BRITISH INTERNATIONAL COMICS SHOW 2009

[chebbo]

Hi Folks
We at BICS are pleased to annouce that our latest overseas guest confirmed for 09 is the legendary creator HOWARD CHAYKIN.

We are thrilled that such a visionary and prolific creator will be joining us this year for our annual celebration of the medium.

UK guests confirmed include Alan Davis, Charlie Adlard and Duncan Fegredo plus many many more.

To find out more visit our new 2009 website at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk where you can also book tickets for the show.

and you can find out more about Howard Chaykin at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Chaykin
Shane

[chebbo]

Exciting BICS news:

Marvel artist PASQUAL FERRY has now confirmed for this year's show.

Also recently confirmed are Captain Britain writer Paul Cornell, Hawkeye writer Andy Diggle and Fables artist Mark Buckingham.

Chebbo
www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

[chebbo]

The BICS Website has now been re designed with a spanking new look, more news about guests, hotels and exhibitors, plus info about our exclusive new launch party venue, where all pre reg visitors get the chance to mingle with their favourite comics creators.

Check it out now at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

[Lew Stringer]

It's looking good Shane! BICS is the premier comics gathering this year so here's hoping it's as successful (more so in fact) as the previous ones!

Lew

[chebbo]

Thanks for the kind words Lew.

S.

[chebbo]

News just in: Renowned publishers Jonathan Cape will be exhibiting at BICS 2009 with special Guest Bryan Talbot.

It's been a long time since Cape have seen fit to grace any comic convention with their presence an we're thrilled to welcome them to their very first BICS.

Not only that, but Mr.Talbot will be launching his new Graphic Novel GRANDVILLE at the show including a live presentation of his latest epic, with signings and sketching.

All this is included in the entry price along with an exclusive interview with Howard Chaykin, live art events, panels, quizzes and a great painting demo by the legendary Garry Leach, plus lots lots more!

A weekend not to be missed!

Shane
www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

[chebbo]

Thanks to the Sasakawa Foundation this years British International Comics Show is proud to announce the award winning Japanese manga artist Michiru Morikawa as their latest overseas guest.
Known for her singular style of art that merges children’s illustration with manga Michiru will be helping to launch the new book “Buskers” drawn by her, written by Sean Michael Wilson and published by Insomnia Publications.
The artist is reported to be “very excited” about visiting Birmingham, as she lived there earlier in her career and never expected to have the opportunity to visit her favourite British city again so soon.
In addition to overseas guests BICS will be increasing other multi cultural elements of the show including a special panel hosted by comics historian and writer Paul Gravett called “Found In Translation” that helps readers to discover translated works form all over the world that they may not previously have encountered.
These include graphic novels and comics from France, Spain, Japan and Germany.

Other recent additions to the guest list include Angel artist Stephen Mooney and Doctor Who and Captain Britain writer Paul Cornell, both of whom will be available for signings all weekend.

[Lew Stringer]

So is anyone here attending BICS this weekend? I'll be there again, along with tons of other guests from the UK and abroad. (Probably coming home early on Sunday though as I have loads of work on.) Just realised that I've been attending comic cons now for 30 years! (Apart from avoiding a couple of years in the late 1990s when they got so downbeat bemoaning the alleged death of comics.) Fortunately UK cons are far more upbeat these days!

http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/

Lew

[kevf]

My briefest fleetingest report on BICS, including some photos:
http://kevfcomicart.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... -bics.html

Thanks for a good show guys, well done.

Kev F

[Lew Stringer]

Not sure if anyone's reading this topic apart from Shane, Kev, and myself but if you missed BICS you missed a good weekend of informal comics discussion and some great comics that you won't find in newsagents. Here's a few photos from the event:

http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2009/10 ... -2009.html

Lew

[PaulTwist]

I made a brief, last-minute trip to BICS on Saturday (mainly to get from under the girlfriend's feet while she was tidying her house... )

As I was a bit skint I couldn't afford to get a hotel, or to come on both days, so I decided to just go for the Saturday. Managed to find a £20 return to Manc, scraped up the £12 entrance fee, and set off...

Made it too late to see Paul Gravett's no-doubt fascinating presentation on foreign language comics, and spent the first half hour or so wandering round the creator alley and main room. Was looking for Paul Grist as I'm a big fan and was hoping to get a comic signed or even a sketch, but sadly he was nowhere to be seen... (I later found out via Twitter that he was hidden in a corner behind the signings in "creator alley"... bah!). Noticed Lew at the Toxic stand but, being a shy type, didn't want to interrupt him. (Besides, I already have a much-loved sketch of Pete and his Pimple and a signed copy of Brickman Begins from BICS 2007... cheers for that, Lew!)

I stayed for three of the panels. The first, the Geek Syndicate "Marvel at 70" live podcast, was by far the best attended - almost a full house. The excellent Geek Syndicate (http://geeksyndicate.wordpress.com/) chaired a panel of British Marvel creators, including Mark Farmer, Alan Davis, Andy Diggle (who's just started writing Daredevil) and Paul Cornell. An unnamed 5th panelist was absent (any ideas who it was supposed to be?) so a kid from the crowd took the 5th seat.

The resulting discussion was an interesting and entertaining one (unlike that sentence - "interesting" and "entertaining" indeed, I need a thesaurus!). Paul Cornell was incredibly enthusiastic. Alan Davis was a bit grumpy (sorry if you're reading this, Alan!)

A member of the audience asked if they thought the disappearance of Marvel UK and homegrown strips meant that there was a lack of a "training ground" for new talent - I expected someone to mention the UK-originated strips in Spectacular Spider-Man and Marvel Heroes at this point, but alas no-one did. Bah.

The only sign of dissent on the panel was when the subject of digital distribution of comics arose. Andy Diggle is convinced that the rise of technology such as Apple's rumoured tablet will be a boon to comics, as comics are the perfect medium for this. Alan Davis disagreed - he thought kids will use tablets etc to watch movies rather than read comics. He also mentioned that a few years ago he was a scout leader, and took in a box of Marvel comps he'd received for the kids, telling them to take any comics they wanted. A few had a look at them, but not one comic was taken. Couldn't even give 'em away...

Anyway, it was a lively panel - nothing too deep but perfect for a Saturday lunchtime. Cheers to all involved.

Next up was Paul H Birch interviewing legendary US writer/artist Howard Chaykin, of American Flagg! fame. Howard was a better interviewee than Paul was an interviewer - no disrespect meant, he was just probably a bit too reverential. (I feel awful typing that -it was a good interview - but I find this is often the case at events like this. I went to a live David "Reginald Perrin" Nobbs interview earlier this year, and that too was let down a bit by the interviewer).

Erm, anyway. Paul's first question to Howard was "What is it like working for Disney?" in reference to Disney's recent takeover of Marvel. He mistook this as a question about the time he was commissioned by Disney to write a graphic novel years ago, and therefore gave what was probably a more illuminating and interesting answer than the actual question would've received! The whole interview was entertaining - Chaykin's an entertaining guy, who seems free of ego yet also doesn't try to hide his talent with false modesty. Surprised to see the room was half empty for such a well-known industry legend, but never mind...

Next up was a presentation by Bryan Talbot on Grandville, describing some of the influences on the book (including pointing out references contained within it - look out for Rupert the Bear's dad!) and briefly discussing the history of anthropomorphism in comics. Fascinating stuff - and Grandville itself looks sublime. Bryan Talbot is up there with Alan Moore for me as one of the most challenging, innovative and intelligent creators of comics the UK has ever produced.

I then had a quick look around once more, gazing at comics I wanted but couldn't afford. I desperately wanted Grandville, and almost bought it just so I could own a signed copy, but I talked myself out of it, already having Bryan's autograph twice... There were a whole bunch of small press titles on offer that looked great (I really wish I'd picked up Smart Bomb!, for example) but I was being super-strict on myself.

I left without buying a single comic (boo!) but had still enjoyed the day immensely. I hope to return for both days next year - and with a bit of spending money so I can actually buy something to read!

Lawks, I've gone on a bit haven't I...? Oh well, don't think anyone's checking this thread anyway...!

[Lew Stringer]

Well that's you, me, Shane and Kev following this thread anyway. Any chance of a fifth?

Good write-up Paul. I missed all the panels as I was on the Toxic table but you gave a good summary of events.

You should have dropped by the table. It was good to meet you a couple of years ago anyway.

Chatting to the the Toxic editors over the weekend and, being younger lads than I, they were asking me if conventions had changed over 30 years. I said that back in 1979 the event was dominated by superhero comics and fandom was pretty much 99% male. Things have definitely improved now with a wider range of comics and a healthier balance of male and female attendees and creators.

One thing I do miss though are the numerous fanzines, - the articlezines and newszines, - now replaced by websites. Although the quickness of online forums are a bonus. Gone are the days when you'd wait two months for a response to a printed letter, and another two months for your reply to their response to appear, and so on. Conversations would last for years!

Lew

[felneymike]

Hmm, i really ought to go to conventions more! I stopped in 2008 when i started seeing heavy metal instead. Maybe when i have a job i'll be able to afford to do both again...

For small-press fans, the Thing (www.ukwebcomixthing.co.uk) will be entering it's 6th year this year, the price for visitors is usually absurdly cheap, pretty sure it's still under £5, and it's also only one day so no hotels needed if you have a quick rush around. Plus London is the one place you can semi-reliably get to with public transport XD.

[colcool007]

Another following the thread. Sounds like we missed a good day out. Well, at least we should see some folks tomorrow in the Phoenix Bar in London. Not looking forward to the price of a pint in there though. That's going to waste comic buying money!

[chrissmillie]

I'm following it too. Wish I had been in the UK at the time and I would definitely have had a stall.

Chris