Two comic events in Birmingham this Summer

There's no British International Comic Show (B.I.C.S.) this year due to the unavailability of the venue but while we await its return (hopefully in 2012) the organizers have replaced it with not one but two new events.

Both events will take place in Birmingham, which has played host to B.I.C.S. these last few years and is ideally located in the heart of the UK for people to easily reach.

First up, on Saturday June 18th, is Comics Launch Pad at The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham. This one-day conference is, as its website states, aimed at "professionals, aspiring professionals, and those with a serious interest in the business of making comics". Speakers include DC Comics senior editor Joey Cavalieri, artist Klaus Janson representing Marvel Comics, and UK creators such as Emma Vieceli, Mark Farmer, Al Davison and others.

Admission is via advance online ticket sales only, and places are limited to 300. For full details visit the Comics Launch Pad website here:
http://www.comicslaunchpad.com/

Two months later, on Saturday August 27th comes 2011 B.C. (Birmingham Comicon) at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EW. (Right next door to that excellent comic shop Nostalgia and Comics.) This is a show for fans and pros alike and will feature guests, exhibitors, discussions and the usual convention fun. Guests confirmed so far include Dave Gibbons, Chris Sprouse, Jimmy Broxton, Peter Hogan, and Declan Shalvey, (with no doubt many more to be listed soon).

To find out more details and to buy your tickets visit the 2011 B.C. website here:
http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/2011BC/index.html

As Birmingham was the city where the very first UK comics convention was held (way back in 1968) I'm always pleased to see it host new comic shows. The locations for both of these events are right in the city centre and literally only a few minutes walk from Birmingham New Street Station.