The UK has a long tradition of making good comic books. Yet since the 1980s, sales of comics in newsagents, while still stronger than some magazine sectors, have declined drastically. Comic creator Sean Michael Wilson – author of the upcoming graphic novel The Many Not the Few with artist Robert Brown, introduced by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is calling for better funding support for comic art projects to encourage creators.
Events
Giles “Grandma” and family head to the stage in a new musical
Are you a fan of the cartoons of Carl Giles, best known for his work for the Daily and Sunday Express? Then you might like to know his characters – yes, including his often terrifying Grandma – are being brought to life in in a new musical, opening at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich next week
Hannah Berry reveals Comics Laureate plans in new Lakes international Comic Art Festival Podcast
Reaching a terrific milestone with Episode 50, the latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast catches up with the Hannah Berry, who has now taken on the reigns as the UK Comics Laureate, a post she’ll hold for the next… Read More ›
Alberto Breccia Centennial Exhibitions in France and Argentina celebrate an incredible artist
A centennial exhibition celebrating the life and work of the hugely influential comic artist Alberto Breccia will open at the Casa Nacional del Bicentenario in Buenos Aires, Argentina, next month. But if a trip to South America isn’t an option… Read More ›
How 3D printing is transforming our relationship with cultural heritage
Myrsini Samaroudi, University of Brighton and Karina Rodriguez Echavarria, University of Brighton A few years ago, we were promised that 3D printing would transform the world. In 2011, The Economist featured a 3D-printed Stradivarius violin on its front page, claiming… Read More ›
Awesome Comics Podcast set to go live in a London pub on Free Comic Book Day!
The brilliant indie-comics focused Awesome Comics Podcast are celebrating reaching their milestone 200th episode with a live recording at the Two Chairmen pub in central London on, appropriately enough, Free Comic Book Day – 4th May 2019. Adding to the… Read More ›
Beano Studios “Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!” gets set for the stage!
Beano Studios is teaming up with the production company Selladoor to create a new musical stage production based on its hit TV show, Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! The family friendly show, is being developed by the company behind the upcoming… Read More ›
Ladybird Books: ‘How it Works’ running at Reading Museum
An exhibition celebrating the history of Ladybird Books is is currently running at Reading Museum, presented in partnership with the University of Reading, who hold a Special Collection of artwork, and publisher Ladybird
Australian western publisher Cleveland set to sell off its original Cover Art Library
Cleveland Publishing, Australia’s pre-eminent publisher of genre pulp fiction novels, is closing its doors – to the dismay of avid fans of westerns and other action genre who have been buying their books for decades. Now, the company, its closure the result of increased production costs, is selling its collection of cover art, including illustrations by the likes of acclaimed Australian artists Walter Stackpool and Stanley Pitt.
Next weekend’s Cosmic Rebels Con offers 2000AD creators among guest line up
Cosmic Rebels Con returns to Enniscorthy, Ireland, next weekend (Sunday 14th April), and there are a number of comic creators from 2000AD on the guest list, including writer Michael Carroll and artists Steven Austin, Eoin Coveney and Tom Foster.
Authenticity of Frank Hampson art in upcoming Italian auction confirmed
Last month, we reported that Italian auction house Urania is hosting a sale of original comic art and illustration in Parma on 11th May 2019 – and it includes a number of items by British artists including a Dan Dare-inspired… Read More ›
Phoenix artist Zak Simmonds part of Story Museum’s “Easter Story Makers” Line-Up
While builders are busy on-site transforming Oxford’s The Story Museum into an even more inspiring and surprising place, events continue – and this April, their Easter Story Makers sessions offer the opportunity to enjoy a day of building stories with… Read More ›
Hugo Awards Shortlist Announced
The shortlist for the annual Hugo Awards, pretty much the biggest deal in the world of science fiction and fantasy, has been announced. When a graphic category was first added to the Hugos it wasn’t always the best selection of… Read More ›
2000AD and Roy of the Rovers writer Rob Williams chats with Festival Podcast
On the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast (Episode 49), hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates chat to comics writer and 2019 Festival guest Rob Williams. Rob is a comics writer whose comics works include Suicide… Read More ›
V&A’s Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt exhibition moves to Dundee
Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt, a V&A exhibition exploring the contemporary world of gaming, looking at how they are designed, how they captivate players, and the social and ethical issues surrounding them, is moving to V&A Dundee later this month. Dundee is, of… Read More ›
Comic Creator Steve Moore celebrated with “Endymion’s Dream” event
The life of the brilliant comics creator Steve Moore is to finally get the celebration he deserves with the launch of a his final, posthumous book at “Endymion’s Dream” – an event taking place in Brompton Cemetery Chapel on 4th May 2019.
2000AD artists and writers, Kate Charlesworth and award-winning Czech comics artist Vojtěch Mašek join Lakes Festival 2019 guest list
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 has announced further guests for its weekend-long event in Kendal in October, including a number of creators well known for their work on the top British SF weekly comic 2000AD and major US… Read More ›
Frank Hampson “Dan Dare” inspired rarity surfaces at Italian auction house
Italian auction house Urania is hosting a sale of original comic art and illustration in Parma on 11th May 2019 – and it includes a number of items by British artists including a Dan Dare-inspired artwork by Frank Hampson, alongside… Read More ›
Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Quebec BD in Comics Cultural Exchange backed by British Council
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced that Mikiko and Julie Rocheleau are the latest comic creators to be part of one of its many Comics Cultural Exchanges between countries. Continuing its efforts to develop an international network of… Read More ›
Art Quarterly spotlights re-opening of London’s Cartoon Museum next month
The Spring 2019 issue of Art Quarterly, the quarterly magazine for members of the Art Fund charity, and features a focus on Comic Creators, spurred by the upcoming re-opening of London’s Cartoon Museum.