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Call for Papers: Bad Signals – Collected Essays on the Work of Warren Ellis

By John Freeman on October 21, 2013

Papers are invited for the first academic collection dedicated to the work of comics writer, novelist, and pop culture commentator Warren Ellis.

Ellis’ renowned comics career stretches back to anthology comic Deadline, but he has also published two novels and written comics for Marvel and DC, as well as a number of independent publishers on titles such as X-Men, Iron Man, and Hellblazer. He transformed Stormwatch into the post-Watchmen epic The Authority, as well as creating idiosyncratic work such as Transmetropolitan, Planetary, FreakAngels, and Ministry of Space.

His two prose novels, Crooked Little Vein and Gun Machine, leans toward noir and were both well received. He maintains an active online presence and is well known for his cultural commentary.

Despite much commercial and critical acclaim, there has been little scholarly work on Ellis. The editors of this new study, Hallvard Haug and Tony Venezia (both at Birkbeck, University of London), are seeking proposals for an edited volume as part of the SF Storyworlds: Critical Studies in Science Fiction series at Gylphi (series editor: Dr. Paul March-Russell). We welcome papers on any topic related to Ellis’ writing which might include, but are not limited to:

Formal approaches to comics/graphic novels – case studies of specific texts – science fiction – dystopia/utopia – extropia – post/transhumanism – cyberpunk/post-cyberpunk – superheroes – the influence of pulp fiction – conspiracy theories – noir – accelerationism – steampunk – the ‘British Invasion’ – the city – media technologies – new media – postmodernism/post-postmodernism – contemporary gothic – blogging – online comics etc.

They welcome proposals from any discipline and theoretical perspective, from both research students and academics.

Essays should be 6,000-8,000 words. Referencing should follow the Chicago style for author-date citation. Please send a title and 300 word abstract along with your name, affiliation and 100 word professional biography in a word document to ellis.2014book@gmail.com by 13th December 2013. Selected authors will be notified by 6th January 2014.

Submission of final full essays will be by 21 March 2014. Queries welcome. Please note that invitation to submit a full essay does not guarantee inclusion in the volume.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.