British comics veteran Simon Furman. Photo: Antony Esmond

Ace comic creator and animation writer Simon Furman (Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, Dragons: Riders of Berk) will be at the Oswestry Lit Fest on 19th March, where he’ll be presenting two talks aimed at slightly different age-groups, but really suitable for one and all.

Talk One: The Matt Hatter Chronicles – From Script to Screen

Meet Matt Hatter, an extraordinary 13-year old boy who battles cinematic monsters and super villains made real in a hidden dimension known as the Multiverse in the hit CITV animated show. Simon is the Head Writer and Script Supervisor on the show and will be presenting a special highly illustrated look behind the scenes at the process from script page to screen, including original concept art, 3D computer character modelling and much more, featuring a whole 22-miniute episode ‘The Flight of the Witch’, which simultaneously showcases the sequential storyboard art behind the show. Learn the secrets of Matt Hatter from the inside out.

Talk Two: When Comics Grew Up

Comics are for kids, right? Wrong. Simon takes you on an illustrated tour from the earliest days of comic books right through to the modern age, demonstrating how the humble kid’s comic grew from pulp entertainment into an all-ages phenomenon now embraced by big and small screen. Also includes the creation of a Transformers comic book – from original script to finished page, stage by stage. Plus tips for budding comic creators.

• For more information visit www.oswestrylitfest.co.uk

• Buy tickets at theLitFest Box Office: Booka Bookshop, Church Street, Oswestry on 01691 662244 or – for selected events detailed here – through the Litfest Ticketline. For all other events, book at Booka Bookshop (or Oswestry library for Quick Reads, Kate London)

• Simon Furman Official Site: https://simonfurman.wordpress.com

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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: downthetubes News, Oswestry Lit Fest, Simon Furman, Simon Furman Transformers, Transformers