Cartoonist, illustrator and Panic Coordinator to Breakfast television since 1992, Paul Rainey is all this and less. Why not take a mosey around this site and experience the joy of his comic strip work? Or visit any or all of his other sites for more of the same sort of thing, which are as follows...

Suicidal birds. Edible guitars. Licky dogs. Smelly saddles. Selective helloers. These are just some of the real events from my life which I have ordered into lists and then drawn up as comic strips. Now available to buy, Pbrainey's Book of Lists collects over fifty of the popular internet strips in actual reality book form. Copies can be ordered using the Paypal button below, or contact me here for alternative methods. 112 pages in full colour for £10.95. (Price includes post and packing to UK).

Financial Assistance is acknowledged from Arts Gateway MK.

“Strangely compelling, funny, entertaining and honest” Comics International

"The Book Of Lists is a strange reading experience, but it works rather well. Rainey’s confident and honest enough to not hold back the details of his life that others may not want the world seeing and by doing so he’s created something remarkably interesting and engrossing. But most importantly, he’s a very funny writer who can raise a smile on a great many of his pages." Richard Bruton, Forbidden Planet Blog.

"The Book of Lists is pbrainey’s voice, and it’s a good ‘un." The Roomyverse

There's No Time Like The Present

I started work on There's no Time Like the Present, or TNTLTP for short, in September 2004. This is my long comic strip, or "graphic novel", which I recently finished serialising in printed form. All thirteen parts parts are available and can be ordered from the shop section of the site. The first thirty seven pages of the story can be read here for free.

2000 AD Prog Slog Blog

One day in 1977, I bought the first issue of 2000 AD. Thirty years later, I bought it again along with most of the following eleven hundred in a moment of madness in an eBay auction. Obviously, this would be a total waste of money if I didn't read them all. Why not then, I thought, record the experience of reading twenty years worth of comics in a contracted period of time. Thus was born, the 2000 AD Prog Slog Blog.

"if you're experiencing Scrotnig withdrawal, Paul Rainey's excellent Prog Slog blog does exactly what it says on the tin" - The Guardian Film Blog

Some comic strips that I have drawn in recent years can be read here also...

Some one-off gags in lovely black and white for you.

Like Doctor Who? Like The Jeremy Kyle Show?  Like Doctor Who but don't like The Jeremy Kyle Show? Don't like Doctor Who but love The Jeremy Kyle Show? Don't like Doctor Who and don't like The Jeremy Kyle Show? Then you're going to love The Doctor Kyle Show.

Some sci-fi joke strips, just for fun.

He's a mouse and he's a vampire. what more do you need to know about Mouseferatu?

Will somebody please answer the phone? Go here for Cat Man

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West Enders, being a thinly disguised satire of BBC soap, East Enders. From late 2003.

Other comics by the author that are available to buy are - - -

Swill The Alien
Telephone Thing
Dear Robert and Partner

To contact Paul Rainey e-mail him here.

Mailing List: To join my mailing list please e-mail your details to here.

Caption 2010

This weekend I will be attending Caption, the Oxford based small press event that I've been visiting off and on pretty much since the early days. This year, it has the honour of being the event to premier the final part of There's No Time Like The Present. Every year Caption has  a theme and this years  is Mad Science. For once, I've remembered to draw a sketch for the programme. Here's my tribute to the great Magnus Pike. See you there, if you're going. I'll probably be in the bar.

Paul B. Rainey 29/07/10

TNTLTP 13 is go Go GO!

The final episode of There's No Time Like The Present is now available. Part 13 is the super-sized (well, a little bit longer than usual) conclusion to the long comic strip, or 'graphic novel', I started work on in September 2004. Because of its length, part 13 costs £3.25, but if you order from me using the Paypal button below, that price includes post and packing to the UK. (International customers, please visit The Shop.)

Paul B. Rainey 20/07/10

West Justice

If you have never read West by my friends Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable then may I point you in the direction of West Justice. This is the definitive collection of the first five stories, beautifully reproduced in hardcover. West Justice is a fantastic example of disciplined comic strip story telling that benefits even more from being read in a single volume. You don't necessarily need to be interested in Westerns to get great pleasure from this book, trust me.

Paul B. Rainey 18/07/10

Recent Booty

This week I ordered Rob Jackson's latest comic, Goblin Hall, from his website. It's a big, in both shape and length, one-off tale set during the middle ages. Goblin Hall is a very eerie, often surreal fairy tale that's meticulously illustrated throughout. Buy it.

I also received Ralph Kidson's latest, Hootiebits The Magic Owl. Ralph Kidson absolutely never fails to be funny and this is no exception. The characterisation, the jokes and the comic timing are perfect. In fact, it's a wonder to me why he doesn't have his own TV show. However, I don't think Ralph even has a website, but you can email him here for details about his comics. Tell him I sent you.

Paul B. Rainey 10/07/10

Book of Lists Review

Dr Jonas Christ has posted a very positive review of Book of Lists to his blog, Crabbed Into Sunlight. "This is highly entertaining. Many sections are funny, some are serious, but all are very honest and open. He concentrates on the small details that make you laugh but are normally quickly forgotten." He also took this photograph comparing my looks with a Megabus driver called Norm. I'm in no position to dispute that. Copies of Book of Lists are still available to order from my Shop.

Paul B. Rainey 07/07/10

TNTLTP Finished

I drew the final page to my long comic strip, or graphic novel,  There's No Time Like The Present on Tuesday. After six years of obsessive work, I have finished the biggest project of my life so far. I am currently going through the process of getting the final issue, part 13, ready for the printers so that it's available for sale at this years Caption. In the meantime, here's the black and white artwork for the cover.

Paul B. Rainey 02/07/10

Spandex vs. Father Christmas

Martin Eden's great superhero comic Spandex has enjoyed unexpected but deserved attention since its first issue was published at the end of last year. He has generously decided to spread the opportunity around amongst other comic artists by running Japandex on his website throughout June. Japandex is a project where artists are invited to contribute their own spin on the theme with a new illustration appearing each day. Mine, which was published yesterday,  features Martin's character Neon fighting Father Christmas... Manga style. Seriously, it's worth checking out when you have time because the contributions are stunning.

Paul B. Rainey 12/06/10

TNTLTP 300

When I started work on There's No Time Like The Present in 2004, although I had a clear idea of the overall story, I didn't imagine that that it would run for this long. Recently, however, I drew the 300th page! Page 300 will appear in the final issue of TNTLTP available in a few weeks time. In the meantime, here's a panel from it to tide you over.

Paul B. Rainey 04/06/10

MCM Expo Booty

It's Wednesday already and I'm still yet to fully recover from the MCM Expo which took place over the weekend. It was hard work made even harder by there basically not being a train service on Sunday. Still, I picked up some pretty cool comics including the delightful 100 Planets by Daniel Merlin Goodbrey. I haven't a reproduction of the cover art for you here but Daniel posts a new page from his great strip every week on his website.

Sean Azzopardi has produced 100 Days of Winter, his sketch book diary that doesn't last for as long as the artist intended but manages to be both beautiful and touching just the same. Visit Sean's website here for more information and cool stuff.

My table buddy Peet Clack , now known by the nickname of Clackers, has produced a very funny mini-comic called Handy (& Hoofy) Home Hints With Afro Horse. I demand that you check it out.

There were other comics by creators there that I wanted but didn't buy and now regret. You know who you are if you're reading this. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to correct these mistakes another time.

Paul B. Rainey 02/06/10

MCM Expo

This weekend I am exhibiting with my table buddy Peet Clack (or 'Clackers' as he's now known) at London's MCM Expo. I will be selling all twelve parts so far of There's No Time Like The Present as well as copies of my actual reality diary strip collection, Book of Lists. If you're attending the event then please pop by our table and say hello. I will be easy to recognise because, once again, I will be partaking in the activity of 'cosplay' and dressed up as one of my own creations from Book of Lists.

Paul B. Rainey 26/05/10

Bristol Booty

Despite trying hard not to spend my takings from last weekend's International Comic and Small Press Expo in Bristol, I did crack and make some purchases none of which, incidentally, I regret. I can recommend Andrew Cheverton's Synchrony Four which features short stories illustrated by Jenika Ioffreda, Tim Keable, Oliver Lambden and Dan Lester. 

I have been really looking forward to the second issue of Martin Eden's Spandex which  premiered at the event and is as joyful as the first. In it, the team of gay superheroes visit Japan where they battle Pink Ninjas.

The find of the weekend was VerityFair by the always brilliant Terry Wiley. The opening pages can be read on his website for free. When everyone is talking about how good this comic is in a few months time, remember that you read about it here first.

Paul B. Rainey 25/05/10

Bristol International Comic & Small Press Expo

This weekend, I am exhibiting at the International Comic and Small Press Expo taking place in the Mercure Hotel in Bristol. Once again, I will be sharing my table space with Trouser Madness' Peet Clack and selling copies of my comics including Book of Lists and all twelve parts of There's No Time Like The Present so far. If you're in the area, please pop by and say hello.

Paul B. Rainey 19/05/10

TNTLTP 12 Reviewed

Richard Bruton reviewed the latest part of There's No Time Like The Present at the start of the weekend on the Forbidden Planet Blog. "It’s genuinely a pleasure to be able to say that (unless issue 13 is unbelievably awful – which is highly unlikely) this sci fi soap opera with it’s varied and unusual, non-stereotypical cast of characters lives up to every bit of early promise it showed." All twelve issues so far can be bought from my Shop, GOSH in Central London and OK Comics in Leeds.

Also, there's been some lovely coverage of the end of the 2000 AD Prog Slog Blog on the Forbidden Planet Blog, Down The Tubes and Pete Ashton's website.

Paul B. Rainey 17/05/10

2000 AD Prog Slog Blog to End

In November 2006, after an impetuous ill-thought out bid on eBay, I won the first 1188 programmes of 2000 AD. Rather than just have them sit piled up in my bedroom collecting dust tormenting me about how much money I had spent on them, I decided I was obliged to read them all.  I thought, rather than just read them why not blog about the experience too. So, I started the 2000 AD Prog Slog Blog where I review every other issue of the Galaxy’s greatest comic and many of it’s associated publications. 

Well, after three and a half years of thrill power intensity turning my mind into a boggled mess and over 700 entries , the blog is due to come to it’s intended conclusion this weekend. Of course, I would like to tell you how proud I am to have got this far but there’s a part of me that feels ashamed at having used up so much time on a project which, let’s face it, is obsessive and stupid. All I can say for certain is, ‘it’s been emotional’ and  ‘thank God it’s over’.

If you ever read 2000 AD when you were younger or have an interest in the blog then you can read all entries so far here. The final prog is scheduled to be reviewed early tomorrow evening while the farewell entry will appear sometime over the weekend. Finally, if you’re one of those people who think that the 2000 AD Prog Slog Blog should continue then you will be pleased to know that David Page is picking up where I will be leaving off on his blog.

Paul B. Rainey 13/05/10

TNTLTP 12 Update

Copies of part 12 of There's No Time Like The Present are now available to buy from GOSH in Central London and OK Comics in Leeds. If you can't get to these great stores then, of course, they are still available from my online shop here. Rol Hirst has posted a review here describing it as "brain-meltingly wonderful" and Rob Jackson has one here. Rob also mentions me in an interview for The National Post arts section in answer to 'Who's the most under-appreciated comic artist working today?' Well, of course I am; it's just not for me to say, that's all.

Book of Lists Club

Every two weeks, The Paper Jam Comics Collective meet in the Newcastle Travelling Man store. They are a creative community who often also run a book club. Anyway, I'm delighted to be able to tell you that the the next book they are reading is Book of Lists. If you don't live in Newcastle but would like to take part then you can do so by buying a copy from me in The Shop and, er, reading it.

Paul B. Rainey 02/05/10

Sci-Fi London

Currently taking place in our nation's great capital is the Sci-Fi London festival. Starting on Wednesday just gone and finishing on Monday May 3rd, the theme for this years festival is Life in 2050. Now, I'll be honest with you, I like a bit of science fiction, but I'm not immersed enough in the genre  to have heard of this festival before this year. Making my ignorance appear even worse is it seems to be quite a big festival. So when I tell you that on Saturday at 1 PM I will be appearing on a panel called Future Publishing you might be surprised. When I think about how little I know about publishing in 2010 let alone 2050, so am I. Fortunately, if you go to the website you will see that the other panel guests look pretty good so, hopefully, they'll take up my slack. If you're attending the festival or in the area, then you might like to pop by and watch me make a fool of myself in public.

Paul B. Rainey 30/04/10

UniComics

This Saturday, I am exhibiting at the new Unicomics Festival taking place at The University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. I will be sharing my table space with Peet Clack and Andrew Cheverton where I will be selling copies of Book of Lists and premiering part 12 of There's No Time Like The Present.  Also, during the afternoon, I'm appearing on a panel about Autobiography in Comics. The event looks pretty good so if you're in the area please pop by and say hello.

Paul B. Rainey 21/04/10

TNTLTP 12 is go Go GO!

Part 12 of my long comic, or 'graphic novel', There's No Time Like The Present is now available for sale for £2.50. This is the penultimate issue to years of hard, and not so hard, work. To buy a copy, please use the Paypal link below. Or contact me here for alternative methods of payment. To buy previous parts or if you're an international customer, then please visit The Shop. Price includes P&P to the UK.

Paul B. Rainey 17/04/10

Penultimate TNTLTP Nearly Here

The penultimate part of There's No Time Like The Present is on its way to the printers and should be ready in time for the first Unicon event at the UniComics Festival taking place in Hatfield on April 24th. In the meantime, here's the finished cover for you to look at.

Paul B. Rainey 07/04/10

Cool New Comics

I picked up a bunch of really good comics at this years UK Web Comix Thing and Schmurgencon over the weekend. You should definitely check out Francesca Cassavetti's Striptacular 2 which tells the story of a recent trip to the Angoleme Comic Festival by a bunch of cartoonists and features a guest appearance by me. I can also recommend Peet Clack's Trouser Madness 3. As well drawn and as joyful as you would hope. Check out Schmurgen Gets a Job by Schmurgen Jonerhaffs if you can. It's very, very funny.

It was great picking up the first new issue of West for a couple of years. Written by Andrew Cheverton and drawn by Tim Keable, West Distance takes place earlier in the character's life and is an ideal starting point if you've never read the comic before. It doesn't matter if you are normally indifferent to Westerns, if you like strong story telling and great art then West Distance is ideal for any right minded person.

There's are so many good comics being produced right now. If you're trying to exercise financial restraint like I was then walking around these events is really difficult and me not buying something should never be interpreted negatively as a reflection of my opinion of it. However, I can definitely also recommend David O'Connell's Tozo 3, John Maybury's Space Babe 113 8 and Birdsong.

Paul B. Rainey 29/03/10

Pbrainey Award Winner

I had another very enjoyable UK Web Comix Thing and Schmurgencon yesterday. Thanks to everyone who said hello. My personal highlight was winning the Best Writer/Artist award at Schmurgencon. I won because I was there and, when Schmurgen asked who should win it, I shouted my name out first.

Paul B. Rainey 28/03/10

UK Web Comix Thing and Schmurgencon

After a quiet few months, a new season of comic events kicks off this Saturday with this years UK Web Comix Thing taking place at Queen Mary University in Mile End, London. I'll be in attendance selling copies of Book of Lists and There's No Time Like The Present. I'll be sharing my table with the mighty Tim Keable, Andrew Cheverton and Peet Clack who, hopefully, will have new issues of their comics West and Trouser Madness for sale. If you're in the area between 11 AM and 5 PM, then please pop by and say hello.

After, I will probably wander over to Schmurgencon taking place at the New Globe Pub around the corner from the UK Web Comix Thing afterwards. Schmurgen is promising an awards ceremony and I really want to win one.

Paul B. Rainey 25/03/10

Gin Palace

Rob Jackson's latest anthology is now out. It features strips by Francesca  Cassavetti, Dave Hughes, Ant Mercer, Jarod Rosello, Lee Johnson, Simon M and rob himself, all of which are great. You can buy a copy from him here at his website.

Paul B. Rainey 13/03/10

Twitter me DO

Yeah, that's right; just like every other other self absorbed bozo on the planet, I now twitter. You can 'follow' me at http://twitter.com/pbrainey. Gasp as I stare blankly out of a window. Marvel at how I moan about my arm hurting from drawing too much. Read my thoughts on how my local Post Office's automated queuing system could be more efficient. And much more. Do it! Follow me now!

Paul B. Rainey 09/03/10

Max and his Weevil 3

Paul B. Rainey 22/02/10

TNTLTP Part 11 Reviews

I have had lots of positive feedback to to There's No Time Like The Present part 11 via email, post and reviews which I'm delighted by. Richard Bruton at the Forbidden Planet blog writes, "it’s a thoroughly entertaining, deliciously complicated and intriguingly staged bit of domesticated science fiction" while Rol Hirst says, "this book continues to surprise." The problem with quoting more from these reviews and talking about part 11 in general is that it's difficult to do without giving away any spoilers. So, if you haven't read the latest issue yet, my advice to you is to save the following two links somewhere and only go to them once you've read it. Copies can be bought from GOSH in Central London, OK Comics in Leeds or from me using Paypal via my Shop or the button below.

Forbidden Planet Blog
Rol Hirst

Paul B. Rainey 16/02/10

Max and his Weevil 2

Paul B. Rainey 15/02/10

Max and his Weevil 1

If you don't know what a weevil is, in this context at least,  it's a race of aliens that live in the sewers underneath Cardiff in the Torchwood BBC TV show. I drew three of these  strips recently as part of a pitch to a magazine. I'll post the other two here over the next week or two.

Paul B. Rainey 08/02/10

TNTLTP Part 11 is go, Go, GO!

Part 11 of There's No Time Like The Present is back from the printers and now available for you to buy. The price is still £2.50 and, if you buy it from here, that includes post to UK destinations. (International readers, please add a pound). Use the Paypal button below or visit The Shop where all previous parts are also still available to buy or contact me here for details on alternative methods of payment.

Paul B. Rainey 02/02/10