Bristol Comics Expo News

Michael Allwood, organiser of the Bristol Comics Expo, has been in touch to update downthetubes on this year’s event, which takes place at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2009.

The event, which features the usual line-up of top British mainstream and indie comics talent will also see the publication of a special, limited edition DR & Quinch A3 print by Alan Davis, only available at the Expo; the launch of Self Made Hero’s Sherlock Holmes – The Hound of the Baskervilles by Ian Edginton and Ian Culbard; and Full Circle Publications will unleash their Full Cirkle and Thicker Than Blood Absolute edition Hardcovers.

The Full Cirkle Oversized Hardcover features Simon Bisley's artwork, available for the first time in a large absolute edition format containing a mammoth 168 pages of art.

While scaled down on previous years – a reflection of the current economic climate – the good news is that Fallen Angel Media (thefallenangel.co.uk) have stepped up to the plate to host a special Small Press Expo on the Saturday only at Bristol’s Mercure Hotel. A dedicated web site for this event will be going live in the next few days at: www.spexpo.co.uk

“Mal Smith of Fallen Angel is hosting a sister event as part of the Expo weekend where the Spotlight is firmly on Small Press,” says Allwood.

“With the main Expo in this credit crunching year downsizing, the chances for the small press were limited but a guardian (Fallen) Angel has swooped to ensure that the UK’s small press will once again be the heartbeat of the show.”

The Guest List for the Comic Expo so far includes Gary Frank, Alan Davis, Dave Gibbons, David Hine, Mark Buckingham, Lee Garbett, Mike Carey, John M. Burns, Mike Collins, Andrew Wildman, Andie Tong, John Watson, Emma Vieceli, Ian Culbard, Ian Edginton, Phil Winslade, James A. Hodgkins, Charles Adlard, Duncan Fregado, Sean Phillips, Rob Williams, Neil Edwards, Paul Grist, Gary Spencer Millidge, Henry Flint, Graham Bleathman, Tim Pilcher, Mike Conroy, Joel Meadows, Tim Perkins and Shaky Kane.

• Tickets go on sale 6th February, payment by PayPal only. See website (www.fantasyevents.org) for details. Costs: Adult Day £7.00, Weekend £12.00. Child Day £3.00, Weekend £5.00 (11 - 18 years ). Under 11’s Free.
Every Adult pre-purchase ticket holder will receive free of charge, the Comic Expo edition of Full Circle Publication’s 20-page preview issue of Mike Ploog's Thicker than Blood and Simon Bisley's Full Circle 2 to celebrate the Expo Exclusive launch of both books Absolute Editions at the show!
For ticket purchased you will also receive a free sample copy of the critically acclaimed The DFC.
The Convention Book will have a specially commissioned 15 Year of Vertigo cover by Eisner Award Winner Mark Buckingham.

Web Links
• Festival Web site: www.fantasyevents.org
• Fallen Angel Media
For information on the small press event contact malATthefallenangel.co.uk for full details
• Ramada Hotel, Bristol
• Mercure Hotel, Bristol