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It is a fact that Bristol is one of the largest citys in the UK.  It has a huge student population and one of the best mixes of ‘ethnic’ populations you can find.

Indian,Bangladeshi,Pakistanese,Bhutanese,Malayan,Sri Lankan,Korean,Chinese,Japanese,Russian,Italian,Czech, French,Turkish,Polish -and the list goes on.

There is a large enough population of 16-50 year olds which is targetted by businesses.  This age group encompasses the core of comic book buyers.

In the 1970s-1980s Bristol had Quicksilver Comics,three Forever People stores and a couple of Independent stores.

Going back about 3 years we had Forbidden Planet,Area 51,Kathy’s Comics and Travelling Man. 

Comic prices were evening out.

All stores were in great locations but Kathy’s Comics closed despite being in the prime City business location of The Galleries.  It seemed almost impossible to believe that a store in such a location could fail.  The problem seemed bad management and,like other stores,Standing Orders meant little [you might/might not get your order] and it seemed getting enough copies of new titles was a problem.

The same is true of Travelling Man.  great staff but Standing Orders were hit or miss and at one point it was in a far better geographical location than Forbidden Planet.  Most of us know the problems but the result was closure.

Area 51 has a huge chunk of the city to itself,however,it is primarily interested in gaming and comics seems an add-on. Now that is how the owner wants it and,therefore,cannot be criticised for not running a comic shop.

So,we are left with Forbidden Planet which is not my favourite any more.  Standing Orders?  I’ve missed so many issues and heard excuses that I just don’t care any more. From a good store with a competent man keeping an eye on stock and orders it’s sunk low.

So why is it that no one comes along with a long term plan to set up a store and make it work?  It isn’t that difficult and,to be honest,if I had the money I’d set one up myself.

The monopoly of Forbidden Planet is rather like the monopoly Diamond Distributors have in the UK,it makes things very stale and it’s a case of “take this deal or **** off!” The loser is the comic fan/buyer.

I’ve noted how,like others,I’ve been told “We can’t get hold of Dr Master” or how it’s “Difficult to get Cinebook or Classical Comics” -sheer and utter bull!  I think that,having seen the Turnaround Catalogue,offering Manhua,Cinebook and more,that there is a deliberate stranglehold on what we as customers are being allowed to see/buy.

Look at what Cinebook have published -and yet,in Bristol,you’ll only find 3-4 titles tucked away on a dark shelf because “there is no interest”.  No interest probably because no one can see them -Cinebook did very well at the Comic Expo and I noted a lot of those going to the table were from Bristol!

What is needed is a well positioned store which does not just pander to Marvel or DC [though you cannot ignore them] but that also stocks a range of up-to-date Independent Comics,Undergrounds,Cinebook,Classical Comics and even Small Press titles.

Will it ever happen?

I can dream.  We just seem to have lost the common sense to understand that customers read all sorts of books and if you supply and promote you can’t really lose.

Now,where’s my copy of Northern Lightz?

I know that I keep saying Dr Master and other Independent books seldom,if ever,get onto our shop shelves.  So imagine my surprise when I visited the Cinebook table at the Expo and Olivier,between selling books,introduced me to Claire Thompson of Turnaround Publishing Services Ltd..

There,on their table,was Wing Shing Ma’s “Chinese Hero”,the King Of Fighters book and even Four Constables.  And the prices were very reasonable.

Who are Turnaround?  According to their site:

“Since 1984 Turnaround Publisher Services has provided a sales and distribution service for a variety of British, European and North American publishers to the

The April-September 2008 New Titles Catalogue is a 112pp eye-opener and it just proved my point that comic shops can get Independent titles if they want to!

If you are an Independent comic shop then contact Turnaround;if you keep getting told by your local retailer that they cannot get the books you want –tell them to try Turnaround!

Still no luck –contact Turnaround to see if there is a retailer they supply with the books you want in your area.

Their site is:

www.turnaround-uk.com

Incidentally,despite what Forbidden Planet [

Now,sadly,with very few microphones around I must admit that I sadly missed the names of all those on the Manga Euro Style panel with the exception of author and Manga officianado,Fredrik Stromberg.  So my apologies to all those nice people from the Yokaj Studio.

I think that there were a few very good points made by the Yokaj team and Stromberg that wannabe Manga creators should note.

The Japanese and Chinese guests all had one thing in common:they worked late into the night and pointed out that the everyday things need to be done before getting to their Manga drawing -work!shopping,washing up,cooking.  It isn’t as most of us would really like it to be -get up 7.00 a.m. and work til 12 noon.  Restart work til 9.00 p.m. and so on.

Of course,if you are a “mummy’s boy” and your parents are supporting you til you make the big time you are probably calling out every half hour “Mama -tea!”,”Mama -sandwiches!” and so on.  Not everyone can lounge around doing no work all day..unless you are Paul Brown!

A set routine helps but how often can you stick to a set routine?

There were a few laughs,intentional and unintentional,which is far better than a rigid.set-piece Q&A.

Stromberg,and the Yokaj folk made a very valid point which I think worth noting here.

It does not matter if you are in the UK or Sweden,but if you want to draw comics or create comics in a Manga style then do so but base those stories on your own experiences or on things that happen in your own country.  Don’t try copying Manga based in countries you don’t know about -make it so that comic fans from your country can point to something and say “that’s so true!”

Talking to Fredrik later I found out that he really was a very nice man and passionate about his subject.

And to be honest,if we can attract more of this type of guest over in future it’ll be great!

As I have said more than once before,Gene “The Dean” Colan is one of my comic book heroes.  The Sub-mariner,Daredevil –you name it and the great man drew it.  So,I was sad to receive the following from John Freeman. 

American writer Clifford Meth has put out an urgent plea to help raise money for the family of one of

Gene’s one of the greats, whose work at Marvel included Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Doctor Strange. Especially notable were his long runs on Tomb of Dracula (with Marv Wolfman) and Daredevil — and his incredible collaboration with Steve Gerber on Howard the Duck. He’s worked in just about every genre comics have ever touched on: romance, war, crime/detective, western, sci-fi, horror, humour, and of course superheroes.

This regularly updated post on Clifford’s blog will give you up to the minute details of the fund raising, but already, numerous artists and writers will be contributing drawings and/or signed books to help Gene and Adrienne Colan with their mounting medical costs. Items will be auctioned by ComicLink.com.

Cliff’s blogspot:

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2008/05/lets-help-gene-colan.html

This list will be updated regularly. So far, it includes (in alpha-order) : Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Randy Bowen, Ed Brubaker, Adam-Troy Castro, Paty Cockrum, Peter David, Tom DeFalco, J.M. deMatteis, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evanier, Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Bob Layton, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Leah Moore, Albert Moy, Michael Netzer, Josh Olsen, Tom Palmer, Mike Pascale, Jim Salicrup, Bob Shreck, Dave Simmons, Gail Simone, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Juan Torres, Marv Wolfman and Ash Wood.

NY ComicCon, Harris Publishing, IDW Publishing, PaperCutz, and Aardwolf Publishing have also stepped up. Will Marvel, who hired Gene for so many years to work on Daredevil and so much more be joining them?

I’m hoping any creators or collectors reading this will want to contribute, be it a piece of art for the auction, a signed script, or book.

• Even if you aren’t a creator, you can help right this minute: Order Meth, Colan & Other Theologians — the full proceeds will go directly and immediately to Gene. For details.

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2008/05/meth-colan-other-theologians.html

• Clifford, pictured above with Gene, is also overseeing the sale of artist Dave Cockrum’s collection and file copies for his Estate. Sales directly benefit Dave’s widow. Interested? 

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2007/12/own-dave-cockrums-comics.html

If you can contribute in any way please do.Terry

above [right] Andrew Winters writer of Blood Psi,Septic Isle and publisher of Moonface Press refuses to open his eyes at the Comic Expo -”You will steal my soul! Sssss!” might have been the response.  It would have been funny.  So I pretended it was.

I have completely forgotten the name of the artist sat next to Jason.  I apologise but my memory and names is awful!  Sorry!*

Watch for the review of Shriek tomorrow.

Below:Glenn Fabry’s cover for the up-coming Brit Force.  You can learn more at:

www.britforce.com

and

www.moonfacepress.com

*idiot that I am -I originally called Andrew “Jason” and he’s corrected me and told me the artist is none other than Mick Trimble! 

Thanks,steve,Mike,Colin? Andrew!

This year,as pointed out,I intended to go to the Comic Expo and just enjoy myself rather than run around like an idiot. So,on the Saturday at 2.00 p.m.,I went to the Dave Gibbons Spotlight.

Lee “Budgie” Barnett[above Left] held the microphone while Dave Gibbons took us on a long ride looking at his life as a Mod,as a super hero -the Big E- and his visit to the set of The Watchmen movie:I’ll give no spoilers here but it seems that David really enjoyed himself and how the film was going.

I have to admit that Gibbons is always a fun speaker -and the Hypotheticals panel at 5.00 p.m. with the gathered Barnett,Gibbons,Walter & Louise Simonson,Karen Berger and Emma Vieceli was hilarious!  Watch Emma dig herself into a very funny hole!

above:Emma Vieceli

For someone allegedly taking it easy this year,Ms Vieceli seemed to be everywhere:the Self Made Hero table,The Hypotheticals and Manga To Mainstream and Vice Versa!

But did you know Emma was also a great singer?  Check out her My Space site -and YouTube.

above:Bob and Laronzo at the Blink Twice table.  Two very busy fellas selling their Malcolm Magic complete book and sketching and talking and not talking about that very,very,very secret Random House comic that Random House won’t even tell..anyone about!

Two very nice lads and deserving of the success they are getting.

above:Tim Pilcher,Helen McCarthy,John Aggs,Akiko Shimojima and Sean Michael Wilson on the panel discussing the phenomenal Manga genius Osamu Tezuka.  Very enjoyable.

above:Brian M. Clarke wearing a shirt to match the weather -though it did blur my vision for several hours after! The latest issue of British comic tribute magazine Crikey! was available -No.5 [last one I saw was no.3!].  Seems the mag is doing really well which was good to hear.

above:the international jet-setter Sonia Leong back from her trip to Paris [France] to see her favourite pop group. In case you are wondering,Sonia put those nails on while travelling on a train to the Expo –style and skill!

Sonia was,as you’ll see [below],was on the “Manga To Mainstream..” panel with [L] David Hine,Emma Vieceli and Ilya.  Another fun Manga panel.

below:Sean Michael Wilson was the host “Manga Alternatives” in which Yishan Li [seated] and Akiko Shimojima talk about their way of creating Manga.

It’s interesting that most of the Japanese creators do not use computers to tone their artwork but use the commercially available Letraset-type tones.  The reason being that it would take too much time to learn the techniques using computers and it was quicker to do the work by hand.

Akiko,polite and shy,was stumped when,after mentioning that she has an assistant to help her,was asked by Sean to “explain ‘Assistant’ as most artists in the West do all the work and don’t use assistants”.  Akiko:”Okay. He is my assistant and assists me” -seems fair enough!

Those were some of my highlights and people I met.  My apologies for some of the photographic hitches [quality] as it seems traditional that every year whichever camera I use it gets the heeby-jeebees!

..BUT NO COFFEE!

 above [L to R]:Karen Wemborn & Jo Wheeler

 Obviously I had to get to the Classical Comics table.  After all,I was on a promise of three cups of coffee.  Do I take coffee too seriously?  Heck no -it is a very important matter. And not being petty I won’t mention I never got the promised coffees..it’s now up to 4 cups with interest!

erm.

Anyhow,it was great to meet the team and Karen Wemborn and Jo Wheeler showed me some of the preview items -A Christmas Carol looks incredible!  But there were also samples of the educational packs available to schools.

I think that,like Cinebook,the success of Classical Comics over this last weekend is down to the sheer quality of their books.  The table was busy and the teams enthusiasm was near -but not quite- as high as Olivier Cadic’s!

I think that those who have not seen the great Henry V and MacBeth books are missing out.  And if you miss Frankenstein and Christmas Carol or any of this Summers releases then you are insane.  Nuts.  crackers. Two bananas short of a bunch.  An ice cube in a bath a…get the point?

You can check out the site at:

http://www.classicalcomics.com/

It was nice to talk to Nigel Dobbyn briefly about his 1980s Small Press work,Billy The Cat and his Classical Comics works.

It was even nicer to talk to Jon Haward,probably one of the most under-rated UK comic artists.  Why Marvel UK publish his work but not Marvel US is a mystery to me as his style would fit the Marvel Adventures titles perfectly.

Jon’s portfolio was full of incredible art and I came away with a signed poster,sketch and original page of art -they are going on my wall.  Luckily,Classical Comics spot talent!

And Frankenstein artist Declan Shalvey was also on hand.

 below[L to R]:Declan Shalvey,Nigel Dobbyn & Jon Haward

Hopefully,the team might get a panel at the 2009 Expo? In the meantime check out their web site and try to catch up with them at the BICS event later this Summer.

British comics are back!

 I’ve already said how this years Expo had a great buzz about it.  However,if one person personified that Buzz it was Olivier Cadic of Cinebook!

It was great to see,after 20+ years of telling people that European albums can sell in the UK,a man who proved the point beyond doubt!

Olivier has a publishing plan and is in for the long haul. The number of books on his table this year was fantastic to see and I have to say that it was good to see others just as enthusiastic.  2009 will see more books added to the range and this one man ball of energy and enthusiasm looks unstoppable.

I have to admit that I got almost as excited about how things were going as Olivier!

Not surprisingly,Vehlmann & Bodart’s “Green Manor” sold out! The art is superb and I guess that shows tastes have improved amongst some comic fans in the UK! In fact,not one single title failed to sell and I just hope that this means we might get some European creators over for future Expoes.

And the success for Cinebook is not just in the UK but also overseas.  And the success is well deserved because Olivier has gotten some of the top-selling European creators and books and had them translated into English for the first time.

I noticed that quite a few of the guests were also buying Cinebook albums.

If you have not seen the Cinebook catalogue or purchased their books you can see a great deal at their site.  Visit.  Buy and enjoy!

www.cinebook.com

Yes,it has been quiet over the weekend at CBO.  Reason?  Well,the Comic Expo and Manga Festival for one thing -and the searing Mediterranean heat of Bristol,heralded on Friday with a 4 hour thunder storm.

Anyhoo,rather than write over the weekend [which would have been hindered by all the re-uploading of software I had to do thanks to Virgin Media and their PC Guard],I thought,rather than a very long drawn out report,I would do a couple each day of the week to break things up.

Before I do begin I would like to get the negative aspects out of the way.

To quote the official site:

“Goodie Bags:
As is now traditional for Bristol 500 Goodie bags will be given away over the weekend. Sponsored by Forbidden Planet (London). Advance Ticket holders and the first attendees will be able to pick up a goodie bag. Contents will be announced shortly. “

While I was trying to find out who was where at the entrance,no fewer than 6 people asked about the goody bags but were told they were “reserved for those who had booked their tickets online”.  They were showing that their tickets were [in two cases] 365 and 367 but even when they quoted the “first 500″ they were told “sorry”. 

That left a rather negative atmosphere because not everyone has a computer and it does not say “who book tickets online”.  You declare these items are for the first 500 then that’s who should get them -get extra goody bags for those who reserve online if you have to.

Press Pass.  Got mine.  Asked if there was a press info pack and got a blank look.  Apparently not.

One thing that is evident as you approch the main entrance are the queues -this year going out in two directions and in previous years it has taken so long for people to get their tickets that they’ve missed the first talk or event. 

As Friday is a day only for Diamond Distributor customers and not open to the public,I wondered why,as many attendees get to Bristol on Friday -and some live in the City,on the Friday to ticket desk could not be opened while things are set up.  Reserved ticket -pick it up.  Buy a ticket so you don’t have to queue next day -it would sort out the ticket queues and even help sort out the goody bag question.

Why not?

However,at 4 a.m. on a sleepless Monday morning,I suddenly realised:I had not spotted or seen one obviously drunken guest.  And language at certain panels was toned down. 

Normally,each year I have noticed,as have others,that guests “over enjoy” their drinking making for rudeness and dull panels as well as lots of bad language.

Whether or not anyone else noticed I do not know but it was evident that this year there were -or seemed to be- more family groups moving around the Expo and making it a family day out.  This is something that even the much more travelled guests mentioned;the Expo is excelling at making itself a family event.  What I must admit to really finding interesting were the comments from creators such as Yishan Li that they would always have time for and try to get to the Bristol event.

A few people I spoke to had attended the first two Bristol events and this year was a big surprise for them.  I even caught a couple of teachers looking for material for their classes to get interest going.

So,despite the odd negative aspect there was a major -major- difference in the atmosphere this year.  From Olivier Cadic and Cinebook,the Classical Comics team [who still,incidentally,owe me..three coffees -I’ll add a fourth as an interest charge,thank you,Karen] to even some of the usually,uh,”grumpy” traders there was such a buzz that you could almost physically touch it [the Buzz that is].

I think that the International Comic Expo and Manga Festival has found its niche and come of age,thanks to Mike and all those other behind-the-scenes folk.

A big THANK YOU to them and to all who made this year’s Expo the best so far. 

Can it be topped? 

I just cannot wait to see!

I’ll be putting up a “Last Week” up-date on the Comic Expo about Tuesday.

I’ve been in touch with Dave Ryan of War Of The Independents fame and arranged an interview with him once his home move is complete.

I’ll also be doing a review of Hybrid Bastards #2 which Katie kindly sent me -along with a GORGEOUS piece of original art from the book!

A few other things that I’ve got lined up but it’s all being kept quiet for now.

One question I keep getting asked is why I do not include my own work and projects here.  Well,I do have my own art site and a nice spot over at Comic Space.  The purpose of this site is not self-promotion.

That said,I thought I would offer a very brief teaser on two projects -one is fairly well known:The Supernaturals.  This was the strip I created to replace a comic Fleetway lost copyright to.

So here you go…

The other page is from a little “Preview” project that leads into a mini series.  The strip is titled “Words Between Worlds” -this is unfinished/un-lettered art so kind of raw.

There -happy now?  Next I’ll be showing off some of Paul Brown’s Outlaws 4025 artwork!

Be happy.