March 2009 Archives

Cymru Con

ALAS, CYMRU Con, Wales' first comic convention in literally years, has had to be cancelled this summer.

PR & Events Manager Iz McAuliffe sadly announced that: "The current economic climate has simply made it impossible to be able to put on a large new event such as Cymru Con - our main sponsor has pulled out and we have been unable to secure further financial backing." It is hoped that the show will now take place in 2010.

Thought Bubble

UP IN Leeds, the Thought Bubble comics festival returns for its third year running.

I takes place from 20th - 22nd November over which workshops, talks, comic related film screenings and a huge book crossing will take place, and a one day convention event on Saturday 21st to take place at Saviles Hall.

According to Director Lisa Wood, Thought Bubble is "Dedicated to spreading the word of comics and manga though free workshops for children and adults and other comic related activities."

Expect further updates at Speech Balloons, but for direct information now visit:
www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

BICS

HERE IN Birmingham, as noted previously, BICS 2010 will be taking place during its now regular October slot.

At least one star American guest has now been announced, Award-winning writer/artist Howard Chaykin, creator of the groundbreaking American Flagg! series, who has worked on television series such as The Flash and Generation X.

GIANT-SIZED BAND-THING, the four-piece rock band featuring comic book creators, will be playing a corporate gig as part of anniversary celebrations for Infinity & Beyond in Shrewsbury on Saturday 28th April.

Giant-Sized Band-Thing features Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead, Green Lantern/Green Arrow) on drums, Paul H Birch (Dead Ahead, Gumby Comics) on bass, Liam Sharp (Gears of War, Testament) on lead vocals, with Phil Winslade (The Brave & The Bold, Daredevil) on lead guitar.

The band formed at the tail end of last year, heading the line-up for the launch party at BICS 2008 where according to the likes of Paul Cornell (writer for the Dr Who TV series): "Giant-Sized Band-Thing rocked the house".

Giant-Sized Band-Thing will be signing comics at Infinity & Beyond from 3pm, while the private party celebrations kicks off around 6.0pm, with the band playing an early evening set.

(Photo (c) Christine McCormack-Sharp, taken live at Bennetts, Birmingham).

THE APRIL 1st dated issue of Toxic, the best-selling British boys' magazine published by Egmont, has a free comic book giveaway packed inside!

Toxic Presents... Crazy Comics! comes bagged with the regular issue of Toxic #137 and features nine full-colour strips behind a Laura Howell cover.

The writers and artists involved are Stuart Arrowsmith, Paul H Birch, John Erasmus, John Freeman, David Hailwood, Steve Harrison, Shane Oakley, Paul J Palmer, Jamie Smart, along with Toxic regulars Howell, Paul Harrison-Davies, Luke Paton and Lew Stringer.

Kids get the chance to vote for their favourite strip online and the winning strip will join those strips already running in the regular Toxic title.

To buy Toxic go to any good local newsagent or supermarket then go online to vote at www.toxicmag.co.uk/vote.

It's true, it's not an April Fool's Day joke, it's a free comic!

Razorjack, the independent comic book series created by acclaimed British artist John Higgins and published by Com.x is to be collected into a 100 page graphic novel featuring an all new four page comic strip.

Debuting in the late 70s British underground comix scene with a cover for Brainstorm Comix John went on to produce covers for science fiction paperback novels and work for the popular weekly 2000AD. He subsequently worked for international publishers, including colouring Watchmen and illustrating one of the first creator-owned series published by DC Comics, World Without End.

"It's always a pleasure to see John's work," said Garth Ennis. "John Higgins sickens me. He can write, pencil, ink and colour all seemingly effortlessly," said Mark Millar. While Mike Carey described Razorjack itself as: "Unique, wonderful, quintessential John Higgins."

Razorjack: The Collected Edition (Perfect Paperback) tells the story of three college kids inadvertently create the opening from the alternate universe of The Twist Dimension and become a focus for the evil that is Razorjack. Maverick cops, Frame and Ross, are assigned a disturbingly horrific multiple-murder case that draws them into what is potentially the final battle between good and evil.

To purchase Razorjack: The Collected Edition (Perfect Paperback) through Amazon check out: www.amazon.com/Razorjack-Collected-John-Higgins/dp/1607438178/ref=sr_

2D THE Northern Ireland Comics Festival returns to Derry/Londonderry between the 4th - 6th June this year.

There will be artists sketching, creators signing and attending panels and workshops, with dealers selling comics, an exhibition and a whole lot more.

(Above: Artist Charlie Adlard seen at BICS 2007 here, has also attended 2D in recent years).

The festival will take place between The Verbal Arts Centre and Sandinos Bar, featuring a diverse range of events from educational workshops during the day on Thursday and Friday, to the always entertaining panel discussions in Sandinos, described by the those in the know as "the best bar in town", on Friday and Saturday evenings. There will also be a closing party in Sandinos bar on the Saturday night.

The guest line-up will be announced soon and all events are free of charge!

For more information visit: www.2dfestival.com

The picture in this article comes courtesy of: www.comicshopvoice.co.uk