ZOMBIECON TAKES place this the weekend of 6-7th September at the Quality Hotel in Walsall.

Films, workshops, guests, games and even a disco or two are promised as fans of this sub-genre of horror congregate to, ahem, enjoy life!

Guests include authors Robert Rankin and David Devereux, SFX make-up artist Stuart Conran, alongside comic books artists Al Davison, John McCrea and The Walking Dead's Charlie Adlard.

For more information visit: www.zombiecon.co.uk

THE Geek Syndicate are a dynamic duo of fanboys who have taken the step of opening their pub banter style dissection of all things superhero, sci-fi and cult to the internet.

They hold those conversations we all have about our favourite comics, books, TV shows and films - only with that added depth only a true obsessive can provide.
Flying the flag for the Midlands is Barry Nugent, from Northampton, while his partner is North London based David Monteith.

FOR THOSE searching for something that little bit different but who are not quite sure about exactly what, recommendations and reviews are a good place to start.

Since September 2007 there's been just such a place to get a flavour of the UK independent comics and manga scene, and that's via the webportal that is IndieReview.

IndieReview covers the latest small press comic offerings, has features on various creators so you can check out other titles by them, alongside revealing interviews featuring some of the leading lights of the UK independent comics scene, and articles on webcomics.

The webportal has recently undergone a redesign, and its current remit is to focus on "Sharp dynamic content with lots of great images and up to date news from the world of comics," according to IndieReview editor Rachid Otsmane.

To this end a new 5 star rating system has been introduced to let potential readers know what they think of a comic straight away, and for creators themselves the ability to host their own WordPress blog on IndieReview with a complimentary @indiereview.co.uk email address is being offered.

For further information check out both www.indiereview.co.uk and
www.indiereview.co.uk/blog

Legendary comic book artist Alex Nino returns to the printed page this September courtesy of the nail-biting three issue limited series Dead Ahead, to be published by major US publisher Image Comics.

On a restless ocean, a group of weary survivors contemplate their grim fortune for what had started out as a fun little fishing trip has turned into a nightmare of damnation, trapped on a floating prison - The world is all at sea as zombies now walk the very face of it...

When an ocean liner approaches on the horizon Captain Jack and his crew have no idea whether it promises salvation or their own imminent doom, and what's worse is that there's no escaping their having to find out!

For all its guaranteed gruesome mayhem Dead Ahead is intended as a character-driven tale delivered as a blood-pounding thriller that will make perfect reading as you prepare for your Halloween festivities.

The stylistic visual innovations produced through the length of this series are quite literally awesome. For those unaware, Alex Nino came to prominence in his native Philippines during the 60s. From the 70s onwards he produced numerous strips, comic books and graphic novels for US publishers including DC's House of Mystery, Marvel's Conan, Heavy Metal magazine and for the Warren line of books such as Vampirella and Creepy, with much of his work reprinted and syndicated worldwide.

Although renowned for his horror and science fiction work, Nino is just as adept at turning his hand to producing wondrously imaginative if not whimsically beautiful artwork that is admirably appealing to the young and the young at heart; and it's for that very reason that he has been kept busy creatively within the animation field in recent years, working for the likes of Disney.

Dead Ahead was created and written by Mel Smith (Child's Play) and Clark Castillo (Feed America's Children). They brought in yours truly to the fold in the role of wordsmith, with Wizard magazine Fan Award Winner Moose Baumman on colours, with lettering by L Lois Buhalis and X-Men Eagle Award winner Tom Orzechowksi who also takes the story editor role he held during Spawn's heyday.

It's a class act, being a strong team all working towards the same goals, and you the readers benefit from a comic book series where every page is meant to count.

Various interviews with the creators can be found across the internet and they include:

www.comiccon.com

www.wizarduniverse.com

www.comicmonsters.com

www.comicbookresources.com

There are also various features and news articles on the series to be found, not all are in English.

There will be also be a feature on Dead Ahead in British horror magazine From The Tomb that can be purchased through Borders or online through: www.soaringpenguin.com

Dead Ahead is out soon... Don't say you haven't been warned!

Popular Astonishing X-men and Captain America artist John Cassaday is the latest top name to be confirmed for the Birmingham International Comics Show this October.

Cassaday first came to prominence for his award winning work on Planetary with writer Warren Ellis about a decade ago.

But recently he has enjoyed huge success with his run on Astonishing X-men with Joss Whedon, the pop-culture riffing creator of TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

This is another inspired signing for BICS joining an impressive line-up including Dave Gibbons and David Lloyd...

ROK Comics, who syndicate comic strips to mobile mobile phone users worldwide, has officially announced the details of its 2008 ROK and a Hard Place Competition.

Those entering the competition have the chance to win a Nokia 9500 mobile worth almost £500, be featured online alongside many other comic creators from around the world, and receive a free pass to this October's Birmingham International Comics Show (BICS).

ROK Comics is part of the global mobile entertainment company ROK Entertainment Group that was founded in 2004. ROK Comics syndicate digital comic strips to mobile phone users worldwide.

In addition to many internationally licensed comics ROK also feature strips produced by independent creators, one of the latest being Curtain Crawlers from award-winning comics artist Chris Reynolds.

Produced in association with BICS, ROK Comics Managing Editor and former editor for titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Star Trek Magazine, John Freeman, explained that the challenge for this year's competition is to create a comic revealing a life changing moment.

"We want people to create a comic strip using the ROK Comics Comic Creator featuring someone telling the story of a difficult choice they've had to make in their life. The theme was the idea of Shane Chebsey, one of the co-runners of BICS and a long-time supporter of Britain's huge independent comics press. We think this challenge will appeal to many creators worldwide, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with."

"We at BICS love the way that ROK Comics is so accessible to both creators and readers," said Shane, "And feel that working together we can help to bring the wonderful medium of comics to a wider readership. Mobile phones are now the most widely used method of communication in the world, so it seems the perfect way to present new comics to more people than ever before."

Around 4,000 fans are expected at BICS this year thanks to a stellar guest list including the legendary Michael Golden from America and from across the English Channel popular French artist Olivier Coipel.

Those who've become hooked on comics due to their popular adaptation to movies, will be delighted that other guests include Hellboy artist Duncan Fegredo, V For Vendetta co-creator David Lloyd and Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons, who will be hosting an exclusive presentation of his new companion book Watching The Watchmen, plus there will be host a 20th anniversary Tank Girl presentation and exclusive signing on the Sunday from co-creator Alan Martin and current artist Rufus Dayglo.

The prize-winner for the 2008 ROK and a Hard Place Competition will be announced exclsuively at BICS and ROK Comics is also running a separate competition challenging creators to come up with a humour comic.

For more about ROK Comics visit: www.rokcomics.com

To enter the ROK and a Hard Place Competition visit: www.rokcomics.com/bics_competition2008

For more about the Birmingham International Comic Show visit: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

John McCrea made an impact on the comics scene drawing Troubled Souls within the pages of Fleetway's Crisis anthology. As written by Garth Ennis, it dealt with the situation in their homeland of Northern Ireland at the time.

The artist followed that working for the likes of England's 2000AD and American publishers DC and Marvel on books such as Hitman and The Punisher.

In recent years John has gone even more international, pencilling The 99 for Kuwait publisher Teshkeel, and more recently weekly strips featuring Spider-Man for the French arm of Eaglemoss.

However, Birmingham-based John's back doing some regular work for UK publications, drawing for a new monthly Transformers comic from Titan that goes on sale from October 23rd.

It's almost full circle for him, because, if I recall correctly, his first professional work was drawing robots in both Centurions for London Editions and for Marvel UK in - you guessed it - Transformers!

For some added Midlands value, it's also worth noting that local artist Laura Howell recently informed me that Stripsearch alumnus Lee Bradley is working with John on the Transformers comic.

The Birmingham Mail's website features a video of John McCrea here.
You can also find out more about John McCrea at: www.johnmccrea.com

From Switzerland, the home of ticking clocks, sumptuous chocolate, and skiing breaks come a virtual museum for collectors of comics and a great deal besides.

What is more you can exhibit your own rare and obscure comics and memorabilia online at www.swapey.com/comics and www.swapey.com/modelling.

"You can discuss (with mini-forums attached to each model) and rate items in the museum and send messages to other members. There is also a general discussion forum," a representative of the websites informed me.

"We have just started but have already about 700 registered users. Registering takes only 1-2 minutes and uploading a model is done in three quick steps, just click on Add object after you log in."
The site also runs competitions giving away classic comics.

On Sunday 27th July three young local comic creators will be featured on Carl Chinn's BBC Radio WM show.

Among other things, Matthew Craig, Donato Esposito and Jack Davies will be discussing their new webcomic Bostin Heroes.

Eposito is the man behind the Bostin clothing range that's proved popular with the likes of local lads who've done well Ozzy Osbourne, Frank Skinner and Adrian Childs.

Craig appeared on Chinn's show back in April, to discuss his own Brummie superhero comic Trouble Bruin, and it was on hearing it that Donato first considered the idea of his using his business acumen to further celebrate and promote the West Midlands and the Black Country area and its people by producing a comic, so got in contact with Craig and Davies.

The trio will be on appearing on the radio show from 2pm onwards. However, as Craig noted: "In case people miss it, the show is streamed online for seven days after transmission."

Readers can also get to meet the Bostin Heroes team in person this October. "We'll be at the Birmingham International Comics Show, with the first print edition of the strip," revealed Craig, who will also be promoting and selling his own range of comics.

For more about Bostin Heroes visit: www.bostinheroes.com and www.bostinheroes.net

To view The Birmingham Mail feature on Bostin Heroes visit:
www.birminghammail.net/2008/06/27/bostin-comic-book-heroes-flying-the-flag-for-birmingham-97319-21164352/

To hear the Carl Chinn radio show featuring Bostin Heroes visit:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio#local

For more about Matthew Craig and Trouble Bruin visit: www.thematthewcraig.com

THE Beano has been keeping British children gripped with subversive humour and a stream of iconic characters for 70 years now.

Generations of youngsters have enjoyed the weekly thrill of catching up with the likes of Dennis the Menace, Lord Snooty, the Bash Street Kids and the Three Bears.

And next week will see a series of events to mark the 70th birthday. Birmingham artists Hunt Emerson and Laura Howell are closely involved.