Southsea Goes Sequential

(with thanks to Darren Morrow): News reaches us of an over 18s only comics event in Southsea in April. Taking place at the Festing Hotel on Albert Road, The Annual Review of Sequential Endeavours (Facebook Link) invites all comics makers. artists, animators and enthusiasts to enjoy a day of workshops, live comic creation, mass collage and, of course, some beers and "a bit of blether".

The first minicon event organised by Portsmouth Independent comic creators and enthusiasts, creatives already involved include No Refund Comics and other local comics creators, but it's already attracting the interest of artists and writers from further afield.

"The aim is to provide a varied selection of small press for free, swap or to sell," say the organisers. "Producers and artists are encouraged to bring their work." Animation creators are also very welcome.

The event kicks off at mid-day on Saturday 4th April until 8.00pm.

• Festing Hotel: Location (via Google Maps)

downthetubes On The Air!

downthetubes editor John Freeman was interviewed on Lancaster's Diversity FM this morning, the show repeated at 6.00pm tonight (Wednesday 11 February).

The interview was the latest by local writer Jomar de Vrind as part of his "Imaginary Friends" series for the community radio station, which is based in the town's YMCA building.

Past interviewees have included local writers, musicians and other local figures.

Complemented by some specially selected music, John talked about his career as a magazine and comics editor and writer for companies such as Marvel Comics UK and Titan Magazines, his volunteer work for local web site virtual-lancaster.net and current comics freelance projects suh as Ex Astris.

• You can listen to Diversity FM live on 103.5FM in the Lancaster area, or streamed via the station's web site: www.diversityfm.co.uk

In Review: Watchmensch

Out in early March, Lying in the Gutters' Rich Johnston's Watchmensch, a parody of a certain major DC Comics-published comic series, soon to be a major movie (at least that's what a lot of film people and DC Comics are hoping) is a deliciously wicked attack on the US comics industry and its long-held attitudes to creators' rights.

In Watchmensch, after one of them is murdered, a team of lawyers who have had dealings with the comics industry must band together again against a conspiracy. But who is trying to kill Nite Nurse, Spottyman, Silk, 1700 Broadway Manhattan and Ozzyosbourne? And what is the cloned creature about to be dropped on New York City?

With a barbed script dripping with the kind of knowledgeable in-jokes you'd expect from the man who writes the comic industry's longest-running gossip column, with splendid Dave Gibbons-parodying art from Simon Rohrmuller, Watchmensch offers a savage take on US comics, laced with a decent amount slice of humour and visual gags.

Alongside the story, however, Watchmensch holds up a mirror to the chequerd history of US comics publishing when it comes to creators' rights and what's refelcted isn't very pretty. While things have slowly changed down the years, there's still a long way to go before many comic artists, writers and other contributors to a successful comic can honestly say they have secured a good deal for their work, in comparison with book authors and other creatives.

Accompaying the comic is a short essay on the history of Alan Moore's experience of working with both DC Comics and creator rights in general which makes for some sobering reading. Try and track down a copy if you can.

• Comprising 24 pages B+W with full color covers, to order Watchmensch from your local comic shop see Diamond Previews Order #: JAN094081ISBN: 9780615234182

• Watchmensch will be available in comic shops everywhere in March 2009. Visit the Brain Scan Studios website for more information. For sample pages, a list of stockists and other info, visit the book's official web site: www.watchmensch.com

In Review: Dangerous Ink

After we plugged the alternative arts magazine Dangerous Ink recently, editor Tom Green very kindly sent downthetubes copies of the most recent issues -- and I'm very impressed.

Quite aside from the comics-related interviews -- which include 1960s Batman actor Adam West and 2000AD and one time Jane artist John M. Burns -- there's a smashing number of comic strips and illustration included in the magazine, of which Jenny's Weird Friend by Shug (which first featured in Reet! magazine back in 2004) and Batmook by James Howard are my favourites. (Just as an aside, Volume 1 Issue 4 features a double spread of Kreepy Kat, a strip well worth traking down online).

Balancing the comics with alternative art are interviews with pop surrealist Leslie Ditto and illustrator Andy Hixon, and a creepy comic by Spyros Verykios that balances between the two 'halves' of the title.

Melding comics with alternative art may seem a weird combination for a magazine but it works. The design is excellent, with plenty of space given over to stunning and, on occasion, thought-provoking visuals. The writing is succinct and enjoyable, and the choice of comics from a variety of quarters affords their creators a print platform they might not otherwise have enjoyed.

This is a great looking, well put together title that's well worth tracking down and giving a try.

• Dangerous Ink is available from selected newsagents, comic shops and the Dangerous Ink web site.