Bristol International Comic Expo 2006 – January Update
Official Press Release
Special Guests: Expo Events and Exclusives: Next Time: About the Bristol International Comic Expo 2006
For the eighth successive year, the Bristol International Comic Expo (www.comicexpo.net
This year we’re proud to have Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, Geoff Johns and Tommy Lee Edwards (Star Wars) as special international guests: all four will be signing, talking and mingling with their British and European fans.
In addition, just announced, making his first UK appearance is Arthur Suydam, known for his stunning work on CHOLLY and FLYTRAP, MUDWOGS and the gruesome covers of the current Marvel Zombies series, and each attendee at the Expo will receive a FREE EXpo EXclusive official convention poster by Suydam (produced in association with INCOGNITO COMICS).
Other guests include Transformers writer Simon Furman, bringing along an EXpo Exclusive Andrew Wildman variant cover edition of issue four, and the cream of the current crop of British comics writers and artists.
Charity Project:
This year the Expo has selected Everychild and the Draw The World Together (www.drawtheworldtogether.com
Hypotheticals (www.hypotheticals.co.uk
Tokyopop attend for the second time, and follow-up amazing levels of interest last year by bringing along virtually their entire range of UK-available titles, giving away posters and sneak peeks, and discounting their books from the usual price of £6.99 to £6 for one, or just £5 each for two or more.
Top Shelf’s (www.topshelfcomix.com
Strangehaven’s auteur, Gary Spencer Millidge, will be signing the complete works so far, including the new issue eighteen and the Conspiracy TP, as well as his limited edition European Tour t-shirt – a selection of artwork from the series will also be available to purchase.
Just confirmed is Rob van Bavel, the Don Lawrence Collection publisher from Holland who will be at his booth with original art, the books and who knows what else! It’s his first UK convention, and a Don Lawrence panel with Liam Sharp and Chris Weston remains a distinct possibility…
Monkeys With Machineguns (http://www.monkeyswithmachineguns.com/pages/mwmissue1.htm) will have a brand new issue on sale, the first from their new publisher Open Book Press (www.openbookpress.com
The End Is Nigh issue three will be a con-exclusive release, scheduled to include some cracking features – including ones by Leah Moore and John Reppion (of Albion fame), artwork by Frazer Irving and Boo Cook, and a cover by Liam Sharp! Issue Two will also be available, this one includes interviews with Alan Moore, John Wagner and Alan Grant. Both of these will be available via mail order at £4.99 each, but attendees at the con receive a £1 discount, per title.
FireballComics.com are first-time attendees and as well as bringing a great range of figures, statues and busts are offering a number of Expo Exclusives: Comics – Buy 4 get 5th one free; 3 posters for £15; 2 t-shirts for £20; 3 trade paperbacks for £20; 3 manga books for £15; Money off voucher website orders with every purchase; and £5 off first monthly order for new subscriptions.
Future Quake Publishing will be launching three brand-new publications: FutureQuake #6, MangaQuake #2, and Something Wicked (an all-new Horror comic), the creators of which will be around for signing and sketching. They are also running portfolio sessions for writers and artists.
Silver Bullets Comics (www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com
In addition, Bevis Musson’s The Queen Of Diamonds hits issue six at the show, Scar Comics launch their new title at the SmallZone table, Fiction Graphic Productions will showcase their titles Nosferatu, The Boss and Death Police, and Paul Von Scott brings the newest issue of SF comic “omnivistascope”.
More on the talks to be given by guests Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin and Geoff Johns; more on other EXpo EXclusives; more on the UK Small Press scene; more on the UK guests yet to be announced; and more on the mysterious figure guesting on Sunday…it’ll soon be Time to reveal all.
Organised by Mike Allwood of renowned UK comics shop Area 51, the Bristol Expo is the longest-running and most successful comics event in the UK ever. Advance tickets are available through the official website (www.comicexpo.net