Comic Convention

LICAF 2018 In Photos

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Comics Takes Over Kendal Once Again

♦ Two weekends ago, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival took over the Cumbrian town of Kendal for a sixth year running and Tripwire’e editor-in-chief Joel Meadows was there as ever. Here’s his photos from the show…

LICAF 2018 in photos

Here was info on this year’s event

This year, the Festival is even bigger and better than ever, with over 70 of the best comic artists, writers and creators heading to the Lake District for a packed comic art weekend spectacular.

Whether you’re a comic art addict, new to the world of comics or just love exceptional art and storytelling – the weekend has something for everyone, with kick-ass super heroes, future worlds, fantastical creatures, zombies, crime fighters, politics, satire, documentary, comedy, manga and much more. The world of comic art is a diverse and spectacular place, bursting with creations that transport us to other dimensions.

The family-friendly Festival takes over the Brewery Arts Centre and many other venues in Kendal, Cumbria for a weekend of wonderful events, activities and workshops for all ages.

The legendary Comics Clock Tower, open on the Saturday and Sunday, is full of independent creators, publishers and retailers, representing a wide range of comics from around the world. And new for 2018, the Festival has also introduced a new zone, the CCT Xtra, with even more creators including the Scottish Comics Bothy. With an Out of Hours line-up, the Festival continues into the evenings with fun-filled antics for pass holders.

“We have a fantastic line-up for the festival this year and even more exhibitors showcasing their creative talent across the town,” says Julie Tait, Festival Director. ”There are artists and creators joining us from many countries including India, Finland, the US, Canada, France, Denmark and, of course, creators from the UK.

“Whether you are new to comics or a serious fan, you’ll find something new to discover at the festival. We look forward to welcoming you all to Kendal in October.”

Award-winning artist John Higgins’ career as a freelance comic artist started in 1977 soon after he left art college and has seen him work on such diverse characters as Judge Dredd, Batman, John Constantine and Jonah Hex.

He’s possibly best known for his work on Watchmen and Batman: The Killing Joke. He’s also the creator, writer and artist on Razorjack, an independent comic book published first by Higgins’ own Jack Publishing and later by Com.X.

In 2017, John was commissioned to illustrate a special set of Royal Mail stamps to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which won the prestigious D&AD award.

A retrospective exhibition of John’s work at Liverpool University’s Victoria Gallery & Museum in 2017, was extended due to popular demand and ran for a full year ending in February 2018.

The exhibition gave John the opportunity to write and design an accompanying autobiographical art book, Beyond Watchmen & Judge Dredd: The Art of John Higgins which includes many examples of his work and also shows how it was produced with illustrated steps on how a comic story develops from an idea to script to printed page.

JOHN HIGGINS ONLINE

• www.artofjohnhiggins.com

Festival Guests also include:

  • Joe Kelly, American comic book writer, penciler and editor
  • Cartoonists Graham DurySimon Thorp, the creators of VIZ
  • Mikiko, German-Japanese comic book artist
  • Orijit Sen, an Indian graphic artist and designer and creator of India’s first graphic novel
  • Robbie Morrison, best known for his work on 2000AD
  • Emma Vieceli – critically acclaimed artist, whose work includes Doctor Who and Vampire Academy
  • Charlie Adlard, the Walking Dead artist and curent Comics Laureate
  • Satoshi Kitamura, Japanese children’s picture book author and illustrator
  • Ian James Rankin, Scottish crime writer, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels
  • Steven Appleby,  the creator of comic strips for many newspapers, including The GuardianThe Observer and The Times
  • Kripa Joshi, the creator of Miss Moti, a character who has been featured in BBC Women’s Hour, BBC Asian Network, the Guardian and other international publications
  • Steve McGarry, the most syndicated British cartoonist, based in the USA, and President of the National Cartoonists Society
  • Frank Quitely, Glaswegian comic work includes New X MenWe3All Star Superman
  • David Silverman, extraordinary cartoonist, director and animator with credits include The Simpsons

The 2018 Festival includes…

  • Live drawing from some of the biggest international comic artists
  • Talks, presentations and masterclasses – come and learn from the best
  • A comic marketplace – newly extended for 2018 with the big names and independent publishers
  • Comic signings with artists, writers and creators
  • A family-zone packed with activities for young, budding artists and comic art fans
  • Comic art exhibitions in our gallery spaces
  • International comic book launches – be the first to get your hands on the latest releases
  • Comic-themed films – the festival has three state-of-the-art cinema screens
  • Comic art trail throughout the town of Kendal
  • New for 2018, the Friday Sessions with talks and debates featuring leading comic creators
  • Evening entertainment, music, comedy and cabaret
  • Fantastic selection of restaurants, cafés and pubs
  • And it’s all happening in the glorious Lake District!

• Tickets for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, running Friday 12th – Sunday 14th October 2018 in Kendal at various venues across the town, are on sale now from the event’s web site. Dates have already been announced for Oct 2019

• Web: www.comicartfestival.com

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