him to be funny and having the looks to play Jeff Spooner himself. This is not lip-service to my friend, mind you. I secretly believe that Terry had himself in mind when he wrote the book. Don’t tell him I said that, though.

How would you like to see the Kangazang trilogy end?

I think a final end would be best, but let’s make sure it’s hilarious, OK?  Shouldn't be too much of a problem for Terry, I suppose.

      Have you heard the Kangazang Audiobook?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook by Colin Baker. But I am more of a reader than a listener myself, I must admit. I prefer to use my own voices (in my head – you know what I mean). That is also why I prefer books to movies, usually.

            

      Have you ever written a book or story? If you could, what would you write about?

I’ve never written a story (well, I did write a few sci-fi shorts called Skyrack, but they were a pet project, nothing more), but I have published a few books about travelling to Tunisia, Norway and Italy’s Star Wars locations. But my talent is nothing compared to that of Terry’s (again, don’t tell him that, or he’ll never get off cloud nine again)!

STARBURST REVIEW

"...let’s talk about Kangazang. Written by Terry Cooper and published by indy Candy Jar, Kangazang is a simple story of one man’s journey to the stars. Published in 2010, it has garnered a sizable number of fans including one Colin Baker, who narrates the audiobook version here.

Now, Kangazang is necessarily going to be compared with The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy because it shares, at least in its early chapters, a great deal with the latter. A humorous SF tale of a human (pretty cordially) kidnapped from the Earth by a zany alien and taken to see the universe, during which he gets given a quest to find something pretty fundamental, there are obvious comparisons to be made.

And, to be fair, it may suffer in those comparisons. The humour is more down-to-Earth, if you’ll forgive the pun, than in Hitchhiker’s; less sophisticated and less, frankly, downright clever. But that’s not actually a criticism. The humour quotient is still very high, sometimes causing out-loud laughter – reveal of the meaning of the phrase ‘universal remote’ being one such.

And the writing... well, it’s better than Adams. There, I’ve said it – no, don’t go, hear me out. Honestly, if you read the novelisation of Hitchiker’s – the first one, the one culled from the radio series – it’s really not brilliantly written. Structure is clumsy, loads of exposition. It’s full of bloody brilliant ideas, sure – Adams was clearly a genius. Just, a genius who’d obviously never written a novel before. (Mind you, true to genius form, he’d got stuffing good at it only a couple of novels later.)

Kangazang, on the other hand, is written by someone who does know how to write – and that’s the difference. The narrative journey works well. Nothing jars. And the story is a good one. So the actual writing – more importantly, the listening – is a joy.

Add Mr Baker narrating, and an interesting style that adds sound effects and second voices to what would often be made as a single-voice reading, and the audiobook is a very entertaining listen. Well worth a punt."

Nic Ford, Starburst Magazine

THE BIG KANGAZANG! INTERVIEW PART ONE: TANIA VINCENT

This Week:

Meet TANIA VINCENT, and find out how she came up with the title ‘Marshmallow Penguin’ that ended up as the name of the eponymous spacecraft in the Kangazang books…

Tania Vincent is ‘a self confessed geek’ and computer animator from Wales, currently living in London. She is also a writer for Skwigly online animation magazine and describes herself as ‘slightly addicted to the cinema’.  

What’s your connection to Terry?

I met Terry while studying for my animation degree in Wales. Terry was famous on our course for his fantastic impressions so I introduced myself (mainly to get a photo taken with him as I’m sure he was going to be famous one day) and the rest is history.

How did you first find out about Kangazang?

I’m lucky enough to have been given a preview of Kangazang while Terry was writing the book. I have the honour of getting a mention in the book. I am the original ‘Marshmallow Penguin’. Although I am not a space ship made of hair, I penned the name ‘marshmallow penguin’ when I was younger - I was a big fan of ‘Button Moon’ (ITV preschool children’s programme 1980-1988)when I was little. One of my favourite episodes was when the postman delivered a family of penguins made of marshmallow. It became a pet name as a child and it just stuck. Unfortunately the VHS tape I had with this episode on it has been watched so many times it no longer works. Terry saw me use the name one day on my animations and asked if he could use it in his books. I was more than happy to help.

If you’d like to witness the genius of ‘Button Moon’ for yourself…

Button Moon: ‘A Hole In Blanket Sky’ Series 5,episode 1 (7^th January 1986) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnbrXEcBZKQ

What kinds of books/TV/movies do you usually go for?

I am a bit of a movie/TV buff. Anything by ‘HBO’ normally grabs my attention. Homeland has recently taken over my evenings but ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘Community’ and ‘30 Rock’ are probably the things I recommend the most to my friends and family. As genres go I am a huge Sci-Fi fan so Kangazang is right up my street. I love anything Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov or Phillip K. Dick. Their short stories get your imagination working far beyond the story itself.

What are your thoughts about the Kangazang! book?

The book is fantastic. Terry has created a world that is charming and humorous. The characters are recognisable and you warm to them instantly. I am a huge fan of humourous Sci-Fi and this is easily up there with the best of them. I can’t wait for the third instalment.

If Kangazang was being made into a television show or movie, who would you like to see in the cast?

The way Terry has written the characters instantly makes them seem familiar. I would love to see Bill Bailey as Ray. Only Bill could portray such a brilliantly scatty man. I have to admit I can quite easily imagine this as a TV show so I have loads of people I’d love to see star in it. Richard Ayoade (from I.T crowd) would be great as Overlord Kelvin. If you could squeeze Alan Rickman in there somewhere too, I’d be happy.

As it’s a proposed trilogy, what kind of ending would you like to see - happy, sad, open or a final end?

I’d definitely like to see a happy but open ending. The galaxy is large after all.

Have you heard the Audio book version of Kangazang?

Colin Baker’s reading of Kangazang makes for fantastic listening when driving on long trips. It has kept my cousin, who is a huge Dr Who fan, enthralled for hours. We may have listened to it a few too many times.

Have you ever written a book or story? If you could, what would you write about?

I love to write. I write mainly as a hobby, so I carry a notebook around and jot down any idea that comes to me. I would love to write children’s books one day as well as comedy scripts. I have lots of ideas, but I just need to organise them all and get them out into the world. 

KANGAZANG 2: STAR STUFF EXCLUSIVE SIGNING AT COMIC GURU CARDIFF!

Kangazang! author Terry Cooper will be making an appearance at the legendary Comic Guru in Cardiff on the 24th March 2012 for an exclusive signing of the much-anticipated sequel, Kangazang!: Star Stuff.

Kangazang!: Star Stuff is a continuation of Jeff Spooner's travels through space with his alien barber Ray. After saving the Universe, their adventures are kicked off once again as Ray's father goes missing (and insane) and Jeff's girlfriend (an android) runs off to find him the child he always wanted.

Terry will be in store signing all Kangazang merchandise and there will be no less than forty exclusive preview copies of the book left to sign, so don't wait to get in and grab your stuff! We're excited to be teaming up with The Comic Guru - Cardiff's premier comic book store (and the UK's greatest online comic retailer, no less!) who have been a terrific supporter of all things Kangazang!

Also, look out for the Comic Guru film crew who will be recording a special edition of their regular video blog (who knows, you may even get to appear on camera with the guru himself!)

www.kangazang.co.uk
www.thecomicguru.com
www.candy-jar.co.uk

CLAIRE CAGE TO APPEAR ALONGSIDE DOCTOR'S COMPANION

Claire Cage, who appeared in the audio version of Kangazang! (available now as a 4-disc CD/DVD set, or as an Audible download) is soon to appear alongside Arthur Darvill, best known as 'Rory' in the latest series of Doctor Who, in Jonathan Swift's classic tale Gulliver's Travels.

From the Radio 4 website:

Gulliver is shipwrecked on the Island of Lilliput where the natives are tiny people living in a miniature society. With his unique overview of this realm, Gulliver discovers a world of petty politics and small minds. Coerced into a war between two nations who disagree on the best way to eat boiled eggs, Gulliver finds himself betrayed by friends and battered by enemies - escape is his only option if he wants to survive!

Gulliver's adventures in Lilliput are hilarious, disturbing and profound. This is a story of dishonest politicians, mindless ceremony and wars based on unconvincing arguments. A satire as potent now as it ever was!

Claire performed as a range of diverse characters in the sci-fi comedy which also features another Doctor (Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor). Claire lent her vocal talents to play Shelley (a blood-thirsty Amazon Queen) and M25 (a humanoid 'female' robot) as well as other roles in Terry Cooper's hilarious story.

You can find out more about Gulliver's Travels here.

Order your copy of Kangazang! now – available in multiple formats (CD, audio download, paperback and eBook).

www.kangazang.co.uk
www.candy-jar.co.uk

Coming Soon – Kangazang 2: Star Stuff. Pre-order your copy now!

KANGAZANG REVIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND!

Author Terry Cooper recently received an email from a Kangazang! reader in America. Here's what she had to say:

"Hey Terry!

I just had to let you know how much I enjoyed Kangazang! the 2nd time around. Your appendix helped this dumb American, but I surprised myself by knowing many of your references. You made some improvements from the first draft, and I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud! LOVED IT!!

At the library we do monthly staff picks, and Kangazang! will so be on my list for June.

Can't wait to read the 2nd installment (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
Love,
Helen Taylor
Librarian

Indiana Free Library in the heart of downtown Indiana, Pennsylvania.
We have a facebook page & our website is www.indianafreelibrary.org.
Feel free to mention that wonderful red-headed librarian who works there! : )"

Do you want to write a Kangazang! review? Get in touch and tell us what you think!

www.kangazang.co.uk

KANGAZANG INTRODUCES RARE DOCTOR WHO INTERVIEWS!

Kangazang! publisher Candy Jar recently unearthed VHS tapes from 1996 containing interviews with Doctor Who heavyweights Tom Baker, Nicholas Courtney and John Nathan Jones.

Filmed by Candy Jar Director Shaun Russell when he was working for a local television station in Manchester, the interviews were originally thought lost forever until a chance discovery in the attic!

Tom Baker is well-known as the fourth incarnation of the enigmatic time traveller. He remains the longest-lived Doctor in the show's on-screen history, counting both the classic and modern series.

William Nicholas Stone Courtney was most famous for playing Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in Doctor Who. Generally referred to simply as the Brigadier, he one of the founders of UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce), an international organisation that defends Earth from alien threats, and serves as commander of the British contingent.

John Nathan-Turner was the ninth producer of Doctor Who from 1980 until it was effectively cancelled in 1989. He was the longest-serving and, at the time, the most widely known Doctor Who producer.

You can view the videos here:

NEW BBC AMERICA DR WHO TRAILER

Here at Candy Jar towers we always love a good Dr Who trailer!

KANGAZANG! BOUNCES INTO SPRING WITH A FANTASTIC SALE!

Candy Jar Books have announced their spring sale. The four disc Kangazang! CD has been slashed from £15.99 to £7.99, with the book dropping from £9.99 to £5.99*.

Colin Baker narrates the story about Earthling Jeff Spooner and his alien barber, Ray Scump, as they search for the fabled Universal Remote Control – avoiding danger, doom and embarrassing situations as they go. Aided by two badly programmed robots and an army of warrior Space Hoppers, our heroes dive and try to dodge the biggest threats in the galaxy: Supreme Overlord Kelvin (Emperor of Skragg), the terminally depressed Emo people and Queen Shelley (a bald, cannibalistic Amazon who has a score to settle from way back)...

Actress Claire Cage, who also features in Kangazang!, can be seen this week in Submarine – the highly anticipated movie from The IT Crowd’s, Richard Ayoade.

Kangazang! – a triple CD disc set, with a bonus DVD – was actually produced in the same building where the Doctor Who episode Blink, and the new series of Torchwood, was filmed.

Shaun Russell, director of Candy Jar Books, is excited that Kangazang! will reach more listeners. He said: “We’ve had fantastic reaction to both the book and CD. However, at Candy Jar we are focusing on new projects including a wartime memoir and children’s book. It is now time to clear the decks, so if you have not purchased the CD yet this maybe your last opportunity to do so. We also have a handful of Mike Collins prints to give away.”

For every Kangazang CD or book sold online, we will give a £1 donation to the Atlantic Dash team. They will be rowing the Atlantic for three months later this year, raising money for three worthwhile causes: Help for Heroes, Breast Cancer Care and The Fire Fighters Charity.

Don't delay - get your copy of Kangazang! here.

*plus p&p

10THOLOGY LAUNCHES AT CARDIFF COMIC EXPO!

Kangazang! author Terry Cooper has worked on a project entitled '10thology' - 10 stories with a distinctly Welsh flavour involving the cream of Welsh comic talent. Terry wrote and produced the artwork for one of the stories - Project Phoenix - which has been well received by critics. See a review here.

10thology was launched in February at the first Comic Expo - the first of its kind in Cardiff.

You can find out more about 10thology here.

KANGAZANG REVIEW

Read a review about Kangazang, as featured on Amazon:

'This barmily brilliant audio adventure featuring the vocal talents of Sixth Doctor Who Colin Baker is somewhat like a cross between Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy and one of the more surreal Doctor Who serials from the late 1970s.

Baker narrates the tale of everyman Jeff Spooner and his cosmic capers as he gets caught-up in the strange life of seemingly ordinary barber Ray and his spaceship made of hair cuttings. This is just the tip of a crazy iceberg, and Baker is clearly having a whale of a time with Terry Cooper's bonkers script.'

FREE MIKE COLLINS PRINT WITH EVERY COPY OF KANGAZANG!

Today we unveil details of our Kangazang! Christmas giveaway.

All purchasers who buy the CD or book will get a Mike Collins Sixth Doctor print free. The print depicts Colin as he bounces on a Space Hopper across a colourful alien landscape.

Mike Collins is famous for his artwork on Spider-Man, Transformers, Doctor Who, and Zoids. He also drew Judge Dredd, as well as Batman, Superman, Flash, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Wonder Woman and the Justice League.

Mike will take part in the first Cardiff International Comics Expo in February – where a special panel will be dedicated to all things Kangazang! Mike said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the Kangazang! audiobook and was more than happy to contribute artwork to celebrate Colin Baker's perfect narration of the wonderfully weird world of Kangazang!”

Kangazang! was produced in the same building where the Doctor Who episode, Blink was filmed, as well as the Torchwood episode, Everything Changes.

Kangazang! is available as a special edition 3 CD Disc release plus bonus DVD available to buy online. The DVD contains a wealth of extras. In an exclusive interview, Colin discusses his time on Doctor Who, his love of sci-fi, and, of course, Kangazang!

While stocks last - get in quick!

KANGAZANG! LANDS IN NEWCASTLE

Terry Cooper, author of Kangazang!, attended the recent Dimensions Doctor Who convention in Newcastle, signing copies of the novel and CD audio version (featuring Sixth Doctor Colin Baker). As well as bumping into a friendly Dalek, Terry also met up with Colin on stage to talk about Kangazang!

Colin gave Kangazang! the big thumbs up, telling the crowd how much he enjoyed recording the story in Cardiff, working alongside Terry and actress Claire Cage. He also promised to sign copies of the CD for fans: "Wherever I am in the country, if you see me, I'm more than happy to sign a copy," he said.

Candy Jar books would like to thank Derek at Tenth Planet Events as well as Colin Baker for all their support.