Graphic novels are one of the fastest growing areas of book publishing and the London Book Fair, the world’s second largest publishing show with over 25,000 visitors, held April 14~16, 2015, is celebrating the fact with a specially-designed pavilion to showcase the form.
Comics and graphic novel rights will be available for licensing and translation through bespoke software designed by SEQUENTIAL, the digital comics and graphic novel app. Featured content will include material from Dark Horse Publishing, SelfMadeHero, Knockabout and others major publishers and will be accessed via specially installed iPads around the pavilion as well as being available for download by London Book Fair attendees. This will be supported by a series of seminars featuring speakers from the world of comic and graphic novels. There will even be a graphic novel-themed bar next to the pavilion.
The decision to commission the creation of a special app to showcase graphic novels was partly to make the comics easily accessible but was also a nod to the growing market for digital comics and graphic novels which is estimated to be around $100 million (£65 million) this year.
Jacks Thomas the director of the London Book Fair commented, “It’s great to be partnering with SEQUENTIAL on our first Graphic Novels and Comics showcase at The London Book Fair this year. Through this partnership we have gone straight for the best! SEQUENTIAL’s acclaimed, industry-leading software allows us to display and celebrate the growth and potential of the medium in glorious high-definition, while also providing our customers with a one-stop shop for the latest international rights opportunities.”
Russell Willis, the founder of SEQUENTIAL, said, “We’re delighted to be working with the London Book Fair. SEQUENTIAL’s aim is to expand the market for graphic novels via the digital presentation and distribution of the best examples of the form, and this fits perfectly with LBF’s decision to recognise the growth and exciting potential of comics and graphic novels with this dedicated rights showcase and pavilion.”
To celebrate LBF’s first Graphic Novel rights showcase, SEQUENTIAL will be previewing an enhanced digital version of the first-ever British graphic novel for adults – Posy Simmonds’ True Love – at the Fair, and will be running a special seminar on how to create digital graphic novels.
• The London Book Fair the London Book Fair runs from Tuesday 14th – Thursday 16th April 2015 at London Olympia, Kensington, W14 8UX. The Graphic Novel Pavilion is at 2B11 (Look for Graphic Novels@LBF on the event map). Web: www.londonbookfair.co.uk
• Download the SEQUENTIAL Graphic Novel Viewer app
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.
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