Orbital Comics announces Comic Book Creators launch event

By John Freeman on May 24, 2013

Orbital Comics in London have announced a special discussion panel to celebrate the launch of the new Comic Book Creators magazine from Twomorrows Publishing, taking place on Saturday 8th June.

Learn more about how John Morrow and his wife started with the Jack Kirby Collector back in 1994 – and the profound effect Kirby had (and continues to have) on comics, as well as the members of the panel.

Comic Book Creator #1, on sale now via comic shops, is TwoMorrow’s newest magazine edited by Jon B. Cooke, devoted to the work and careers of the men and women who draw, write, edit, and publish comics, focusing always on the artists and not the artifacts, the creators and not the characters. Behind an Alex Ross cover painting, the frantic first issue features an investigation of the oft despicable treatment Jack Kirby endured from the very business he helped establish. From being cheated out of royalties in the ’40s and bullied in the ’80s by the publisher he made great, to his estate’s current fight for equitable recognition against an entertainment monolith where his characters have generated billions of dollars, we present Kirby’s cautionary tale in the eternal struggle for creator’s rights.

Plus, CBC #1 interviews artist Alex Ross and writer Kurt Busiek, spotlights the last years of writer/artist Frank Robbins, remembers comics historian Les Daniels, talks to Todd McFarlane about his new show-all book, showcases a joint talk between Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil on their unforgettable collaborations, as well as throws a whole kit’n’caboodle of other creator-centric items at you.

Taking part in the discussion will be:

Chris Thompson (chair)
Chris is a podcaster, blogger and host known for his work on Pop Culture Hound and The Orbiting Pod. Web: www.popculturehound.com

John Morrow (writer, publisher)
John is the co-founder of Twomorrows Publishing which has been publishing the Jack Kirby Collector since 1994. Web: http://twomorrows.com

Barry Forshaw (writer, journalist)
Barry is a well-known UK writer and journalist who has contributed numerous pieces to the Jack Kirby Collector. Web: www.crimetime.co.uk

Jason Atomic (artist, Hail To The King curator)
Jason is an artist, writer and curator who work has been inspired and affected by various aspects of pop culture. Web: http://jasonatomic.blogspot.co.uk

• Jack Kirby, Man of TwoMorrow: 7.00pm Saturday 8th June Orbital Comics, 8 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JA London.

This discussion will be recorded for a special edition of the Orbiting Pod.
http://www.orbitalcomics.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.