June 2008 Archives

Classical Comics, who are adapting Shakespeare and assorted literary works, has just come to an agreement with Ittosha Inc; of Japan, for their titles to be translated and published in the east, starting this winter.

In recent years the impact of Japanese comics has been quite astronomical and sales of manga, as they are termed, have not only challenged home grown material in many countries but the overall art style has permeated the general consciousness due to anime kids cartoons and the style being appropriated by the advertising market. For British creators to be turning the tide making a splash in the Japanese ocean is pretty impressive, and something of a selling-coals-to-Newcastle scenario.

Classical Comics' Chairman, Birmingham born Clive Bryant said: "Not only are we exporting great British literature, but we're also delivering part of our deep culture at the same time. Just as westerners find the Japanese culture intriguing, we think that there are many people in Japan who will be equally fascinated by our heritage."

Terumasa Hirano, Chairman and Executive Editor of Ittosha Inc commented: "When we first came across the Classical Comics range we immediately saw the potential for a Japanese translation. While the artwork is very different to what we see over here that is part of their appeal and helps to deliver these famous stories."

For more about Classical Comics visit: www.classicalcomics.com

SINCE gettting a reputation as the 'comics guy' in the Mail newsroom I get handed many weird and wonderful press releases. Those where dry-cleaning companies compare themselves to Superman or Hulk smashes down prices as big business tries to cling to the cape of the latest big screen hero.

One I was passed today uses the classic press release technique of a poll of the nation's favourite super hero to promote a new season of films on telly. Obviously several Batman movies are on because he is, funnily enough, the favourite hero. We are told he was chosen in a survey of 100 movie 'experts'. They must have missed Batman and Robin - which managed to undo all the good work of earlier films.

As ever there is no indication of who these expers are, so they are probably film buffs from the PR company's office. Nor does it say how many votes each received and whether it was an open field. But to compensate they do give us some expert analysis.

A young student came down from Newcastle to study and the people of Birmingham, knowing a good thing when they saw it, refused to let him go back!

Hunt Emerson has been an ever-present face on the Midlands arts scene for several decades - old rockers can remember posters he produced for local bands and Midlands mods covert his late seventies ska album covers. From his initial cartoons for now rare and obscure hip underground publications to the pages of The Radio Times, his talent has took him along way (without leaving Brum)!

Since those heady days of his youth he has garnered deserved international fame as a cartoonist of great worth. His works are collected, translated and available as books in countless languages. These include venerably funny adaptations and histories such as Casanova's Last Stand, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Lady's Chatterley's Lover, many of these having been published in the UK by Knockabout.

I met up with Stoke-on-Trent artist Shane Oakley (Albion, The Sandman Gallery, Zombie Tales etc) a couple of weeks back. Officially he came down to Brum to discuss a book we're collaborating on for an American publisher, but the excuse to get him down here rather than me be forced to eat oatcakes up in Staffordshire, was that there was a comic mart on.

There have been various comic marts in Birmingham's city centre over the years. Many remember when Carrs Lane was a regular venue. In recent years Golden Orbit has been the organiser and they were holding them bi-monthly on Sundays at the Novotel on Broad Street. This year they've moved to a more convenient Saturday and take place from midday until 4pm, for only a pound entrance.

Now I know all that because I checked it on Golden Orbit's website the day before. But when we strode up to the Novotel they hadn't a clue what we were on about!

Henry V, the first graphic novel to be published by Classical Comics has scooped a silver medal at this year's Independent Publishers Awards in America.

Classical Comics Ltd's chairman is Clive Bryant who was born in Stechford, Birmingham.

On hearing the result he said, "We are absolutely delighted to win this award with our first book. To see this dream become a reality, and then to gain recognition for our books has been a truly emotional experience. In fact, we've had such a positive response to both Henry V and Macbeth that we've increased the number of titles in production".

According to the Independent Publishers, "The quality of this year's entries has been totally amazing." So much so that the IPPYs, as they are referred to, attracted a total of 3,175 entries this year. The results were announced at the recent Book Expo America award ceremony held in Los Angeles.

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown's appearance in the new Captain Britain series from Marvel has caused quite a stir on the pages of our national broadsheets today.

It's great exposure for comics in general and our under siege Prime Minister needs the charisma injection provided by Captain Britain.

But deserving most credit is the creative genius behind this PR masterstroke Paul Cornell

I bumped into him when he arrived early for a signing session alongside Ultimate Fantastic Four writer Mike Carey and Watchman legend Dave Gibbons at the Birmingham Comic Show last autumn. He was a thoroughly nice chap.

by William Messner-Loebs and Dan Barry, (Titan books) £19.99 rrp - significantly less in most reputable book shops.

WHEN Harrison Ford hung up his Indiana hat following 1989's Last Crusade the eponymous hero lived on through a series of comic book adventures.
A series of epic adventures were released in monthly episodes to keep fans happy while they awaited the fourth installment. With esteemed comic writer Messner-Loebs and legendary artist Dan Barry they certainly had a strong pedigree.
Three of these adventures repackaged in this new collection, time to coincide with the release of Indy VI later this month. The artwork, although dated compared to the explosion of colour modern comics, has a nostalgic charm.
The first is Fate of Atlantis which sees Indy battling his Nazi foes to find the secrets of Atlantis in an adventure worthy of big screen adaptation - well paced with strong characters.
By comparison the next outing Thunder In the Orient, in which Indy faces the Japanese army, seems over plotted leaving the art little room to breathe and the third, the Arms of Gold, is solid if unspectacular.