Hi Everyone,

I'm Dave, but you might know me better as my alter-ego, Anders. I've had the huge privilege to be a part of both the Dark Red issues to date, and to see some of the back-stage creativity that's gone into the comic. I'll try to describe what Dark Red means to me, and also let you in on a few of the cast secrets. For starters, I'm also one of the Demons in the early few comics, and the scene you see is actually my desk in real life too. The monitor doesn't see into other worlds with odd demonic rituals in real life, but it does run Windows; make of that what you will!

I've found the hardest thing to do is start with blank page and create something out of the nothing, I'm not naturally a creative person. The same is true with this week's blurb - I'm just going to say what I feel about Dark Red and try to avoid waffling!

Personally, I think I've landed the fun part of the job: I pose for the cameras occasionally, try really hard not to laugh while looking concerned or moody or concentrating. I have to try not to make everyone else laugh too, and that's really hard. The photoshoots are a fun day - especially the "wrestling with Demons" storyline that's happening now in the comic. Most of the cast are Lynn's friends and we all see each other regularly, so the photoshoot doesn't feel like working at all - you might be able to see that from the out-takes in the Extras section - we often descend into posing like catalogue models for a laugh!

It is really weird seeing myself in a comic saying lines I know I've never said. The art in the comic more than makes up for the surprise, I love the rotoscope technique they use (I'm a massive fan of the computer game "Another World" and the A-Ha video "Take on Me", both of which use a similar technique). It seems to highlight the emotion on the page in a way that the live action photos or hand drawn comics can't replicate. If you want to know what I mean, take a look at the first comic with Sarah and Gary - I insist that's the best photo that I've seen taken of Dougie (who plays Gary), it seems to take all the essential features and smoothes them in a very eye-pleasing way.

Another of my favourites is the first issue's introduction of Daniel. I love the way the comic flows, starting with the peaceful Glasgow back streets, ending with the tense and moody Daniel shot. I really like the parallels with the second issue's "Bob-noir" scene (a portmanteau of Sarah's ex, called Bob in real life, and film-noir that seems to have caught on in the cast circles).

I will end with saying that the printed version of the comic really blew me away. I wasn't expecting such a professional quality finish and it really does justice to the artwork, it's a joy to flick through and it really makes the difference to be able to hold an entire issue and take in the whole story (so far!).

There, I've made it to the end without repetition, hesitation or deviation (well, almost).

Have a great Dark Red Christmas, from me and all of the cast.

Dave