Mirabilis: Year of Wonders advance copies go on sale

Advance copies of Print Media Productions hardcover edition of Mirabilis: Year of Wonders - Winter Book 1 are now on sale exclusively from First Age Comics, Lancaster.

A huge graphic novel project by Dave Morris and Leo Hartas, Mirabilis is a fantasy adventure story for young adults which opens New Year’s Day 1901, when a green comet appears in the sky. As it gets bigger, the line between reality and fantasy blurs. Soon there are mermaids in the Thames, elves in Parliament and a dragon roosting on Big Ben. But then the comet rounds the sun and starts to fade. Will the world be able to go back to a life without magic?

The full-colour graphic novel was originally serialized in The DFC, the weekly print comic published by Random House UK, who financed the production and has been released as a digital edition for iPad.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the production design on these books," says Dave Morris. "Typography, colours and layouts all add to the reading experience, and Print Media have carried all that through with professionalism and a real eye for detail.

"The end result is not simply our comic between hard covers, but a beautiful work that we think readers will treasure."

Mirabilis: Year of Wonders Volume 1 was solicited by Diamond (Order Code FEB111949), joining Keith Page and Stephen Walsh's Iron Moon title as the first graphic album projects from the new British company. Both albums will be re-solicited in July Previews.

• Advance copies are available now only from First Age Comics, The Assembly Rooms, Lancaster; order it online from the First Age eBay Store


• More about Mirabilis: Year of Wonders on the STRIP Magazine blog


• Mirabilis on iTunes

• Learn more at www.mirabilis-yearofwonders.com

Comical Hallowe'en Horror walks the streets of Lancaster!

Lancaster's First Age Comics is making its annual Hallowe'en celebrations something of an event, offering prizes to anyone who turns up in costume to buy their favourite comics this weekend.

We doubt few will sport this fabulous mask created by ace artist Bill McConkey (because it's a limited edition and as far as we know, only the downthetubes editor has a copy in Lancaster and this image is adapted from Bill's even more amazing original art!). But we're sure there will be some zombies roaming King Street on Saturday, perhaps hoping to pick up copies of The Walking Dead, drawn by Britain's very own Charlie Adlard, back issues of Marvel Zombies, or maybe even some of DC Comics relaunched House of Mystery...

Whatever you're after, the First Age Comics Hallowe'en Bash starts at 10.00am this Saturday 30th October and you're all invited!

The annual celebrations - which were a huge success for the comic store last year - will run all the way through to 5.30pm, offering free comics, free candy and ghoulish goodies for those who turn up in costume.

"The dead may rise, but it's OK," says shop owner Mark Braithwaite. "They love comics too!"

• First Age Comics is at the Assembly Rooms, King Street, Lancaster LA1 1JN. Buy From First Age Comics On E-Bay: http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/First-Age. You can also find First Age Comics on Comic Space: www.comicspace.com/first_age or stalk them, vampire fashion, on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FirstAgeComics

Free Comic Book Day: a report from the (British) front line

Free Comic Book Day - an annual event to promote the comics industry worldwide - gets bigger and better every year, and for First Age Comics, based in the Assembly Rooms on King Street, Lancaster, the latest incarnation was easily the most successful and popular to date. Store owner Mark Braithwaite offers a snapshot of how the event went down for one of Britain's smaller, but enthusiastic shops...


This year, First Age Comics decided to go for a family fun theme on Free Comic Book Day, making sure we had something of interest for everyone. In addition to a wide array of quality comics, we made sure there were plenty of "All Ages" material around - and offered free comic-themed cupcakes, sweets and snacks throughout the day.

(The comic cupcakes were baked by Andrea Garcia, ably assisted by fiance Mike Charlton, who both did an amazing job coming up with so many different varieties. They proved to be a welcome addition to the First Age Comics Free Comic Book Day format).

Comics, cakes, sweets, balloons and music all combined to create a fun atmosphere. Kids couldn't believe what they were seeing, parents were thrilled to see the family enjoy themselves and everyone who came along spent the day discussing comics. What they currently read, what they want used to read and what they want to read.

From childrens disbelief that there really is a day in the year when anyyone can get free comics, to the former readers thrilled to see their favourite writers/artists still involved in the industry and the current readers who appreciate the chance to show everyone else just what they're missing - this event truly caters for all.

It's always fascinating to see which free comic is going to be the first to go. It was an easy call last year with DC Comics Blackest Night #0 in the most demand. Free Comic Book Day 2010 was a little more open with Kevin Smith's Green Hornet winning in the popularity stakes, closely followed by humour title The Tick. Evoking the most nostalgia was the Fraggle Rock edition and the Lady Gaga Fame comic, which attracted the most interest from the teenagers.

This year we added a 50% off sale on selected graphic novels, trade paperbacks and hardcovers and spent the build up to Free Comic Book Day 2010 ramping up the anticipation by introducing the Story Arc Stand. This is basically filled with comic bundles that make up a full story arc or mini-series priced at a competitive £1 an issue.

New sets were aded in the run up and some rather special bundles such as Legion Of Three Worlds and Marvel Zombies hit the Story Arc Stand for the first time on Free Comic Book Day.

Comic-themed soundtracks were played in the background, to much enjoyment and the re-usable fabric comic bags new to Free Comic Book Day this year also got a great reception. Local soundmeister Matthew Armitage kindly compiled the comic mixtape and in the midst of all this we even had time to give podcast interviews to ipod, ucast (soon to be available on itunes).

It's true that Free Comic Book Day was started to introduce new readers to comics, but over the years it's evolved. It's a celebration of creativity and whilst its primary goal must always be to introduce comics to new readers, it also gives retailers the chance to thank their customers for their continued support and also offer the opportunity to former readers to rediscover comics once more.

The response we've had from this years Free Comic Book Day has been incredibly overwhelming and First Age Comics are honoured to be a part of such a hugely popular event. We'd like to thank everyone involved in making Free Comic Book Day 2010 a fantastic success and look forward to participating in Free Comic Book Day 2011 and beyond.

Mark it in your calendar: the first Saturday of May is Free Comic Book Day.

• First Age Comics is at the Assembly Rooms, King Street, Lancaster LA1 1JN.

• Buy From First Age Comics On E-Bay: http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/First-Age

• Find First Age Comics On Comic Space: http://www.comicspace.com/first_age

• Follow First Age Comics On: http://twitter.com/FirstAgeComics

British Comics Shop turns Comics Maker!

Lancaster based comics retailer First Age Comics isn't just selling comics - its making them.

Earlier today, shop owner Mark Braithwaite announced via Twitter that he's looking looking for 1-5 page stories over the coming weeks for First Age Comics #1, a new anthology title.

"It's been on the drawing board for some time," he says. "We just needed to iron out the crinkles.

The appeal is aimed at newcomers to the comics form who have never been published and want to know what it's like putting a comic together, "whether it be for experience, your portfolio or merely to see what it's like to go from idea to printed page.

"It's still early stages but already it looks like it'll be a fun project."

At this stage, First Age are asking creators to send them a synopsis summarising a story. Submissions are open to artists and writers: if you haven't an artist, FA will sort that out at a later date.

"No artwork required at this stage," Mark says. "Just a brief summary of the story and how many pages you expect it to fill.

There's just one caveat: this is definitely an all ages project, so no bad language, nudity and gore.

"We've got kids sending material in and want them to be able to pick up their own comic," says Mark. "First Age Comics 1 is open for all ages we're expecting kids to submit their comics."

• Pitches should be submitted before 31st March 2010 and you should send them by post, to: Mark Braithwaite, First Age Comics, Assembly Rooms, King Street, Lancaster, LA1 1JN.

Diggle's Free Comic Book Day

Thunderbolts and Green Arrow writer Andy Diggle will be signing comics at Lancaster's First Age Comics in the Assembly Rooms, King Street on Free Comic Book Day (Saturday 2nd May). The signing starts at 2.00pm.

Andy's credits also include Hellblazer, The Losers and Capcom's Bionic Commando. He recently signed an exclusive contract with Marvel Comics and will be writing future issues of long-running title Daredevil (see news story).

"I've always enjoyed telling stories," Andy told downthetubes contributeor Matthew Badham in an interview recently. "I tend to think very visually, and I was always more drawn to script writing than prose. I remember when I was a kid, back before we had a VCR, I recorded The Empire Strikes Back on audio tape off the TV and then transcribed the asteroid field sequence in screenplay format. Just to get a feel for the medium, I guess. I've never had any talent for drawing, though, so I'd write up these little comic scripts and then try to convince my more artistically talented school mates to draw them."

Andy also says he learnt a lot from being editor of 2000AD, although he regrets Rebellion's determination to abandon the publication of creator-owned material. "I had never wanted to be an editor, and I never particularly enjoyed being one. I always wanted to write. When the Editorial Assistant job came up, it was a great opportunity to learn, and I would have been a fool not to give it a go; and I did learn a lot and I made a lot of good friends; but I always knew I'd eventually go back to writing."

• Read Matt's interview with Andy Diggle

• Andy Diggle's Official Site

Lancaster Comics Event

Lancaster's comics fans gather at the northern town's Gregson this week, for an event organised by First Age Comics, which is based in the Assembly Rooms in King Street.

The Uncanny League Of Astonishing Amazers will kick off at 8.00pm on Wednesday (18 Frebruary) at the Gregson in Moor Lane.

Various comics creators now live in the area, including Andy Diggle, former editor of 2000AD and whose credits include Green Arrow for DC Comics and Paul Harrison-Davies, artist for Boom! Studios and a contributor to an upcoming comic supplement for TOXIC.

• First Age Comics is open Tuesday-Fridays from 10.00am-4.30pm, Saturday 10.00am-5.30pm. Web Link: www.comicspace.com/first_age
• More event details on Facebook