Comics and graphic novels in the Resonance FM charity auction

Resonance FM, the London based radio station which Panel Borders is broadcast from, is currently running a fundraiser that's going on until 21st February.

The Arts Council funding of the station only goes so far (and no programme makers, including Alex Fitch and Marks Pilkington and Stafford, are paid for their time in making shows), so the station has an annual fundraiser the week following Valentine's Day to raise additional cash for studio refurbishment, new equipment and so on.

Currently on offer: a Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars hardcover omnibus, in which David Lloyd has sketched The Hulk (chosen with thanks for the task, since he drew Hulk Comic back in the late 1970s):
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/a1-A-sketch-by-David-Lloyd-V-for-Vendetta

A variety of signed comics, including Batgirl and Firestorm signed by Gail Simone, America's got Powers signed by Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch, Bedlam signed by Frazer Irving, The Secret Service signed by Dave Gibbons and more (all in plastic frames):

Bundle 1: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/b3-Comic-book-bundle (Firestorm / America's got Powers / The Secret Service)

Bundle 2: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/b4-Signed-copy-of-issue-1-2012-of-Batgirl-comic (Batgirl / Bedlam / Black Panther / The Hunter)

John Higgins has sketched in a first edition UK TPB of Watchmen (awaiting image as the book is currently somewhere in the post between his home in Sussex and Resonance's studio in Borough)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/b2-Paperback-1st-edition-copy-of-Watchmen-w-sketch-by-colourist-John-Higgins

An original comic book page from Shoot by Paul Trevillion (Roy of the Rovers) - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/a4-An-original-You-are-the-Ref-artwork-from-Shoot-early-1960s


Other auction items include:

A fragment of The Wicker Man - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/o2-An-original-piece-of-the-Wicker-Man

A painting by Pete Fowler (Monsterism) - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/a2-An-original-bespoke-painting-by-legendary-Monsterist-Pete-Fowler

...and loads of records, holiday experiences and weird and wonderful items; full list here: resonancefm.com/auction2013

If people would prefer just to donate a few quid via paypal, that's very much appreciated too, info here: resonancefm.com/support

British creators support Peter David charity art auction

British creators are supporting an auction to help American comics writer and novelist Peter David get back on his feet after he suffered a stroke late last year.

The auction, which will take place later this month, has been organised by US comics artist JK Woodward and will offer art featuring all of Peter David's characters; those that he created or those that belong to Marvel and DC that he brought to life in that special Peter David way.

"Originally, I wanted to do one big jam piece of all the characters drawn by different artists so I called on some friends to see if they'd be interested," he explains in a blog post. "Then it occurred to me that one big jam piece (as great as it would be) would not bring in as much money as separate pieces and would be a logistical nightmare as well as costing a fortune in postage stamps.

"So I decided separate pieces of art from each artist, but I would still have every artist contribute a unique character, otherwise we'd have 20 Maddrox's (though that might be somewhat appropriate when you think about it).

"I approached IDW edtor, Chris Ryall and Marvel X-book editor, Nick Lowe to see if I could make use of their rolodex. They were kind enough to send out emails and as a result I received responses from most of the contributing artists."

Among the contributions is the Incredible Hulk cover, above, drawn by Madefire's Liam Sharp and inked by Robin Riggs. "It's the second cover from our run with Peter on the Hulk in the mid nineties," says Robin, "and has always been one of my favourite pieces. I hope it makes a decent amount for Peter."

Other ways to support raising funds for Peter, suggested by his wife, Kathleen, include:

• Buying his e-books from Crazy 8 Press (via ComicMix) or from Amazon or Barnes and Noble websites. These are books that he gets the money from directly and the most per book. The quickest and most money is buying the EPub versions from ComicMix, by the way. "The more we sell of these books, the easier it will be for us to pay the [medical] bills as they start to pour in," says Kathleen.

• Buying his other books does help – especially the Marvel graphic novels he has written. The Crazy 8 books are the most immediate help but all his writings do help the family and the family’s ability to pay bills. If you buy via Amazon, please use this link, and if you buy via Barnes & Noble, please use this link, which will bring in even more funds.

• Buy X-Factor. Put it on your pull list at your local comic book store. Encourage others to do the same. Peter is still writing it and will continue to write it. Issue 250 [which shipped in mid January to comic shops] is a great jumping on point for both X-Factor and something Peter has been working on in the Marvel Universe since his Hulk days."

•  There's also a donate button at this blog post

• The actual auction is in mid-February and will be announced on JK Woodward's blog and elsewhere soon.

Comic creators rally to help Japanese disaster victims

(with thanks to The Emperor over on the downthetubes Forum): Regular readers will recall our announcement about a Charity Comic organised by the Comic Book Alliance to raise funds for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami (see news story).

In addition to that, here's a rundown of just some of the many charity projects or offerings being made by comic creators to raise funds...

From Tharg's droids:

• Leigh Gallagher's contribution is offering to draw your favourite 2000AD character and is contributing to the Genre for Japan, a science fiction, fantasy and horror auction in aid of the Red Cross Japanese Tsunami Appeal which ends today (at midnight BST, Sunday 3rd April)

• Frazer Irving is offering a unique print of the cover he did for the Solaris Books novel Kultus

• Al Ewing is giving his fans the chance to appear in his next Pax Britannica novel Pax Omega

The folks on the 2000AD forum have come up with a few offerings:

• A 4-page Jikan story (the character from Paragon comics) with a number of small pressers chipping in

• Wayne Simmons is offering a number of copies of his zombie novel Flu

• Duncan Fegredo has  a Hellboy drawing up as part of Dark Horse's fund-raising for the Red Cross' efforts in Japan

• Neill Cameron has begun his Awesome Japan A-Z (see news story)

• For the Comic Book Alliance, contributors signed up include Jon Haward and many others

• For more information about the CBA project read our news story; if you would like to take part please contact Tim Pilcher by email via  foundersATcomicbookalliance.co.uk for further details about formats, deliveries, or any other questions you might have. 

• The Comic Book Alliance:  www.comicbookalliance.co.uk

John Higgins World War 2 artwork in charity auction

A painting of a famous World War 2 aircraft has been painted by top comics artist John Higgins to raise money for charity.

John's picture of a de Havilland Mosquito NF MkXIII, registration MM550, one of the RAF's night fighters, will be auctioned locally at a fund raising event on 19th February 2011 to raise money for the development and up keep of the Chaucer Memorial in Rustington in West Sussex.

Any bids before this date for this painting would be most welcome: the highest pre-auction bid so far is £100.

"It's just a casual email auction up to the actual live auction on the 19th February," John told downthetubes. "Whoever wants to bid on it can just email me with a bid above £100.

"I will reply to each email giving a weekly up date on the bids to the 19th when we would have the highest 10 read out after the live auction. I want to at least see if we can get a bit of internet interest."

The money would be used to maintain the memorial in remembrance of all who died in World War 2 but specifically for this incidence when a small rural village experienced the impact of war at first hand and five people were killed.

Photo: Richard E. Flagg

At about midday on Saturday, 17th February 1945, with the end of the war in Europe less than three months away, the South Coast village of Rustington experienced its first air crash of the World War Two. As Britain at War Magazine notes here, it was a crash that brought death and destruction to this traditionally peaceful community, when a de Havilland Mosquito NF MkXIII, MM550, from the RAF’s Night Fighter Development Unit based at the nearby former Fleet Air Arm airfield at Ford, crashed into a row of residential bungalows in Chaucer Avenue, Rustington.

Five people had lost their lives, including the crew of the aircraft, pilot Wing Commander William Hudson Maguire DFC and navigator Flight Lieutenant Denis Strickland Lake DFM, both of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Subsequent reports in the local newspapers suggested that the stricken Mosquito had dived into the ground after “apparently trying to land on an open space”, barely six minutes after having taken off.

Determined not to forget any of the victims, the Chaucery Memorial Committee was formed and on 17th February 2010, 65 years after the disaster, a memorial remembering those who lost their lives on that fateful day was unveiled on a small road island directly opposite the bungalows into which the Mosquito had plunged, the destroyed ones having been rebuilt after the war.

The memorial commemorates the death of five people who all in their own way had given their life for their country.

Photo: Richard E. Flagg

Despite the loss of life, which included two air crew, two people, a mother and her three-month-old baby Angela, were miraculously saved from one of the demolished houses, injured and burnt.

Remembered on the plaque are Arthur Sidney Foster, a 57-year-old retired Policeman from London, who had been working in the rear garden of his home when he was killed in the crash; Edward Lennard Vincent, aged 63 and a Special Constable in Rustington; and Florence Mabel Ward, her body discovered under the engine of the ’plane, according to contemporary press reports.

Aboard the plane were Wing Commander William Hudson Maguire DFC RAFVR, the pilot, and Flight Lieutenant Denis Strickland Lake DFM RAFVR, the navigator.

Various people helped John complete the painting, which is on canvas acrylic and measures some 80 x 60cm.

• To make a pre-bid send an email to John via turmoilATglobalnet.co.uk. Initial bids must include a full postal address and contact telephone number.

• The live auction will take place at the Chaucery Memorial Jazz Night on 19th February (1930s and 40s Standards by The Jazzooits, featuring Sally Hurst and Barry Prockter) at the Woodlands Centre, Woodlands Road Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3HB

• Britain at War Magazine: Wartime Crash Remembered

• Photos on this page by Richard E. Flagg

Unpublished V for Vendetta offered in charity auction

David Lloyd is offering V for Vendetta fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a one off, never published page featurng the character originally created for Warrior by him and Alan Moore.

Offered on eBay, this is a silent "last page" from the series, especially drawn for an auction to benefit the family of a fallen Phoenix police officer and Army National Guardsman.

"I wanted to something special for this cause – so I thought I'd do a whole page," says David. "It's the only sequential action page to be drawn since I completed the last page of the story itself - and I'll never do another." says Lloyd.

Rendered in brush and ink, the silent scene depicts the iconic V giving an untitled book to Evey in the Shadow Gallery. If you've ever been lucky enough to see a page David's physical art, you'll know his work is absolutely stunning and this piece is sure to be much sought after.

On 3rd October 2009, Staff Sergeant Tom Rabjohn was deployed in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team Leader. Tom was killed in action when he shielded two soldiers from the blast of an Improvised Explosive Device.

Tom served the United States of America in the Arizona National Guard and with the Phoenix Police Department. You can learn more of his story below:





100% of the proceeds for the auction - the current bid is $1000 - will go to a college fund established for Tom's three daughters.

International bidders welcome: the art will be shipped directly from David Lloyd.

• The auction ends on 15th December 2010 and can be viewed here on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/260703636706

• For more comic art offered in aid of this charity see www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=97294
 

Talbot joins 'Space Nite' fund raising artists to help Bill Mantlo

A special fund-raiser show in aid of US comics writer Bill Mantlo includes this piece of art featuring 1980s fav ROM Spaceknight by Bryan Talbot along with more pieces from artists such as Mike Allred, Matt Timson, Jeffrey Brown, Michael DeForge, Tan Eng Huat, Ben Marra,  Luke Ramsey, Jon Schnepp and dozens more.

Bill, who wrote every issue of Marvel Comics toy-inspired title Rom, was the victim of a hit and run accident 15 years ago, spent several months in a coma. He's now paralysed and lives in a care home. The show and collection of art (to be published in 2011) will help his family pay the costs of his care.

The original artwork and one-off prints of each illo will also be auctioned on ebay.

This new show, which will be on display at Floating World Comics in Portland, Oregon next month, features work by artists and illustrators both inside and outside of the comics  industry which has led to a variety of styles and interpretations of  an iconic cult character.

Donations to the SPACENITE – BILL MANTLO FUND go directly to Bill’s brother and caregiver, Mike Mantlo. You can donate direct via a link in this blog post

• ROM Space Nite benefit art show for Bill Mantlo, Thursday 2nd December 6-10pm, Floating World Comics,  20 NW 5th Ave #101, Portland, OR 97209. Tel: 001 503 241 0227. Artwork on display until 2nd January 2011.

• View artwork from the exhibit here: http://romspacenite.blogspot.com/


• The 2007 show: http://www.floatingworldcomics.com/main/2007/11/13/spacenight-a-tribute-to-bill-mantlo-dec-6th/

Draw the World Together Transformers Auction launches

In case you haven't seen it yet, comics charity Draw the World Together has launched its promised Transformers Auction. It offers an amazing array of goodies from the world of Transformers.

Some of the comics and books on offer include the only known copies to be signed by the complete creative team of writer Simon Furman, artists  Andrew Wildman and Stephen Baskerville, and Nel Yomtov (the colourist of every single issue of the original Marvel US Transformers comic book).

It's a real rare treat for any serious Transformers comics collector.

Also on offer is a limited edition NightBird toy and exclusive items from those Movie Magic Geniuses, Digital Domain.

Draw the World Together is an organisation that has been created to unite arts communities in providing possibilities for children who do not have the opportunity for basic healthcare and education.

• You can check it all out at www.drawtheworldtogether.com
or go straight to the eBay list at http://shop.ebay.co.uk/drawtheworldtogether/m.html?_nkw&_armrs=1&_from&_ipg=25

Draw the World Together Art Auction Begins Tonight

Spider-Man by Mike Collins

Today sees the start of the first of three Draw the World Together auctions, organised by comic creators using comics to raise money for charity.

The auction on eBay features sketches provided by some of DWTs favourite artists and the list will go live at 11pm GMT on the group's eBay page. These sketches were mostly done at the recent Bristol Comic Expo and there are some real gems in there that you won't want to miss, including this Spider-Man by Doctor Who artist Mike Collins.

Draw the World Together hope to make this their biggest online DtWT fundraiser to date, so spread the word.

The auction runs for 10 days. Overlapping with that will be the second auction, which starts on 2nd September. More news on that one soon...

• Draw the World Together eBay page

• Draw the World Together Official web site

• Draw the World Together on Facebook

• Draw the World Together on DeviantART 

• Draw the World Together on Twitter

Draw the World Together Art Auction

Comic creator charity Draw the World Together is running a series of three eBay auctions,  the the first starting at 11pm GMT on the 26th August.

Draw the World Together is an organisation that has been created to unite arts communities in providing possibilities for children who do not have the opportunity for basic healthcare and education. All the funds raised by the activities of DwT are currently helping the work done by EveryChild in India.

The full listing of the items available will be here on DwT's eBay page when it goes live on the 26th and consists of sketches produced by some of DwT's favourite artists of some of your favourite comics characters.

The first auction will be followed by two other eBay auctions for sketchcards and one featuring Transformers material.

• For more information visit the new Draw the World Together website at www.drawtheworldtogether.com

• DwT are are also on Facebook; DevianatArt and Twitter

Ebay auction in aid of comics writer Jake Black

Friends of comic feature writer Jake Black (who is one of the main writers for Britain's DC Figurine Collection magazine, and also wrote some features for me back in my Titan Magazine days) are running a charity auction on eBay to help raise some money for the bills he's had during a recent fight with cancer (which he won, by the way, which is great news).


This is the first of ten auctions of some amazingly limited edition figurines (each featuring different characters) and all money made in the auction will go to Jake.

The first figurine on offer is the original grey cast of Teen Titan Donna Troy (originally presented in DC Comics Super Hero Collection #22). These grey casts are the first to be taken by the original sculptor and are used for the first part of the extensive approval process Eaglemoss go through with DC Comics. 

To date only a handful have been given away as gifts/prizes and the grey cast of Donna Troy has never been released to the world, so this is your chance to own a figurine that's not just collectable, but ultra-collectable - something eBayers clearly already appreciate, as the bidding for Donna currently stands at £82, all of which has left DC Figurine editor Alan Cowsill, who has organised these auctions, rather stunned!

The figurine will be accompanied a copy of the DCSHC Donna Troy issue, signed by the editorial and design team.

Jake Black is a published comics author and one of the main writers for the DC Comics Super Hero Collection. He has been with the series since the beginning and wrote the main features for the Donna Troy issue.

Alan tells us several more figurines will be released over the coming weeks - check out the auctions being offered by this eBay seller for new auctions.

• Check out the Donna Troy auction on eBay at: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280535117160 

More V for Vendetta Art to Aid Cartoon Classroom on eBay

A second batch of David Lloyd V For Vendetta illustrations are now on eBay in support of the Cartoon Classroom project, which aims to serve libraries, schools, colleges and museums by directing them to creators who teach in these specialised areas via workshops and talks and to direct those who wish to find training in these areas for the wildest range of educational opportunities that can be found for them on a local and national basis.

As we previously reported, artist David Lloyd originally put four V For Vendetta illustrations that he did at the opening night of the Comica Festival at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London on Guy Fawkes night, 5th November 2009, onto eBay. These sold for over £400 in total.

The four new illustrations can be seen here on eBay and the auctions are due to finish just before midnight on the evening of Sunday 13 December.