SelfMadeHero talks adaptations at the Institut Francais

A panel from SelfMadeHero's The Man Who Laughs - art by Mark Stafford

The world of adaption is the focus of a SelfMadeHero panel discussion at this year’s BD & Comics Passion event at the Institut Français, London on 2nd June. 

What are the difficulties involved with turning a classic book into a graphic novel? Three top writers and artists reveal magical process they adopt towards a trio of very different stories.

Artist Mark Stafford tackles Victor Hugo’s The Man Who Laughs, a satirical tale of 18th century Britain that also inspired the creation of The Joker; INJ Culbard takes on the challenge of H.P Lovecraft’s gothic tales including his latest volume, The Shadow Out of Time, and writer David Zane Mairowitz explores the Kaftaesque world with adaptations of The Trial and soon-to-be-released The Castle. The event is chaired by Resonance FM’s graphic novel expert, Alex Fitch.

SelfMadeHero has championed many graphic novel creators in the French language. These include David B (Black Paths, Best of Enemies), Margaux Motin (But I Really Wanted To be An Anthropologist), Jérémie Dres (We Won’t See Auschwitz) and Frederik Peeters (Pachyderme, Sandcastle and the recently acquired Aâma series). Full details can be found at: www.selfmadehero.com

• From Classic to Graphic panel discussion - Sunday 2nd June   Time: 3.30-4.30pm. The BD & Comics Passion runs 30 May – 2 June at Institut Français, London.  Full details:  www.bdandcomicspassion.co.uk

BD & Comics Passion Festival programme announced

The Institut français, London has announced the line up for its 2013 BD & Comics Passion Festival (30 May - 2 June 2013), which includes appearances by Patrick Sobral, Laurent Verron, Paul Gravett, Posy Simmonds, Etienne Davodeau, Glen Baxter, Ian Culbard, David Zane Mairowitz and Mark Stafford.

The rise of the comic book in the past few years has been staggering, and even to the casual observer, unavoidable. With the likes of Nemo and Habibi topping the charts, and comic book artists such as Chris Ware, Bryan Talbot and Neil Gaiman becoming household names, the genre, after being looked down on for so many years, is finally being recognised as a creative powerhouse, and given the consideration it truly deserves.

Appearing under different guises – hardback, softback, tall, short, thick, paper, digital – and under different names – comic books, graphic novels, comix, bandes dessinées – comic books are taking over our bookshops, our films, our clothes, our museums... To celebrate this momentum and to explore the many influences of comic books, the Institut français launched a new festival in 2011, the BD & Comics Passion, bringing together legendary creators for innovative events and thrilling discoveries.

Previous editions boasted illustrious comic book artists such as Dave Gibbons, Guy Delisle, Bryan Talbot, Bastien Vivès, Kevin O’Neill, Rosinski and Pat Mills. This year's edition will feature extraordinary creators including Posy Simmonds, Edika, Glen Baxter, Etienne Davodeau, Marc-Antoine Mathieu, Régis Loisel, Hunt Emerson, Pénélope Bagieu and more.

Once again, the programme will prove “as imaginative as the work itself” (Metro) with groundbreaking events such as Drink & Draw, a one of a kind event mingling live drawing and wine tasting led by renowned British Master of Wine Tim Atkin. Due to popular demand, this edition will feature not one but two Drawing Jams, with French stars La Grande Sophie and GiédRé providing an entrancing soundtrack to the guest illustrators' drawn improvisations.

In addition to talks and workshops, the festival will host its trademark event, the Drawing Duo, which encourages a French artist and a British artist to collaborate on a series of drawings before the eyes of the audience – an emblem of the festival in a sense. This year, the Drawing Duo is back with two Franco-British collaborations: Posy Simmonds with Etienne Davodeau, and Hunt Emerson with François Boucq.

This festival is also an opportunity to explore the links with literature, and show that the genre of comic books is not cut off or quarantined. In previous editions, well-known literary figures such as China Miéville and Audrey Niffenegger talked about their favourite comic books, and this year, Glen Baxter will unveil his literary influences – from Apollinaire to Jarry – while I. N. J. Culbard, David Zane Mairowitz, Mark Stafford discuss the challenges, and ultimately the magic, of turning a literary classic into a graphic novel. Another highlight of this year's edition is a talk with French underground literature legend Virginie Despentes, who will reveal her “graphic greats”.

Children will be able to attend workshops to create their own comic book on paper or iPad, masterclasses with celebrated authors to draw their favourite characters, and films for the whole family.

All the French guests have had English translations of their works, with four of them coming out during the festival: 3” (Marc-Antoine Mathieu, Jonathan Cape), Apocalypse Baby (Virginie Despentes, Serpent's Tail), Peter (Régis Loisel, Soaring Penguin Press) and The Initiates (Etienne Davodeau, NBM).

Programme

Thursday 30 May
9.30am-10.50am

Film: Zarafa
2012 | dir.s. R. Bezançon & J.-C. Lie | animation | in French with English subtitles | ages 6+ | Preview screening | free

11.15am-12.35pm

Film: Boule & Bill (Billy & Buddy)
2013 | dir. A. Charlot & F. Magnier | with Franck Dubosc, Marina Foïs, Charles Crombez | in French with English subtitles | ages 6+ | Preview screening | free

1pm-2.45pm

Film: The Smurfs
2011 | col | dir. R. Gosnell | in English | ages 4+ | free

6.30pm-7.30pm

Talk: Virginie Despentes - My Graphic Greats
in English | £8, conc. & members £6

Friday 31 May
9.30am-10.30am

Talk & Live Drawing – All about the Smurfs
ages 6-9 | in French | £5

11am-12pm

Talk: Patrick Sobral - How to Make a Comic Book
ages 8-12 | in French | £5

1pm-2pm

Talk & Live Drawing: Laurent Verron - Drawing Boule & Bill
ages 7-10 | in French | £5

5pm-5.20pm

Prize Ceremony with Paul Gravett, Patrick Sobral, Alex Spiro, and Raymond Blanc
in English | free

8pm-8.45pm

Drawing Jam with La Grande Sophie
£12 | See both concerts for only £15!

9.30pm-10.15pm

Drawing Jam with GiédRé
ages 18+ | £7 | See both concerts for only £15!

Saturday 1 June

10am-11am
Workshop with Pascal Garray
in English & in French | ages 8-11 | £7 | max. 25 children | no grown-ups!

11am-1pm

Workshop: Create Digital Comics on your iPad
in English & in French | ages 12-16 | £15 | max. 10 children | no grown-ups!

11am-12.20pm

Film: Zarafa
£8, conc. £6

11am-12pm

Talk: Marc-Antoine Mathieu - 3’’, The Making-Of
in English | £7, conc. £5

11.30am-12pm

Talk: Antoine Maurel - The Smurfs Unveiled
in English | ages 9+ | free

1.30pm-2.30pm

Talk: Edika - Am Aïe Djoking?
in English | £7, conc. £5

2.30pm-3.15pm

Drawing Duo: Posy Simmonds & Etienne Davodeau
in English | £7, conc. £5

2.30pm-3.30pm

Workshop with Laurent Verron
in English & in French | ages 8-11 | £7 | max. 25 children | no grown-ups!

4pm-5pm

Workshop with Patrick Sobral
in English & in French | ages 8-11 | £7 | max. 25 children | no grown-ups!

4pm-4.45pm

Drawing Duo: François Boucq & Hunt Emerson
in English | £7, conc. £5

7pm-8pm

Special event - Drink & Draw
ages 18 + | £15

Sunday 2 June
11am-12pm

Talk: Pénélope Bagieu - I Love London
in English & in French | £7, conc. £5

11am-1pm

Masterclass with François Boucq
in English & in French | ages 16+ | £15 | 15 people max

12pm-1pm

Talk: Régis Loisel - My Peter Pan
in English | £7, conc. £5

2pm-3pm

Talk: Glen Baxter - My Literary Influences
in English | £7, conc. £5

2pm-3.20pm

Film: Boule & Bill
£8, conc. £6

2.30pm-4.30pm

Workshop: Get drawing on your Ipad!
in English & in French | ages 8-11 | £15 | max. 10 children | no grown-ups!

3.30pm-4.30pm

Talk: I. N. J. Culbard, David Zane Mairowitz & Mark Stafford - From classic to graphic
in English | £7, conc. £5

4pm-5.40pm

Film: The Smurfs
£5

The INSTITUT FRANÇAIS is at Royaume-Uni, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT. Web: www.institut-francais.org.uk

Full programme online at: www.bdandcomicspassion.co.uk 

Booking: www.bdandcomicspassion.co.uk  Tel: 020 7871 3515

SelfMadeHero's HP Lovecraft titles get Kindle-fied

Fancy a slice of the macabre alongside your Christmas turkey this year?

Just in time for the Yuletide festivities, SelfMadeHero - a quirky British independent publishing house committed to producing ground-breaking work in the graphic novel medium - has announced their adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s classic horror tales are now available for Kindle users! 

An ideal gift and the perfect introduction to their extensive catalogue, these digital editions are sure to give the Kindle owner in your life an icy chill this Christmas.

These e-versions are suitable for: Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle for iPad and Kindle for Android and the titles available are:

At The Mountains of Madness
Adapted and illustrated by Ian Culbard

A scientific expedition to Antarctica unearths a shocking discovery that challenges humanity’s place in the universe and threatens our very existence. This one's totally brilliant and highly recommended.

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
Adapted and illustrated by Ian Culbard.

In which the eponymous hero obsesses over the life of his 16th ancestor, an evil alchemist. Trying to emulate the wizard, Ward not only revives old experiments but also resurrects the mage himself, with terrifying consequences.

The Lovecraft Anthology, Vol I
 

Seven of Lovecraft’s best known short stories are brought to life by an array of creative talent, including Ian Edginton, D’Israeli, Shane Oakley, Rob Davis, I.N.J. Culbard, David Hine, Mark Stafford, Leah Moore, John Reppion, Leigh Gallagher, David Hartman, Dan Lockwood and Alice Duke.

The Lovecraft Anthology, Vol II
 

Nine more haunting Lovecraft tales are interpreted by top-notch creators, including Jamie Delano, Steve Pugh, Chris Lackey, Adrian Salmon, David Camus, Nicolas Fructus, Dwight L. MacPherson, Paul Peart-Smith, Chad Fifer, Bryan Baugh, Pat Mills, Attila Futaki, Benjamin Dickson, Mick McMahon, Simon Spurrier, Matt Timson, Dan Lockwood and Warwick Johnson Cadwell.

SelfMadeHero say they will be rolling out more digital editions in 2013. 

More info: www.selfmadehero.com

Confess, creeps - you want to buy the new 2000AD...

On UK newsagents shelves, online, and via iOS app –  2000AD Prog 1802 is on sale now.

The steely glare of Dredd stares out from this latest Prog, which lands today, and Dolman is settling his differences with the Marines in Judge Dredd: Payback by Michael Carroll and PJ Holden.

Cadwallader meets a fiery end in Brass Sun: The Wheel of Worlds by Ian Edginton and I.N.J. Culbard, while Hammerstein heads back to the mother planet in ABC Warriors: Return to Earth by Pat Mills and with glorious old school hand-drawn art by Clint Langley. Diplomatic immunity gets pushed to its limit over tea and biscuits in Grey Area: This Island Earth Dan Abnett and Lee Carter, while Bob Byrne returns to 2000AD with another of his Twisted Tales.

And after an unfortunate production error (for which the droid in question has been melted down and turned into colostomy fittings), Tharg the Generous is giving fans a free download of last week’s episode of Judge Dredd: Payback by Michael Carroll and PJ Holden!

• Prog 1802, now available worldwide: www.2000adonline.com

UniComics Festival celebrates 2000AD, Eagle

A new Comics Festival at the University of Hertfordshire later this month will be celebrating some of the best of British comics, with a great line up of events that include appearances by the likes of Dave Gibbons, Pat Mills, Kevin O’Neill and Gary Erskine.

UniComics will be held at the De Havilland campus of the University of Hertfordshire, located at Hatfield, just 20 miles from London. Billed as a truly accessible event, it aims to celebrate the varied art forms within and inspired by Comics and Graphic Novels.

With the comics medium now showcasing a vast degree of diversity, appealing to all ages and habitually displaying truly literary qualities, co-organiser and co-founder Danny Graydon, a film and comics journalist, says UniComics offers an ideal opportunity to be informed, inspired and invigorated by this unique art form.

Over a four day period, UniComics features a varied programme of ticketed and non-ticketed events suitable for just about everyone. Attendees will be able to enjoy a selection of author/illustrator lectures, schools and family events, film presentations and screenings, open mic sessions, theatre performances, art workshops and panel discussions.

“This festival is so different in that it showcases the transcendence of the comic art form by encompassing illustration, film, gaming and performance," explains Natalie Fountain, Manager of UHArts and Director of UniComics Festival. "It’s an innovative approach and one that the University of Hertfordshire is really proud to present.”

Why UniComics?


“Obviously, the name immediately highlights the fact that we’re hosted by a university, but, equally, it’s to stress the sheer universality of the Comics medium," says Danny Graydon of the festival's name. "Right from the start, our missionwas to ensure that UniComics would be a celebration of all kinds of Comics for all kinds of people.

"The key was to provide diversity and accessibility - and we wanted the name to reflect that.”

For UniComics’ inaugural edition, the event flies the home flag as three veritable comics superstars – writer Pat Mills and artists Dave Gibbons and Kevin O’Neill – reminisce about their early careers on seminal British comic 2000AD, while Mills joins ILEX Books Managing Editor editor Nick Jones, academic Will Brooker and artist Gary Erskine to look back to the 1950’s and celebrate the 60th anniversary of a similarly iconic presence in British Comics history, The Eagle.

What's On...


There's a packed schedule for the Festival. You can be mystified by The Paper Cinema’s live music and illustrative puppetry performance, while budding comics creators can be thoroughly inspired with workshops conducted by such vivid talents as Dave Gibbons, Ian Culbard, Marcia Williams and Sarah McIntyre, and families can craft their own personal comics with our family diary comics workshop presented by Laydeez do Comics. Further inspiration - and networking! - is on hand at ComixBox, an open-mic style evening where a great line-up of artists are on the clock to show off their wares!

There’s screen fun, too, as kids can enjoy the action-packed adventure of our Ben 10 animated film screening and adults can immerse themselves in the Director’s Cut of Watchmen, based on the celebrated and award-winning graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

Last, but not least, save some energy – and cash – for the UniCon comic convention, offering a stunning array of comics and related merchandise to start or expand collections, publisher stalls, panels as well as signings from noted creators.

Treating the medium with maximum respect and enthusiasm, UniComics will provide audiences with a vibrant showcase of Comics, from small press to the largest mainstream publishers, inviting newcomers to take their first plunge in to an exciting and captivating art form while providing an ample reminder to long-time fans as to why comics maintain their unique power to enthral, entertain and inform.

• Full details of UniComics events can be found online at: www.uncomics.co.uk. Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/UniComicsFest

• Tickets for all events can be booked through the UHArts Box Office: 01707 281127 or email: uharts@herts.ac.uk. Box office opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

The UniComics Festival is presented by University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with Danny Graydon Film & Comics Journalism, Laydeez do Comics, Herts County Council (Libraries), the St Albans Children’s Book Group and the Film Education Consortium.

downtheubes recommends...

We have three events that I think will be of particular interest to DTT readers:
 
• Architects of Thrill Power! - The Legends of 2000AD

Saturday 24th April, 6pm

Since its launch in 1977, 2000AD – “The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic” - has been at the forefront of British Comics and remains a shining light in an increasingly barren landscape. Arriving perfectly in time with the popular re-emergence of Science Fiction and  bearing a punky, anti-authoritative tone, 2000AD thoroughly invigorated boys comics, introducing a collection of classic characters.  For a vast array of 2000AD’s artists and writers, the comic was vital springboard to international recognition and success.
UniComics is proud to present a panel discussion with three of 2000AD’s most iconic and renowned creative stars from its formative years – founder, debut editor and writer Pat Mills (Slaine), artist Dave Gibbons (Rogue Trooper), and artist Kevin O'Neill (Nemesis The Warlock) – who discuss the early development of the title as well as their own specific and greatly-admired contributions. Hosted by Danny Graydon.  Tickets are priced £10

• Weekly British Spirit - 60 Years of The Eagle and Dan Dare

Sunday 25th April, 6pm

On 14th April 1950, a new boys comic, The Eagle, vigorously introduced some wonder in to the drudgery of post-war Britain, and, with its star strip Dan Dare: Pilot of The Future, showcased a profoundly alluring fantasy of a strong and vital Britain in then far-flung 1997 that boldly led the way in the exploration of outer space.
One of the most successful comics in British history, at its height, The Eagle remarkably sold just under a million copies a week. 
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of both this landmark, much-beloved title and its highly-memorable flagship character, UniComics presents a panel discussion to explore what is considered to be one of the high watermarks of British Comics history. The panel includes Pat Mills, Nick Jones (Founding editor of Titan Book’s Dan Dare library and Managing Editor of ILEX Books), Dr Will Brooker (Kingston University) and Gary Erskine (Artist, Virgin Comcs’ Dan Dare). Hosted by Danny Graydon.  Tickets are priced £10

• Screening: Watchmen - The Director's Cut (US, 2009, 186 Minutes)

Saturday 24th April, 8pm.

In an alternate 1985 where superheroes exist – and are outlawed - the world stands on the very brink of nuclear conflict. When a former colleague is murdered, an active vigilante named Rorschach begins a sprawling investigation which soon uncovers a threat that could completely change the course of history. Long deemed “unfilmable” – notably by Watchmen writer Alan Moore himself - 300 Director Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Moore’s and Dave Gibbons’ revolutionary and award-winning graphic novel won considerable acclaim for its thoroughly impressive loyalty to the source material.
The director’s cut of the film adds a further twenty-three minutes to the story, bringing it ever closer to the graphic novel. For this special UniComics screening, the film will be introduced by Dave Gibbons.

Sherlock Holmes Battles Mr. Hyde!

Well, not exactly, but nothing would surprize me after seeing this trailer for the Robert Downey Jr. version of the detective...



No, this item is a plug for Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, the latest radio show from Alex Fitch on ResonanceFM, talking to the illustrators of some new and recent literary adaptations in comic book format.

Self Made Hero is a relatively new publishing company who have made a name for themselves with their range of Manga Shakespeare adaptations and are now doing European style graphic novels of literary classics. Alex talks to Ian Culbard, artist of Ian Edginton's adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes stories The Picture of Dorian Grey and The Hound of the Baskervilles and to Andrzej Klimowski and Danusia Schejbal, illustrators and adaptors of The Master and Margarita and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde airs at 5.00pm on 21 May, repeated 11.30pm 24 May on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com, with an extended podcast online at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Strip! Radio Show News

Continuing adaptation and inspiration month on the show, Alex Fitch talks to writers Leah Moore and John Reppion for his latest radio show, Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula, on London's Resonance FM. He chats to the pair about their two current comic book projects, adapting Bram Stoker’s Dracula for sequential art and continuing the adventures of Sherlock Holmes in a new comic for Dynamite Entertainment.

Leah and John talk about the process of condensing Dracula into five 32 page comics, which features art by Colton Worley and covers by John Cassady, while including Stoker’s often neglected prologue Dracula’s guest plus adding to the saga of Sherlock Holmes by putting the Master Detective on trial for murder and terrorist activities…

Coming soon is Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, with Alex talking to the illustrators of some new and recent literary adaptations in comic book format. Self Made Hero is a relatively new publishing company who have made a name for themselves with their range of Manga Shakespeare adaptations and are now doing European style graphic novels of literary classics. Alex talks to Ian Culbard, artist of Ian Edginton's adaptations of The Picture of Dorian Grey and The Hound of the Baskervilles and to Andrzej Klimowski and Danusia Schejbal, illustrators and adaptors of The Master and Margarita and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula airs later tonight at 11.30pm (17th May) on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com, with an extended podcast online at www.panelborders.wordpress.com tonight…

• Strip!: Sherlock Holmes vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde airs at 5.00pm on 21 May, repeated 11.30pm 24 May on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com, with an extended podcast online at www.panelborders.wordpress.com