Last year’s London Film and Comic Con gave us a new and improved Comic Zone, organised by #1 New York Times Bestselling writer and long-time comic creator Tony Lee – and at this year’s event, which is less than two weeks away, they intend to keep on improving, with the addition of the first ever London Film and Comic Con Symposium.

“One thing I didn’t have time to do last year was find a way of thanking the Artists Alley for the support they give the convention every year,” Tony explained. “The Symposium helps towards that.”

With an ‘Artists Alley’ page now on the London Film and Comic Con website, Tony’s plans for a Symposium at the upcoming convention are also coming to fruition. A series of ‘micro-lectures’ given throughout the weekend, each one no longer than twenty minutes in length, limited attendance and given by some of the top professionals in the industry today, with speakers including Dan Slott, Frazer Irving, Mark Buckingham, Rachael Stott, Kieron Gillen, Simon Bisley and many others, the Symposium is targeted purely towards people looking for their next step in comics.

Tony Lee

“Many of our Artists Alley are people who want a career in comics and graphic novels,’ Tony continued. ‘

“This Symposium gives them the opportunity to see accomplished veterans provide almost one-on-one education to them on subjects that range from an artist explaining how to draw a face, or a writer showing how to write an exciting action scene – all the way to editors telling you exactly what they want from a pitch document. A skillset that anyone who wants to work in comics needs, and totally free to any of the Artists Alley exhibitors who want to attend.”

Although primarily aimed at the Artists Alley, there will also be a limited amount of seats open to the public for each talk, given on a list basis – and again, completely free of charge for all attendees.

“We’re making it clear right now – all Comic Zone panels and talks are free. Want to see your favourite creator in a panel? Just come in to the panel room at the start, and take a seat. And if you want to attend a particular Symposium talk, give your name to the doorkeeper beforehand and if there’s space you’ll get in.”

Schedules for both the Panel Room and the London Film and Comic Con Symposium will be announced closer to the event.

• Find the London Film and Comic Con (28th – 29th July 2018) online at www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com

• Tony Lee is online at www.tonylee.co.uk | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | IMDB

John Freeman

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.

Categories: British Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: Dan Slott, downthetubes News, Frazer Irving, Kieron Gillen, London Film and Comic Con, London Film and Comic Con Comics Symposium, Mark Buckingham, Rachael Stott, Simon Bisley, Tony Lee