event

Elida Maiques – Countdown to Dublin Zine Fair (5)

Andrew Leave a comment

The first this week with a series of brief interviews with five or six, perhaps, lesser known Irish comixers attending the Dublin Zine Fair on 11-12th August. Hope for a  countdown illustrating just how rich the zine scene is in supplying new and different comix.

Godot Waiting – Elida Maiques on the web folks!

Godot Waiting – Elida Maiques on the web folks!

Andy:
Hi Elida, hope you’re well! I have to confess I’ve only seen your work over the last year or so, out of the corner of my eye. You seem to be in with all the hip kids and their trends. How would you introduce yourself and your work to someone pondering the mysterio SupaFast Building, location of the Dublin Zine Fair this weekend?

Elida:
Although born in Spain, on the Mediterranean, my roots are growing deep in Ireland. First infected by the comic virus as a child, I started publishing my own in 1999, with my brothers.

My comics range from plain silly to poetic. I cannot sustain the poetic too long, it all becomes stoopid by page 2.

Andy:
You’ve been to sell a few comics at festivals now. How’s your relationship with the customers been?

Elida:
Fantastic, people in these fairs and festivals tend to be curious and more informed than myself, so you always learn something. It is also very cool to catch up with your fellow comic book creators.

Avalanche by Elida Maiques

Avalanche by Elida Maiques

Andy:
Next weekend, what are you looking forward to most?

Elida:

Meeting the gang of Irish comic book creators, selling a pile of SLOW 4, my new comic; hopefully buying Stray Lines if it is out yet, and taking home a small heap of brand new comics to read.

Andy:

Godzilla is so sexy – Elida Maiques

Godzilla is so sexy – Elida Maiques


How do I pronounce your surname?

Elida:
Maiques [My-Kes].

Andy:
Anything you’re dreading?

Elida:
Losing my teeth, that would be dreadful.

Having done it before, with a hill and a bike, now I’m trying to quit that habit.

Andy:
And finally – any message for the people out there, reading this, wishing that they too were a young, cool and sexy comics creator?

Elida:
Hahaha. You just made my day.

I can only tell you what seems to work for me:
Don’t sit on your ideas; they grow better out there.
Just write and draw, sign your work and publish it proudly. Then do the the next one.

Andy:
Cheers, Andy. [Update – Oh wait, I’m Andy. G o l d f i s h.]

Elida:
Thanks to you, Andy, looking forward to seeing you in the Dublin Zine Fair!
Elida.

Elida is a contributor to Romantic Mayhem, and the forthcoming  Gods and Monsters of Tomorrow multi-media project with a bunch of other Irish comixers. You can see more of her pretty pics at http://elidamaiques.blogspot.com/

Dublin-Zine-Fair

The image above is hyperlinked to the Zine Fair website. The questions in this interview were built from models supplied by London’s bounciest superhero, David Baillie.

TitanCon links Fandom, Indy Comics and The NI Economy

Andrew Leave a comment

Last night I attended the press launch for TitanCon which “promises to be the biggest SF and Fantasy literaty, media and gaming convention in Northern Ireland”.

Initially run as a non-profit event for fans by fans, it has benefitted from part-funding by Arts Council NI. The move came wth the Council’s interest in HBO’s Game of Thrones which has given the city a strong economic and tourism boost.

titancon

 

A three day series of events, the third day, a Game of Thrones Coach Tour has already been sold out. Friday festivities overlap with Belfast’s free Culture Night and including walking tours of the city and in McHughs Bar, readings from Ian McDonald, Guest of Honour and winner of the 2007 Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Djinn’s Wife (2006)

The event on Saturday costs £10 admission and is held at The Europa Hotel. It includes tabletop gaming and RPGs, as well as a fighting workshop, and the launch of Boyd and Bradshaw’s “Guards! Guards!”, the Discworld boardgame with the blessing of Terry Pratchett. Local authors T.A. Moore and Peadar O Guilin will also be in attendance, along with film-maker George Clarke, of Battle of The Bone.

Miltos Yerolemou and Kristian Nairn, who play Syriio and Hodor respectively on Game of Thrones will also be in attendance. In contrast to some other conventions, photos with guests are not charged for, and attendees are asked to make a donation of their own choice to Action Cancer. Will Simpson (Batman, Dredd, Hellblazer) was one of the storyboard artists on Game of Thrones. His appearance gives perspectives on local involvement and behind the scenes representation.

titancon-featured-image-580x181

Simpson, began working in comics with his contribution to the Belfast indy Ximoc in 1980, with the strip Cuchulainn the Hound. TitanCon looks to reward that with the recognition of two other independent cartoonists as guests. Paddy Brown, a fellow author of the Cuchulainn tales in the form of The Cattle Raid of Cooley, has been active in comics arts and media since 1994′s A Virtual Circle. His cartooning and comics research has been internationally recognised by the respected Lambiek encyclopedia, and closer to home, by academic Paul Gravett and industry magazine Caption. There are unconfirmed rumours one of Brown’s illustrations are to feature on the front page of the official programme. I began creating comics several years after Brown, with contributions to a number of journalistic bodies, the acclaimed Caption and Barcamp un-conferences, and winning the UnLtd Millenium Award for my work on Absence. (See my CV at the footer for a fuller picture)

There’s also a fourth link to the world of comics. TitanCon has scheduled an evening with The Wireless Mystery Theatre. The Theatre “transports the audience back to the Golden Age of radio… as they present radio plays live on stage” The group has received some critical acclaim and includes Reggie Chamberlain-King, an occassional contributor to the online comics and mixed media site, Talesofthe.com. When announced at the press conference Ian McDonald reached to the person sat next to them and whispered, “they’re very good”.

wireless-mystery-theatre

 

McDonald told the assembled reporters and representatives from the Arts Council and NI Screen to “There are a lot of fantastic science fiction roots in NI Culture: CS Lewis, James Shaw.. I ask that you support today’s local writers, be it in cinema, novels or comics.”

With the direct market and the growth of self-publishing having shattered the UK and Irish comics industry, TitanCon‘s adoption of the form at this crucial time is noteworthy.

The event is run by Brotherhood without Banners (a George RR Martin fangroup), Studio NI (Northern Ireland’s largest arts and culture group), and The Other Ones (a Belfast science fiction and fantasy society). Studio NI celebrates it’s 7th anniversary as part of the weekend’s festivities.

Barcamp – Text, Image, Sound

Andrew Leave a comment

Participation gets an individual the following; the opportunity to share knowledge built upon a user-generated pedagogy; conversation with talented individuals across every medium; the opportunity to raise and address obstacles with fellow project managers facilitating; a nurturing progressive environment; a commitment to sustainability in distribution; a stake in a co-operative venture; the meta-objective of commercial accessible creative publishing; an open platform to find and discuss the nuts and bolts growth of aspirational creative direction together; it is a knowledge pool, an associated broadcast, a local, cross-border, transatlantic initiative. It is a first of a kind event for professionals and fringe comics media creatives and the outcomes may surprise all of us.
(With thanks to Will Simpson for pushing my think)

1:30 plug for Barcamp taken from last week’s Panel Borders show by Alex Fitch and snipped and pic-matched by me. Produced in the early hours of the morning, with neither Alex nor I at our most lucid.

barcamp-on-followingthenerd2-300x187

A 13 minute interview between Andy Luke and Marc Savage (stream/save target as) recorded on 18th August. on Banbridge Sunshine FM’s Following the Nerd show.

Don’t come with your two arms the one length.

UPDATE: It’s been confirmed that Marc and perhaps other Nerdfollowers will be journeying from Banbridge and recording during the event.

Ben_Bland just reminded me this needs to be here,
When: Saturday 3rd September, 9am-6pm
Where: Blick Studios, 51 Malone Road, Belfast

Business unConference into High Gear in Final Week

Andrew Leave a comment

Debbie McCormack (Don’t Panic!) and Sean Duffield (Paper Tiger) have volunteered money and services to the Belfast event.

aug-28-sponsor-story-300x70

There’s also been a distribution of promotional materials around yesterday’s Dublin Zine Fair by Gar Shanley and others.

Debbie McCormack contributes with Gareth McKnight to the comedy anthology, lavishing upon readers strips like Gender Confused Bear and The Further Adventures of Nick Cave. The comic has the lo-fi rendering values associated with David Shrigley and Ralph Kidson, and like the latter’s work, is priced at £1.00 – affordable, as were comics of yore.

In addition to pledging a decent amount of cash, Debbie has also paid for and distributed colour advertising around Belfast city centre. Her coverage spreads around the artsy coffee shop zones of Botanic and Stranmillis. In addition, she’s also undertaken some social media duties.

Tidy Barcamp logo rectangle - higher dpi needed for site posters

There has also been a small donation from Brighton based Sean Duffield. The lead man behind Paper Tiger Comics, is fresh from his appearance at the ‘Comix & Conflict’ event at COMICA last weekend alongside Garth Ennis and Pat Mills. Sean is perhaps best known for his sterling work as editor on War – The Human Cost, a 260 page featuring 67 artists from around the world. Copies of the 750-print limited edition can be ordered here. http://www.papertigercomix.com/?page_id=9
The work is a non-profit project with £1 from each copy sold going to CAAT and Brighton’s Community Arts Projects.

Publishers wishing to re-print the work should get in touch with Sean. Sean, like co-sponsors Roger Sabin, Gar and Debbie, has been pro-active in assisting administration and networking towards the camp. Their contributions may allow some catering for pre-registering participants, although talks are underway to decide where the funds should be best spent.

Pre-registration for the free event allows for better planning among unConference attendees, and clearer lines of communication with potential sponsors. For best practice, you can do this via the Google spreadsheet.

BC b&w

Above: Deirde deBarra’s black and white barcamp logo, uploaded to the wiki on July 31st

barcampoxford

Above: One of the inspirational posters from Barcamp Oxford 2008

Update: Belfast Community Comics Media Business unConference

Andrew Leave a comment

Barcamp-logo-with-sponsors-alt-580x181

 

Vital needs Funding has been secured for the event which will take place at Blick Studios on Saturday 3rd September.

Earlier this week Gar Shanley reported that DriveThruComics.com, the internet’s first download comic shop, had helped to sponsor the event via Publisher Relations Manager Matt McElroy.

McElroy has since been joined by noted comics media champion, journalist and academic Dr. Roger Sabin whose contribution has allowed for the remaining venue costs to be paid, and for purchase for stationery and some snacks for attendees.

Roger’s previous books and journals have also included writing on fanzines, punk rock and alternative culture. More recently he has about game-changing tv series The Wire in relation to the crisis in journalism and the cop-show genre, and spoken on surrealism in comics and science-fiction. Roger, along with The Thought Bubble’s Ian Hague has also been helpful in matching contacts with an interest in sponsorship and speaking.

below-critical-radar-300x300

Gar Shanley, one of the central support body will be facilitating a discussion at the Bar Camp unConference, on establishing a regular sales outlet for independent comics within the Dublin market as part of the general struggle with getting the media re-integrated into mainstream retail areas. He will be attending the Ranleigh Arts Centre Zine Fair tomorrow. He also welcomes any co-operation on the ICN forum priming and developing this objective.

Hilary Lawler, workshop leader at Catalyst Arts’ ¿@#!*$ festival earlier in the year said the Bar camp initiative is “contributing to the flagging cultural landscape of Ireland in a very positive way.” Hilary also is interested in Gar’s chosen subject, given her involvement in The Point Village market event last year.

Pre-registration for the free event allows for better planning among unConference attendees, and clearer lines of communication with potential sponsors. For best practice, you can do this via the Google spreadsheet.

Previous articles on this topic

 

 

Jeopardy Day 2: What Comics Barcamp Looks Like

Andrew Leave a comment

A lackluster response to Barcamp seems to have come from an odd place: an internet full of knowledge, perhaps a comics convention circuit used to waiting for instruction. This piece has been spurred by debate with Paddy Brown, questions from Tommie Kelly, empathy from Gar Shanley and inspiration from Hilary Lawler, here’s your latest visual guide.

Please make a point of reading the accompanying visual article “The Bottom Line” as well. Readers of this may enjoy “Fantasy Football League.”

What Barcamp Might Look Like whatbarcampmightlooklike2 Barcamp Images

Barcamp Jeopardy Day 2: Fantasy Football League

Andrew Leave a comment

In order to secure the future of Comics Barcamp< I posted yesterday details of emergency chat sessions using LINK DELETED new chat room.

Today’s times are Saturday 2:30 – 4:30pm, 6:30pm – 8pm, or for any two people who want to take the initiative, whenever they like.

In this thread, Stephen Downey picked up on a suggestion made earlier,

If you really want to to make a final push Andy I would suggest making a list of what you think people would be good at and send them a personal email asking if they’d like to do a talk on it. A personal phone call would probably be even bette as people are less likely to say ‘no’ in person ;P

I’ve already done this in some cases. But it does miss the point a little: that this is the responsibility of everyone who wants to come. That aside, I have been going more mental than usual lately. As the comments don’t allow pictures yet, here is Part 1 of a non-comprehensive speculative barcamp.

barcamp main new page 1 barcamp main page 2 barcamp main page 3 barcamp main page 4

I know a number of you creatively. Some quite well, some in passing. Many of you I don’t know personally. I don’t know what else you studied, what your day job is, what your life outside of comics takes in. Among these skills are additions to Barcamp.

barcamp main page 5 barcamp main page 6

 
At this point I think it’s begun to get too empathic. I’m going to follow this today with another set of visuals. Hopefully, a system overview of Barcamp answering the other questions raised here and a recap.

Emergency Planning Chats: Fri, Sat. Comics Barcamp in Jeopardy

Andrew Leave a comment

Announcing the go-ahead of Comics Barcamp at 2d I felt we could have an event to build a solid representative Irish publishing community built on professionalism, knowledge sharing and stripped of accusations of vanity. A platform of organisation for groups and beneficial to individuals. Where everyone is a guest and pitches in.

It failed. I secured a sponsor for technical equipment and refreshments, set up websites, did a lot of promotion. A few folk (eg. Paddy Brown, David Lloyd) have mentioned it, but few are saying anything new or participating.

Friday afternoon 4:30 – 6pm
Saturday 2:30 – 4:30pm, 6:30pm – 8pm

I’ll be in the ICN chat room at these times. By Monday, we should be able to ascertain whether Barcamp is on. At present the most pressing role holes are securing funding for the venue and a logo. Please spread the word. It would be a shame if the first venture of this type failed. A nuisance if my head is on the block.

On the small Google Groups site last night, Paddy Brown wrote,

“I don’t see a great upswelling of communal enthusiasm for it, and I’d have to include myself in that. I can see the merits of the barcamp format, but it seems to me that a successful barcamp would have to have a more specific objective, and an already existing group of people who shared that objective. Without a specific objective it’s just a talking shop. Unless there’s a major upsurge in participation, I think we probably need to step back and rethink. What is it for, what can it do that people want or need but existing events aren’t doing?”

I responded,
“All the evidence points to your conclusions. You know through your experiences with the Wiki and Black Panel, that a lot of people are happy to default to the lone voice setting. A good meta-objective would be the publication of a comic representative of Irish creators run at a profit and available as accessibly as possible.”

The thread continues to describe how this aim might break down to ten or more sessions.

September 3rd for UK and Ireland’s first comics barcamp

Andrew Leave a comment

Barcamp-combo-by-video-300x225

The date has been confirmed for the second Comics Barcamp in the English speaking world. The venue is Blick Studios in Belfast, who are also co-sponsoring the event. Announced in the week following 2d, Christine James of Blick and Andy Luke confirmed the date yesterday.

A barcamp is essentially an “unconference”, a creative business brainstorming seminar, run along communal lines. The communal element is essential, because if a set number of people don’t take part, barcamp doesn’t happen. It relies on advance planning, but has an improvisational element that keeps the energy fresh. It also generally has reverberating effects after the event such as a web-streamed presentations and blogging.

While employing a plethora of talented imagineers, the comics industry is known to produce mostly bland generic vanity work; rarely sensually relevant, often linked with class trappings. Much like most other media industries. Until recently. the format of comics conventions has remained much the same as it has for over thirty years. Creators are largely used to invites with guest focus promotion, more often being told what to speak on.

Can Comics Barcamp really change that?

With around six weeks to go and little discussion, it remains to be seen if this barcamp will work. Irish comic industry expansion in recent years indicates the gain from events like this could be considerable.

Confirmed attendee, Andy Luke, refused to be drawn into a lone voice mentality, and has invited his imaginary friend to speak on his behalf.

“The possibilities of what Barcamp could achieve are incredible, for humans, autobots and decepticons alike. We must work TOGETHER to raise the credits for this event..to TALK among ourselves and construct fantastical presentations only existent in our imaginations. This is a new day for Cybertron, and for Earth. A FREE BARCAMP. The Living Matrix only knows. Or the AllSpark. Whatever.”

It is unknown if Optimus Prime will attend Comics Barcamp. His enemy Starscream, also lives in some people’s heads, and also supports the idea.

“The universe is ours, rich for the plunder! Now… WHERE IS MY FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE TABLE OF COMICS CREATORS TALKS?”

Barcamp starts now.

Wiki-Website
Register for the event
Discussion Group (as well as ICN’s forum)