Wales Comic Con features Simon Furman in line up

One of the fastest growing events of recent years, the next installment in the Wales Comic Con saga lands in Wrexham this Summer.

"We plan to bring fans more of 'everything' trying to make the show the best possible day out for all the family," say organisers.

Along with a host of guests covering all fields including; Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf, comics creator Simon Furman, voice actor and professional Thundercat Larry Kenney and of course Hollywood legend Ray Stevenson (star of Rome).

The usual mix of free talk sessions, photoshoots, stalls selling all the cool stuff, cosplay and more will also be happening throughout the day as well as giveaways from heavyweight associates - Games Workshop, Blizzard Inc (World of Warcraft) and ODEON Wrexham.

• Wales Comic Con 2011 takes place on 5th June 2011 at Glyndwr University in Wrexham, North Wales. For more details visit www.walescomiccon.com. They're also on Facebook here or you can follow them on Twitter here

Red Dwarf's Holly on Tour!

Both incarnations of Red Dwarf computer Holly, Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge, are to tour UK theatres in their new stage show Double Header.

The actors will perform comedy stand-up as well as talking about Red Dwarf, celebrating its 20th anniversary of the show, and answering questions from fans.

It's the first time the pair have embarked on a tour together (although they're both circuit veterans, and Norman once toured with Chris 'Rimmer' Barrie back in the late 1990s), and there are plenty of dates to choose from.

The pair will also be attending 13 conventions in the United States from July through to December. See Official Red Dwarf site for venues and dates.

• Full tour dates at www.normanlovett.co.uk/gigs.htm with more dates to follow.

Red Dwarf returns to the (smaller) screen

A new Red Dwarf Christmas special will be screened this Christmas -- on your mobile.

Fans of sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf can already relive the series by watching exclusively created ‘mobisodes’ of the show on their mobile phone thanks to a service from international mobile entertainment company Pitch that launched back in October.

Now the show, rated "Top Science Fiction and Fantasy Show of all time" by the Radio Times back in October, is returning for a new animated Christmas special - but only for users of the Red Dwarf mobile service.

The subscription service, which costs £3 a week, enables subscribers to receive a brand new Red Dwarf animated ‘mobisode’ and access a new social network allowing them to utilise all the functionality of social networking whilst on the move. Fans can chat, upload and rate their pictures and videos.

Subscribers can also choose six enhanced mobile features for their phone each week as part of the Red Dwarf service, including specially created ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers and videos.

Animated episodes made up from classic moments in the show have been released on a weekly basis since October.

“Pitch Entertainment has created amazing, ground breaking technology that gives our fans the chance to access and enjoy Red Dwarf whilst on the move," explained Charles Armitage at Red Dwarf. The weekly animated ‘mobisodes’, the social networking functionality and the exclusive content will enhance the Red Dwarf experience for everyone.”

Back in November, Pitch executive director Martin Bowley described the company's Red Dwarf licensing deal as the most important of his career.

Based in London's Covent Garden, Pitch Entertainment Group (www.pitch.mobi) employs 60 staff and is predicting that its new “mobisodes” venture will help lift turnover from £12m to £20m in 2008, while profits are forecast to grow from £500,000 to £1m.

“Red Dwarf has a massive following which is all over the world,” he told the Daily Telegraph. "We could see how that could be leveraged if we could find a way to make mobile phone episodes, or “mobisodes.”

The revenue share based licensing deal has seen Pitch make 24 “mobisodes” of the animated series just 25 seconds long, coming up with the miniscripts itself and organising the production.

As well as the UK, Pitch is available to mobile users in 13 territories such as Malaysia and Singapore, as well as across Europe, with plans to launch a new territory every month over the next year. The Red Dwarf site also offers fans the chance to interact via a dedicated social network as well as download the animations.

“Established fans can access new episodes, interact with each other and share their passions for Red Dwarf," feels Bowley, who also argues the new service will enable a new generation of fans will also be able to discover Red Dwarf for the first time. "This is the future of entertainment.” he declared.

• Subscribers in the UK can receive the brand new Red Dwarf ‘mobisode’ each week by visiting www.red-dwarf.mobi or text RD1 to 87000.