James Bacon spent the recent St Patrick’s weekend thoroughly enjoying himself at Dublin Comic Con, and so did many, many, others…

All photos © and courtesy James Bacon

It’s a crisp morning, a clear blue sky. Iin the far distance the Dublin mountains, seen to the south have some cloud over them, but it’s fresh. Outside the Convention Centre, Dublin Comic Con venue, the early bird queue concertinas as squads of ticket checkers and wrist band banders efficiently and politely process the fans, and there is an excitement in the line.

There is a sense of anticipation as the door opens and fans pour into the vast Convention Centre. Into the main huge glass lobby the reaches up all the floors.  I am here for the comics, but this convention is well balanced, and so, as I walk into the main function room, there are amazing sets around the walls, and dealers throughout, toys, merchandise, clothing, and, of course, comics. There is a lot of fan engagement as fan organisations create sets, The U.S.S. Cuchulain “Enterprise” bridge set on the first floor is astonishing, but it feels like many fandoms are catered for as cosplayers and crafters share their passion in a way that fans can get involved with, and interact with. 

Kayvan Novak, who plays Nandor the Relentless, and Harvey Guillén, who plays Guillermo de la Cruz in the brilliant What We Do In The Shadows TV series are guests and this has provoked some incredible cosplay. I see HedgeScout as Nadia, looking wondrous. 

But, as I said, I’m here for the comics, and I’m not alone, and there’s been a series of new initiatives for this event, which has created fresh excitement, and has energised interest. The first is the presence of some very senior people from the comics industry. Guests include C.B. Cebulski, the editor in chief for Marvel Comics, Brittany Holzherr, senior Editor at DC Comics, Anthony Marques, who was a DC editor and is now President of the Joe Kubert School, and Emma Kubert, who is an instructor at the Kubert School were present. 

This created an earnest and hopeful atmosphere amongst potential writers and artsits, offering them a unique opportunity to get some professional views on their work, or ask questions, seek guidance, and engage. In many cases, these are  brilliant Irish artists and writers who have already produced small press work, or have had some work, or are well known to fans, as we have loved their sketches and posters, but they and let’s be honest, many of the fans are hoping that engagement and portfolio viewings and discussions may see them progress.

Dublin Comic Con worked with Brittany Holzherr and there were artist portfolio review sessions facilitated in the Tallaght Academy of Sequential Art room, and there was also scope for writers to have a chat and discuss aspects of the business, a consummate professional but so pleasant and warm. 

C.B. Cebulski was likewise continuously busy, conducting portfolio reviews in a review room, and then sitting at his table, welcoming writers and people interested in just asking questions, and his enthusiasm was infectious. 

Emma’s art was incredible, and it was nice to see that Anthony’s great art, too, so clean, and I think many fans appreciate how the Kubert School has created a community of expert practitioners, who then help develop, guide, instruct and bring forward comic creatives. I was stunned when a mother and daughter walked up to Anthony as some of us were looking at his art and just straight out asked, about their daughter attending the school. We could barely stop smiling, but gave some space. 

You know what though, there was a kindness, a decency, and an effort made. C.B. and Brittany really ensured there was no disappointment, seeing as many people as possible. 

Yet, it got better. Will Sliney, is an incredible draw at a Comic Con, his Spider-man art being hugely popular, and has an incredible skill. I recently reviewed his work on Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker and the incredible Draw with Will book, which builds on his popular TV show. Just this weekend it was announced that he will be making his animation directorial debut with Droid Academy and releasing Art Force, a new range of toys “designed to show children the power of art”.

Sliney said “It used to be important for me that kids knew you could do these kinds of jobs. Now it’s important to keep them drawing and not have stupid things like that get in the way. Every kid draws. Some kids stop drawing because they think they’re not good enough. We’ve been targeting that with all of our shows [Draw with Will on RTÉ and Sky], assuring them it’s okay to make mistakes. This is all part of it. It’s never going to be straight up easy. You’re just going to continually learn.” And he delivers.

Dublin Comic Con had arranged for a special section in the artists alley with Will Sliney, for youngsters and their parents to have free space. A process was set up, which I heard had hundreds of youngsters apply, and then I guess about twenty were chosen each day. I was astounded by the calibre of work. 

I met Fidey and her mom Éimear, and Fidey which rhymes with Spidey, had obviously spent much time finessing her style, an angular look to her line, and her colouring was vivid and bright and worked so well as she presented the superheroes, Spider-Gwen, Spider-man, Moon Knight and a lovely page of art with Miles Morales. 

Then I met Mary Sue and her Mom, Nora. I was astonished by a futuristic dystopian outline that was next to some of Mary Sue’s art describing the story of “Eros”. Eros, E102 is a retired military robot which was the first to be programmed with the ability to feel love. It is the year 3000 and the world is a wasteland, and young Micah cares about the “unnatural items and other non-commodities into an already unsalvageable environment” and looks to find parts for Eros, but must steal them from military – ontrolled junkyards. Next to this amazing concept was incredibly well drawn and coloured art, and a selection of pieces, all to such a high calibre. It was brilliant. 

Will Sliney was on hand as a new batch of artists settled in and he spoke encouragingly to all present, but this was not all. On both days, C.B. Cebulski and Brittany Holzherr spoke to these youngsters too, encouraging and no doubt motivating them, and offering professional input of the highest order. 

This was all huge. 

Through these actions, Dublin Comic Con, Derek Cosgrave and Karl Walsh their teams, Will Sliney, and C.B Cebulski, Brittany Holzherr, Declan Shalvey and others have all just ploughed back effort, work and encouragement into the Irish Comic book community. It was phenomenal to see, and so wonderful. For any aspiring comic artist or writer, this Spring edition of Dublin Comic Con must have been an excellent experience, if the palpable excitement, smiles, thumbs up and positivity was anything to go by. 

To the artists alley and comic guests, I was delighted to speak to the recent Irish addition to the Star Wars comic world that is Reese Hannnigan, whose Star Wars: Bad Batch – Ghost only came out last month, hearing about how he worked the comic. I was also pleased to get time to speak to Declan Shalvey, who continues to entertain with his brilliant writing, as well as Danny Earls, whose cover work continues to impress, and Ruairi Coleman, who is working on the Derek Landy-penned Infinity Watch from Marvel. 

I picked up a beautiful sketch by Leanne Hamilton of Lynn Minmei from Robotech, as well as Leanne’s hilarious “Here’s to about 20 years of watching all you normal attendees at comic and anime cons” fanzine. Follow her @peanlui on Instagram. I enjoyed speaking to Mari Rolin and John McGuiness, whom I had not met previously, and picked up some of their excellent work. 

I also picked up Wulf by Jim Laverly and Ray Roche, of Two Pugs Publishing, which was an enjoyable read.  

And of course there was amazing cosplay, so much cosplay, which was superb fun. Here’s a slideshow of just some of the amazing costumes…

It was two days of incredible fun and so many comics, and so much comic art to see, and so many other guests and artists, it was really a lovely weekend. 

If I get the itchy feet for Irish Comics soon, the Dublin Comic Arts Festival (DCAF), takes place on the 6th April in The Complex, Smithfield, Dublin. Meanwhile, the next Dublin Comic Con is scheduled for the 9th and 10th of August https://dublincomiccon.com/ and I have already got my tickets! 

A cracking weekend.

James Bacon

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James Bacon

James Bacon (he/him) is an Irish fan, a train driver living in London. A Hugo Award-winning editor of the fanzine “Journey Planet”, he is a comic fan and enjoys comic art, war Comics, Star Wars, Irish aspects to comics and railways in comics or otherwise. He has been writing about comics for over thirty years.

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Categories: Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Features, Other Worlds, Reviews

Tags: Anthony Marques, Brittany Holzherr, C.B. Cebulski, Cosplay, Declan Shalvey, downthetubes News, Dublin, Dublin Comic Con, Emma Kubert, Fidey, James Bacon, John McGuiness, Mari Rolin, Reese Hannigan, Review, Star Wars, Tallaght Academy of Sequential Art, Will Sliney