John Allison
@badmachinery.com
Cartoonist in Leeds, UK. I brought you such comics as Steeple, Bad Machinery, Giant Days, Scary Go Round, Bobbins, Great British Bump-Off and Solver. The nation's favourite.
https://badmachinery.com
https://badmachinery.com
Today's big question from my writing session
January 6, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Today's big question from my writing session
I'm back to writing (and roughing out) pages today, it feels a lot better when I've taken a decent break from whipping myself up and down the street. The panel below was my favourite of the day but I guarantee that rendering this "properly" will be a living nightmare next week.
January 5, 2026 at 11:57 AM
I'm back to writing (and roughing out) pages today, it feels a lot better when I've taken a decent break from whipping myself up and down the street. The panel below was my favourite of the day but I guarantee that rendering this "properly" will be a living nightmare next week.
It's tough sometimes being a bachelor, but there's nothing better for we single men than the start of the year when the new Cup A Soups are announced.
January 2, 2026 at 5:01 PM
It's tough sometimes being a bachelor, but there's nothing better for we single men than the start of the year when the new Cup A Soups are announced.
I love drawing "Marvel corner box faces"
January 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I love drawing "Marvel corner box faces"
Happy new year! Last night I was at my brother's house and my 13-year old nephew drew this - he loves Jeff!
January 1, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Happy new year! Last night I was at my brother's house and my 13-year old nephew drew this - he loves Jeff!
I'm still pleased with the four postcards I drew for sale at Thought Bubble this year. I hope to do more with old-fashioned pen and ink this year, the era of genAI art seems to demand it.
December 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I'm still pleased with the four postcards I drew for sale at Thought Bubble this year. I hope to do more with old-fashioned pen and ink this year, the era of genAI art seems to demand it.
And of course, a thousand thanks to the 2025 Governors, who now take their places on the emeritus board, the wise elders who have helped shepherd this project through 27 years of responsive, responsible cartooning.
December 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
And of course, a thousand thanks to the 2025 Governors, who now take their places on the emeritus board, the wise elders who have helped shepherd this project through 27 years of responsive, responsible cartooning.
I'm pleased and proud to announce next year's Scary Go Round Governors, voted for by our Gold Club Members.
Dennis Fishbeak
Susannah Zink
Sir Ivory Coast
Jenina Broadwoodwidger OBE
Please join me in welcoming them, as they help steer your favourite comics universe through 2026's choppy waters.
Dennis Fishbeak
Susannah Zink
Sir Ivory Coast
Jenina Broadwoodwidger OBE
Please join me in welcoming them, as they help steer your favourite comics universe through 2026's choppy waters.
December 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm pleased and proud to announce next year's Scary Go Round Governors, voted for by our Gold Club Members.
Dennis Fishbeak
Susannah Zink
Sir Ivory Coast
Jenina Broadwoodwidger OBE
Please join me in welcoming them, as they help steer your favourite comics universe through 2026's choppy waters.
Dennis Fishbeak
Susannah Zink
Sir Ivory Coast
Jenina Broadwoodwidger OBE
Please join me in welcoming them, as they help steer your favourite comics universe through 2026's choppy waters.
Thank you Walter! Plenty more madness to come in 2026
December 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Thank you Walter! Plenty more madness to come in 2026
For some reason, whenever I picture it being drunk, I imagine the "nurishee" using one of those can openers that let you make a couple of triangular holes at the top of the tin to ensure a smooth pour.
December 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
For some reason, whenever I picture it being drunk, I imagine the "nurishee" using one of those can openers that let you make a couple of triangular holes at the top of the tin to ensure a smooth pour.
Even drink is a food now Sarah
And I couldn't be happier
And I couldn't be happier
December 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Even drink is a food now Sarah
And I couldn't be happier
And I couldn't be happier
Christmas is one of the few times now I get to sit down and draw in earnest in my sketchbook, I did a lot of mad drawings that could never happen working digitally, and this was a particular favourite.
December 29, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Christmas is one of the few times now I get to sit down and draw in earnest in my sketchbook, I did a lot of mad drawings that could never happen working digitally, and this was a particular favourite.
We'll always have our memories. And my pack of Welcome Back Kotter gum, which I still intend to chew one day
December 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We'll always have our memories. And my pack of Welcome Back Kotter gum, which I still intend to chew one day
You have to give gen AI music credit where it's due - this year it's possible to really stick the boot in to the worst album of the year without hurting anyone's feelings.
December 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
You have to give gen AI music credit where it's due - this year it's possible to really stick the boot in to the worst album of the year without hurting anyone's feelings.
It wouldn't have been 2025 without the return of good rock n roll errr music so thanks to The Velvet Sundown for bringing authenticity - and burgers - back to the pop scene
December 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
It wouldn't have been 2025 without the return of good rock n roll errr music so thanks to The Velvet Sundown for bringing authenticity - and burgers - back to the pop scene
I was reminded today of a very specific sort of British shopping bag that precedes free "disposable" plastic bags. It was made out of a sort of mesh, with metal handles. I wonder if anyone still makes them. They seemed near-indestructible.
December 23, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I was reminded today of a very specific sort of British shopping bag that precedes free "disposable" plastic bags. It was made out of a sort of mesh, with metal handles. I wonder if anyone still makes them. They seemed near-indestructible.
I hope people enjoy the Shelley and Esther reunion, this year's "special Christmas feature". Here are their outfit designs. (Christmas will also happen in Solver next year, but unfortunately due to an issue of scheduling it will occur in May and June.)
December 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I hope people enjoy the Shelley and Esther reunion, this year's "special Christmas feature". Here are their outfit designs. (Christmas will also happen in Solver next year, but unfortunately due to an issue of scheduling it will occur in May and June.)
Recreating the Hootenanny was a bit of a test but @thingsbydan.co.uk did help me work out how to draw Jools Holland.
December 22, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Recreating the Hootenanny was a bit of a test but @thingsbydan.co.uk did help me work out how to draw Jools Holland.
"Low Budget Communications"
December 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"Low Budget Communications"
Some recent Steeple drawings
December 21, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Some recent Steeple drawings
See how easy it is? Of course you can see it. That's generational change we can all believe in. My other idea is to have a talking robot called "DANCE-O" in the style of Metal Mickey who comes on stage and spins around a lot. I mean, a LOT.
December 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
See how easy it is? Of course you can see it. That's generational change we can all believe in. My other idea is to have a talking robot called "DANCE-O" in the style of Metal Mickey who comes on stage and spins around a lot. I mean, a LOT.
...then, ten years later, in Steeple.
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
...then, ten years later, in Steeple.
Dame Elaine Stevens has appeared twice before, first in Bad Machinery (she's on the TV)...
December 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Dame Elaine Stevens has appeared twice before, first in Bad Machinery (she's on the TV)...
This book is canonically critical to my comics universe
December 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This book is canonically critical to my comics universe