Between a ROK & a Hard Place

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