Valentines Comic Cards

Don't say it with Flowers, say it with a cartoon!

Cartoon and Comic Arts students are some of the most romantic guys around as you can tell from this display of Valentines cards that were on Sale in the Student Union Ember Lounge during Valentines Day. 

Using the Univerities Riso Printer the students went to work making Pun cards for your loved one. 

 

 

 

2nd year student produce a booklet of Haiku's Poems 

Not to be out done, 2nd year Cartoon and Comic Arts student went on to produce a little booklet of their own work which sold out on the stall as well. 

StokeConTrent 8 and other things

StokeConTrent 8 and other Things!

Its been a few months since I last posted and that is just because how hectic it had become in the Cartoon and Comic Arts studio. straight off the back of a couple of guest lecturers Matt Garvey and Hannah Chapman we were into Easter and the organisation of the 8th StokeConTrent event to be held at the university.  
StokeConTrent went off without much hassle or stress, though the comic arts were put in the Science Building which sort of feels a little way from the main action. The Comic artist once again enjoyed the event and it also provided an opportunity for 3rd Years students to sell their work at the convention and also allow the 2nd years to almost dress rehearse the MCM event they are attending in May.

At the end of the event, we asked Ben Krefta to stay over and talk to the students how he got into Manga and got his first break in the business. This was done because the students had asked for a Manga Artist to attend the event and he replied. 

StokeConTrent Guests from top left Ben Krefta Managa Artist. Above Lee Sullivan Thunderbirds and Transformers Comic Artist. Right - Titan Editor David Leech. Bottom Left - Beano and Dandy Artist Lew Stringer. and Finally Bottom Right Doctor Who artist Mike Collins

2nd years write reviews of their favourite comics

Comic Reviews for 2nd year Cartoon & Comic Arts 

Last week we were very lucky to be visited by "The Awesome Comics Podcast"  http://awesomecomics.podbean.com/

Tony Esmond @ezohyez came and spoke to the students about the importance of reviewing comics and what they need to consider in their work and how they can use this knowledge to make for better work. 

An Easter project was set for students to review their favourite comics, here are some of them. 

 Samurai Genji : Volume 1 Review

Story and art by Geoff Trebs

10x7 in ,Soft cover,166 pages

Price: $29.99

Available to read from : http://tapastic.com/series/SamuraiGenji

Available to purchase from:  http://dinmoney.storenvy.com/products/13424154-samurai-genji-vol-1

Geoff Trebs can be found at http://dinmoney.deviantart.com/

Follow on Twitter @dinmoney

"Taste the power of flesh, at the cost of humanity." This phrase carries a lot of weight in this samurai fantasy epic. The story follows Genji Ryu, a samurai who has eaten the flesh of another human being and has been granted the power and long life that comes with it, but also at a price on his path of revenge. In this first volume, after finishing a job rescuing a water priestess for a village finds himself being hunted by the group of people originally sent to do the job he completed. Also the mysterious king of Tamerin has sent out men to get Genji for his own gain.

Coming from a webcomic into a printed collection, seeing the way the art has been transferred to being read online/on a mobile device to print is interesting as I didn't know if it would read as well.

The story is just beginning in this first volume and starts off with a bang, as you get an insight into the personality of all the individuals involved. It also gives off the feeling that there will be such a large world with a lot of depth to go into. We don't really get much about Genji's reasoning or motive behind his revenge fuelled adventure in this volume but I'm sure it'll become apparent within the next chapters/volumes. It's action packed, exciting and tense filled fight scenes make you just want to turn over to the next page to see what's going to happen next.

Trebs' art fits wonderfully with the story as well as its black and white, with all the blank space being black. Which helps add that extra darkness and tension to the work. It's a really beautiful digital style and some of his backgrounds are astounding. The full page images in-between chapters are a good way to break it up and you get to see some more of some of the characters.

The dialogue in it is quite modern compared to what most samurai comics include, but I think it fits into this fantasy world as its consistent and there's nothing out of place. Sadly there are a few spelling errors but not enough that it get frustrating but it is a shame that there's any to begin with.

On the whole though I thoroughly enjoyed this first volume and I'll be keeping up with the webcomic version over on Tapastic as well as buying the next volume when its released. So I say go buy it!

Studio Redecoration

Studio Redecoration 

We thought it might be an idea to redecorate the studio space. With over 35 new students in September there was amply opportunity and labour to do the work. 

The 1st years were give the chance to do some research of comic characters from around the world. They picked one and painted it on the wall 

Sam (NOVA) Pye did...NOVA

Not sure what Charlie is doing here, but we caught her in the act 

This is the 3rd year area, where the geniuses of Rob Beiganski and Brad Sharples hang out 

The other corner is occupied by the Shy and retiring Nadia William, the not to shy Holly McCormack and Emily Moore 

2nd year area with Tony and Paul working on their project for sale at Londons MCM in MAY

Down the corridor towards my office.

Caught the labs Michael Leyland, Nial Conner and Rory Bond painting on the walls, or is it graffiti? 

MCM Success

2nd Years take MCM by storm!

It can only be consider a success with 22 students from the cartoon and comic arts course at Staffordshire university all descending on to the capital city to take part in the  London MCM Expo event at London Docklands, 

The cohort was split into 4 groups of between 5 & 6 students and they as a group had to become a publishing house and go about, coming up with a an ethos for the team, produce individual comics, go about advertising MCM and their work and then proceed to sell them.

Gareth and Adrian enjoying a drink with 3rd Year student Becci (Awkward Bex) and Liam 

 Gareth Catches up with students at Greenwich, discussing plans for tomorrows event 

 A couple of 1st years students tagged along with the intentions of enjoying the event and going in as Cosplay Characrers

HEX Comics

Picture above is with all the team from Left to right Christina, Zu, Simon, Brad and Ross

Hex on their way to London, looking quite happy

First incident at table Hex, Simon spills his drink on the table 

A well drilled emergency display kicks in as they clean up, with special help from ZU

Thats better Photoshoot with Zu & Simon

Simon and Brad

A new method of selling comics Christina and Ross.

Techne Comics

Nadia and Tara at the stall selling their comics

Nick and Kate set up position to do commissions  

Maisy shows a first year Phoenix how to sell work at MCM 

Natasha selling her comics

The Super Comic League

Jay and Megan take control behind their table

Chizi and Emily show their technique to draw people over to their stall

Jay and Megan try a different attack to draw people over to their table.

Melanchomics

Reuben and Sam adopt some strange methods  

Vicky and Sonny 

Rob and Izzy 

From Left to right, Chelsea and Rhonna don their Cosplay, Ross... is just Ross, The Arthur Daley of the Comic Village Zu  

Our very own Becci AwkwardBex at the convention 

Alumni 

Rob Cureton the master of Orful Comics. Ex Animation student at Staffs Uni

One of the first students to graduate from Cartoon & Comic Arts Esme Baran, still going strong and now selling Undine Figurines.

Hidden in all that is Millie (Snail lover) Harrop.

Claire Smith - also did a lecture to 2nd years students about the do's and don'ts of selling at conventions. We are hoping to get her back next year (Sept 2015) as well

 
Phillipa Rice Ex Animation student and brilliant comic book artist and illustrator. 

Lex Harford hiding behind her big box.