Press Release - Bristol International Comic Expo 2006 – April Update
For the eighth successive year, the Bristol International Comic Expo (
www.comicexpo.net) is back in 2006, on May
13 and 14 at the British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall coupled with
talks at the Ramada Plaza Hotel.
New Events And Signings:
The Eagles. Britain’s longest running and most respected comics awards.
The ceremony. The trophies. It’s the British Eisners, it’s back, it’s at the
Expo. Saturday night there’s a special awards dinner, tickets are running out
but the last few can be snapped up by a speedy email to
martin@acecomics.co.uk – the awards are
being hosted at the following URL:-
from Sunday 23rd April – get yourself over there and vote!
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"Hypotheticals is the most fun I've ever had at a convention - and
usually I get drunk and go to strip clubs, so you can imagine how fun
Hypotheticals is. It is a must!"
- Mike Avon Oeming
===
Bristol Comic Expo along with Leah Moore and John Reppion are proud to
support the Draw a Million faces petition and Oxfam representatives will be
there collecting sketches for the petition, plus we have a very special event:
1pm to 3pm Saturday sees Moore and Reppion signing brand new copies of Albion #4
– plus back issues #1 to #3 – plus the Expo Exclusive Albion Signature card,
also signed by Dave Gibbons. Buy any issue of the book plus the card for just
£2.50, with all proceeds going to the Oxfam Arms Control Promotion (
www.controlarms.org).
1.30pm Saturday sees The Hidden Gems of UK Comics panel – who better to
recommend the best UK comics of the last few years than a panel of peers: Jason
Cobley (Albion Comics), James Redington (Portent Comics), Jay Eales (Factor
Fiction), Barry Renshaw (Engine Comics) and Anna and Karen Rubins (Dark) talk
about their favourite independently-produced UK comics, with a selection
available to buy at the panel. Host Glenn Carter (The Real Mainstream) will
attempt to keep everyone on track…
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"The most honest hour I ever spent on a panel talking about
fictional scenarios. I laughed, I cried -- I give it 5 stars -- my highest
recommendation!"
- Jim Lee
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“Draw The World Together” Sketching Event II - following on from the huge
success at the Brighton Expo Sketching Event last year for 'Draw the World
Together' with Games giant NCSOFT we are delighted to announce it will be
running again at the Bristol Expo. How does it work? Simple, fans can have
their own online 'City of Heroes' or 'City of Villains' character sketched by
one of these artists: Duncan Fegredo, Charles Adlard, Staz Johnson, Mike
Collins, Ian Gibson, Ian Richardson, Nat Sandells, Boo Cook, Martin Griffiths,
Geoff Senior and DtWT stalwart, Andrew Wildman, who will all be taking turns on
the NCSOFT Booth to produce YOUR character in a one off sketch, in return for a
very modest donation to the charity with ALL the money going to DtWT. Just a
fiver for a head shot or the full figure for only a tenner!
Indie publisher Accent UK are releasing their fifth themed anthology
Monsters at the komiks.dk festival in Copenhagen at the end of April where
contributors, John Reppion and Leah Moore are guests. Fellow Albion creator
Shane Oakley provides the front cover amongst a roster of UK talent including
Dave Hitchcock, Jason Cobley, Garen Ewing, Colin Mathieson, Dave West and
others. The ACCENT UK tour bus will then be taking Monsters to Bristol Expo
where the team has their regular table and many of the issue’s creators will be
in attendance. The collection has eleven strips interpreting the Monsters theme,
featuring scary and thought-provoking stories of Victorian Sea Beasts, Robots,
Werewolves, Vampires, Alien Genocide and child abuse. Its grey scaled 52 square
bound US format pages are available for £3.00 so you too can take some Monsters
home with you this year!. See
www.accentukcomics.com for further
details.
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"Hypotheticals is such a fucking blast that I'm simply not allowed
to talk about it."
- Joe Casey
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Tokyopop’s Rising Stars of Manga UK & Ireland returns! Key executives
from TOKYOPOP, the leading manga brand, present the winners of the first annual
Rising Stars of Manga UK & Ireland talent competition and officially launch
the 2nd annual Rising Stars of Manga UK & Ireland. Dennis McGuirk, Sales
Director, TOKYOPOP UK, and three of the first annual Rising Stars of Manga of UK
and Ireland winners: 1st Place: Paul Duffield , 2nd Place: Sonia Leong , runner
up: Emma Vieceli. Additionally, TOKYOPOP is proud to host an autograph signing
at the TOKYOPOP booth, by Kat & Mouse manga creator Alex de Campi, the
Eisner-nominated, critically-acclaimed author of Smoke.
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"Hypotheticals reaches the parts other convention panels aren't old
enough to think about. Shocking truths, equally shocking lies and a chaser of
cracking jokes make for a heady brew that's three parts comics' Question Time
and two parts comics' Jackanory, as presented by Zippy and Bungle."
- Jamie
Boardman
===
The Virtual Bristol Anthology goes from strength to strength, updated each
week with more pages from creators at the Expo (including Sean Phillips’ book of
life drawings, Half Life), there’s detailed information in the next section, or
you can just hit this link
http://www.engine4.net/bristolpreview/
to check them all out.
Silver Bullets Comics (
www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com)
have a table for fifth successive year, and once again will be bringing along a
set of “Officially Cheaper Than Amazon!” books and comics, but with only one
copy of each – once they’ve gone, they’ve gone. It’s the table the retailers
shop at too…
This year SBC are hosting two special guests – on Saturday it’s
Trevor Lee Landolt providing con attendees with their very first glimpse of new
publisher Praxis Comics’ range of books, giving away posters, badges, and…well,
we’ll see. On Sunday we are very proud to have Alex CF (
http://www.myspace.com/chronic_fatigue
and
www.manydeadthings.com)
showcasing his fabulously macabre books and…action figures? These have got to
be seen to be believed…
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"Appearing on Hypotheticals will guarantee you free drinks for the
rest of the convention. Well, it did in my case!"
- Chris Weston
===
Kev F Sutherland, former producer of the Bristol Expo, returns with his own
table and his own unique take on comics. Kev currently writes and draws comedy
adventures in The Beano starring The Bash St Kids, Dennis The Menace et al. His
new character Hot Rod Cow begins in April. Previously Kev worked on Marvel's Dr
Strange and Star Trek, and for Viz, UT and The Funday Times. He'll be happy to
do you a caricature for free if you ask nicely.
"The Bart Dickon Omnibus" will be available from the smallzone table,
described as being a surrealist graphic novel for grown-ups, and illustrated
throughout in collage comic-strip style, the book's central graphic novella: 'A
Severed Head' sees our hero Bart Dickon (the ideologically-sound secret agent)
intrepidly involved in derring-do. This latter day Odyssey follows him from
procreation, via birth, schooldays and an Apprenticeship In The University Of
Life, to his ultimate vocation as 'The English Assassin', pith helmet-wearing
conqueror of something-or-other and subversive spy in a world of wickedness and
treachery. Wildly funny, wildly unlikely and unique in its combination of
intertwining language and image. Supported by other strips, a short story and
more. Parts of the book have appeared in episodic form in ‘The Chap’ magazine.
Borin’s work continues in ‘The Chap’. The Bart Dickon website (
www.bartdickonline.co.uk) has much
more information about the project, sample pages and links to Bart Mart for Bart
Dickon gifts.
Virtual Bristol Anthology
Can’t make it to Bristol but want to know more about some of the exclusive
books available? Trying to decide in advance which tables to spend how much
time at? A bit scared of approaching the UK Comics tables, thinking there might
be some “hard sell” to avoid? Or do you just want a sampler of some of the
finest UK Comics around?
Welcome to the Virtual Bristol Anthology, a FREE online preview of many of
the upcoming UK Comics attractions – if you’re at the event, check this out to
give yourself some idea of what books might be worth checking out in details –
if you’re not at the event, check it out to see if there’s something that sparks
your imagination and looks worthy of supporting further, incorporating all of
these creations:-
20'000 Leagues: Sancho
Accent UK's "Monsters"
Andrew Cheverton and
Tim Keable
Bevis Musson's "Queen of Diamonds"
Blink Twice Studios
Boychild Productions: Japanese Drawing Room
Bulldog: Empire
Clown
Press
Engine Comics
Factor Fiction
Fiction Graphics: Death Police
and The Boss
Flying Monkeys Comics: Hope For The Future
Monkeys With
Machineguns
Paul Rainey's "There's No Time Like The Present"
Rob Curley
& Stephen Mooney: Amnesty International
Rob Jackson
Sean Phillips:
Half Life & Jacob Phillips: Roboy
Stevo Tillotson
Underfire
Vomiting Simian Press: Monkeys Might Puke
Warpton: Dusk
Will
Phoenix: Embossed Copper Journals
That’s some lineup – and everything is free. Check the preview out
at:
Updated Events And Signings:
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"Hypotheticals - More fun than you should be allowed to have at a
convention"
- Mike Carlin
===
The Expo will also be hosting the first UK Exhibition from The Don Lawrence
Collection with Rob van Bavel, featuring original Lawrence art and much more
related to the much missed great comics talent.
A first for Expos in the UK is the addition of The Doctor Who Experience,
with very special guests Colin Baker (do we really need to note he’s the Sixth
Doctor?) and Sophie Aldred (ditto Ace), additionally featuring Terry Molloy
(Davros), Paul Cornell (Who writer), Mike Collins (Who artist), Damaris Hayman
(the Daemons, her first con appearance), Dee Sadler (The Greatest Show in the
Galaxy) and Alan Ruscoe (Slitheen from Aliens of London/World War Three)…with
more to come (including a certain infamous pepperpot). Guests may be limited to
one of the two days, so make plans to attend both days to cover them all.
Rebellion are bringing the best of 2000AD writers, artists and editors to
the Expo once again: signings, sketchings, secrets about the upcoming
storylines, original art, portfolio reviews and more creators than you can shake
a Law Stick at.
Markosia Enterprises are bringing along novelist G. P. Taylor, author of
Shadowmancer, Wormwood and Tersias (Markosia comic adaptation of Shadowmancer by
Tony Lee) for the Saturday only, signing books and comics and hosting a special
talk about the trials and tribulations of adapting prose into comics form.
Free packs of Markosia comics will be given to every attendee at the Markosia
panel talk, as well as free comics to all attendees at the Eagle Awards on
Saturday night. Markosia have also booked a range of portfolio sessions for
aspiring creators, and will have lengthy dedicated periods of time for
these.
Tokyopop are sponsoring the UK’s first Expo Cosplay Parade at 5pm on
Saturday – FREE entry to the Expo for all who turn up in costume – plus a chance
of some great Tokyopop prizes for the best costumes. They’ve firmed up on
their guests – The Japanese Drawing Room will be exclusively launched, with
signings by creators Sean Michael Wilson and Sakura Mizuki, plus Yishan Li (The
Aluria Chronicles) and Yoko Ono (Writer/Lecturer in Japanese Art and Film).
Other features for Manga fans include the Sweatdrop Manga Workshop sponsored by
Letraset.
Knockabout Comics will have Brian Bolland, Hunt Emerson and Gilbert Shelton
attending both days and signing on their stand. Gilbert Shelton will also be
showing the pilot of the Freak Brothers animated movie 'Grass Roots' being made
by a Bristol based animation company.
Usborne Publishing, a multiple award-winning, independent children's
publishing company who are based in the UK yet are available worldwide, will
attend. They’re looking to expand their illustrator base and are interested in
making new contacts with illustrators of colour comics and graphic novels, by
hosting extended portfolio for experienced professionals and budding talents
alike.
Broadening the Expo appeal beyond comics, we have Roger Dicken in his first
Expo appearance, Special Effects maestro including ALIEN (alien forms
co-designer and maker), Warlords of Atlantis (special effects monster design),
Scars of Dracula (special effects), When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (special
effects), Witchfinder General (special effects), 2001: A Space Odyssey (special
effects artwork), The Hunger (monkey effects), White Dog (prosthetics), and The
Land That Time Forgot (dinosaur sequences).
Phoenix Handmade Books (
www.phoenixac.4t.com) are premiering some
of their stunning newest creations, bespoke covers for journals, comic
collections, notebooks – Will Dunlop from the company will hold demonstrations
on how these hard-wearing long-lasting copper covers are made and will actually
create original works at the event itself.
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"The situations may be hypothetical, but the answers are probably
the truest things you'll ever hear comics professionals say. You don't want to
miss this."
- Antony Johnston
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Paul Rainey (The Book of Lists) (
www.bookoflists.co.uk) will be bringing
along the first copies of issue five of his “long comic”, the highly-rated
There’s No Time Like The Present, along with the first four issues available at
a special con price for people to complete the set. In addition, copies of
Swill the Alien, Book of Lists and Telephone Thing will be available, plus a
FREE copy of Memory Man 3, 4 or 5, or Love Bomb 2, with every purchase.
Ether/Ore Press will be debuting the third issue in their West series,
entitled High Moon. As well as signing and sketching, the creators will be
selling back issues of West, the Miserable anthology (with free Miserable
badge!) and Alice's Adventures In Hell.
The End Is Nigh issue three will be a con-exclusive release, scheduled to
include some cracking features - including ones by Leah Moore and John Reppion
(of Albion fame), artwork by Frazer Irving, Boo Cook, James Hodgkins, PJ Holden,
Kev Crossley and SMS… Issue Two will also be available, this one includes
interviews with Alan Moore, John Wagner and Alan Grant. Both of these will be
available via mail order at £4.99 each, but attendees at the con receive a £1
discount, per title.
FireballComics.com are first-time attendees and as well as bringing all-new
figures, statues and busts are offering a number of Expo Exclusives: Comics (@
only £1.80 each) - Buy 4 get 5th one free; Choose 3 posters from a range of over
thirty designs for £15; the best range of Marvel and DC t-shirts, 2 for only
£20; any 3 trade paperbacks for £20; any 3 manga books for £15; £2 off any
future website orders with every purchase; and free postage for first monthly
order for new subscriptions.
Confirmed Expo Guests:
This year we’re proud to have Roy Thomas,
Howard Chaykin, Geoff Johns and Tommy Lee Edwards (Star Wars) as special
international guests: all four will be signing, talking and mingling with their
British and European fans. Making his first UK appearance is Arthur Suydam,
known for his stunning work on CHOLLY and FLYTRAP, MUDWOGS and the gruesome
covers of the current Marvel Zombies series, and each attendee at the Expo will
receive a FREE EXpo EXclusive official convention poster by Suydam (produced in
association with INCOGNITO COMICS).
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"Appearing on Lee Barnett's Hypotheticals panels has given me more
fun than any convention which didn't feature satanists and cannibalism."
-
Alan Grant
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Other guests include Transformers writer Simon Furman, bringing along an
EXpo Exclusive Andrew Wildman variant cover edition of issue four, and the cream
of the current crop of comics writers and artists, including:
Dave
Gibbons
Renee Witterstaetter
Mark Buckingham
Liam Sharp
Ian
Churchill
Ian Edington
D’Israeli
John M. Burns
Ian Gibson
Steve
Yeowell
Al Davison
Paul Grist
James A. Hodgkins
Phil
Winslade
Dave Hitchcock
Leah Moore & John Reppion
Chris
Weston
Simon Bisley
Carl Critchlow
Roger Langridge
Lew
Stringer
Jock
Andy Diggle
Andi Watson
Jim Alexander
Tony
Lee
Simon Williams
with more to be confirmed before the Expo…
Even More Expo Events and Exclusives:
Blink Twice (
www.studioblinktwice.com) will not
only bring along the freshly printed Malcolm Magic #10, they will be giving away
free MOON! Convention Sketchbook #4, only available at Bristol, for all
purchases over £10. Back issues 7 through to 9 of Malcolm Magic will be
readily available, as well as Collected Edition Volume Three and the MOON! Space
Log 68-page Series Companion.
Tokyopop (
www.tokyopop.co.uk)
attend for the second time, and follow-up amazing levels of interest last year
by bringing along virtually their entire range of UK-available titles, giving
away posters and sneak peeks, and discounting their books from the usual price
of £6.99 to £6 for one, or just £5 each for two or more.
Top Shelf’s (
www.topshelfcomix.com) Chris Staros will
be bringing along a selection of brand new releases, including OWLY: FLYING
LESSONS, SUPER F*CKERS, EVERY GIRL IS THE END OF THE WORLD FOR ME by Jeffrey
Brown and THE TICKING by Renee French, as well as the fine books TRICKED, THE
SURROGATES, THE KING, SPIRAL-BOUND & AEIOU from late 2005.
Strangehaven’s auteur, Gary Spencer Millidge (
www.millidge.com) , will be signing the
complete works so far, including the new issue eighteen and the Conspiracy TP,
as well as his limited edition European Tour t-shirt – a selection of artwork
from the series will also be available to purchase.
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"Playing Hypotheticals, I can only imagine, is akin to what it must
have been like to take part in the glory days of Scottish midget
wrestling."
- Joe Quesada
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Future Quake Publishing will be launching three brand-new publications:
FutureQuake #6, MangaQuake #2, and Something Wicked (an all-new Horror comic),
the creators of which will be around for signing and sketching. They are also
running portfolio sessions for writers and artists.
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"The 'hypo' is a truth serum and 'thet tickles' is what you say when
Dave Gibbons attaches the electrodes. After that the fun starts."
- Mike
Carey
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In addition, Bevis Musson’s The Queen Of Diamonds hits issue six at the
show, Scar Comics launch their new title at the SmallZone table, and Fiction
Graphic Productions will showcase their titles Nosferatu, The Boss and Death
Police.
Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, Hypotheticals (
www.hypotheticals.co.uk) returns after
a riotous performance last year, with Dave Gibbons hosting and Lee “Budgie”
Barnett writing, featuring a panel of very well known comics names being put
through the wringer.
Charity Project:
This year the Expo has selected Everychild and the Draw The World Together
(
www.drawtheworldtogether.com)
project as the supported charity. Everychild is an international development
charity that works with the most vulnerable and marginalised children in many of
the world's poorest countries to enable them to grow up free from disease,
poverty and exploitation as valued individuals within strong communities. Draw
The World Together is a collection of comics creators donating their time, their
art, their abilities, to raise funds for Everychild, via auctions of original
artwork, and providing original sketches to fans at the convention. Full
details of the artists involved at Bristol will be provided shortly.
About the Bristol International Comic Expo 2006
Organised by Mike Allwood of renowned UK comics shop Area 51, the Bristol
Expo is the longest-running and most successful comics event in the UK ever.
Advance tickets are available through the official website (
www.comicexpo.net) at a bargain price (£5
per day for an adult ticket, children 10 and under FREE, children 11 to 16 just
£1). The Ramada Plaza hotel offers special Expo rates, see the website for
details.