Review: Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival

The Tent of Talent.

I'm back from a long weekend at the Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival and I need to catch up with work but I wanted to post my thoughts on the event before it becomes another in a long list of things to do. 

The original idea behind the event was that it would be connected to the Shrewsbury Fields Forever music festival, combining a guest list that included live music from the Happy Mondays, Dizzy Rascal, and more, alongside comics creators. Unfortunately, with only days to go, and through no fault of the organizers, the music festival was postponed until September. The Comic Art Festival went ahead as planned in Quarry Park but I cant help feeling it would have benefitted from music fans attending, as many of them also seem to be into comics. As it was, this first Comic Art Festival still attracted 1,200 visitors, even though a few were only curious locals just strolling through the tent whilst walking their dogs in the park. It seemed more like Crufts at one stage. Even John Wagner and Jenny O'Connor brought along their dog. This is by no means a bad thing. I like dogs. Why should humans have all the fun at comics events? 

We've set out our stalls, ready for action!

Modest and super-talented Dylan Teague drawing another fantastic sketch.

Being a free festival set in a large tent in a public park, the event had the advantage of bringing comics to the attention of people who wouldn't usually go to a comics show. I met a number of enthusiastic Beano readers, and one young and excited 3 year old who enjoyed Toxic. Even I wasn't reading comics at that age, but he knew his stuff and liked the monsters I create for the Team Toxic strip. More of those coming up in future issues! Meeting readers old and new is the best thing about conventions and it makes this crazy career we do feel worthwhile.

There were a steady number of visitors throughout the weekend.

Top comics writers Robbie Morrison and Dave Ballie.

Once again it was great to catch up with comics colleagues and friends Phil and Pippa Winslade, Dylan Teague, Leah Moore, Robbie Morrison, Deborah Tate, Andy Diggle, Jimmy Broxton, John Wagner, Jenny O'Connor, Jessica Martin, Pete Doherty, Doug and Sue Braithwaite, Barry Kitson, John McCrea, David Ballie, Roland Boschi, Jatinder Ghataora, and more. Many thanks to Shane Chebsey and his team for organizing the event. (The comics community wouldn't exist without people like you putting on these cons!)

The social side of comics events are great too. I could go into more detail but what happens in comics industry stays in comics industry. Especially as I don't want everyone to know what a terrible snooker player I am. Oops! Too late.

Writer/editor Joey Cavalieri talking about comics and his
admiration for the work of the late great Harvey Kurtzman.

Leah Moore interviewed by Olly MacNamee on her ELECTRICOMICS digital
venture (which I'll be reviewing here soon).

Andy Diggle, John Wagner, and Dave Ballie having a laugh.

The festival was featured in the Shropshire Star on Tuesday. They got my name wrong and a few other details but it's all good publicity! Let's hope there's another Shrewsbury Comic Art Festival next year!

The next event I'm attending is the London Film and Comic Con at Olympia from Friday 29th to 31st July. More news on that soon!

Shrewsbury Update

As I've mentioned before, I'm a guest at the Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival this weekend. At present though I'm not sure what time I'll be arriving on Friday as I still have work to do, but I'll be there all day on Saturday and Sunday for sure.

As you can see from the photo above I'll be bringing along Brickman comics, postcards, and prints, and I'll be doing sketches too, so I hope you'll stop by my table.

It's an open air event in Quarry Park, and you'll find us in a huge tent! Admission is FREE! Here's the floor plan of the layout. I'm on table 11...

For more details, check out the official website here:

http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/Shrewsbury-Comic-Art-Festival.htm

Panini comics reborn

With the Secret Wars crossover saga ending in Panini UK's 'Marvel Collectors Edition' reprint comics this month, it's all change for the titles in August. Most of the comics will be revamped with new first issues kicking off new storylines. Avengers Universe No.1, goes on sale 11th August, reprinting the first issues of Marvel's All-New, All-Different Avengers. 

That same day will also see two other Panini comics relaunched with new first issues. The Incredible Hulks No.1 bids farewell to Bruce Banner, as Amadeus Cho becomes the new Totally Awesome Hulk, while Wolverine's female clone takes the title role in Wolverine and Deadpool No.1. 

Also coming up, Doctor Strange replaces Daredevil in The Mighty World of Marvel. If you haven't been following Marvel comics for a while, August will be a great time to jump on board. You'll find the Marvel Collectors Editions in most branches of WH Smith (and some selected newsagents) with 76 to 100 pages an issue for just £3.50 each. With prices of imported U.S. comics set to rise thanks to the falling pound, this is a perfect way to keep up with Marvel at a reasonable cost.  

Shrewsbury is the place to be this weekend

Don't forget that it's the Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival this weekend, from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July. There'll be lots of top comics creators there including John Wagner, Doug Braithwaite, Howard Chaykin, Andy Diggle, Robbie Morrison, Leah Moore, Dylan Teague, Jessica Martin, Phil Winslade, Dave Taylor, David Baillie, and I'll be there too! 

Best of all, it's free admission! For full details, click on this link:
http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/Shrewsbury-Comic-Art-Festival.htm

I'll be available all weekend to draw sketches and I'll be selling my comics and prints, so drop by my table, even if it's just to chat. See you there!

The BEANO No.3843

With perfect comedy timing, here's the cover of The Beano that goes on sale on the same day that our new unelected Prime Minister takes over. Artwork by Nigel Parkinson.

Inside the 36 page full-colour issue we see the return of Steve Bright on Bananaman, a very funny Mum Bingo game by Nigel Auchterlounie, and another Pup Parade page by me, plus Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, and loads of other fun pages of course!

That's The Beano No.3843, on sale Wednesday 13th July, just £2.50.