The dates for this year’s much-loved Malta Comic Con were announced last week by organisers Wicked Comics. The popular event, which promotes both burgeoning local talent and regularly includes British comic creators on the guest list, will be back on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November at St. James Cavalier in Valletta, the capital city of Malta.
While the guest list is still under wraps, Chris Le Galle, co-founder of Wicked Comics, the event’s organisers, did tell us the majority of guests would be from the UK – but for now, swore us to secrecy on the confirmed guests, who will be announced later. (It’s looking like a great line up of talent so far).
Past guests have included Sean Azzopardi, Mike Carey, Dave Gibbons, Dez Skinn, Chris J. Thompson, Mike Collins, Richmond Clements (who reported their 2013 event for us here), David Lloyd, Sean Phillips, Dave Windett, Tim Perkins, Emma Vieceli and many, many more.
Chris tells us that a lot of people have commented that the Malta Comic Convention 2013 was one of the best shows they have ever been to, so expectations will be high for 2014, with the St. James Cavalier venue, originally a bastion -part of the fortifications of the City – constructed by the Knights Hospitallers – will be abuzz with comics creativity.
“I enjoyed my stay at the Malta Comic Con,” enthused acclaimed comic writer Ales Kot after the show. “It’s a show that is finding itself — and observing the process, and being able to help with it a little, has been an adventure in itself. The enthusiasm and focus of the organizers is inspiring. I believe in the Malta Comic Con, and I wish them my best.”
“The event is spectacular and what’s not to love?” enthuses artist Tim Perkins, who’s been a regular guest of the convention and also run some of his brilliant comic workshops on the island at different times of the year. (If you’re an event organiser looking for someone to teach comics, I recommend him).
“They have the event in a medieval fortress, there’s the sunshine, there are comics and other merchandise, sunshine, lots of international and local guests, sunshine, lots of sights to see,” he continues in a blog post promoting last year’s event, “lots of wonderful cuisine and the people themselves are brilliant, warm and accommodating and great fun to be with to boot.
“Oh, yeah, and there’s the sunshine too…”
“The amazing response we received last year (we almost doubled the attendees of the previous year, amongst which was the Honourable Dr. Joseph Muscat. the Prime Minister of Malta!) confirmed that we achieved this goal.
“Consequently, we are proud to say that the Malta Comic Convention is now a credible destination for both professionals working in the industry and for those who have the comic culture at heart. We would like to thank all the many people who have helped us make this possible and promise to deliver another explosive family oriented event this year.”
So, what’s not appealing about a weekend in the sun as winter looms here, and a plenty of comics, cosplay and other events to keep you more than occupied?
Fans can look forward to feeling that amazing rush of meeting with their favourite creators who are always happy to chat, sign and sketch for their fans. Complementing the killer roster of guests will be a number of up and coming creators from abroad as well as the best local creators on the Island promoting work. The official Malta Comic Con Cosplay competition is also being revamped so people can once again look forward to meeting all those lovely people in a plethora of different shiny costumes. The video game area will once again be buzzing with activity and the fan favourite competitions will also be returning.
There will also be more table top gaming that there has ever been before. Free movies and animations will be running in the in house cinema for the duration of the show.
Fans can also look forward to much more exciting activities such as work shops, informative and entertaining talks, Q&As and discussion panels! And rounding all of will be a number of mind-blowing exhibitions. There will be something for everyone!
As customary, Wicked Comics have designed a number of packages for fans wishing to travel to the Malta Comic Con from abroad (details here on the event’s web site), which include heavily discounted accommodation rates and local transport from hotel to convention centre. Similarly, Wicked Comics have a number of packages tailored for foreign creators who wish to exhibit at the Malta Comic Con including heavily discounted tables (details here).
• Anyone wishing to know more about these packages, and local creators/retailers wishing to exhibit at the Malta Comic Con 2014 should email organisers Wicked Comics for more details on info@maltacomic-con.com
• For more details kindly visit: www.maltacomic-con.com, follow them on Twitter or find them on Facebook
• Read Richmond Clements report of the 2012 Malta Comic Con
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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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