Garth returns to the Mirror

Garth - The Mirror's newspaper strip hero returns to the national British newspaper next week.

(Updated, 23/2/11): National newspaper The Mirror has announced it will be reprinting some of the best of Garth stories featuring the time-travelling British hero who featured on its pages for over 50 years, and whose creators included Frank Bellamy and Martin Asbury.

Garth will again flex his rippling muscles to battle evil from next Monday – after what the paper says have been "countless requests" from readers.

Garth, the brainchild of Stephen Dowling, made his Mirror debut in July 1943 when, with his ship torpedoed, he was washed ashore with amnesia on to a remote island.

And, long before the last of his 165 adventures in 1997, he had become firmly established as one of Britain’s most iconic fictional heroes, reprinted in France, Norway, Australia, India, Spain and many other countries.

The strip was revived briefly a couple of years back by artist Huw-J and featured on the Mirror's web site, but the revamp appears to have proved unpopular with his fans, who clearly hankered for the swashbuckling, daring do original.

Over the years, Mirror readers learned he had been adopted by a Scottish couple who found him on a Shetlands beach. Garth went on to become a navy captain and military genius, then discovered his ability to travel through time after finding a ringed helmet that gave him that power.

“The time-travelling side of Garth influenced Doctor Who without a doubt in my opinion,"  former Mirror cartoon editor Ken Layson told the Mirror.

Layson says that his popularity even saw fans christened their daughters Dawn, the name of one of Garth's many girlfriends down the years, out of their love for the comic strip.

Garth really became a hit in the early 1970s, when Frank Bellamy, whose credits include Dan Dare, Thunderbirds and Doctor Who illustrations for the Radio Times, took over the strip.

“When Bellamy took over, the character of Garth took off," Ken recalls. "His artwork was dynamic with strong shadows and beautifully sculpted figures.”

 “Garth is synonymous with the Daily Mirror," feels artist Martin Asbury, who brought him to life between 1976 and 1997. "And he’s the stuff of legend because he goes back so far. He evolved from an enormously strong hero used to inspire troops during the war to a time-traveller with psychic abilities who could influence history.

“He’s essentially a good character, always fighting evil and one of England’s only pure homegrown superheroes.”

Update, 23/2/11: In terms of the strips that will feature, we're told the Mirror plans to focus on the Frank Bellamy and Martin Asbury periods, the strips chosen by the paper's current strip editor. It's unlikely that the more SF-oriented stories from earlier periods will feature.

Spaceship Away will conclude its colour reprint of 'The Bubble Man' in their next issue, out in March. The team there are already working on colouring up another Garth story.

• Martin Baines is interviewed about his work on Garth and other projects here on the Blimey! It's Another Blog About Comics blog


• There's more on Garth's return on The Mirror's web site here - the online version of a full page feature in the paper published on 18th February 2011

Andrew Wildman charts a new Horizon, seeking crowdfunding for comics project

After many months of preparation and deliberation, comic creator Andrew Wildman's official fundraising and pre-order campaign for his Horizon project has begun, using the crowdfunding web site indiegogo.com.

The project focuses on the story of Ali, a 15 year old girl. "An age in-between," says Andrew. "An age where she isn't a child or an adult. An age of confusion. Bullied at school and after a row with her mother that she cant even remember the reason for she sits in her room. Alone. With that dark tension boiling in her gut again. Why is it like this? Why don’t they ever listen?

"The tears dry in her eyes and she grabs hold of the only thing she cares for from 'back then' and may even take with her into her future, her toy rabbit... and falls asleep.

"BANG! Eyes wide open she is awake, or so she thinks. And then... The adventure begins.

"We are then in a dream world interwoven with her daily life. It is within the dreamworld that the real story unfolds. Dreams are quite simply metaphor. It is in our dreams that we resolve issues about ourselves and our lives and Ali is no different. The only difference here is that she has a talking toy rabbit called Moon to guide her through the challenges that await her.

"And what does she meet on the way? Well, all kinds of things, mostly very big robots.

"Ultimately though, she finds herself and that is the point. Her resolution is one we can all identify with as it deals with those very human issues of Love and Loss, Fear and Freedom and what becomes possible when we let go of the things about us that hold us back. Those ways of being, behaving and relating to our circumstances that stop us from being all we can be."

Andrew, whose credits include Transformers, The X-Men, Spider-Man and GI Joe and who was one of the founding members of the comics-based fund raising charity Draw the World Together, is clearly charged up about the project, which he has been trying to get off the ground for some time.

"Horizon is a graphic novel project that in essence began about 12 years ago or possibly more," he explains. "The seed of a story began and occasionally resurfaced. Over the last few years, the themes of the book have come up in various embryonic versions that I have put together with writer colleagues but none of them ever seemed to quite get off the ground.

"After it seemed like all possibilities had been exhausted, I had a breakthrough," he continues. "The very simple suggestion from friend and fellow creator, Sara McIntyre: 'why don't you write it yourself?'

"This was the seemingly obvious answer to a seemingly insurmountable problem. And so there we are. Horizon is born as an project.

"There have been various bits of artwork of Ali, my main character, presented on my web site, so you may already be familiar with some aspects of the project," says Andrew.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," he enthuses, "and with all good intention and a favourable tail wind I will publish by the end of 2011. A new Horizon for me in this amazing Year of the Rabbit."

So far, Andrew has raised over $800 in backing for his project using indiegogo, and hopes to raise $5000 in total to bring it to life.

"The book will be published," he insists. "It is unlikely that it will be ready by the time this campaign expires but if people join in, they will get constant updates as to when the launch will be. There has already been some interest from mainstream publishers but even if in the final analysis they choose not to take it. I'll publish it under my own PaperTheatre imprint. The funds raised on indiegogo will act as seed money to cover some of the time that it will take to develop the book but also to cover some of the marketing costs.

"But it's not necessarily about that," he continues. "It's more to do with giving others the opportunity to be involved in the genesis of something new. A pre-order campaign that will allow comic fans to be along for the ride and get their name forever in the book. Or to take up any of the other opportunities on offer here to order limited edition prints, deluxe format books and original artwork."

• There are now a host of pre-order opportunities for those who want to back Horizon be along for the ride. You can check them out here on indiegogo

• Check out Andrew's website at: http://wildwords.wordpress.com

Broken Voice Comics 'Shades' jumps from digital to print edition

Comics creator David Berner has been publishing pages from his graphic novel Shades for some time as a webcomic, both at his own Broken Voice Comics website and at a number of other hosting sites.

Last year, the artists, who include Harsho Mohan Chatoraj, finally put the finishing touches to the final chapter (well, technically, the epilogue!) and, since then, David's been busy adapting all the pages for print. 

The book is now available from IndyPlanet, and I'm hoping we'll have chance to run our review of it soon.

In this, the first of two volumes, retired tailor Stanley Miller wants only to heal the rift in his relationship with his daughter. However, as shadowy forces from the past gather, he finds himself instead trying to reunite a motley band of one-time heroes against the growing threat to the nation. Heroes that include a First Century warrior queen, a World War 2 fighter pilot and a prehistoric shaman!

In an action-fuelled story spanning 5000 years of British history, this two-volume graphic novel asks the question "What makes a hero?" and examines the characteristics and traits that have come to define the British national psyche.

"There were many times when it seemed this project might never reach the end," says David, "but, I'm delighted to say, Volume 1 is finally ready and printed and looking all shiny, just waiting for people to buy it!

"It's very British (dealing as it does with the traits which have come to define our national character) and, because I happen to think 'high concept' graphic novels should also be entertaining, it's also packed to the gills with colourful characters indulging in fisticuffs and explosions - what's not to like?!"

David is a master at promoting his work online, but seems ready to take drastic steps to get the print edition under people's noses.

"Personally, I now propose to spend my days sitting outside a tube station with a copy of the book in my hand, and a cap on the pavement on front of me," he jokes.

Either way, check out the book and the Broken Voice Comics website and take a look at Shades.


• Shades Volume 2 should be available in just over a month.  Volume 1 can be purchased now either from Indy Planet or, for all of us Brits and other non-US types, from me via the Broken Voice Comics forum (which - due to the high international shipping costs from the US) is probably going to be slightly cheaper.

Writer seeks help on new British Horror Comics

Writer Philip Buchan is preparing an article about British horror comics for Scream horror magazine (not to be confused with the 1980s Fleetway comic of the same name) and is hoping comic creators will let him know about some of the spooky comics they'd like to have featured.

"The content for March has already been submitted and covers reviews, interviews and publisher spotlights, and because this is a British magazine I want the focus to be on homegrown talent," he says. "If anybody has anything due out this year that you want me to talk about can you please get in touch, either through the group or I'm on Twitter @FrancisSobriety."

Horror comic fans suggestions are also welcome.

"Even if you're not personally creating anything that might broadly be covered by a horror magazine but know a busy writer or artist that I should get in touch with then let me know."

Scream Issue 4 is set to also feature an interview with Chris Monfette, co-writer with Clive Barker of the new Hellraiser comic, a spotlight on Avatar Press focussing specifically on Garth Ennis' Crossed and some smaller reviews.

•  Contact Philip via his blog at http://buckychainsa wmassacre. blogspot. com or on Twitter @FrancisSobriety. Scream Issue 4 pre-orders aren't available yet, but bookmark www.screamhorror.com for information on the magazine.

Comics NI: The 2D Collective

When we mentioned the date and guests details for the 2011 2D Comics Festival in Londonderry’s Verbal Arts Centre at the start of June, we also mentioned the group of small press creators from the city that go by the name of the 2D Collective. Collective organiser Kevin “Gio” Logue has been in touch to give us more details about the group and what they are currently working on.

“The 2D Collective came together through the Verbal Arts Centre. David Campbell (the Centre’s artist in residence and 2D Festival organiser) had organised a 15 week course entitled Comic and Digital Illustration where he, being a Marvel trained colourist, taught us how to make finished comic art. All those who passed the course where called back a month after finishing and David informed us that the Verbal Arts Centre would like to give us the chance to put together an anthology for the 2009 2D Comics Festival and so we became the 2D Collective.

“The Fear anthology was given way free at the festival that year to promote both local talent and the Verbal Arts Centre having just started their own printing and publishing company. The anthology had a fantastic cover by Gary Leach and also contained one shot pages from the majority of those who were guests at 2D that year, including the six members of the Eclectic Micks blog to name but a few.

“After the Festival we stayed together as a group, meeting up once a week in a library/bar and caught the attention of the Greater Shantallow Community Arts program. They invited us down to their centre were they told us they had the funding to put together a Derry based comic anthology. So with what seemed like a sure thing we started into If Stones Could Speak. The book is now finished but unfortunately the funding that was granted to us at the start of the project was reconsidered as the recession sunk in and cut backs were made. However we have been promised that the book will see print in time for the 2D Festival this year.

“2D, I do love it. It’s not big in any way, a very grass roots festival but this year the guest list is looking fantastic with artist John Higgins and DC art director Mark Chiarello already confirmed. The main craic is with the talks at night in the upstairs of Sandino’s bar.

“The 2D Collective at this moment is on solo missions but still contributing to the blog when we can. But we shall be together at the 2D Festival promoting ourselves, sketching, hopefully brewing some new projects and, all being well, finally letting If Stones Could Speak see the light of day.”

You can see more of the work of the 2D Collective on their blog and see previews of pages from the If Stones Could Speak anthology on its blog.

The 2011 2D Comic Festival will take place in Derry/Londonderry between Thursday 2 and Saturday 4 June 2011 and there are more details on the 2D website and Facebook page.

You can see more of Gio’s work on his own blog.

A Decade Of Irish Comics Events

Having recently featured posts both on Comics In Northern Ireland and Scottish Comics Events, Belfast Comics organiser Paddy Brown has been in touch to effectively combine the two by pointing us in the direction of the Irish Comics Wiki. This Wiki includes a listing of comics events in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland stretching back as far as the year 2000.

The listing for 2010 shows that last year's events ranged from the regular comics pub meeting in Belfast to comic jams in Dublin, from a manga and anime convention in Dublin to a gaming convention in Belfast, from workshops in Belfast to signings by comics artists in Dublin.

The list does show that the events tend to be centred on the two Irish capitals (although much the same could be said of Scottish events which are heavily biased towards Edinburgh and Glasgow) but Paddy does point out that since the Irish events lists are part of a publicly editable Wiki then anyone knowing of an event that is not currently on the list is able to add it themselves.

The Irish Comics Wiki is here with the Irish events listings here.

The Belfast Comics blog is here.

Commando comic goes digital for 50th anniversary

Commando - now available on iPad and iPhone

Along with the latest issues of Commando – which includes a reprint of an issue from 1970 drawn by now top 2000AD artist Cam Kennedy - comes news from DC Thomson that their digital editions of the war edition comic are now available for iPhone and iPad. Check out the information on this development below, after we give you the rundown on the new print editions.

There’s much more to come from Britain’s only surviving war/action adventure comic in its Golden Jubilee year with a full programme planned to mark the title's 50th anniversary. Favourite characters are due to make returns alongside new heroes specially created for the anniversary year along with delving deep into Commando's past to dust off classic stories like "Walk or Die"” that haven't seen the light of day for many years.

With subscriptions up 15 per cent over the past year, helped no doubt by editor Calum Laird and his team's determination to get the message out about the comic, Commando is one war veteran that isn’t done fighting yet.

Commando 4367: Pirate Breed
Story: Spence
Art: Cecil Rigby
Cover: Lopez Espi
Originally No 234 from 1966

“Hey, Bluey!” -- The length and breadth of the China Seas that’s all he was called -- Bluey. Gold-smuggling, gun-running, he was a tough guy who took all kinds of chances in his fast old converted MTB to make a quick dollar.

When the Australian Navy had a tough job to do and needed a guy who knew the China Seas backwards, had smuggling contacts on nearly every island, could handle a gun and take a chance in a thousand — did they look among their own officers? Did they blazes!

"Hey, Bluey!”


Commando 4368: Mighty Mike
Story: Cyril Walker
Art: Cam Kennedy
Cover: Ken Barr
Originally No 417 from 1970, re-issued as No 1355 in 1979

Mighty Mike Mansell, top fighter ace, was the guy chosen as test pilot for the fastest aircraft produced for the RAF. The plane was so top secret that it didn’t even have a name as Mike put it through its paces over the remote north of Scotland.

Yet, despite all the security, the Nazis believed they could get their hands on the plane…and no wonder they were confident. Flying for the Luftwaffe was Mike’s identical twin brother...

Commando 4369: Swastika Squadron
Story: Norman Adams
Art and Cover: Keith Page

A bunch of RAF men fighting in planes with swastikas? Traitors, surely, flying German kites?

Well, no. they were a group of Blenheim crews for whom a ferry flight turned into a fight for survival in planes carrying the sign of the crooked cross.

Commando 4370: Mongrel Crew
Story: Mac Macdonald
Art and Cover: Carlos Pino

They were a mongrel crew all right. Half-a-dozen men lumped together in a Mitchell bomber for the wrong reason — a propaganda stunt. Though each had a score to settle with the enemy, they were not really expected to fight.

But, when push came to shove, the mongrels would show they had a bite to match any pedigree hound.

Commando Goes Digital

While these new issues feature cracking art and tales from some legends of Commando’s past and present, the big news this month is the official release of our apps and digital subscription which will DC Thomson hopes will secure Commando’s future.

Commando, which has now surpassed 4300 stories since its inception in July 1961, started its 50th anniversary year in 2011 with a bang, courtesy of a brand new website, http://www.commandocomics.com/. Now its digital subscriptions service using iPhone and iPad apps has gone live, a first from DC Thomson’s stable of publications.

DC Thomson says the new service ensures that Commando adventures, famed for their accuracy and authenticity, are now available in digital form as well as print.

iPad interface for the new Commando app

The new Commando website, created by DC Thomson’s Digital team in partnership with Edinburgh-based digital agency, Storm ID, has a range of new features which ensures that Commando is well positioned for the digital future.

Users can explore the stories, including new issues, using the free interactive viewer as well as obtain information on the military hardware featured throughout. There’s also the chance to enjoy various story features and the reminiscences of both the current editorial team and contributors from throughout Commando’s 50 years.

Visitors will also have the ability to purchase a digital subscription directly from the website or buy a print subscription for delivery. Also, for the first time, users can get their hands on some famous Commando cover posters (in A1 size format) exclusively through Commandocomics.com, for the introductory price of £19.99.

Both iPad and iPhone apps, the other aspect of the title's latest digital push, are free, and come with the option to download four free issues of Commando from the title's archive, to tempt you into buying a full subscription.

The iPhone App has an instinctive interface that's simple to use and Commando's printed format – usually two landscape panels per page – means the stories transfers easily to the small screen.

Download speeds from the archive will vary with your connection, but you can carry on exploring the library while you're waiting for that to happen, which has been catalogued thematically.

iPhone interface for the new
Commando app

At present, there doesn't appear to be a search facility - comic fans will almost certainly like to search by artist or writer as well as by theme - but there is an in-app link to the Commando web site (which opens in Safari), so there are options there for DC Thomson to develop direct to its readers.

Annoyingly, while there's clearly been a huge effort to make Commando an enjoyable reading experience on the small screen (although some readers may need to use the 'zoom' feature to read the story text), it's a bit odd that the new Commando web site doesn't detect you're viewing it on an iPhone, and offer a mobile version of the site. But this is a minor niggle - the whole launch of these new Apps and the new web site is a huge step into new territory for DC Thomson and they've done a good job - and I'm sure there are more developments in the pipeline.

“Being the first DC Thomson title to offer a downloadable digital comic via a web-based subscription service is quite a responsibility but one we are delighted to take on," says Commando Editor Calum Laird. Commando is a unique product in the UK marketplace and now, it can be made available worldwide at the click of a mouse, or the tap of a screen for iPhone and iPad.

"These devices are almost tailor-made for the unique presentation of Commando," feels Calum. "Backing up the subscription service with a fully-loaded website giving access to our timeless story archive will be welcomed with open arms by Commando fans.”

• The iPad and iPhone apps are free to download through the Apple iTunes App Store and a digital subscription is priced at £4.99 per month, compared to a £99 annual print subscription. For those not sure there are four free issues to download prior to making a purchase.

• Commando Comics iPhone App on iTunes


• Commando Comics iPad App on iTunes

• Official Commando web site: http://www.commandocomics.com/

• Click here for subscription information or write to: D.C. Thomson & Co Ltd, The Subscribers Department, Commando Library, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL or Freephone (UK only) 0800 318846

Comica Conversation: Lorenzo Mattotti and Dave McKean

On Saturday March 12th, mesmerising Italian maestro Lorenzo Mattotti makes a rare visit to London to discuss his career in comics and beyond, including his latest graphic novel Stigmata, translated by Fantagraphics, and his collaborations, from his animated terrors in the movie Fear(s) of the Dark to illustrating Lou Reed’s concept album The Raven.

Joining Mattotti in conversation will be his friend and fellow artist Dave McKean, famed for his multi-media solo projects, most recently the erotic graphic novel Celluloid, and his works with Neil Gaiman notably on The Sandman.

Introduced and hosted by Comica Director, Paul Gravett, it's an opportunity to witness a unique encounter between two of the world’s greatest contemporary visionaries from 6pm to 7.30pm followed by book signings at Goldsmiths University in South-East London.

• Comica Conversation: Lorenzo Mattotti and Dave McKean, Saturday 12th March,  the Great Hall, Goldsmiths University, New Cross, London - 6pm to 7.30pm. Tickets are £3

Warning: Mature themes and images will be discussed at this event and parental discretion is advised. More info on the Comica web site

Jody MacGregor's '100 Comics to Read Before You Die' reaches Top Ten

(with thanks to Dez Skinn for the tip off): Over the last few years, there has been a plethora of rushed and badly researched books on the top graphic novels, often too tightly focused on
US product.

But writer Jody MacGregor has slowly and painstakingly been putting together a superb choice of top titles on his blog that top editor and writer Dez Skinn strongly recommends you have a read of.

"For over three years now I've been slowly amassing a series on my blog called, with tongue somewhat in cheek, 100 Comics To Read Before You Die (or grow out of them)," Jody says. "For the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting the final 10.

"It's been a pretty big project and it may have taken its toll on my sanity a little bit there."

The list is impressive, including titles by British creators such as Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers of Victory (at Number 17); Raymond Briggs Ethel and Ernest (No. 19), Dave McKean's Cages, Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's Phonogram, Hannah Berry's Britten and Brulightly, Warren Ellis's NextWave, Pat Mills and Hunt Emerson's Diceman, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing and many others, as well as some terrific titles from the US, manga and other countries.

It will be intriguing to see if any British creators make it into Jody's Top Ten - but based on his list so far, we think it's a safe bet. Pay credit to this mammoth task and take a look.

• Chck it out at: http://jody- macgregor. livejournal. com/tag/100comics

Leeds Alternative Comics Fair back in March

The second Leeds Alternative Comics Fair takes place on the 19th March 2011, 12 noon-6pm, at A Nation of Shopkeepers bar (behind Leeds City Art Gallery). Steve Tillotson (banal pig comics) and Hugh “Shug” Raine (REET! Comics) are again to organise the event.

 "We were very pleased with the way the first fair went last September and it seemed that the exhibitors, visitors and the venue were all happy, so we have decided to keep the format largely the same," says Steve. "The fair will keep its intimate scale and we are pleased that the majority of the creators we chose last time will again be selling their creations.

As before, the event will focus on creators from the North: from the North East will be Gary Bainbridge, Andrew Waugh and Ben Clark, from Manchester will be Adam Cadwell and new to the fair will be John “Scary Go Round” Allison from Oldham. Everyone else is from Leeds and West Yorkshire: Steve Tillotson and Hugh Raine, Helen “Memo” Entwisle, Krystina Baczynski, Geof “Fetishman” Banyard, Dr Simpo, the Black Dogs collective and another newcomer to the fair, Huw “Lem” Davies. The only exception is Gareth Brookes who, although from London, is an honorary Northerner for the day!

 The event promises to be a fun, relaxed environment in which comics fans and the uninitiated can browse and buy comics direct from the creators, without entry fees or table costs and we're sure A Nation of Shopkeepers will again be the perfect venue. It also hosts the “Doodle Booze” drink and draw events run by OK Comics and is a popular gig venue that holds up to 850 people, with great food and drink.”

• Leeds Alternative Comics Fair, 12 noon - 6.00pm, Saturday 19th March 2011, A Nation of Shopkeepers, the bar behind Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds (Google Place Map here). Admission Free. Web: http://leedsalternativecomics.wordpress.com

Manga @ Glasgow Film Festival

The Glasgow Film Festival has a considerable comics strand this year due to the presence of Mark Millar as a GFF Ambassador. The details of workshops, talks and screenings were originally mentioned on downthetubes here.

One of the events listed in the printed brochure that had to be cancelled was a talk between comics expert and author of Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics, Paul Gravett, and Amruta Patil. This has now been replaced in the schedule by "Global Manga: The Worldwide Impact of Japanese Comics" with Paul talking to Japanese artist Chie Kutsuwada and Scottish manga writer Sean Michael Wilson. This takes place on Thursday 24 February in CCA4 beginning at 1300. The talk will be followed by book signings by the participants.

There are more details of this event and how to buy tickets for it at the Glasgow Film Festival website.

Investigating the dark comedy of comics - a call for papers

A call has gone out for papers investigating the dark humour of comics, which will be presented at a one day event, the Bath Spa University Postgraduate Symposium in May at Corsham Court, Wiltshire, whose guests will include both academics and writers.

The Laughter and Transgression: An Investigation of Dark Comedy event will take on Friday 13th May 2011 at Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire and is supported by the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries, Research Centre for Contemporary Writing and The Graduate School at Bath Spa University.

Comic writing and performance often allows for transgression, amorality, surprise, and the creation of alternative worlds. The act of creating dark comedy invokes a desire to shock, enabling disengagement, and thus freedom, from temporal and moral concerns. What are the evolving elements of dark comedy, and what are some of the issues that arise from its expression?

The day will feature presentations by keynote speakers including a well known writer to be announced and Professor Nicholas Royle, Professor of English, University of Sussex - whose books include Telepathy and Literature, After Derrida, The Uncanny and the novel Quilt.

The programme will be finalised by 15 April 2011.

The organisers are inviting abstracts for provocative papers, presentations, and installations for an upcoming one-day symposium on dark comedy, saying the symposium will be informal and cross-disciplinary.

Submissions will be considered from all disciplines within arts and humanities - including creative writing, screenwriting, drama, visual art, and film - as well as the social sciences. Installations can be of any nature; presentations should be 20 minutes in length.

Thematic areas might include modes of expression of dark comedy; the limits of dark comedy and the boundaries between discomfort and laughter; the ethics of laughter, Taboos and censorships; an transgressive narrative voice.

• Please send abstracts of maximum 200 words, and a brief CV, to: Rob.Smith10@live.bathspa.ac.uk. Please use this same e-mail address if you would like to attend but not present a paper.

• Abstracts must be submitted no later than Friday 11 March 2011.

(Thanks to Norman Boyd for this item)

Markosia to publish Henry Fint art book

(via ECBT2000AD and Cy Dethan): Markosia will be publishing Broadcast, The TV Doodles of Henry Flint later this year.

The book will contain about 100 pieces of all new artwork from Henry, best known for his work on 2000AD, Vertigo and Dark Horse, along with text and commentary co-written by Cy Dethan, author of Cancertown and just-launched Slaughterman’s Creed.

"It's Henry's personal work and will take a look at the stories behind the art, Henry's creative process, and, perhaps more scarily, explore the receiving equipment inside his head!" notes Cy.

"The book will be published by Markosia, and it's their first art book, but when Harry Markos heard about that the book was looking for a new publisher he leapt at it, being a big fan of Henry's work himself."

Posting a couple of examples of Henry's work on the Everything Comes Back to 2000AD blog, Rich Mcauliffe says " the scans I’ve posted here are doing the peices and their insane levels of detail no justice whatsover so I’m really looking forward to checking out these previews and of course the finished book."


• Broadcast, The TV Doodles of Henry Flint is due to be published in time for the 2011 Birmingham International Comic Expo but expect to see previews on the Markosia stand at this year's Bristol Con. Web: www.markosia.com

Art © 2011 Henry Flint