Tuesday, July 12, 2005
FIRST NAMES CONFIRMED IN COMICS NATION EVENT
Creator of the fan favourites' JACK STAFF and KANE, Paul Grist, will be joining Robin and Lawrence Etherington, the team behind one of the most talked about Brit comics in recent years, MALCOLM MAGIC at Area 51, Bristol, as part of the UK INDEPENDENTS DAY WEEKEND event in August. The creators will be signing and discussing their work on Saturday 27th August.
Paul Grist is best known for his self published work KANE, first appearing in 1993 from his own Dancing Elephant Press imprint, winning many fans following Detective Kane of the New Eden Police Department through several books and short stories. In 2000 Paul began publishing JACK STAFF about the return of a retired superhero, which was then picked up in 2003 with a new numbering and colour by Image Comics. Other work has included work for Marvel and DC, as well other creator owned projects such as BURGLAR BILL and THE WORLD OF JACK STAFF: BEN KULMER, an 12 part original series currently appearing in COMICS INTERNATIONAL (from #185).
Robin Etherington (writer) and Lawrence Etherington (artist) make up Blink Twice Productions, publishers of MALCOLM MAGIC, the tale of a alcoholic bunny in a psychedlic wonderland, in January 2003. Since then with a growing readership and popularity at conventions, an impressive 6 issues and a TPB already completed, a spin off series TUSK and a computer game entitled 'Malcolm Magic and the Very Cherry Sherry’, Blink Twice are rapidly becoming one of the strongest UK Indy comics producers in recent years.
More top names will be added to venues across the UK as the 4 day long event draws near.
LINKS:
www.malcolmmagic.com and www.studioblinktwice.com (Official sites)
http://www.weisshahn.de/kane/ (Paul Grist fansite)
http://www.area51online.co.uk/
AREA 51, 230 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HORFIELD, BRISTOL, BS7 8NZ. TEL: 01179 244655 for more details.
Paul Grist is best known for his self published work KANE, first appearing in 1993 from his own Dancing Elephant Press imprint, winning many fans following Detective Kane of the New Eden Police Department through several books and short stories. In 2000 Paul began publishing JACK STAFF about the return of a retired superhero, which was then picked up in 2003 with a new numbering and colour by Image Comics. Other work has included work for Marvel and DC, as well other creator owned projects such as BURGLAR BILL and THE WORLD OF JACK STAFF: BEN KULMER, an 12 part original series currently appearing in COMICS INTERNATIONAL (from #185).
Robin Etherington (writer) and Lawrence Etherington (artist) make up Blink Twice Productions, publishers of MALCOLM MAGIC, the tale of a alcoholic bunny in a psychedlic wonderland, in January 2003. Since then with a growing readership and popularity at conventions, an impressive 6 issues and a TPB already completed, a spin off series TUSK and a computer game entitled 'Malcolm Magic and the Very Cherry Sherry’, Blink Twice are rapidly becoming one of the strongest UK Indy comics producers in recent years.
More top names will be added to venues across the UK as the 4 day long event draws near.
LINKS:
www.malcolmmagic.com and www.studioblinktwice.com (Official sites)
http://www.weisshahn.de/kane/ (Paul Grist fansite)
http://www.area51online.co.uk/
AREA 51, 230 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HORFIELD, BRISTOL, BS7 8NZ. TEL: 01179 244655 for more details.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
COMICS NATION PRESS RELEASE 5/7/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Press Contact: Barry Renshaw, editor@enginecomics.co.uk
COMICS NATION:
NATIONWIDE UK COMICS EVENT AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Never before have comic books been so present in the public eye, with the ever increasing success of big budget movie adaptations of superhero icons, the proliferation of manga in popular culture and the growing interest in more non-genre specific independent titles such as Blankets and Persepolis in the broadsheet press. Although British mainstream audiences are starting to catch up with the rest of the world in exploring the potential available in the form, anyone passionate about comics knows there is so much out there to explore.
As such, an unprecedented nationwide event will take place on the Bank holiday weekend of Friday 26th to Monday 29th August 2005 to raise awareness of the medium, as part of a year long promotion of the vast amount of talent on our own shores. Lead by Accent UK Press and Smallzone Distribution, the 365 Day Comics Nation reflects the activities of over sixty independent publishers and even more individual creators who have already been involved in cartoon workshops, signings, reading and discussion groups, panels and exhibitions over the last few years. For the first time these will be coordinated on the same weekend, taking place in galleries, libraries, comic shops and book stores across the country, engaging the public in fun activities.
“We had a long tradition of newsstand comic books in this country until the early Nineties,” says Accent UK and Redeye Magazine editor Barry Renshaw, one of the organisers. “Due to the economics of the time, dozens of titles for all ages, genders and tastes disappeared until only a handful remained. Whereas the rest of Europe, Japan and America have enjoyed a progression of the form in the public eye, and more importantly, widespread distribution, the UK comics industry instead has not developed the way it could have.”
Creators looking for an outlet have instead looked abroad for job opportunities or have turned to independently producing, printing and distributing their own works in small numbers, and have not had the opportunity to find their full audience. “It’s certainly not due to a lack of quality or talent, just simply availability,” believes Barry. “With this event we hope to re-educate the public of what great material is out there, get them involved in making their own, while supporting local retailers and arts centres.”
A number of events, individually organised by creators in their own local areas, have already been scheduled with many more to follow. The organisers encourage pros, amateurs, readers, retailers, anyone with a passion in comics to become involved, and invite them to visit comicsnation.blogspot.com for further information on how to do so.
For any further information or media please contact Barry Renshaw at editor@enginecomics.co.uk.
About Accent UK:Formed in November 2002 by the lead creators of Deva Comics, Engine Comics and M56 Comics, the Accent UK collective combined to produce an annual US format anthology which has since garnered much critical acclaim, award nominations and the attention of the entire UK indie community. Realising strength in diversity and cooperation, the group set in motion a more formalised support system, through collective convention appearances, workshops for local children, panels and sketching/signing sessions, while promoting through websites, cross advertising, and continuing to develop a healthy network of creators across the country and beyond. With publications such as the popular Rough Guide To Self Publishing and Redeye Magazine, AUK are an example of how to provide both an educational and promotional service to artists and writers looking to create their own independent comics. Visit the official website at www.accentukpress.co.uk.
Press Contact: Barry Renshaw, editor@enginecomics.co.uk
COMICS NATION:
NATIONWIDE UK COMICS EVENT AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Never before have comic books been so present in the public eye, with the ever increasing success of big budget movie adaptations of superhero icons, the proliferation of manga in popular culture and the growing interest in more non-genre specific independent titles such as Blankets and Persepolis in the broadsheet press. Although British mainstream audiences are starting to catch up with the rest of the world in exploring the potential available in the form, anyone passionate about comics knows there is so much out there to explore.
As such, an unprecedented nationwide event will take place on the Bank holiday weekend of Friday 26th to Monday 29th August 2005 to raise awareness of the medium, as part of a year long promotion of the vast amount of talent on our own shores. Lead by Accent UK Press and Smallzone Distribution, the 365 Day Comics Nation reflects the activities of over sixty independent publishers and even more individual creators who have already been involved in cartoon workshops, signings, reading and discussion groups, panels and exhibitions over the last few years. For the first time these will be coordinated on the same weekend, taking place in galleries, libraries, comic shops and book stores across the country, engaging the public in fun activities.
“We had a long tradition of newsstand comic books in this country until the early Nineties,” says Accent UK and Redeye Magazine editor Barry Renshaw, one of the organisers. “Due to the economics of the time, dozens of titles for all ages, genders and tastes disappeared until only a handful remained. Whereas the rest of Europe, Japan and America have enjoyed a progression of the form in the public eye, and more importantly, widespread distribution, the UK comics industry instead has not developed the way it could have.”
Creators looking for an outlet have instead looked abroad for job opportunities or have turned to independently producing, printing and distributing their own works in small numbers, and have not had the opportunity to find their full audience. “It’s certainly not due to a lack of quality or talent, just simply availability,” believes Barry. “With this event we hope to re-educate the public of what great material is out there, get them involved in making their own, while supporting local retailers and arts centres.”
A number of events, individually organised by creators in their own local areas, have already been scheduled with many more to follow. The organisers encourage pros, amateurs, readers, retailers, anyone with a passion in comics to become involved, and invite them to visit comicsnation.blogspot.com for further information on how to do so.
For any further information or media please contact Barry Renshaw at editor@enginecomics.co.uk.
About Accent UK:Formed in November 2002 by the lead creators of Deva Comics, Engine Comics and M56 Comics, the Accent UK collective combined to produce an annual US format anthology which has since garnered much critical acclaim, award nominations and the attention of the entire UK indie community. Realising strength in diversity and cooperation, the group set in motion a more formalised support system, through collective convention appearances, workshops for local children, panels and sketching/signing sessions, while promoting through websites, cross advertising, and continuing to develop a healthy network of creators across the country and beyond. With publications such as the popular Rough Guide To Self Publishing and Redeye Magazine, AUK are an example of how to provide both an educational and promotional service to artists and writers looking to create their own independent comics. Visit the official website at www.accentukpress.co.uk.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
NATIONWIDE COMICS EVENT ANNOUNCED FRIDAY 26TH TO MONDAY 29TH AUGUST
To take advantage of the current high profile of comicbooks in the media, the UK indie comics scene are rising to promote the vast amount of talent on our own shores. A 365 days long promotion to raise the public awareness of the diversity and quality of the medium, began on June 9th when over 60 publishers, lead by ACCENT UK and SMALLZONE, held a mass mailing of indie publications to a select list of reviewers in the broadsheet press.
The second wave takes place over the bank holiday weekend of Friday 26th August through to Monday 29th August, with a nationwide Independents Day Weekend. Creators from all over the country are right now organising events such as cartoon workshops, signings, discussion groups, sketching sessions, and panels in comic shops, book stores, libraries and galleries. As the weeks go by we will post confirmed events on http://comicsnation.blogspot.com/. A specific hubsite where people can find out further details of events in their areas and meet with creators, download media and other resources will also be online in the next few weeks. In the meantime, a press release and a sample 'events sheet' with details of the first of many events will made available to download from the REDEYE group files section Monday 4th July. Creators and fans can then use this to approach the venues in their area.
This event relies on the individuals in their own locality, who know the shops and customers and opportunities there, to organise their own events under the 365 banner. The aim is to engage the public, the 'real mainstream' as they are often called, into the shop and be educated a bit on what comics as a medium can offer, what diversity is available, through activities. For the retailers or curators, its a chance on a bank holiday weekend to sell more stock and have essentially extra staff in to do that. For the creator its building networks and relationships in retail and with the public, that can ultimately lead to more interest in their own work.
The creators need not be from the indie or small press; we encourage anyone, pros, amateurs, readers, retailers, anyone with a passion in comics to become involved. If you have ideas on how to make the event a success join the redeyemagazine@yahoogroups.com and start posting your suggestions. If even the handful of events already scheduled go ahead it will be a step in the right direction, and with Dez's permission, we hope to feedback the experiences with a panel discussion at the Brighton Expo, and plan further events.
So, we'll be here, there and everywhere: will you?
-BARRY RENSHAW
EDITOR
www.accentukpress.co.uk
www.enginecomics.co.uk
enginecomics.blogspot.com
About Accent UK:
Formed in November 2002 by the lead creators of Deva Comics, Engine Comics and M56 Comics, the Accent UK collective combined to produce an annual US format anthology which has since garnered much critical acclaim, award nominations and the attention of the entire UK indie community. Realising strength in diversity and cooperation, the group set in motion a more formalised support system, through collective convention appearances, workshops for local children, panels and sketching/signing sessions, while promoting through websites, cross advertising, and continuing to develop a healthy network of creators across the country and beyond. With publications such as the popular Rough Guide To Self Publishing and Redeye Magazine, AUK are an example of how to provide both an educational and promotional service to artists and writers looking to create their own independent comics. Visit the official website at www.accentukpress.co.uk.
