ComicBitsOnline.com

Anyone going to the above to check out the exhibit,starts Saturday?

If so,let me know and we can meet up and insult “old farts” [myself not included].

T

Mr Hooper

Have just produced a new mini zine in time for the Artist Book and Zine Fair at Spike Island and will be launched there. “Laurie Bird” is an 8 page homage to “The Girl” in cult seventies film classic “Two-Lane Blacktop“. It will be a limited edition of 25 copies only, with grey paper covers, for £1.50.

available from:Paul Ashley Brown, 15 Wedmore Vale, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5HQ.

Before you ask -it’s FREE!

Jusko and Stout Headline in Spain!

Aviles,Spain. — The Cultural Festival of Aviles, Spain is kicking off this week with a list of Spanish and International guests, headlined by the United States own Joe Jusko and William Stout. The renowned illustrators will be featured in numerous programs during the week and vetted by the local press to mark the occasion, while of course, taking in a little local culture as well. 

Renowned illustrator Joe Jusko is virtually a household name to anyone who loves painted covers, revered for his realistic depictions of comic characters, beautiful women and barbarians, Jusko is also the subject of an upcoming “Creator Chronicles: Joe Jusko” documentary, in which Joe sits down to talk about his prolific career from his start at “Heavy Metal” to Conan, Marvel Masterpiece, ERB and Tomb Raider. Also, for the first time on camera, Joe gives an exclusive and entertaining art lesson as he paints an entire piece from start to finish! All from one of the very best to ever pick up a brush. The DVD can be pre-ordered for $29.95, or via the Diamond Catalogue in the Little Eva Ink section, ISBN: 978-1-60643-801-5

In addition, Joe is also the focus of a new art book on the horizon “The Art of Joe Jusko” due out in December from Desperado Publishing. This book offers readers a chance to witness his immense career in a generous 300 pages, offering glimpses of previously never-before-seen material from his files and sketchbooks, his enormously popular comic work, covers and illustrations from his book publishing career, as well as beautifully reproduced images of his personal favorites and insights into his life and creative process.

Also the subject of an upcoming “Creator Chronicles” documentary, William Stout is America’s leading dinosaur illustrator. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stout began his professional career in 1968 with the cover for the first issue of “Coven 13.” In 1971, he began assisting Russ Manning on the “Tarzan of the Apes” newspaper strips. He later worked with Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder. Bill’s work can be seen on numerous, wildly popular, “bootleg” record album covers of the era, followed by work in the rock magazine “Bomp!,” and numerous movie posters. One of the first American contributors to “Heavy Metal,” to date, Stout has worked on over 30 feature films as well, including Conan, First Blood, and  Pan’s Labryinth, as well as being a Walt Disney Imagineer.

Jusko and Stout will be attending all days of the Aviles, Spain cultural exchange, along with Producers Renee Witterstaetter and Robin Dale of the “Creator Chronicles” documentary series, who will be filming a feature on the festival. As a writer, Renee’s  recent books include “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” from Vanguard Productions and the upcoming “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira.” The first Spanish screening of the new documentary “Creator Chronicles: Michael Golden” will also be spotlighted at the festival on Wednesday.

The Aviles Journal of Comics Festival takes place September 8-13 in Aviles,Spain. For more information contact: evaink@aol.com

Only one week away! Mark it on your calendar.

Inter-Fan Jam
September 13-14, 2008
Derby Hall @ Homewood Hotel, 17400 Halsted St., Homewood, Illinois
708-957-1600 Fax 708-957-1963
http://www.homewood -hotel.com
20 miles south of downtown Chicago.

Admission
$5.00 each with 2 cans of food (optional) or $10.00 for two day pass
This year we have MORE ROOM, MORE VENDORS, and MORE ACTIVITIES.

Guests of Honor
Alex Nino (70’s Dc artist and cover painter)
Doug Klauba (Moonstone artist and cover painter)
Terry Pavlet (RPG/CCG & Comic Cover artist)

Exhibitors
LaMorris Richmond (B.L.A.M. Comics)
Richard Case (Premier/SPA)
HIM (Hamtramck Idea Men)
Steven Piscione (Chaosfield)
Tom Stillwell (Spinner Rack Comics/Unscrewed)
Lance Stahlburg (Rouge Wolf Ent./Haven Distrib)
Rod and Barb Jenkins (Kiss Me Comix)
Donna Upshaw (Steeltown Funnies)
Wade Busby (Mr. E)
Liz Ortiz (Rasgals/IF)
Jim Main (Main Enterprises)
Wally Lowe (Wal2)
Nino (209 Ave Comics)
Moe Nasser (Indie Artist)

For more info go to
http://www.inter- fan.org/Interfan 2.htm

email to
doc@inter-fan. org

No,I’m not kidding.  According to Rich Johnson:

HARRODS: THE COMIC EXHIBITION

Next Monday sees the opening of the Harrods exhibition of British original comic book artwork curated by yours truly. “Comic Timing” will feature original artwork from “Watchmen,” “The Killing Joke,” “Gentleman Jim,” “Tamara Drewe,” “Breakfast After Noon,” “Petra Etcetera,” “Charleys War,” “Commando,” “From Hell,” “Captain Britain,” “All Star Superman,” “Jack Staff,” “V For Vendetta,” “Jackie,” “Face Ache,” “Nellyphant,” “The Filth,” “Books Of Magic,” “Phonogram” “Tank Girl,” “Slaine” and much more, as well as the first “Judge Dredd” page from 2000AD #2 and early “Dennis The Menace” and “Oor Wullie.”

It’s free, it’s open until the end of October, and then it’s gone forever. Go along, tell me what you think and please, please, please blog about it.

Entrance via Door 5, Lower Ground Floor. Ask a startled security guard where all the comics people are, he or she will show you.

David Lloyd will also be doing a “V For Vendetta” presentation, and I’m hoping Bryan Talbot will do one of his shows in store as well.

 So,if in London -pop along!

part-ilha

Artists’ Book & Zine Fair            1pm – 6pm
Dancing in the Spike Canteen    8pm – 2am

Saturday 13th September 2008
Spike Island
133 Cumberland Road, Bristol
www.spikeisland.org.uk

Launching the new publication from Braço de Ferro, commissioned as part of part-ilha, with an afternoon of artists’ publications and a night of revelry: dancing courtesy of Jaguar Shoes & friends. Visit the Spike Island website for more information about part-ilha and the Braço de Ferro publication BF#04 to BF#07 The Bristol Project.

Confirmed stall-holders for the fair include…

Adam Higton and Russ Henry              http://www.adamhigton.blogspot.com/
Analogue Books                                 http://www.analoguebooks.co.uk/
Arthur Gravy (c/o Stephanie Black)     http://www.myspace.com/thechopsmaster
Book Arts at the Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE Bristol    http://www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/
Book Works                                       http://www.bookworks.org.uk/asp/home2.asp
Braço de Ferro                                   http://braco-de-ferro.blogspot.com/
can I have my ball back? (Rhys Coren and Chris Wright)  http://www.rhyscoren.co.uk        http://www.myspace.com/kisswright       Craig Atkinson                                   http://www.craigatkinson.co.uk/
Daryl Waller                                      http://www.winterdrawings.com/
Dave Bevan                                      http://www.beastmangoat.com/
Damn fine art but not fine “fine” art (Chloe Shearing, Hanna Straub and Jordan Evans-Viney)
Folded, Glued & Printed                      http://www.foldedgluedandprinted.org/
Here Shop & Gallery                           http://sparror.cubecinema.com/here/mainmenu.html
Jaguar Shoes    and Friends                http://www.jaguarshoes.com/
Leisure Centre                                   http://www.leisurecentre.org.uk/
Paul Ashley Brown       
Rebecca Swindell       
S Mark Gubb                                      http://www.smarkgubb.com/
Steve Larder                                      http://www.stevelarder.co.uk/
Transition Editions                              http://www.transitiongallery.co.uk/

WATCHMEN FEVER TO HIT

The Birmingham International Comics Show returns to Millennium Point in Britain’s second city for 2^nd year running.  Last year the Show moved from the smaller Custard Factory venue to the much larger Millennium Point to cope with the increased numbers of visitors, guests and events. 

One of the most anticipated movie adaptations of all time will be the 2009 release of Watchmen.  This best selling graphic novel made the Sunday Times bestseller list and was named as one of Time magazines top 100 most influential books since 1923.  Along the way the book has gathered a whole plethora of awards for both its creators and the Birmingham International Comic Show 2008 is pleased to announce that Dave Gibbons, co-creator of the Watchmen story, will be appearing at the show this year to discuss the book and answer questions.

 Just to show how popular Watchmen still is despite it being 22 years since the series finished DC Comics have printed 1 million copies of the collected edition in 2008; such is the demand before the movie is even released.  The trailer for the movie is already one of the most downloaded and viewed on the internet EVER. 

Thanks to The Birmingham International Comics Show, which takes place over the weekend of 4^th – 5^th October, the storyline of the top Marvel Comics title Captain Britain crosses over with real life.  Instead of the shape shifting aliens featured within the pages of the popular comic it will be thousands of comic fans descending onto the city and with them 100s of the industry’s top creators and publishers. Industry stars including the renowned Captain Britain and Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell who will be signing at the show for both days. 

Fans will also get the chance to meet artists like V For Vendetta co creator David Lloyd, comics legend Michael Golden and fan favourite John Cassaday who will be flying over from the USA for an exclusive weekend appearance at the show. 

     “BICS – as the show has become known among regular visitors – is much more than just a giant comic mart”, said co organiser and independent publisher Shane Chebsey.  “The show acts as a gateway for both seasoned fans and those just developing an interest in the medium of comics.  The show enables fans to find out more about the creators behind all the big characters like Batman, Spiderman and Hellboy. Visitors can find bargains amongst the collectors items and discover the next big thing amongst the varied selection of publishers and artists exhibiting.” 

As well as an exciting event schedule running all weekend long at the show, there will be competitions, portfolio reviews with top editors, signings, and exclusive book launches from some of the UK’s most respected publishers.  

So whether you love Manga, web comics, superheroes, or you just want to find out more about the unique and powerful storytelling medium that is comics, the Birmingham International Comics Show 2008 is one event not to miss! 

Media Enquiries:     James A Hodgkins     Telephone: 0121 520 4447     Email: james.hodgkins@gmail.com 

www.thecomicsshow.co.uk 

The show offers great value, with special weekend family tickets, which allow up to 2 adults and 3 children costing only £35 including all events and signings, and under 5’s go free! 

There are also the options of a single weekend ticket or a one-day ticket for only £16 and £10 respectively. 

Show Times are: 10.30am – 5.30pm both days.For exhibiting enquires email: shane@thecomicsshow.co.uk or telephone: 01952 770013

Why Kirby Is King: Comic Creators Remember Jack Kirby

Today would have been Jack Kirby’s 91st birthday. To honor the day, we asked comic book creators from the Mid-Ohio-Con family and beyond to answer the question “Why is Kirby king?” A baker’s dozen of their responses appear in today’s post at the MOC-BLOG, along with an eye-popping gallery of Kirby’s artwork.

http://midohiocon. blogspot. com/

http://midohiocon. blogspot. com/2008/ 08/why-kirby- is-king-comic- book-creators. html

And if you have not purchased Mark Evanier’s incredible Kirby book yet -shame on you!