Journey into Marvel is a new exhibition opening at the Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, in Worcestershire this weekend, which will explore the Marvel characters and comics many of us grew up loving.
The summer exhibition runs from Friday 23rd July until the 20th September for a full eight weeks.
Artist Lee Bradley is the instigator of the project, and says original published pages will be on display, along with re-imaginations of classic covers and some of classic Marvel UK comics.
“The event is specifically designed to get children interested in comics using the bright colourful characters they know from TV and films and introducing them to the classic comic format that most of us grew up with,” says Lee, who will have an Art Residence in place at Forge Mill for the next eight weeks and will be available on site to talk comics, characters and Art every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
He’ll also producing new work on site, to add to the ever-expanding exhibition, which also includes an Art Trail for children, art competitions and Themed Lego Workshops, using the Lego Marvel characters.
Look out, too, for a rack of old Marvel comics for children and adults to pick up, look through and read as many Marvel fans used to in newsagents, back in the 1970s and 80s.
“If anyone has any old Marvel comics they wish to donate to the event they can be sent straight to Forge Mill,” says Lee. “We’re looking for ‘beaters’, the comics you would happily leave on the stairs for other people to also enjoy.
“We are looking to get kids interested in this hobby, as without the next generation wanting to read what we thought was great it has a chance of not being around any more.”
Lee Bradley has worked on many of the iconic superheroes and best-loved characters and franchises of our generation, such as Spider-Man, Transformers, Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His work is influenced by the classic Marvel and DC artwork from his childhood, and this is a great chance to see Lee’s powerful and vibrant work close up as well as an opportunity to buy some of his original artwork.
Forge Mill Needle Museum is one of the most unique museums in Worcestershire and the West Midlands, a national heritage site located in beautiful grounds in Redditch.
• Journey into Marvel Friday 23rd July to 20th September 2021 Forge Mill, Needle Mill Lane, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8HY | Web: www.forgemill.org.uk/web/
Where possible, Forge Mill Needle Museum ask that bookings be made in advance. If you would like to visit please phone on 01527 62509 or email info@forgemill.org.uk. Bookings can be made in half-hourly slots from 10.00am to 3.00pm
With thanks to Lee Bradley and Martin Dallard for his exhibition photos featured in the slideshow above
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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