Jimmy Broxton’s contribution of cover art to Mark H Williams’ début Sleepless Knights brings ‘the final piece of the puzzle’ for a project that has been quietly bubbling away at Atomic Fez Publishing for nearly two years. The title will be formally released on August 5^th of this year, and is currently available for pre-​​order from the publisher for 33% less than retail price.

Mr. Broxton – whose work has graced the pages of Knight & Squire, Saucer Country, and The Unwritten – has provided his prodigious gifts to the outsides of Sleepless Knights, with the final cover art on the right for your entertainment and adoration.

As both the proprietor and publisher, Ian Alexander Martin couldn’t be happier than he is with the artwork, calling it “much more than I had imagined possible. There’s a simple, graphic quality to the design that the typical small press book doesn’t possess, and the cover’s style is eye-​​catching in the same way that the works of Saul Bass were. I’d marry this cover if I could!”

Mr. Williams, author of Sleepless Knights, explained that Mr. Broxton was asked to contribute something which was in keeping with the over-​​all tone of the novel, one which mixes “the domestic with the fantastic. ‘Gleeful anachronism’ might be a good way to describe it… But there’s also a poignant tone to the book – these characters are far from home and have all seen better days. In addition to the comedic elements to the book, the story of Sir Lucas is an unlikely hero’s journey that tests him to his limits and beyond, and I was keen to avoid anything too overly wacky.

“Jimmy responded with an initial sketch which he described as ‘a representation of authentic brass rubbings coming alive, cavorting, boozing, eating kebabs/​fried chicken and generally acting up as described… it’s comedic, but not a cartoon as such… a darker, more satirical feel.’ ”

Mr. Williams concluded by hailing Mr. Broxton’s work saying that it “not only met that initial brief, but far exceeded my expectations. I’m hugely proud to have such a striking and original piece of design as the cover to Sleepless Knights.”

Mr. Broxton [recent security camera data, left] is a UK based graphic artist, illustrator and designer. He is best known for his work with Guy Adams restoring the iconic ‘60s comic strip Goldtiger by Antonio Barreti and Louis Shaeffer. He’s also known for his art for the Madefire ‘motion comic’ The Engine (also with with Mr. Adams), work on DC/Vertigo’s “The Unwritten” with Mike Carey; Paul Cornell’s “Knight and Squire” six issue mini series also for DC comics (collected in Batman: Knight and Squire), and a run of short stories for Dark Horse Comics Presents, working with writer Martin Conaghan.

His hobbies include: cooking, cycling, boxing, and pretending to be somebody else. He can be found on Twitter claiming to be @JimmyBrox.

For those really beside themselves with this design, we have all sorts of things to make your life complete!

Yes, we’ve got T–shirts for men and also for ladies! PLUS we’ve got coffee mugs made of aluminum (or aluminium if you insist). HOORAY!

Fully Labelled Products (for credit awareness)

Men’s Heavyweight T–shirt	Questing Mug	Ladies’ Fitted T–Shirt
[red only]	[steel only]	[red only]

"Un-Plugged" Products (for more subtlety)

Men’s Heavyweight T-​​shirt	Questing Mug	Domestic Mug	Ladies’ Fitted T-​​Shirt
[red only]	[white or steel]	[white only]	[red only]