Here’s the full schedule of events take place citywide for this June’s Birmingham Comics Festival, which include a free convention, exhibitions, film shows and some surprises…
Friday 2nd – Friday 3rd June: The Birmingham Comics Festival begins at the MAC Birmingham with the launch of an exhibition of original artwork by the celebrated cartoonist Hunt Emerson, alongside the Walsall Silver Threads Tapestries; a set of fascinating scenes depicting famous places and people of the Midlands region as embroidered by its female townsfolk, and based on concept designs by Emerson.
The show will run throughout the month with the evening of Friday 2nd dedicated to its launch where between the hours of 6-8pm, those involved will be present to talk about the project and its development; Emerson be signing copies of his work; music will be played and a fun time will be had by all… All ages welcome to this free event.
• For more information visit: macbirmingham.co.uk
• Read our news item about the Walsall Silver Threads Tapestries
Friday 2nd – Thursday 15th June: The highly anticipated new Wonder Woman film debuts for a two week run at the Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen, with an extra special Sunday afternoon of the 4th festival priced ticket available. Expect guests, pop-up stands, special talks, and bullets and bracelets!
• More information and ticket booking here
Saturday 3rd June: The Birmingham Comic, Sci-fi & Card Fair at Lozells is the place to be to stock up on your vintage comics collection and get into a friendly argument about who’s stronger: The Hulk or Thor?
• For more information visit the Golden Orbit web site
Monday 5th June: Laydeez Do Comics will be taking place at The Green Room Café from 7.30pm, along with a number of guest speakers.
• For more information visit the Laydeez do Comics Birmingham Facebook Page
Saturday 10th June: Bring the family along to WILD About Comics at the Birmingham Conservation Park where they can join in a treasure hunt and win a free comic, get sketches done by comic book artists and cartoonists, and dress up in cosplay, alongside a whole other bunch of fun stuff!
• More information and ticket booking
Saturday 10th June: Just down the road from WILD About Comics so you can fit both events in, at 2pm, following a guest introduction the MAC Birmingham will screen Flash Gordon, based on the classic sci-fi newspaper strip, following a guest speaker introduction.
• For more information & to book tickets visit: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/flash-gordon
Sunday 11th June: The following day at 2pm again at 2pm the MAC Birmingham will feature the 1995 animated version of Ghost in the Shell, alongside a guest speaker with question and answer session.
• For more information & to book tickets visit: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/ghost-in-a-shell
12th June: Get yourself along to The Victoria to an exclusive viewing of the comic book documentary She Makes Comics. A free event!
• For more information visit the Laydeez do Comics Birmingham Facebook Page
Sunday 18th June: Father’s Day doesn’t get any better than celebrating the 40th anniversary of Heavy Metal magazine by watching the animated movie adaptation with friends at the MAC Birmingham. It starts at 6pm and you can expect guest speakers and a question and answer audience participation session.
• For more information and to book tickets visit: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/heavy-metal
Wednesday 21st June: Enjoy big screen evening viewing at the Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen with Ghost World, plus a guest speaker talk on both the film and the work of its creator graphic novelist Daniel Clowes, plus other novelties in store.
• More information and ticket booking here
Friday 23rd June: Birmingham City University plays host to a series of academic lectures on the subject of comics… And no, it won’t all be serious!
For more information visit: www.bcu.ac.uk
Saturday 24th June: Birmingham City University hosts the return of the Birmingham Comic Art Show, the city’s premier convention. Guests include David Lloyd, Mike Collins, Lew Stringer and many more, alongside dealers, publishers, an original art exhibition, panel talks, master classes in art, and an excellent student bar! Serious fun for all the family and what’s more it is free to get in!
Monday 26th June: Made You Look a documentary on the small press will be aired exclusively at The Victoria. Another free event!
• For more information visit the Laydeez do Comics Birmingham Facebook Page
Friday 30th June: Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film, Marvel comic and a whole franchising empire Walter Mill Primary School will be showing the original unspecialised 1977 version of Star Wars, along with some big surprises, all ahead of their own special one day convention taking place.
For more information visit: www.watermill.bham.sch.uk
Friday 30th June: Those who refuse to grow up can get themselves down to the Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen to watch Tank Girl with a special guest speaker and pop-up stands… Plus it’s Friday night, the end of the festival and you get to dance the night away at the Mockingbird and all the other ace night time venues in The Custard Factory.
• More information and ticket booking here
That’s 15 listed events, the same as in 2016, but some last a whole lot longer than a day… Plus there are a few more events to come!
For more information visit: www.birminghamcomicsfestival.com
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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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