28th November, 2009 - Posted by Chris
So, ThoughtBubble has come and gone and once again stated it’s case for being the best UK Comic Convention/Festival there is.
Whereas last year I was caught up in trying to get ‘Shiver’ officially accepted, wandering the aisles looking for anthologies to submit something to and didn’t actually get much time to taste the convention proper. This year I decided to go prepared with books to get signed by some of the confirmed guests and made three of the panels and having a thoroughly great time in the process.
I managed to meet some folks I’ve been speaking to online, but unfortunately missed some of the people I had wanted to catch up with due to having to head for the train home at 5pm.
Firstly the Insomnia stand was there in full force and frequently was a source of bodies jamming together as people stopped and gawped at the wares on show.
During a period of being stranded down one of the narrow aisles I got talking to Matthew Craig and impressed by how easy he was to talk to I bought a few of his Hondle mini-comics. If you see Matthew at any future cons please stop by and give his stuff a look, he’s a super nice guy.
I stopped by and spoke to Terry Martin from Murky Depths, excited to find out when Mike Carey would be along to sign on their table. On my way up to Leeds to the train I had chance to read the latest Murky Depths (#10) which contains a writing competition where the challenge is to finish a story that Mike Carey started. It’s a difficult one but I think I’m going to give it a go. 
I got comics signed by Andi Watson, Mike Carey and Sean Phillips but avoided the other larger lines that clogged up the end of the hall.
Panel wise I hit the following :
‘FROM PAPER TO DIGITAL’, ‘DO ZOMBIES READ COMIC BOOKS’ and ‘MARVEL COMICS, HOW TO WORK FOR US MASTECLASS’. I won’t review these panels there are plenty of blogs already posted about most of them, I will say that I really enjoyed the ‘How to break into marvel’ style panel that was hosted by Stephen Wacker (Spiderman Editor). I wasn’t expecting any secret backdoor or such and rather than being a master class it was just and opportunity for aspiring creators to ask him questions about working for Marvel. The takeaway for it from the writing side is that they only look at published worked, if they like what you’ve done then they may approach you to pitch them. Till then it’s just about busting your ass and getting your work seen.
Good panel none-the-less though.
I can’t end this bit on ThoughtBubble without mentioning Sam Johnson (Geek Girl Creator and former SPI competitor) who I spent a lot of time chatting too at the convention. He has a desire and eagerness that I need to try and get myself. A discipline to sitting down and making the story happen.
This regular, longer, more precise blog posting is a first step to that.
*FINGERS CROSSED*
Cheers,
Chris
No Comments -
Permalink
16th October, 2009 - Posted by Chris
well folks, BICS (British International Comics Show) came and went, leaving a trail of destruction in my liver and my wallet. It was a great weekend filled with meeting both old and new friends.
I did a bit of self promotion, handed out some ‘”business cards” and although I didn’t lug my portfolio around I managed to sort out a few things I had intended to and hopefully sow some seeds for some future comics work whatever form it may take.
I wont dwell on the specifics of the con, I’ll just post these three pictures and then some links to some other blogs and coverage of the convention.
(Paul Richardson, Luke Foster, Myself and Victoria Charvill at the Launch Party on the Friday night)
(Larking about in Birmingham Saturday morning, surprisingly hangover free)
(Saturday night drinks in the company of too man awesome people to list. Me and Hannah doing classic ‘thumbs up’)
LINKAGE :
http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2009/bics-2009-a-convention-worthy-of-its-british-international-comics-show-name-part-1-the-weekend/
http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/241021.html
http://theraggedman.blogspot.com/2009/10/citadel-of-comics-fantasy-convention-in.html
Cheers,
Chris
No Comments -
Permalink
16th October, 2009 - Posted by Chris
Below is a press release that is GREAT news for everyone associated with Insomnia (including myself with ‘Shiver’).
Insomnia On Demand: Catch the RedEye on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable)
In the blackest hours before dawn, when all good comic readers were tucked up in bed, the Insomniacs crawled into their dreams.
What were they whispering into the darkness? What did they wish for, lost in the sleep of the innocent?
No less than:
· To be able read Insomnia comics anywhere, at any time
· Take their entire comics collections wherever they went
· To listen to their own music while reading
· To navigate pages their own way
· To find and buy comics easily and access content instantly from the PlayStation®Store
All this will be on offer for PSP owners in December 2009, with the opening of the Digital Comics Store on the PlayStation®Network.
Red Eyed and bushy tailed, Insomnia Publications will be standing proud on launch day as our critically acclaimed books take their place on the virtual shelves, next to world famous names in comic book publishing.
Insomnia Publications’ graphic novels will be presented in the store as single-issue length chapters, following the publication of the book. The first chapter of every book will be offered free to readers as a “taster” of the story.
Crawford Coutts, Managing Director of Insomnia Publications, says:
“We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Sony in the launch of the Digital Comics Service.
Insomnia is committed to nurturing the very best new art, new writing and new concepts in its original graphic novels and the unprecedented scope of this Comics Store will connect independent publishers and readers around the globe.
The help and guidance we have received from Sony throughout truly demonstrates their commitment to support the medium, the publishers, the readers and the comics industry itself.
Many of our creators are gamers themselves and so were delighted to hear that their work will be offered through PlayStation Network.”
With the first Insomnia titles available right from the December launch, you will be able to:
· Unlock Cages (http://www.insomniapublications.com/cages)
· Fall into Cancertown (http://www.insomniapublications.com/cancertown/)
· Dissect the bloody history of the notorious Burke and Hare (http://www.insomniapublications.com/burke-and-hare/)
With a growing range of titles to choose from and the phenomenal scope of the Digital Comics Store, this is just the beginning..
Notes:
1. The Comics Store will launch on the PlayStation Network for PSP in December 2009
2. Official Sony Press Release
http://uk.playstation.com/games-media/news/articles/detail/item229628/Take-comics-everywhere-you-go/
3. For further information, interviews and comments please contact Crawford Coutts, MD, at info@insomniapublications.com
Insomnia Publications can be found online at:
Website: www.insomniapublications.com
Blog: www.theredeye.co.uk
No Comments -
Permalink
15th September, 2009 - Posted by Chris
Just wanted to share some news that was made official today.
Robert Heske (of "Cold Blooded Chillers" and "The Night Projectionist" fame) has kindly included "The Ends" (written and lettered by Myself – Art by my boy Marc Jameson) in the forthcoming "2012: Final Prayer" Anthology.
Scope it out here: 2012: Final Prayer
To quote Marc
“As you can see there’s an ass-load of quality content that’s gonna be in the book. It’s also cool to see a few familiar names on the list alongside me and Chris, such as Rita Gorgoni and Stefano Cardoselli of Azurek Studio as well as Shawn Gabborin of Angry Gnome Comics.”
There’s also a few names I recognise from the Insomnia crew (Stephen Downey, Martin Hayes, Ollie Masters and Dino Caruso, Xander Bennett and Melanie Cook).
Looks like we’re in good company.
Tentative release date: 15th November 2009… Should be good!
In other news I NEED to share this awesome picture of me drawn/coloured by the amazing Rob Jackson :
That’s all for now folks!!!
Cheers,
Chris
No Comments -
Permalink
