On the Scene: Thought Bubble!
I had my first trip to the Thought Bubble Convention in Leeds this month, and it was absolutely amazing. Really really impressed with the organisation of the event and the fantastic mix of guests from indie comics, webcomics, alternative comics, literary comics, and cape comics.
A big shout out to all the lovely people that I met, and apologies to those I missed. It was a rather hectic time.
I've written all about my adventures over on The Beat, so please do check it out and follow the links to all these fabulous artists!
The Beat - On the Scene: Thought Bubble
Credit for photo of FROGSLEGS: (c) Guillaume Rater/SelfMadeHero
Dundee Comics Day: Grant Morrison and Friends, the Write Up
Updates have been a little few and far between of late, my apologies. I've been working on a few bits and pieces that will be published in the next couple of months, but for now you can at least see what I was up to the other weekend, at Dundee Comics Day.
The convention had a star studded line-up of guests - Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Dave Gibbons, Cameron Stewart, Frazer Irving, Rian Hughes and Peter Doherty - all talking about their collaborations, their broader field of work, and with the artists describing their unique processes. It was a fab weekend, and I was happy to be helping out - even if it did mean I was mostly running about the place and needed to hibernate afterwards.
Read the full coverage at The Beat, and check out Jonathan Mayo's wonderful photography too!
Dundee Comics Day
Coming up next weekend is an unmissable event for any Scottish comics fans: the annual Dundee Comics Day is this year focusing on the works of Grant Morrison and his many collaborators, on Sunday the 28th of October.
The one day convention will headline with Morrison himself, as well as featuring guests Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, Frazer Irving, Rian Hughes, and Peter Doherty. Sadly Jill Thompson was not able to make it.
In addition, there is a workshop with Dave Gibbons on Saturday the 27th, and a screening of the Grant Morrison documentary, Talking with Gods, on Friday the 26th.
Tickets for the weekend are available to buy directly here, and hit the jump for the full schedule!
Dundee Comics Day: Grant Morrison & Friends
With MorrisonCon coming up at the end of September, there are more than a few UKers wishing they could make the trip to Vegas. And even if you are going to the entertainment capital of the world, chances are you'll be up for this too!
The facebook page for Dundee Comics Day, an annual event in the home of comics, has published the promo image for this years event in October. And guess who the star guest is?
The one day event is a favourite amongst many comic creators and artists, and has in the past featured such people as Warren Ellis, Bryan Talbot, John Wagner, Alan Grant, Rian Hughes, and Frank Quitely, but this year looks to be something special.
Announcements on other guests and tickets to follow.
Glasgow Comic Con: Dredd, Kirby, Bane, and Spider-Kilt
As well as the headlining Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, this years Glasgow Comic Con boasted a stellar line-up of guests, including John Wagner, Alan Grant, Jim Starlin, Rufus Dayglo, and Karrie Fransman, as well as Dave Alexander, Jim Devlin, and Dan McDaid.
The panel starring John Wagner and Alan Grant was a definite highlight, with Grant's solo panel perhaps receiving the most thunderous applause of the entire weekend. Talking Dredd and Bane, film adaptations and favourite characters, it was a brilliant reminder of just how great an impact Glasgow and Scotland have had on the comics industry as a whole.
Jim Starlin was the international guest of honour, tirelessly sketching and signing away for a massive queue of fans, and commenting on the appearance of Thanos in Avengers and Avengers 2. In a panel focusing on the Cosmic in comics, Rufus Dayglo entertainingly stole the show with some choice remarks about the treatment of Jack Kirby at the hands of Marvel and the "fucking boring" state of the Big Two's output.
The one complaint about the Con that was circling was the much reduced small press presence despite the expansion of the convention itself. Several key figures from the local comics scene who do not wish to be named were notable absent, citing high table costs and an unwelcoming atmosphere. As a dedicated supporter of the independent UK comics scene, I hope this is something that is cleared up next year.
Hit the jump for full panel coverage and quotes from Saturday!
Glasgow Comic Con: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely in Conversation
Glasgow Comic Con returned for its second year after it was brought back to life after an absence of 15 years. Held in the Mackintosh Church once again, it was a fitting venue given Glasgow's ties with the world of art and comics. Hidden away from the centre of Glasgow though, it was a tight squeeze and the acoustics made it difficult at times to hear what was going on. Hopefully after expanding to two days and across two venues this time we'll see a move to the centre of the city next year.
The guest line-up was stellar, featuring Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Jim Starlin, John Wagner, Alan Grant, Rufus Dayglo, Karrie Fransman and more, many of whom spent the weekend mingling amongst the crowd and tirelessly answering questions, looking through portfolios, and sketching away. I'll be providing a full write up of the majority of guests in the next few days but first we'll focus on the headline panel of the Saturday - the dynamic duo of Glasgow boys, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.
Having the guys on together was a brilliant move, as Frank's calm resulted in a more relaxed Grant who is often slightly nervous in front of crowds. The two laughed and joked together, and it's easy to see just why they collaborate so well together. The boys talked Flex Mentallo and Pax Americana, with Grant revealing some of the names of the other Multiversity books - SOS, The Just, Thunder World, Master Men - along with Grant's future book plans, his love for Damian, and both of them attempting to explain their philosophies of life.
About a Grrrl
Freelance writer. Comic geek, film addict, metal head, book worm, gamer. I sell books and write. I'd prefer to write books and sell.
This is a collection of my writing, thoughts and interesting links about my geeky interests.
Oh, and I'm not a guy. A woman reading comics still surprises some people...
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BTW, does anyone have a Nintendo 3DS? And if so, what games would you recommend. I'm tempted by Animal Crossing out next month!
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@discodave75 @tgregcarpenter the earlier issues are definitely my favourites art-wise :)
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@NicWilko @davidwynne I'd have loved to see it at Vertigo under Berger and co. It felt odd being in the DCU.