Reality Check: Comics versus Film

By John Freeman on August 14, 2010

Cartoonist Woodrow Phoenix

This year’s cinematic interest in comic book adaptations shows no sign of slowing down with adaptations of Scott Pilgrim vs. the world and Tamara Drewe hitting screens over the next few weeks. To coincide with this, the SciFi London festival team have released the next in their series of podcasts recorded in front of a live audience at this year’s Sci-Fi London festival.

In it, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Woodrow Phoenix and film maker Howard Webster about the dialogue between comics. film and TV, looking at Woodrow’s work adapting his comic Pants Ant for the Cartoon Network and Howard’s interactive webcomic The Many Worlds of Jonas Moore. The podcast also features a brief appearance by Marcus Gilbert (Biggles / Army of Darkness) talking about his roles in Howard’s comics.

• The SciFi London Podcast is live online from 14th August 2010 at www.sci-fi-london.com/podcast

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.