Watching the Watchmen at Borders

By John Freeman on February 26, 2009

Borders UK has teamed up with Titan Books to bring fans two chances to meet Watchmen artist and co-creator Dave Gibbons, with an in-store signing at Borders Islington on 12th March from 7.30pm and another at Borders Glasgow on 14th March from 1.30pm, when the artist will be signing copies of Titan’s fantastic range of Watchmen books including Watching the Watchmen.

Plus, www.borders.co.uk is running a competition where 50 lucky fans can win the chance to attend an exclusive in-store audience with Dave. Taking place before the signing, the lucky winners will be treated to an exclusive presentation of material from Watching The Watchmen, including original character designs, sketches and early pages, and they’ll have the chance to put their own questions to the acclaimed artist.

Celebrating the release of the movie adaptation from Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and directed by Zack Snyder (300), which premieres in UK cinemas nationwide on 6th March, Titan Books is also bringing fans three tie-in books to provide the ultimate companions to the movie experience. Watchmen: The Film Companion takes viewers behind the scenes and beyond the screen with interviews and photographs to learn the secrets of the movie’s production; Watchmen: The Art of the Film explores the evolution of the movie’s artistry, from early artwork to finished stills, set piece schematics to prop showcase shots to take readers from Zack Snyder’s production design office (aka ‘The War Room’) right through to the studio floor; and Watchmen: Portraits presents a stunning collection of black-and-white portrait photographs of the men and women behind the production, taken by the movie’s official still photographer, Clay Enos.

• Dave Gibbons events at Borders stores will be taking place at: Borders Islington, The N1 Shopping Centre, Parkfield Street, Islington, London N1 0PS; Tel: 0207 226 3602 and Borders Glasgow, 98 Buchanan St , Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3HA: Tel: 0141 222 7700

• For details of the Signing Competition go to www.borders.co.uk

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.