July 2008 Archives

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.

From Garfield to Batman comic books and their characters have a pedigree and a history that make them a tried and tested formula to become successful films.

There's a whole roster of major movie stars including Nicholas Cage, Halle Berry, Sean Connery, Robert Downey Jr, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie and Keanu Reeves who have willingly put their names forward to feature in comic book silver screen sagas, confident that they will reach an eager audience.

Wanted, The Fantastic Four, Ironman, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Superman, The Crow, Batman - the titles literally leap out and mug you at the cinemas these days.

But, when at the end of a movie, those screen credits roll on half as long as the actual film itself, consider for a moment that it might take a handful, or less, of creative individuals to deliver similarly exciting adventures on a regular monthly, or even weekly, basis.

On the 4th- 5th October some of the best of those writers, artists and editors will be congregating in England's second city to appear at the Birmingham International Comics Convention 2008.

From Judge Dredd to The Beano's Little Plumb, there will be comics and creators galore and from all around the globe. With talks, signings, competitions and much more besides it promises to be a show to remember.

If you want to know what's going to be the next Wanted, Iron Man or even The Incredibles, then The Birmingham International Comics Show is the happening place to be this October.

For further information & to reserve tickets visit: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

Best-selling author Stephen King has been the undisputed king of horror for several decades now. His work has been adapted into countless other mediums, and Marvel Comics in America are currently at the forefront in transforming them into comic books.

Hitting the stands this September will be The Stand, based on one of his most popular books. This comic series version is being produced under King's own guidance with story adaptations produced by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and (as noted previously by Neil Elkes) internal art by Wolverhampton-born Michael Perkins.

A round-up courtesy of our friends at Nostalgia and Comics

Following the success of its "Dark Tower" adaptations, Marvel Comics is set to release Stephen King's post apocalyptic classic "The Stand" as a 30-part, multiple miniseries comic. Wolverhampton based artist Mike Perkins will draw all 30 issues. The first issue of The Stand: Captain Trips will be out in September.

Classic British sci-fi character Judge Dredd will appear in a new comic series in 2009 from American publisher Dynamite Entertainment. Conceived and written by Garth Ennis and Dredd co-creator John Wagner. This is the first project in a series of releases Dynamite is working out with Rebellion, Dredd's UK owner and publisher. The new series will kick off with dual covers from Alex Ross and classic Dredd artist Brian Bolland. And will build on past Dredd continuity while providing a reader-friendly starting point for fans that only know the character from the forgettable 1995-film adaptation.

After an eight-year battle with bone cancer artist Michael Turner has died. He was 37.
He is known for his dynamic artwork, particularly his striking cover art for DC and Marvel for who he worked on the Civil Series last year. His own series "Fathom" and "Soulfire." also proved popular.

There's a lot to sing and dance about at the Birmingham International Comics Show (BICS) due at Millennium Point this October, and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.

The world of comics has long had strong associations with that of music, not least when its popular artists are called upon to create iconic album covers.

From Robert Crumb's 60s underground comix art for Big Brother and the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills vinyl album, featuring Janis Joplin, to American superstar Neal Adams' superheroic renditions on Who Will Save the World? by The Groundhogs and years later for Extreme's hit-filled Pornograffitti just as the age of CD was dawning, every style from slapstick cartooning to ultra-realism has been displayed as a cover.

Now we have Timothy Bradstreet illustrating worldwide smashes like A Matter of Life and Death by Iron Maiden and Chris Western dipping his pen nibs deep to delinate covers for up-and-coming UK rockers Tokyo Dragons... And if your tastes are a lot less heavy with catchier tunes don't forget that Madness have called upon the talents of Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons before now!

This crossfiltering of cultural and entertainment mediums is always enjoyed at BICS.

Along with the aforementioned Mr Gibbons and other homegrown talent, jetting in from around the world will be Mark Buckingham (who worked on the video for Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer hit single) and other international stars.

The Birmingham International Comics Show 2008 promises to be a spectacular weekend of comics, comic book people, and maybe even the odd surprise major rock star happening along... So it really is a case of be there or be square!

For further information & to reserve tickets visit: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

Speech Balloon collaborator Tony Lee has delivered the ultimate fanboy fantasy in his up and coming mini-series Doctor Who: The Forgotten by featuring all ten incarnations of the Time Lord.

The Kings Heath writer has teamed up with artist Pia Guerra, of Y The Last Man fame, for the six part mini-series for publisher IDW. Issue one is due in August.

DOCTOR Who devotees, Lisa Rochell and Hazel Stanton dressed as The Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness for the visit to Birmingham of Torchwood star Gareth David Lloyd.

Dozens queued at the Nostalgia and Comics shop to meet Doctor Who and Torchwood star Gareth David Lloyd.

Nostalgia's Dave Hopkins was impressed with the turnout - some had even begun queuing before the shop opened.

And he described Gareth, who was promoting his range of HP Lovecraft audio books, as a perfect gent, softly spoken and happy to chat with fans.

Even though the fate of Ianto Jones currently hangs in the balance, the star would give nothing away about this Saturday's Doctor Who finale.

Our friends at Nostalgia and Comics tell me that we are reading the following this week.

Final Crisis 2 (Of 7)
Mighty Avengers 15
Wolverine 66
Ultimates 3 4 (Of 5)
Hulk 4
Justice League Of America 22
Uncanny X-Men 499
Captain America 39
Angel After The Fall 9
Fantastic Four 558