Comics Grid web blog on the move

The Comics Grid, a collaborative, peer-edited and authored blog dedicated to comics scholarshiphas moved its website to www.comicsgrid.com

Although the main focus of  the Comics Grid is on the analysis of specific comics page layouts and panels, the site also covers academic events and publications through their twitter account (@comicsgrid). So far, they've published posts on works by Charles Schulz, Art Spiegelman, Brecht Evens, Cameron Stewart, Frank King, Alan Moore and Bill Sienkiewicz, Chris Ware, Jerry Moriarty and Joe Sacco.

Site editor Greice Schneider, from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, has also extended an  invitation to people who might wish to contribute with a short page analysis.

"Our blog's aim is to function as an online laboratory where different critical approaches to comics are publicly and collectively put to test," says Greice. "It would be great to have a sample of a variety of methodologies, comics traditions and international perspectives. Besides promoting discussion on comics studies, we believe this short format of collaborative lab also works as an effective means of giving a taste of specific research projects, redirecting a specialized audience towards it."


Earlier this week, the Grid published its first external contribution by Nina Mickwitz from the University of East Anglia, analysing a page by Joe Sacco.


• If you’re interested in contributing, please email us to comicsgrid AT gmail DOT com with some information about your work and how you could contribute.

• Google Map of Comics Grid Contributors

Comics Launchpad initiative kicks off to help British comic creators

Orgnaisers who brought us the British International Comic Show have announced Launch Pad, a one-day conference aimed at comic professionals, aspiring professionals and those with a serious interest in the business of making comics, promising it will be "an enlightening and fascinating experience".

Launch Pad, which will take place on 18th June 2011 at The Studio, Birmingahm, features a full programme of talks, seminars, demonstrations and workshops all taking place under one roof. Leading artists, writers, editors, publishers, colourists, letterers and designers from all reaches of the industry will be on hand to share their wealth of experience and appraise your work.

Our guest speakers currently include Klaus Janson, Andi Watson, Mark Farmer and Emma Vieceli, with many more to be confirmed.

"With emphasis on the digital revolution that is sweeping the industry, there has never been a more exciting and challenging time for the medium," the organisers declare. "Launch Pad will examine and embrace these changes which affect not just how we create comics, but also how we deliver them to readers.

"All aspects of traditional and digital methods of creating and distributing comics, as well as the ever growing and diverse self-publishing movement, will be covered in depth."

Access to this event will be via advanced on line ticket sales only, limited to just 300 delegates. Demand will be high, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Co-organiser Shane Chebsey, the man behind Smallzone, tells us this is just the first of a series of events, with others being considered in different parts of the country.

• For full information and to book visit www.comicslaunchpad.com

Comics @ Edinburgh International Science Festival

Edinburgh's many festivals often offer comics events but they do tend to happen during the Book Festival or the Film Festival so it is unusual to see something turn up at the Science Festival.

This year Paul Collicutt, author and artist of the children's graphic novel series Robot City Adventures, will be giving a talk and art workshop about his robots. The 1 hour event is suitable for ages 7 and above and will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 12 April 2011 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the city's Royal Mile. The cost of the event is a very reasonable £4.

There are more details of the event and how to purchase tickets on the Edinburgh International Science Festival website.

There are more details of the Robot City Adventures books on the Templar Publishing website

You can read an interview with Paul Collicutt on the Graphic Novel Reporter website.

WebFinds: Chris Weston, Movie Star

Today's WebFind: ace British artist Chris Weston has re-plugged some 'motion comics' created to promote last year's Book of Eli film directed by the Hughes brothers and starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman.

It looks like two comics were published, with Chris, who drew the tale, making a cameo in the second, "The End", below...

So why didn't we we see him on the Oscars red carpet at the weekend?

"Billy"
A lone hero must fight his way across the wasteland of post-apocalyptic America to protect a sacred book that holds the key to saving the future of humanity. This motion comic was drawn by "the annoyingly talented Tommy Lee Edwards", Chris tells us.





"The End" - featuring Chris Weston (who also drew it)





Released to mix reviews and pitted against films such as Avatar, Box Office Mojo notes The Book of Eli gross $94,835,059 in the United States and Canada, and $62,256,659 in other markets, with an estimated worldwide total of $157,091,718.