Portsmouth to host International Festival of Comics in May 2018

Copyrighted artwork for the Portsmouth Comic Con International Festival of Comics has been illustrated by Spike Zephaniah

Copyrighted artwork for the Portsmouth Comic Con International Festival of Comics has been illustrated by Spike Zephaniah

The best in comic book and pop culture entertainment comes to Britain’s South Coast on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2018 with the debut of Portsmouth Comic Con. US comic creators Geof Darrow, Gene Ha and Russell Walks are among the guests already announced and tickets go on sale from today.

The largest event of its kind ever mounted in the prestigious naval city, the International Festival of Comics will feature some of the most important comic writers and artists in the industry, with many creators appearing in the UK for the very first time. All guests have worked on some of the biggest properties in genre including Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Superman, Batman, Wolverine, Judge Dredd, Indiana Jones, James Bond and many more.

Russell Walks

Russell Walks

Confirmed US guests that will be available for signings and a range of panels and Q&A sessions include Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled, Shaolin Cowboy), Russell Walks (Star Wars Official Artist), Tommy Lee Edwards (Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Mother Panic) and Gene Ha (Top 10).

Also appearing will be Frank Quitely (All-Star Superman, The Authority, Batman & Robin), John Paul Leon (Batman, Mother Panic), Cully Hamner (The Shade, The Question, Red, Batman and The Signal), Dave Dorman (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), Simon Fraser (Kingsman, 2000AD), Rafael Albuquerque (co-creator of American Vampire) French fantasy artist Claire Wendling, Mark Buckingham (Fables, Hellblazer, The Sandman), Laurence Campbell (BPRD, Punisher) and Bengal (Batgirl, Supergirl) – with lots more set to be announced over the coming months.

This year’s Comic Con will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Superman in Action Comics and the 40th birthday of the classic Christopher Reeve Superman movie and will also showcase exclusive behind the scenes art from HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Geof Darrow

Geof Darrow

Portsmouth Comic Con, International Festival of Comics will celebrate the art of comics and illustration plus the worlds of TV and Film, providing fun for aficionados, lifelong fans and families alike. Glimpse behind the camera of Doctor Who, with one of its leading prosthetic makeup artists, Gary Pollard, and cosplay will be strongly encouraged with prizes awarded for the best costumes on the day.

The event is the brainchild of Portsmouth Guildhall and Tripwire Magazine. Tripwire, created and edited by Joel Meadows, has been, for over 25 years, the pre-eminent comic and genre publication read by some of the biggest names in the film, TV and comic industry.

Portsmouth Comic Con International Festival of Comics is supported by Capital FM in a new partnership between them and the Guildhall for the 2017/18 year.

“Portsmouth is a city that has been crying out for an event such as this for many years,” Joel enthuses. “With Tripwire’s decades of industry expertise and Portsmouth Guildhall’s experience of running conventions and large events, we believe we can offer a show that will firmly place Portsmouth Comic Con, International Festival of Comics at the heart of the UK convention calendar.”

• Tickets go on sale from 10am today –  Friday 15th September 2017 – at www.portsmouthcomiccon.co.uk or 0844 847 2362 with an Early Bird discount available | Find Portsmouth Comic Con on Facebook | Follow Portsmouth Guildhall on Twitter @PortsmouthGhall



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