London MCM

New and Up and coming 

Comic Artist 

heading to London

Below are the logos for 4 publishing houses run by Cartoon & Comic Arts students on their 2nd year of the award at Staffordshire University. They consist of mainly 5 - 6 Students who will be selling their comics and accompanying artwork at the London MCM event Friday 22nd May - Sunday 24th May 

 The comics published at Hex have a common running theme of Magical powers and witchcraft. Writers and artists such as Simon Hughes, Brad Sharples, Christina Webb, Azzuro Zito and Ross Johnstone have all come together to produce a range of work which follows on from one another in an alternative history.

Imagine a world run by a giant corporation "Buygone." In this Post Apocalyptic world  new writers and artist Reuben Baron, Izzy Bosworth, Sam Smith, Sonny Hay, Vicky Hobson and Rob Bieganski tell stories has seen from different inhabitants of thie world. 

These comics look at Fantasy, which range from Changelings, elves and Angels. Jay Wrightman, Megan Lee, Holly McCormack, Chizi Woherem and Emily Moore tell their individually unique stories.

Mythology plays an important part with the writers for Techne Comics. Looking at legends and myths from around the world, including Japan, Norse and Greek. 

Masiy Buchanan-Black, Nadia Williams, Tara Washington,  Kate Sheerin, Nick Dempsey and Natasha Down all tell their individual take on these stories. 

Visiting Lecturers Monday 21st April

Visiting Lecturers 

Staffordshire University 

Off the back of the Stoke Con event held on Sunday 19th April. Staffordshire University was extremely lucky to be able to ask some of the visiting professionals to come to the cartoon studio and then present their work and talk about what they did with Students.

                             

The session started off with Simon Donald introducing himself and how he started off in the comics industry. Simon was at the event to publicise his hilarious autobiography. 

His insight into the industry and how he was able to break into it and establish both himself and the comic as independent entities was both insightful and extremely funny. 

David Lloyd talked about his new venture in trying to get people to read comics on line. He set up ACES Weekly. This allows independent artist to get their work out there with out having to circumvent publishers. 

Jon Haward has had a long a distinguished career working for the likes of Eagle Comics, Thunderbirds, 2000AD and MarvelUK. In the shot above he explains one of his images to students at the lecture.

All the professionals featured in this article have said that they would love come to Staffordshire University again and help the students to develop their skills in preparation for the  outside world and industry. All the professionals also have a lot to offer the Cartoon & Comic Arts Award, from basic drawing skills to marketing and getting their work out there. 

  

Cartoon & Comic Artist at Stoke Con

Comics are big Business

At the recent Stoke Con 2014 there were a few table hid among the traders tables where the future of comic arts in the UK could well be decided. 3rd Year students from the cartoon and Comic Arts award chipped together to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test. The event provided an opportunity for the students to see if what they were producing for their final degree was worth of a place in the comic market. 

Above are some of the students who attempted to sell their work. I'm happy to report everyone spoke favorably about the experience of selling at the event  with them all making a little profit. 

Becci Such has attended quite a few comic conventions and said that Stoke was a successful gig for her 

Callum Lawrence-Bardsley is certainly a view to behold behind the table. 

Connie and Emma ran a table as well 

Michaela Betts and Reece Palatto

Would you buy a used comic from this person. Connie Skerrett tries on the latest fashion accessory for the comic artist 

Here is Emma Buxton trying out the equipment as well. 

In the Stanley Matthew Hall, Michaela Clark and Ryan Moss sitting at their table. 

Stoke Con April 2015

Stoke Con April 2015

It seemed to have gone from strength to strength. Only a few months ago I heard that a couple of guys (Terry and Rob) who worked at 6 Towns Radio had come up with an idea to hire out Staffordshire University Student Union and Brindley building and hold a convention with people from film, TV and comics.

Rob Legar is a shinning light to organisation. His ability to pull this together with Terry Bosson the people of Stoke on Trent to participate in this brilliant event is a testament to the internet and word of mouth.

In September 2014 1000 people queued on a sunny sunny morning to be part of something new, this year over 2000 people came and experience the same event. This time Cartoon & Comic Arts tried to help and organise the event. To say it was a learning curve is an understatement.

Queues for Stoke Con 2015 far exceeded expectations with over 2000 people turning up to be part of the event . 

Above Award Leader for Cartoon & Comic Arts Adrian Tooth who helped to organise the Brindley building and the visiting cartoonist and comic book artist.

Some of the star who attended had already been such as Colin Baker who played the 6th Doctor. But Alongside him was Simon Fisher-Becker from the new series of Doctor Who

  

Other Guest included Red Dwarf stars Danny John Jules (Cat) Chris Barrie (Arnold J Rimmer) Robert Llewellyn (Kryton) and Norman Lovett (Holly)

The Cartoon & Comic Arts Award ran an artist alley, where students were allowed to sell their work and also a range of visiting professionals were their as well.

Above is a range of the visiting comic book artist who came to Stoke Con. Top Right, Co Founder of Viz Comic and also a comic in his own right Simon Donald. Top Right  Marc Jackson and Paul McCaffery both of which work with David Lloyd on Aces Weekly. Below and centre, Lee Townsend and Jon Haward, both MarvelUk artist. 

Above at the other end of the artist alley there was John Charles from MarvelUK and cover designer for 2000AD and David Lloyd from V for Vendetta and Aces Weekly digital Comic. 

Close up of John Charles working on a commission 

Simon Donald 

Jason Brindley from 2000AD was a hit with the punters as he has just had his work published in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Copies of his work and signed issues of the comic were flying off his table. 

                        

Student Kieran Hayes also turned up to show off his caricature skills and was drawing people at the convention 

Here Adrian Tooth stands in for Jason Brindley... I wonder if they will notice the difference? Jason also works at Staffordshire University on the Cartoon & Comic Arts Award.  

Gareth Cowlin, satirical and gag cartoonist for Private Eye (and others) is taken by surprise

The convention provided an opportunity for the Staffordshire University to plug their awards as well as Cartoon & Comic Arts 1st Year students were given their chance to work on a stand selling their work. 

As you can see above the event was packed, this was even with the addition of the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Hall.

Spirou et Fantasio

Spirou et Fantasio (Spirou and Fantasio) is a book I picked up while visiting Erlangen Germany for the Comic Saloon. At first I thought It was a Tintin book, but on closer inspection I discovered a whole different history behind this bellhop. The character is considered a popular in Franco- Belgium and one of Europe's most iconic comics and has been running since 21 April 1938. The interesting thing about the character, is that it has been drawn by a succession of artists, where as Herge Drew Tintin and Albert Uderzo drew Asterix and Obelix. Contrary to common practice in Europe, the creator of the comic sold the rights to the strip to the publishers Dupuis.

The comic strip was originally created by the Parisian artist Robert Velter (who signed his work Rob-Vel) for the first issue of Spirou magazine (Le Journal de Spirou) April 1938. The main character was an elevator operator in the Mostique Hotel and remains mainly dressed in his red bellhop uniform to this day. The main character has a pet squirrel called Spip, who was also the series first supporting character, though he was introduced a year after the series originally started. 

The first new artist/writer to take on the role of Spirou was Joseph Gillain (Pen name Jije) in 1943. By 1944 Jije had introduced a new character Fantasio who would become Spirou's best friend. Because Jije had so many artistic commitments by 1946, he ended up handing the work to his understudy Andre Franquin midway through "Spirou et la Manison Prefabriquee."

Above is the book I brought while in Erlangen and started off this blog.. The mysterious machine in the background and the woman dressed in a leopard skin costume a top a roof.

Above shows how the character had developed in the hands of other artist over the years

The image above is a fairy modern take on the 2 characters, though once again drawn by a different artist and this is one of the few images where the Spirou Character isn't seen in his traditional Bell Hop wear.

Comics... So What? Event

Comic Mini Masterclass

Working alongside the Cartoon museum, Staffordshire University is running a Mini Masterclass in Comic work. Dedicated to a sole bastion of the British Comic Industry 2000AD, the class was run by Adrian Tooth, John Charles and Jason Brindley. The aim is to give people who might never have thought about drawing comics, an attempt to do some work, using a script and under the professional direction of the freelance comic artist. 

The aim of the event was to encourage people to talk about what is their favourite comics and more importantly why. 

Initially introduced by Adrian Tooth who outlined what the event was and why we were doing it. Here Ade is watched by Judge McBeth!   

John Charles talked through layout and the importance of letting the readers eye flow around the page.

Using a few of his own examples from his illustrious careers John explains the theories of comics

Jason Brindley show some examples from his own Graphic Novel "Death Comes to Dillinger" and how he uses layout to show and give feeling to the story. 

More importantly Jason is a brilliant artist and he shows how he uses paint to create character 

And how this can then be used in the computer realm using 3D Maya and digital paint to bring to life his latest drawing for this event 

Above is a selection of images from the 3rd Year Cartoon and Comic Arts students working on the 2000AD Mural for the Comic... So What? Event. Even Judge Dredd took on a more selective Comic Arts  feel with his glasses and Bow Tie.

We were very lucky to get a member from the Judge League down to help us and he was with out doubt an excellent life model.

He let Ryan (3rd Year Comic Arts Student) try on his helmet, as you can see we've got a natural Sly Stallone Character 

What does Judge McBeth Read off duty, Watchmen. Excellent read sir!

John Charles - 2000AD and MarvelUK artist starts the comic drawing sessions off using scripts from 2000AD

We had a range of people interested in the day with an interesting array of abilities etc. An Excellent measured drawing of Judge McBeth 

In full glory, Judge McBeth

Images from the workshops running during the day

Comic Work Shop 

A very good panel under construction by one of the participants

Class in full throw - Adrian Tooth sharpening pencils?

Newbeeies to comic arts being put through their paces by John Charles and watched over by Gareth Cowlin and 2 3rd year Cartoon Students. 

Reece and Ryan looking like they are up to no good.

Ok... Stand ... Pose .... FIRE!

The day was enjoyed by all who took part and we collected a lot of information for the comic museum to help it to choose material to display in London Russell Square.

A real big thank you for those who turned up and supported the event and attempted the activities. A big hand out to 3rd Years - Becci Such, Callum, Reece and Ryan for helping out on the day.

A real big Thank You for Callum Lawrence Bardlsey for his help in putting together the artwork with Becci Such for the mural and all those who took part with the mural.

Callum & Blue

Michaela Clarke

Ryan Moss

Reece Pallatao

Kieran Hayes

Michaela Betts.