Here are the exhibitions, events and conversations still to come in the 2010 Comica Festival, which this year teams up with the London Print Studio at 425 Harrow Road, London W10.
The centre-piece of the festival is That’s Novel, an exhibition which will allow you to discover the very best comics by leading international innovators and the British cutting edge, together with related events, conversations and films.
• To book tickets (where required) and for further details and events, please visit www.comicafestival. com and the regularly-updated Comica News Blog.
Conversations…
• Sarah Ardizzone & Ros Schwartz: The Little Prince
Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, London, 7.30pm Thursday 25th November 2010
£5, £3 concessions
A dialogue between two translators looking back at the biggest selling French language book, now adapted into a graphic novel by Joann Sfar.
For over sixty-five years Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince has captured the hearts and minds of its readers. The whimsical story with a fairytale touch has sold over 80 million copies in 230 languages. Joann Sfar has recreated this beloved story, thanks to his literary style and sensitivity to the original and offers an exciting graphic adaptation.
Joann Sfar’s graphic adaptation has just been translated by Sarah Ardizzone and published in English. Meanwhile, The Little Prince now appears in translation by Ros Schwartz from its original version by Saint-Exupéry.
This dialogue between the two translators aims to look back at this chef d’oeuvre published in 1943, the biggest selling French language book, in particular its reception in the UK, since it was first translated by Katherine Woods. Ros Schwartz has translated a wide range of fiction and non-fiction from French. Twice winner of the Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation, Sarah Ardizzone’s most recent translations include works by Daniel Pennac, Faïza Guène, and Mathias Malzieu.
• Paul Gravett: From Escape To Now
Laydeez Do Comics, The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1 6.30pm to 9.30pm, Monday 29th November. £1.50 on the door.
The guest speaker at this month’s meeting of ‘Laydeez Do Comics’ is Comica Director Paul Gravett, who will give an illustrated talk about his lifelong passion for comics, recalling the Eighties era of Escape Magazine and reporting on his latest travels and discoveries.
• Great British Comics: Steve Bell & Bryan Talbot
ICA, The Mall, London SW1, 6.45pm to 8.15pm Wednesday 1st December 2010
Tickets £12, Concessions £11, ICA Members £10
Steve Bell’s sharp-as-a-tack If… strips in The Guardian continue to skewer everything from the Muhammad cartoon riots of 2006 to the ConLibDemolition. Bryan Talbot is celebrated as this country’s father of modern graphic novels, from Luther Arkwright and Tale of One Bad Rat to Alice in Sunderland and Grandville.
In this rare encounter, two of Britain’s most brilliant graphic storytellers swap tales of their prolific careers, from their underground comix origins to their latest full-colour hardcovers, If… Burst Out and Grandville – Mon Amour. Followed by book signing.
Exhibitions…
• That’s Novel: Lifting Comics From The Page!
London Print Studio, 425 Harrow Road, London W10 Until 18th December 2010. Free.
An exhibition celebrating comics by international innovators and the British cutting edge.
From searing memoirs to global manga, from The Tower of Babel to The Walking Dead, discover the latest, greatest and up-to-datest in comics by leading international innovators and the British cutting edge, featuring art by: Charlie Adlard, Ho Che Anderson, Will Bingley, Brick, Darryl Cunningham, Karrie Fransman, Anthony Hope-Smith, John Hicklenton, Robert Kirkman, Chie Kutsuwada, Metaphrog, John Miers, Mustashrik, Nobrow, The Pleece Brothers, Pulp Theatre, David Quantick, Paul Rainey, Philippa Rice, Savage Pencil, Sean Michael Wilson, Carlos Nine.
• Graphic Short Story Prize 2010
Orbital Comics, 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2 Until 30th November 2010
Another innovation for this year’s Comica Festival is an exhibition of the artwork by the winner, runner-up and commended finalists in the Observer/ Jonathan Cape/ Comica Graphic Short Story Prize. This year’s entries came to an impressive total of 279. For the first time, visitors to Orbital Comics,, only a minute from Leicester Square tube station, will be able to see the framed artworks by the very best entrants, on the walls of the Orbital Comics Gallery for free and open daily throughout November. The seven finalists whose stories are on display are Graphic Short Story Prize Winner Stephen Collins (In Room 208); Runner-up Anna Mill & Luke Jones (Square Eyes); and Commended creators Anthony Blades (Picus Viridis), Scott Dessert (Catsitter), Fumio Obata (Going Back), Andrew ‘Stilly’ Stilborn (The Dust Enclosed) and Jason Synnott (Ordinary Job).
Any other entrants who post their graphic short stories online feature a listing here, so that many more of the entries can also be enjoyed.
Events…
• Launch Party: A Graphic Cosmogeny
Nobrow, 62 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3QR 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Thursday 25th November. Free
A launch party for Nobrow’s most ambitious publication yet, the story of creation retold by 24 international artists in A Graphic Cosmogony. The party marks the opening of the Nobrow exhibition Murmuring Landscapes featuring Jon McNaught and Rob Hunter, whose prints will also be available for sale.
• Launch Party: Frank Hampson – Tomorrow Revisited
Chris Beetles Gallery, 8-10 Ryder Street, London SW1Y 6pm to 8pm Tuesday 30th November 201. Free, but RSVP is essential to: gallery [at] chrisbeetles [dot] com.
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dan Dare and the genius of his creator Frank Hampson with the publication party and selling exhibition of classic Eagle original art for a lavish new biography and artbook written by Alastair Crompton. For full book details and a preview of some of the pages visit the book’s website.
• Launch Party: Gonzo in association with SelfMadeHero
London Print Studio, 425 Harrow Road, London W10 6.30pm to 9.30pm Thursday 2nd December
A free event, but RSVP essential to douglas [at] selfmadehero [dot] com or tel 0207 487 4395.
Publisher SelfMadeHero is having a party and you’re invited to celebrate the launch of Gonzo: A Graphic Biography Of Hunter S. Thompson by Will Bingley and Anthony Hope-Smith.
“If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you’re going to be locked up.”
Over the course of Hunter S. Thompson’s extraordinary life he was publicly branded a bum, a vandal, a thief, a liar, an addict, a freak and a psychopath. Some of these were true. Yet, even when compared to the most significant figures of the 20th century, his legacy remains a brilliantly vital force. This is his story – the story of a troubled kid who went on to become an international icon, a story that plumbs the darkest depths of American society and charts the now-legendary adventures that birthed Gonzo journalism and a lifestyle beyond imagination.
• David Bircham: Alien Ink in association with Channel 4
London Print Studio, 425 Harrow Road, W10 Noon to 5.00pm Saturday 4th December 2010. This event is free, but you must RSVP: either call/text – 07950 101 607 or email: edd [at] pressureblog [dot] com.
Real teenagers with real issues form the heart and soul of Channel 4’s straight-talking online serial off the streets of Camden. Each weekly webisode lets readers interact with the highly individual cast based around trendy tattoo parlour Alien Ink. Creator David Bircham invites you to spend the afternoon at an invitation only event, which will feature exclusive unseen art from the online Alien Ink comic. Do not miss this opportunity to mingle with the rising talent of the UK, experience talks and attend a comic masterclass.
• Film: Grant Morrison – Talking With Gods
ICA, The Mall, London 4.00pm Sunday 12th December. Tickets: £10; Concessions £9; Members £8
A fascinating film documentary Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods details the vision of one of the comic world’s most popular and controversial writers. Famous for such works as The Invisibles, Arkham Asylum and All-Star Superman, Morrison talks extensively here about his comic-book creations and his connections with the magical world. The film also includes contributions from Geoff Johns, Douglas Rushkoff and Mark Waid, amongst others. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Frazer Irving, Rian Hughes, the film’s director Patrick Meaney and Comica curator Paul Gravett.
• To book tickets (where required) and for further details and events, please visit www.comicafestival. com and the regularly-updated Comica News Blog.
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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