New venue, ace guest list for Glasgow Comic Con

There's an impressive line up already announced for this year's Glasgow Comic Con, which will take place at the CCA Glasgow.

GCC is Scotland’s number one comic book festival, bringing in people from across the UK to celebrate the art or creating comic books.

The organisers tells the event has grown from a love for the medium and hole in the market place - and no doubt helped by Glasgow's position as a major centre of comic book creators.

A recently announced addition to an already impressive roster is Eagle and Eisner Award winner Simon Bisley, an artist best known for his work on 2000AD's ABC Warriors  and Sláine, along with Judge Dredd/Batman and DC Comics Lobo. His work has inspired various forms in media, including the Beast in the 2006 Doctor Who episode “The Satan Pit” and Simon Pegg’s character Tim Bisley on Channel 4[s sitcom Spaced.

Other artists, writers and comic creators confirmed for the event are; Alan Davis (Captain
Britain, Miracleman, D.R & Quinch, Wolverine), Carlos Ezqurra (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, ABC Warriors), Alan Grant (Batman, Lobo, 2000AD), John Higgins (Watchmen, The Killing Joke, Judge Dredd), Cam Kennedy (2000AD, Star Wars: Dark Empire, Commando), Barry Kitson (Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Spider-Man), Mike Ploog (Ghost Rider), John Wagner (Judge Dredd, A History of Violence), Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl) plus Hannah Berry, Peter Doherty, Gary Erskine, Ferg Handley, Yishan Li, George Low, Colin MacNeil, Lorna Miller, Robbie Morrison, Monty Nero,
Tanya Roberts and more to be announced.

Further to the many talks, panels, signings and sketches taking place, some of the UK's leading independent comic book publishers will be on hand, including Scotland's Black Hearted Press and publishers Com X, Jonathan Cape, Orang Utan Comics, Rough Cut Comics and a host of small press exhibitors, comic book shops, toy shops and many more exhibitors.

The event will also host the awards ceremony for the Scottish Indie Comic Book Alliance Awards, dedicated to the promotion of local comic books, graphic novels and sequential art in its many forms and comic creators; artists, writers, colourists, letterers, designers or editors. Winners from the 2012 SICBA awards include writer John Lees and artist James Devlin, as well as an Outstanding Contribution to comics award to David Alexander.

• Nominations for the 2013 SICBA awards are now open at www.sicba.org.uk

• Glasgow Comic Con 2013: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July 2013, Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD. More information from Sha Nazir and John Farman, Event Producers Glasgow Comic Con, c/o Black Hearted Press, 15 Hope Street, Flr 3, Glasgow, G2 6AB. Web: www.glasgowcomiccon.com Twitter: #glasgowcomiccon Facebook: facebook.com/glasgowcomiccon

Judge Dredd-Batman Collection out soon

If you're a fan of those once occasional cross-company comic crossovers, then you'll be happy to hear that the epic Batman vs. Judge Dredd stories are still among the most brutal crossovers in comics, 20 years since it was first published.

Out later this month from 2000AD and DC Comics is The Batman Judge Dredd Collection, which brings together the four team-ups between the Lawman of the Future and the Dark Knight for the first time in a brand new hardback edition, with a fantastic roster of superstar talent, including Simon Bisley and Glenn Fabry.

Originally released between 1991 and 1998, these epic crossovers - Judgment on Gotham, Vendetta in Gotham, The Ultimate Riddle, and Die Laughing - brought the dynamic duo together to fight their ultimate foes. From alien super-fiend Judge Death escaping to Gotham to the Joker teaming up with the Dark Judges to cause mass slaughter in Mega-City One, The Batman Judge Dredd Collection brilliantly captures the lunacy and non-stop action of these two all-too-similar worlds from either side of the Atlantic.

Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner leads a pack of top names, including Alan Grant (Batman, Lobo), Simon Bisley (Hellblazer), Glenn Fabry (Preacher, Hellblazer), Val Semeiks (The Demon, Lobo), and Cam Kennedy (Batman, The Light and Darkness War) - all contained in a cover from Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.

Published by 2000AD in the UK and Ireland, and by DC in North America, this ultimate new edition also includes the hard-to-find meeting between Dredd and psychotic biker Lobo, and deserves a place in the collection of any self-respecting Dredd or Batman fan.

• The Batman Judge Dredd Collection is available from 27th November 2012

• Buy it from amazon.co.uk

• Buy it from ForbiddentPlanet.com

 

2000AD goes on tour in run up to 'Dredd' film release

It’s been the cutting edge powerhouse of British comics since 1977 – and now 2000AD is celebrating 35 years of Thrill-power with its first ever National Signing Event.

Just days before DREDD 3D hits movie screens, on Saturday 1st September, six comic book stores in six cities from north to south will play host to a band, nay, a legion of top British comic book talent from the past three and a half decades.

From old hands such as Dave Gibbons Simon Bisley to the newest finds such as Al Ewing and Alec Worley, 2000AD will be celebrating Britain’s greatest export across the nation.

Forbidden Planet stores in London, Bristol, and Birmingham, along with Travelling Man stores in Leeds and Manchester, and the Forbidden Planet store in Edinburgh will be stuffed with artists and writers who have made 2000AD what it is today.

Legendary writer, and Dredd and Strontium Dog co-creator, John Wagner will be headlining the day with a visit to Manchester and other big names now confirmed include Dave Gibbons (Rogue Trooper, Watchmen), Simon Bisley (Sláine: The Horned God, Lobo), Steve Yeowell (Zenith), Clint Langley (Sláine, ABC Warriors) Dan Abnett (Sinister Dexter, Kingdom), John Higgins (Judge Dredd), D’Israeli (Leviathan), Ian Edginton (Leviathan, Red Seas), and Mark Buckingham (Fables).

- More big British names will be announced in the coming weeks – keep an eye on 2000adonline.com for all the latest updates

 

Heavy Metal launches "Four Horsemen" Art Contest

Heavy Metal Magazine has launched a second art competition tying in with its Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse project. This time titled “What is your Vision of War?” - and this competition is open to anyone in the world - and artwork by Simon Bisley is just part of the top prize.

The fantastic apocalyptic submissions from the first Four Horsemen contest (“What is your vision of Pestilence”) drew fans from all over the US. “What is your vision of War?” is open to fans all over the world, with a grand prize that includes an original Simon Bisley painting of War and a prominent placement of winning artwork in Heavy Metal Magazine; plus runners up prizes that include winning artwork in Heavy Metal Magazine, a signed edition of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Book 2: The Chosen, out later this month and free one-year digital subscriptions to Heavy Metal Magazine.

Founded in 1977, Heavy Metal (www.HeavyMetal.com) has become an iconic American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine known world-wide for its incredible blend of dark fantasy/science fiction and erotica. Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, purchased the world renowned title in 1990 and serves as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.

In Four Horsemen, Adam Cahill is a warrior bound by bloodline to guard the Seven Holy Seals that contain the End of Days. But sinister forces strike against him and send him into Hell itself. There, he must find three corrupt souls, chosen by Divinity, to join him in battle against the Four Horsemen to not only save their own souls, but to decide the very fate of Humanity. This title was created and co written by video game mastermind Michael Mendheim.

In addition to the works of Simon Bisley, the series will feature additional art by the late Stan Winston, Tim Bradstreet, Chad Fidler, and Dave DeVries, and script written by co-writers Mike Kennedy and Sean Jaffe.

Seven finalists in the art competition, which closes 13th August 2012, will be chosen by Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman and Michael Mendheim (Four Horsemen creator and writer), and fan voting will open 15th August 2012 and close 31st August 2012.

• All entries MUST be posted by the end of day 13th August 2012. Fans can submit their entries by posting their artwork at https://www.facebook.com/Thefourhorsemenoftheapocalypse/app_182300495191195

• Visit the contest webpage at http://www.fourhorsemen.heavymetal.com/WarArtContest-id-73.html

• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Book One: Helldiver is available here on Amazon.com

• Full Terms and conditions of the contest can be found at http://fourhorsemen.heavymetal.com/contest_agreement.html

• Follow Heavy Metal Magazine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeavyMetalInk

Tripwire spotlights Slaine, Blueberry and X-Men in latest free digital edition

The July 2011 digital issue of ace comics and other media magazine Tripwire features a host of goodies - and you can download it free from the official web site (www.tripwire-magazine.com).

The  Eagle Award-nominated and acclaimed magazine launched a digital version earlier this year -  a bi-monthly version of its popular Annual print publication. Described by Michael Moorcock as "the best mag of its kind that I've seen", editor Joel Meadows tells us readers can expect to see online the same depth of features and quality packaging as in the print version only in a slimmer, slicker format available for free download on the magazine's blog site

“With the exciting opportunities that the various digital platforms now offer both readers and publishers, we felt that it was the perfect time to launch,” he says.

“The bi-monthly schedule allows us to be a regular presence out there, offering us a greater range of content for readers and taking nearly twenty years of expertise to a wider audience. 2011 is going to be the year of Tripwire,” Meadows continued.

This latest issue includes a look at the publication of Rebellion’s classic Slaine: The Horned God in hardcover with its creators Pat Mills and Simon Bisley; an examination of Moebius’s seminal western series Blueberry and why it deserves to be back in print in the English language; a background feature on the genesis of bringing X-Men First Class to the big screen plus a chat with screen writers Miller and Stentz; and its Stripwire section includes a preview of BOOM Studios Elric by Chris Roberson and Italain artist Francesco Biagnini, the creator of Dingo.

As ever, it's a beautifully designed magazine and well worth the download. Check it out.

• Download Tripwire from www.tripwire-magazine.com

Strange New Worlds - in Worthing...

Saturday July 23rd and Sunday July 24th 2011 sees Team Strange New Worlds put on their second Science Fiction and Fantasy festival at St. Paul's, Chapel Road in Worthing, with guest authors and artists from the worlds of comics and novels, including the legendary creator of 2000AD, Pat Mills and famed artists Glenn Fabry and Simon Bisley for presentations, signings, drawing and Q&A.

The free event for children under 12 also has great exhibitions from some favourite SF movies and TV shows, along with master classes in creating comics and cartooning and a wide range of merchandise on sale from toys to comics, DVDs and Tee shirts. There's also a big Sci-Fi quizz to test the super geeks amongst you.

For the younger ones there's monster model making, face painting and reading time amongst fighting Daleks and Stormtroopers alike and much, much more. Go in costume for their costume competition and the winner gets a special prize and secon and third places get runner up prizes.

"This is an unmissable weekend of fun packed activities celebrating Science Fiction and Fantasy on the coast for everyone," enthuses organiser Alan Mitchell.

The event is free to children under 12 and just £2 to everybody else.

- For more details go to strangenewworlds.org or follow them on Facebook

Slaine stalks the States!

21 years ago, Pat Mills and Simon Bisley’s Sláine: The Horned God took the Celtic barbarian - a 2000AD regular - in a stunning new direction.

Now, this magical, violent classic is blazing its way to the US in a new hard-cover dust-jacket edition – complete with commentary from Mills, and sketches by Bisley.

Shamelessly displaying the potential for full colour painted artwork, The Horned God spawned thousands of imitators and remains one of 2000 AD’s greatest exports – a sweeping epic that incorporates Celtic mythology with Game of Thrones-style dynastic politics and good old fashioned barbarian violence.


• The hardback dust-jacket edition will be hitting US stores on 17th May ISBN 978-1-907519-74-1, priced $25

• The Horned God was last released in the UK in 2008 and is still available in paperback from amazon.co.uk
and good comic shops

Win Bad Press goodies signed by Simon Bisley, Alan Grant and John Wagner

Bad Press Limited, publishers of the adult comic Wasted, have announced their festive competition, running from 10th December 2010 to 10th January 2011.

If you spend £9 (excluding postage) or more at www.badpressltd.com, they'll enter you in a grand prize draw to win a signed copy of their Bad Press Ltd. Edition #1 bundle, featuring an ultra-rare S*** The Dog #1 traced by Simon Bisley, Alan Grant and John Wagner, Wasted #1 defaced by All Star Supremo Frank Quitely, Northern Lightz #1 misplaced by Scottish Underground hero Dave Alexander and New British Comics #1 debased by rising star Tim Rees!

Of course, if you're a Wasted fan, for just £6 you could treat yourself this Christmas to one of just 25 limited edition #1 bundles packs, comprising of Wasted, S*** The Dog, Northern Lightz and New British Comics! (This offer includes free postage to UK residents, £3.00 to Europe and £6.00 to absolutely anywhere in the rest of the known world).

The winner of the competition will be announced in Wasted #7, on sale 5th February 2011 - check out the cover to that above!

• Full details at: www.badpressltd.com

Wasted 5 Out Now

The latest issue of adult humour title WASTED is now on sale.

It features the usual mix of madcap strips, including 10 pages of Alan Grant and Jon Haward's Tales of the Buddha, Kevin Eastman and Kevin O'Neill and Simon Bisley on S*** the Dog, Gary Erskine inking Gibson Quarter's War on Drugs, Alan Kerr's latest superb Lusi Sulfura, Alan Grant and Jim Devlin's The Dopranos, plus Alan Burrows takes his Fun Guys to the world of Alice in Wonderland.

It's a jam packed issue - and we're told Cam Kennedy is doing the cover of Issue 6. Aces!

• Buy it now from www.badpressltd.com/buy-wasted.php#5

In Review: Wasted #3

All right, confession time: Wasted Issue 3 has been on sale for postively ages and a review of this adult comic, available from specialist comic shops and online, is long overdue. The delay is not the fault of the Wasted team, who were not too zonked to kindly send me a copy for review simply ages ago, but my zonking out at the end of most days recently as I juggle several projects at once.

The issue is a the usual eclectic mix of humour strips, featuring a cover by Simon Bisley and work by the likes of Alan Grant, Jon Haward, Gibson Quarter, Alan Kerr, Curt Sibling, John A. Short, Jamie Grant, John Wagner and many others.

Highlights of the issue? For me, certainly the four-page 'Lusi Sulfura' by Alan Kerr, and the ever bonkers 'Tales of the Buddha' by Grant and Haward.

'The Steel Teacher' by Colin Barr, with art by Sibling and Jamie Grant, is another twisted gem, featuring a psychotic robot teacher looking not dissimilar to a once popular robot character from another comic, as its military programming reasserts itsef mid lesson. 'The Dopranos', with art by Jim Devlin is also great.

Since the issue was sitting on the top of my reviews pile, threatening to savage me if I ignored it any longer, as you can imagine, more than one person flicked through it. I have to note that many of the strips raised a laugh, but for those who had seen Wasted #1 and 2, the feeling was that some of the drug and alcohol jokes were a little repetitive and, perhaps, a wider range of topics need poking fun at in future issues.

Nevertheless, the good outweighs the humdrum and if you can still find a copy, do so, and consider giving it a try. The creative line up on this adult humour title is really impressive.

• More about Wasted at: www.wastedcomic.com. the comic also has a Myspace page: www.myspace.com/wastedcomic

Grant Talks Church of Hell

It seems to have been a day for demons and devilry, because just as we plug Cy Dethan's Falk project (see news story), Alan Grant pops up, talking about his new comic Church of Hell, which is on sale this month from Beserker Comics.

"If you want to atone for your sins, you go to an ordinary church and confess to a minister or priest. But if you want to embrace your sins, then the Church of Hell is for you," Alan explains. "Through the medium of the Priest of Hell, it is possible for sinners to do a deal with Satan... although, as Satan is also the Prince of Lies, things might not work out quite how the sinner expected them to."

Drawn by Wayne Nichols with cover art by Simon Bisley and Glenn Fabry, Church of Hell is the latest title from the company that has already published The Dead Comic by Bisley, Grant and Fabry. Promising "Some of the best horror artwork I've ever seen!" Alan says the Priest of Hell will feature in every story arc, "but each arc (normally four issues) will feature a different set of human beings and their unique circumstances.

"The original idea was crafted by Andy Ryan and Adam Brown, while I gave the story its unusual 'spin', Alan reveals. "It wasn't influenced by any other literature or media, because Church of Hell is completely unique; I've never come across anything which is even remotely like it.

"The first story arc concerns Dominic Raggar," he reveals, "whose evil starts off with a simple lie to his girlfriend, Cindy. But the lie is merely Dom's first step on the road to ruin - it quickly develops into illicit sex and the taking of Class A drugs, and ends in murder. Dom learns from the Priest that there are two directions he can move in - towards atonement of his sins, or towards consolidation of his evil.

"Story-wise, Church of Hell is like nothing else which currently exists - or indeed has ever existed - in the world of horror stories," Alan claims. "We show how the simplest of sins - in the first story, a lie - can quickly multiply until even the nicest character can become evil.

"We'll also be exploring some of the "forgotten" gods and goddesses of different cultures - the demons, the goddess of catastrophe, the god of multiple murder, and many others."

• Church of Hell can be ordered via Diamond Previews or direct from Beserker Comics, also publishers of Maura and Channel Evil.
Official web site: www.churchofhellcomic.com