Habibi, Blankets and Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson

Habibi Blankets: Concluding our month of shows looking at biography and autobiography in comics, Alex Fitch talks to the multiple award winning (and Grammy nominated) cartoonist Craig Thompson about his epic new graphic novel Habibi (My beloved). Alex and Craig discuss the 672 page book’s reworking of themes from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, mixing in modern concerns about gender politics and pollution in the Middle East and how his previous autobiographical works Blankets and Carnet de Voyage, with their themes of sexual awakening, religion and travelogue, led to his latest work.
Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download. (Broadcast 29/01/12 on Resonance 104.4 FM)

Links: Habibi page at www.faber.co.uk
Info about Craig’s graphic novels at www.topshelfcomix.com
Craig’s website: www.dootdootgarden.com

Recommended events:

Orbital comics signing and exhibtion launch

To celebrate the release of Mary and Bryan Talbot’s long awaited Dotter of her Father’s Eyes, the Orbital Gallery will be hosting an exhibition with original artwork from the book from February 2 to March 2.

On February 3rd, the Talbots will come to Orbital for a signing, starting at 5pm.

8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7JA

www.orbitalcomics.com/events

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at Gosh! Comics, 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Panel Borders: Habibi Blankets

Habibi, Blankets and Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson

Concluding our month of shows looking at biography and autobiography in comics, Alex Fitch talks to the multiple award winning (and Grammy nominated) cartoonist Craig Thompson about his epic new graphic novel Habibi (My beloved). Alex and Craig discuss the 672 page book’s reworking of themes from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, mixing in modern concerns about gender politics and pollution in the Middle East and how his previous autobiographical works Blankets and Carnet de Voyage, with their themes of sexual awakening, religion and travelogue, led to his latest work.

8pm, Sunday 29th January 2012, Resonance 104.4FM / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast of after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com.

Links: Habibi page at www.faber.co.uk
Info about Craig’s graphic novels at www.topshelfcomix.com
Craig’s website: www.dootdootgarden.com

Recommended events:

Orbital comics signing and exhibtion launch

To celebrate the release of Mary and Bryan Talbot’s long awaited Dotter of her Father’s Eyes, the Orbital Gallery will be hosting an exhibition with original artwork from the book from February 2 to March 2.

On February 3rd, the Talbots will come to Orbital for a signing, starting at 5pm.

8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7JA

www.orbitalcomics.com/events

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at Gosh! Comics, 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Image from Dotter of her fathers eyes by Bryan and Mary M Talbot

Dotter of her father’s eyes: Continuing our month of shows about biography and autobiography, guest presenter Nicola Streeten interviews Bryan and Mary Talbot about their forthcoming graphic novel, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes, which contrasts two coming of age narratives: Lucia, daughter of James Joyce, and author Mary Talbot, daughter of the Joycean scholar James S Atherton. (Recorded and edited by Alex Fitch) (Recorded live in front of an audience at the University of Sussex as part of the First Fictions Festival).
Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download. (Broadcast 22/01/12 on Resonance 104.4 FM)

Links: Info about First Fictions Festival
Mary Talbot’s website
Official Dotter page at www.randomhouse.co.uk
Previous interviews with Bryan Talbot

Recommended events:

Orbital comics signing and exhibtion launch

To celebrate the release of Mary and Bryan Talbot’s long awaited Dotter of her Father’s Eyes, the Orbital Gallery will be hosting an exhibition with original artwork from the book from February 2 to March 2.

On February 3rd, the Talbots will come to Orbital for a signing, starting at 5pm.

8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7JA

www.orbitalcomics.com/events

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at Gosh! Comics, 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

An introduction to creating your graphic memoir

FREE WORKSHOP
Saturday 28 January 2012
2-4pm
Ages 18+
Presentation and practical workshop with Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of the highly praised graphic memoir ‘Billy, Me and You’.
No experience necessary, materials will be provided

Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, London E14 6BT
Tel 020 7364 4332

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Panel Borders: Dotter of her father’s eyes

Image from Dotter of her fathers eyes by Bryan and Mary M Talbot

Continuing our month of shows about biography and autobiography, guest presenter Nicola Streeten interviews Bryan and Mary Talbot about their forthcoming graphic novel, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes, which contrasts two coming of age narratives: Lucia, daughter of James Joyce, and author Mary Talbot, daughter of the Joycean scholar James S Atherton. (Recorded and edited by Alex Fitch) (Recorded live in front of an audience at the University of Sussex as part of the First Fictions Festival).

8pm, Sunday 22nd January 2012, Resonance 104.4FM / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast of after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com.

Links: Info about First Fictions Festival
Mary Talbot’s website
Official Dotter page at www.randomhouse.co.uk
Previous interviews with Bryan Talbot

Recommended events:

Orbital comics signing and exhibtion launch

To celebrate the release of Mary and Bryan Talbot’s long awaited Dotter of her Father’s Eyes, the Orbital Gallery will be hosting an exhibition with original artwork from the book from February 2 to March 2.

On February 3rd, the Talbots will come to Orbital for a signing, starting at 5pm.

8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7JA

www.orbitalcomics.com/events

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at Gosh! Comics, 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

An introduction to creating your graphic memoir

FREE WORKSHOP
Saturday 28 January 2012
2-4pm
Ages 18+
Presentation and practical workshop with Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of the highly praised graphic memoir ‘Billy, Me and You’.
No experience necessary, materials will be provided

Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, London E14 6BT
Tel 020 7364 4332

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Excerpt from Dance by the light of the moon by Judith Vanistendael

Judith Vanistendael: Dance by the light of the moon. In a Q and A recorded at Bar Music Hall in East London as part of Comica Festival, 2010, Paul Gravett talks to Flemish cartoonist Judith Vanistendael about her semi-autobiographical graphic novel Dance by the light of the moon, published in the UK by Self Made Hero.
(Recorded and edited by Alex Fitch, introduced by Sarah Lightman)

For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Review of Dance by the light of the moon on the Forbidden Planet International blog
Info about the book at selfmadehero.com
Original event listing at comicafestival.com

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

First Fictions Festival

As part of Myriad Press’ First Fictions Festival at Sussex University, there are several graphic novel related events:

Saturday 21 January 2pm Judging a Graphic Novel Winner of the First Graphic Novel Competition will be announced at the First Fictions Festival. Paul Gravett will scratch the heads of the panel of judges (Ian Rankin, ILYA, Hannah Berry, Corinne Pearlman but not Steve Bell cos he’s on holiday) asking how DO you judge a graphic novel? Pages from the shortlisted works will be shown and the winner announced.

Saturday 21 January 6pm Bryan and Mary Talbot‘s first outing to talk about and show pages from their gorgeous-looking new graphic novel Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes. Laydeez Do Comics creator Nicola Streeten will be asking some very direct questions.

Sunday 22 January 11.30am Autobiography and fiction: graphic novelists Nicola Streeten and Nye Wright will join forces with novelist Sue Eckstein to investigate how their work is informed by their lives.

Fulton Building, Sussex University, Brighton
More info at www.firstfictions.com

An introduction to creating your graphic memoir

FREE WORKSHOP
Saturday 28 January 2012
2-4pm
Ages 18+
Presentation and practical workshop with Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of the highly praised graphic memoir ‘Billy, Me and You’.
No experience necessary, materials will be provided

Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, London E14 6BT
Tel 020 7364 4332

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Panel from Chimo by David Collier, published by Conundrum Press

Collier’s War: Continuing our month of shows on biography and autobiography, Alex Fitch talks to Canadian cartoonist David Collier about his work, from his Collier’s self published comics to graphic novels such as Chimo released by Conundrum Press and various titles distributed by Drawn and Quarterly. Alex and David also talk about the latter’s experiences serving in the army and getting advice from Robert Crumb. (Recorded live in front of an audience at the Imperial War Museum, London)
Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download. (Broadcast 15/01/12 on Resonance 104.4 FM)

Links: Info about Chimo at www.conundrumpress.com
Work by David Collier published by Drawn and Quarterly
More podcasts recorded at the Imperial War Museum, London

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Other comics events:

Course: Drawing For The Graphic Novel
Stephen Marchant’s 11-week course on Thursday evenings run by Birkbeck College in association with the Cartoon Museum.
Where: Cartoon Museum, London
When: January 12, 2012

Rethinking the History of Childhood: Narratives, Sources, Debates
The history of childhood is now ripe for re-evaluation. The conference will
debate existing paradigms while welcoming the work of new scholars.
Where: University of Greenwich, Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation
When: January 14, 2012

For more info: www.paulgravett.com

Panel Borders: Collier’s War

Panel from Chimo by David Collier, published by Conundrum Press

Continuing our month of shows on biography and autobiography, Alex Fitch talks to Canadian cartoonist David Collier about his work, from his Collier’s self published comics to graphic novels such as Chimo released by Conundrum Press and various titles distributed by Drawn and Quarterly. Alex and David also talk about the latter’s experiences serving in the army and getting advice from Robert Crumb. (Recorded live in front of an audience at the Imperial War Museum, London).

8pm, Sunday 15th January 2012, Resonance 104.4FM / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast of after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com.

Links: Info about Chimo at www.conundrumpress.com
Work by David Collier published by Drawn and Quarterly
More podcasts recorded at the Imperial War Museum, London

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Other comics events:

Course: Drawing For The Graphic Novel
Stephen Marchant’s 11-week course on Thursday evenings run by Birkbeck College in association with the Cartoon Museum.
Where: Cartoon Museum, London
When: January 12, 2012

Rethinking the History of Childhood: Narratives, Sources, Debates
The history of childhood is now ripe for re-evaluation. The conference will
debate existing paradigms while welcoming the work of new scholars.
Where: University of Greenwich, Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation
When: January 14, 2012

For more info: www.paulgravett.com

Alex Fitch interviews Shaun Tan / Weebl and Bob re-enact Raiders of the Lost Ark

Watch an extract of the Shaun Tan interview / Listen to Alex’s 2009 interview with Tan

Links: Wikipedia pages on Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Eric Khoo, Shaun Tan and Jonti Picking
Eric’s website
Jonti’s website
Shaun’s website
Official Soda Pictures Tatsumi website
Illustration Cupboard website

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

COMIC GOSH!P
Free ‘Thinking Comics’ reading group discusses Phonogram: The Singles Club & Hitsville Uk by John Riordan and Dan Cox. All welcome.
January 11, 2012 – 7.15-9pm

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Other comics events:

Course: Drawing For The Graphic Novel
Stephen Marchant’s 11-week course on Thursday evenings run by Birkbeck College in association with the Cartoon Museum.
Where: Cartoon Museum, London
When: January 12, 2012

Rethinking the History of Childhood: Narratives, Sources, Debates
The history of childhood is now ripe for re-evaluation. The conference will
debate existing paradigms while welcoming the work of new scholars.
Where: University of Greenwich, Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation
When: January 14, 2012

For more info: www.paulgravett.com

Storytelling for Comics and Graphic Novels course

You will learn about comic and graphic novel storytelling techniques, and how to create your own visual narrative. Everyone will end the course with one completed comic page, and the skills to continue their work for themselves. We will look at comic and graphic novel art styles, the use of text and images, the “grammar” of comic art, use of sound effects, abstraction, and styles. You provide a story from your own experience, or one you wish to adapt into the medium.

West Dean College, Chichester (Suitable for all levels)
2nd – 4th March 2012
Details here: www.westdean.org.uk

Clear Spot: Cult Animation

Alex Fitch interviews Shaun Tan / stills from Weebl and Bob + Tatsumi

Alex Fitch talks to three directors of innovative new animated films. Alex talks to Oscar Winner (2011 co-director Short Animated film) Shaun Tan about the adaptation of his acclaimed picture book The Lost Thing and to web animator Jonti Picking about his cult animated series Weebl and Bob as well as his adverts for Cadbury’s Creme Eggs (is it that time of year already?) and Anchor Butter.
Alex is joined by Dickon Harris for an interview with comic book creator turned animator Eric Khoo who has directed a portmanteau film called Tatsumi, based on the work of Yoshihito Tatsumi, including five of his short stories and bookends adapting his autobiography A Drifting Life.

8pm, Tuesday 10th January 2012, Resonance 104.4FM / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast of Eric Khoo online now / extended podcast of Tan and Picking interviews at www.electricsheepmagazine.co.uk/events after broadcast.

Listen to Alex’s previous interview with Shaun Tan

Links: Wikipedia pages on Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Eric Khoo, Shaun Tan and Jonti Picking
Eric’s website
Jonti’s website
Shaun’s website
Official Soda Pictures Tatsumi website
Illustration Cupboard website

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

COMIC GOSH!P
Free ‘Thinking Comics’ reading group discusses Phonogram: The Singles Club & Hitsville Uk by John Riordan and Dan Cox. All welcome.
January 11, 2012 – 7.15-9pm

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Other comics events:

Course: Drawing For The Graphic Novel
Stephen Marchant’s 11-week course on Thursday evenings run by Birkbeck College in association with the Cartoon Museum.
Where: Cartoon Museum, London
When: January 12, 2012

Rethinking the History of Childhood: Narratives, Sources, Debates
The history of childhood is now ripe for re-evaluation. The conference will
debate existing paradigms while welcoming the work of new scholars.
Where: University of Greenwich, Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation
When: January 14, 2012

For more info: www.paulgravett.com

Still from Tatsumi, directed by Eric Khoo

Animating Tatsumi: Starting a month of shows on biography and autobiography, Alex Fitch and Dickon Harris interview comic creator turned animator Eric Khoo, director of the portmanteau film Tatsumi (released 13/01/12) which is based on the work of mangaka Yoshihiro Tatsumi, including five of his gekiga short stories with bookends adapting his autobiography A Drifting Life.
Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download. (Broadcast 10/01/12 on Resonance 104.4 FM)

Links: Wikipedia pages on Yoshihiro Tatsumi and Eric Khoo
Eric’s website
Official Soda Pictures Tatsumi website

Recommended events:

GOSH! – UPCOMING EVENTS

COMIC GOSH!P
Free ‘Thinking Comics’ reading group discusses Phonogram: The Singles Club & Hitsville Uk by John Riordan and Dan Cox. All welcome.
January 11, 2012 – 7.15-9pm

CRAIG THOMPSON signing copies of Habibi, Blankets and more, 5pm-7pm,
Saturday 21st January

EDDIE CAMPBELL signing at 6:30pm, Friday 3rd February
1, Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR / www.goshlondon.com
Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus / Leicester Square

Other comics events:

Course: Drawing For The Graphic Novel
Stephen Marchant’s 11-week course on Thursday evenings run by Birkbeck College in association with the Cartoon Museum.
Where: Cartoon Museum, London
When: January 12, 2012

Rethinking the History of Childhood: Narratives, Sources, Debates
The history of childhood is now ripe for re-evaluation. The conference will
debate existing paradigms while welcoming the work of new scholars.
Where: University of Greenwich, Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation
When: January 14, 2012

For more info: www.paulgravett.com

Panel Borders:

Unnamable horrors in genre comics

Partially broadcast 18/12/11 on Resonance FM

Fatale by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the Marvel Cancerverse by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning in Realm of Kings, drawn by Leonardo Manco and The Thanos Imperative drawn by Miguel Sepulveda

Concluding our series of shows about H.P. Lovecraft, Alex Fitch talks to three creators who have recently penned comics inspired by his monsters and scenarios. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning talk about adding a Lovecraftian twist to Marvel Superheroes in their titles Realm of Kings and The Thanos Imperative, which feature alternative versions of Captain Marvel and the Avengers possessed by the ‘Many-angled Ones’. Also Ed Brubaker discusses Fatale, his latest collaboration with artist Sean Phillips, following Sleeper, Criminal and Incognito, which mixes noir storytelling with occult ceremonies and tentacle faced Nazis.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Alex Fitch interviews Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Also available: video podcast with Abnett and Lanning about their Marvel ‘Space Opera’ titles…

Links: Wikipedia pages on Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Realm of Kings and The Thanos Imperative

Buy Realm of Kings, The Thanos Imperative, Criminal, Incognito and Sleeper from amazon.co.uk

Previous interviews about H.P. Lovecraft: Alan Moore, I.N.J. Culbard, panel discussion featuring China Mieville and Denise Mina

Panel Borders: Unnamable horrors in genre comics

Fatale by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the Marvel Cancerverse by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning in Realm of Kings, drawn by Leonardo Manco and The Thanos Imperative drawn by Miguel Sepulveda

Concluding our series of shows about H.P. Lovecraft, Alex Fitch talks to three creators who have recently penned comics inspired by his monsters and scenarios. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning talk about adding a Lovecraftian twist to Marvel Superheroes in their titles Realm of Kings and The Thanos Imperative, which feature alternative versions of Captain Marvel and the Avengers possessed by the ‘Many-angled Ones’. Also Ed Brubaker discusses Fatale, his latest collaboration with artist Sean Phillips, following Sleeper, Criminal and Incognito, which mixes noir storytelling with occult ceremonies and tentacle faced Nazis.

8pm, Sunday 18th December, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Alex Fitch interviews Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Also available: video podcast with Abnett and Lanning about their Marvel ‘Space Opera’ titles…

Links: Wikipedia pages on Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Realm of Kings and The Thanos Imperative

Buy Realm of Kings, The Thanos Imperative, Criminal, Incognito and Sleeper from amazon.co.uk

Previous interviews about H.P. Lovecraft: Alan Moore, I.N.J. Culbard, panel discussion featuring China Mieville and Denise Mina

Alan Moore: The Horrors at Red Hook

Partially broadcast 11/12/11 on Resonance FM

Wrap covers of The Courtyard and Neonomicon by Alan Moore, Anthony Johnson and Jacen Burrows

Continuing our month of shows about H.P. Lovecraft, Alex Fitch talks to Alan Moore about his final graphic novel that isn’t part of the continuing League of Extraordinary Gentlemen narrative – Neonomicon – which has just been published, along with its prequel The Courtyard, as a graphic novel by Avatar Press. Both comics follow on from Lovecraft’s tale ‘The Horror at Red Hook’ and Alan discusses why he chose that story in particular to explore further, plus the origins of The Courtyard in an abandoned short story collection called ‘Yuggoth Cultures’, and examples of Lovecraftian imagery in his League of Extraordinary Gentlemen saga.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Info about The Courtyard and Neonomicon
Order the short story collections: The Starry Wisdom (prose) and Yuggoth Cultures (comics) featuring Alan Moore and The graphic novel The Courtyard / Neonomicon from amazon.co.uk
Read H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook
Youtube analysis of Neonomicon: part one / two

Listen to Alex’s discussion with Antony Johnson about adapting The Courtyard and other prose fiction for comics
Download previous interviews with Alan Moore

Recommended events:

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

COMICS CHANGED MY LIFE! – Brighton Zine, comic and small press fair

A day of fanzines, comics, small press and a smattering of arts and craft set to the cosy and friendly backdrop of Brighton’s Cowley Club.

And of course it’ll be (ahem)… THAT time of year, so think of it as a means of escaping the feeding frenzy that will engulf every street in the country for the month. And hey – everyone loves comics (even if they don’t know it yet), so you’ll have a wealth of splendid gifts all under one roof.

So it all starts at midday, and will go on till about half six. In the evening there will be live music from The Astronauts and Pog. During the day the Cowley Club will be rustling up soup, vegan cakes and hot drinks. There’s also a couple of sofas, so it will be possible to spend the whole afternoon reading obscure comics while gorging yourself on ethically agreeable nosh. Is there a better way to spend the day? I don’t think so.

Entry is free, kids are welcome, and we’re still looking for people to come and host stalls – so if you write or draw any sort of small press, make things to wear, things to put on the wall etc, please get in touch with me and I can send you the details and add you to the list:

Email beat_bedsit at yahoo.co.uk for more info

CONFIRMED STALLHOLDERS:
BEDSIT PRESS / PAPER TIGER / SCHNEWS / JUST JUSTINE / ROBIN BARNARD / PEARL / BEN BAILEY / JOE DECIE / MONSTER EMPORIUM PRESS / FRANCESCA CASSAVETTI / DOCTOR SIMPO / GHOSTWOOD PRESS / MICROCOSMIC ORBIT / GAVIN BURROWS / HOOJEMAFLAP… comics, zines and book distros

Saturday, 17 December 2011, 12:00 to 15:00
The Cowley Club, 11 London Road, Brighton

Panel Borders – Alan Moore: The Horrors at Red Hook

Wrap covers of The Courtyard and Neonomicon by Alan Moore, Anthony Johnson and Jacen Burrows

Continuing our month of shows about H.P. Lovecraft, Alex Fitch talks to Alan Moore about his final graphic novel that isn’t part of the continuing League of Extraordinary Gentlemen narrative – Neonomicon – which has just been published, along with its prequel The Courtyard, as a graphic novel by Avatar Press. Both comics follow on from Lovecraft’s tale ‘The Horror at Red Hook’ and Alan discusses why he chose that story in particular to explore further, plus the origins of The Courtyard in an abandoned short story collection called ‘Yuggoth Cultures’, and examples of Lovecraftian imagery in his League of Extraordinary Gentlemen saga.

8pm, Sunday 11th December, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Info about The Courtyard and Neonomicon
Order the short story collections: The Starry Wisdom (prose) and Yuggoth Cultures (comics) featuring Alan Moore and The graphic novel The Courtyard / Neonomicon from amazon.co.uk
Read H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook
Youtube analysis of Neonomicon: part one / two

Listen to Alex’s discussion with Antony Johnson about adapting The Courtyard and other prose fiction for comics
Download previous interviews with Alan Moore

Recommended events:

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

COMICS CHANGED MY LIFE! – Brighton Zine, comic and small press fair

A day of fanzines, comics, small press and a smattering of arts and craft set to the cosy and friendly backdrop of Brighton’s Cowley Club.

And of course it’ll be (ahem)… THAT time of year, so think of it as a means of escaping the feeding frenzy that will engulf every street in the country for the month. And hey – everyone loves comics (even if they don’t know it yet), so you’ll have a wealth of splendid gifts all under one roof.

So it all starts at midday, and will go on till about half six. In the evening there will be live music from The Astronauts and Pog. During the day the Cowley Club will be rustling up soup, vegan cakes and hot drinks. There’s also a couple of sofas, so it will be possible to spend the whole afternoon reading obscure comics while gorging yourself on ethically agreeable nosh. Is there a better way to spend the day? I don’t think so.

Entry is free, kids are welcome, and we’re still looking for people to come and host stalls – so if you write or draw any sort of small press, make things to wear, things to put on the wall etc, please get in touch with me and I can send you the details and add you to the list:

Email beat_bedsit at yahoo.co.uk for more info

CONFIRMED STALLHOLDERS:
BEDSIT PRESS / PAPER TIGER / SCHNEWS / JUST JUSTINE / ROBIN BARNARD / PEARL / BEN BAILEY / JOE DECIE / MONSTER EMPORIUM PRESS / FRANCESCA CASSAVETTI / DOCTOR SIMPO / GHOSTWOOD PRESS / MICROCOSMIC ORBIT / GAVIN BURROWS / HOOJEMAFLAP… comics, zines and book distros

Saturday, 17 December 2011, 12:00 to 15:00
The Cowley Club, 11 London Road, Brighton

Illustrating the Mountains of Madness

Partially broadcast 04/12/11 on Resonance FM

Images from The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, At the Mountains of Madness and Deadbeats by I.N.J Culbard

Beginning a trio of shows about the influence of writer H.P.Lovecraft on comics, Alex Fitch talks to I.N.J. Culbard about his graphic novel adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness and forthcoming adaptation of The Case of Charles Dexter Ward for Self Made Hero. Cartoonist Rob Davis briefly joins the conversation (recorded at last month’s Thought Bubble convention) as Alex, Rob and Ian discuss Lovecraft’s short stories and the difficulty of illustrating prose that is alternatively wordy, obtuse and unnamable.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Ian’s blog strangeplanetstories.blogspot.com
Info about the Lovecraft Anthology, At the Mountains of Madness and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
Preview pages from Ian’s forthcoming Lovecraftian comic Deadbeats
Listen to Alex’s previous interview with Ian Culbard about Sherlock Holmes and The Picture of Dorian Grey / with China Miéville, Denise Mina, Mark Stafford and Alice Duke about H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe

Recommended events:

Canny Comics

On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December, listeners in the North of England might like to go along to the Newcastle Comic Convention, Canny Comics which is taking place at Tyneside Cinema and Newcastle City Library – events include a free screening of George lucas’ magnum opus, Howard the Duck, signings, a drink and draw session and guests include Mary and Bryan Talbot, Doug Braithwaite, Gary Erskine and Al Ewing…
09/12/11 – 7pm till late, Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear NE1 6QG
10/12/11 – 10am – 5.30pm, Newcastle City Library, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX
More info can be found at cannycomiccon.blogspot.com

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

Panel Borders: Illustrating the Mountains of Madness

Images from The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, At the Mountains of Madness and Deadbeats by I.N.J Culbard

Beginning a trio of shows about the influence of writer H.P.Lovecraft on comics, Alex Fitch talks to I.N.J. Culbard about his graphic novel adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness and forthcoming adaptation of The Case of Charles Dexter Ward for Self Made Hero. Cartoonist Rob Davis briefly joins the conversation (recorded at last month’s Thought Bubble convention) as Alex, Rob and Ian discuss Lovecraft’s short stories and the difficulty of illustrating prose that is alternatively wordy, obtuse and unnamable.

8pm, Sunday 4th December, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Ian’s blog strangeplanetstories.blogspot.com
Info about the Lovecraft Anthology, At the Mountains of Madness and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
Preview pages from Ian’s forthcoming Lovecraftian comic Deadbeats
Listen to Alex’s previous interview with Ian Culbard about Sherlock Holmes and The Picture of Dorian Grey / with China Miéville, Denise Mina, Mark Stafford and Alice Duke about H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe

Recommended events:

Laydeez do comics, December 2011

In the last LDC of 2011, Laydeez curators Nicola and Sarah talk about their work and how it has evolved since the first LDC meeting in 2009 + a couple of designers talk about their comics.

Guests:
Rachel Abrams, designer and writer, Brooklyn NY
Sarah Lightman, artist, curator and researcher
Marcia Mihotich, graphic designer and illustrator
Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of graphic memoir Billy, Me & You

Recommended Read:
Billy, Me & You by Nicola Streeten, published by Myriad Editions

Monday 5 December
Time: 6.30 – 9.30pm
Venue: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ

Canny Comics

On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December, listeners in the North of England might like to go along to the Newcastle Comic Convention, Canny Comics which is taking place at Tyneside Cinema and Newcastle City Library – events include a free screening of George lucas’ magnum opus, Howard the Duck, signings, a drink and draw session and guests include Mary and Bryan Talbot, Doug Braithwaite, Gary Erskine and Al Ewing…
09/12/11 – 7pm till late, Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear NE1 6QG
10/12/11 – 10am – 5.30pm, Newcastle City Library, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX
More info can be found at cannycomiccon.blogspot.com

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

Recommended events:

Julien Neel interview

Paul Gravett will be interviewing the truly brilliant French cartoonist Julien Neel and translator Ros Schwartz.
Where: Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place SW7 2DT
When: November 27, 2011 – From 3pm

More info at: www.comicafestival.com

Blame it on Romance: What Frightened Senator Joe McCarthy

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join Ian Rakoff, screenwriter, editor and author, to look at the significance of politics and gender in relation to popular romance comic books.

Romance comic books selling over 30 million monthly issues and featuring influential heroines dominated the market from 1949 to 1954. At the same time, real women continued to experience gender discrimination and disempowerment. Ian Rakoff draws new connections between the content of romance comic books and 1950s anti-communist McCarthy witch-hunts.

Wed 30 November 2011, 1pm, Victoria and Albert Museum, Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2RL
More info: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson

Alex Fitch, Alice Duke, China Mieville, Denise Mina and Mark Stafford at SCI-FI-LONDON, photo by Fia Eamónn Wahlin

Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft: As everyone likes a good ghost story at Christmas, Alex Fitch chairs a panel discussion on Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, the two American heavyweights of classic horror and fantastic literature, with contributors including novelists China Miéville and Denise Mina, and illustrators Mark Stafford and Alice Duke.

2011 is the 85th anniversary of Lovecraft’s seminal story The Call of Cthulu, the 80th anniversary of the character first appearing in another writer’s fiction (Robert E. Howard’s The Black Stone) and the 170th anniversary of the publication of The Murders in the Rue Morgue. The panelists discuss the influence of Lovecraft on genre fiction plus the use of the iconography of Poe in Goth culture and detective literature in front of an audience of fans and professionals including David Hine and Al Davison. Originally broadcast 02/12/11 on Resonance FM
(Recorded at the British Film Institute as part of this year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival).

For more info about this podcast and a variety of other formats you can download / stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: China Mieville / Denise Mina / Alice Duke / Mark Stafford websites
Wikipedia pages on H.P.Lovecraft, Cthulu and Lovecraftian horror
Edgar Allan Poe and Poe in popular culture
Download works by H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe
Info about Self Made Hero’s Lovecraft and Poe anthologies

Recommended events:

Laydeez do comics, December 2011

In the last LDC of 2011, Laydeez curators Nicola and Sarah talk about their work and how it has evolved since the first LDC meeting in 2009 + a couple of designers talk about their comics.

Guests:
Rachel Abrams, designer and writer, Brooklyn NY
Sarah Lightman, artist, curator and researcher
Marcia Mihotich, graphic designer and illustrator
Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of graphic memoir Billy, Me & You

Recommended Read:
Billy, Me & You by Nicola Streeten, published by Myriad Editions

Monday 5 December
Time: 6.30 – 9.30pm
Venue: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

Partially broadcast 02/12/11 on Resonance FM as an episode of I’m ready for my close-up

Simon Burbage, John Thomson and Gavin Molloy in Pulp / Tom Guerrier helps Mark Gatiss get into character for Cleaning Up

Alex Fitch talks to director Tom Guerrier about his short film Clearing Up, written by his brother Simon and featuring Doctor Who stars Mark Gatiss and Louise Jameson as a hitman and his landlady; and to Adam Hamdy, co-director, and actors Jay Sutherland, Gavin Molloy, Simon Burbage and Lee Ravitz, about Pulp, a caper movie set in the small press comic community. Both films are starting to tour festivals and Alex talks about to their creators about the making of each project and their ambitions to get the films to larger audiences.

Cleaning Up will be screening next on 10/01/12 at the London Short Film Festival at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.
Pulp receives its UK premiere on 02/02/12 at SFX Weekender Sci-Fi convention, Prestatyn Sands, Wales.

For more information and a variety of formats you can stream / download, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org

In association with

Links: Tom and Simon Guerrier’s website, featuring info on Cleaning Up
Pulp movie website
SFX Weekender site
London Short Film Festival site

Recommended events:

Laydeez do comics, December 2011

In the last LDC of 2011, Laydeez curators Nicola and Sarah talk about their work and how it has evolved since the first LDC meeting in 2009 + a couple of designers talk about their comics.

Guests:
Rachel Abrams, designer and writer, Brooklyn NY
Sarah Lightman, artist, curator and researcher
Marcia Mihotich, graphic designer and illustrator
Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of graphic memoir Billy, Me & You

Recommended Read:
Billy, Me & You by Nicola Streeten, published by Myriad Editions

Monday 5 December
Time: 6.30 – 9.30pm
Venue: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

I’m ready for my close-up – Pulp Fiction: Low budget British genre films

Simon Burbage, John Thomson and Gavin Molloy in Pulp / Tom Guerrier helps Mark Gatiss get into character for Cleaning Up

Alex Fitch talks to director Tom Guerrier about his short film Clearing Up, featuring Doctor Who stars Mark Gatiss and Louise Jameson as a hitman and his landlady; and to Adam Hamdy, co-director, and actors Jay Sutherland, Gavin Molloy, Simon Burbage and Lee Ravitz, about Pulp, a caper movie set in the small press comic community. Both films are starting to tour festivals and Alex talks about to their creators about the making of each project and their ambitions to get the films to larger audiences.

Cleaning Up will be screening next on 10/01/12 at the London Short Film Festival at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.
Pulp receives its UK premiere on 02/02/12 at SFX Weekender Sci-Fi convention, Prestatyn Sands, Wales.

5pm, Friday 2nd December, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.electricsheepmagazine.com/events

…and on tonight…

Book List: Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft

Alex Fitch, Alice Duke, China Mieville, Denise Mina and Mark Stafford at SCI-FI-LONDON, photo by Fia Eamónn Wahlin

As everyone likes a good ghost story at Christmas, Alex Fitch chairs a panel discussion on Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, the two American heavyweights of classic horror and fantastic literature, with contributors including novelists China Miéville and Denise Mina, and illustrators Mark Stafford and Alice Duke. 2011 is the 85th anniversary of Lovecraft’s seminal story The Call of Cthulu, the 80th anniversary of the character first appearing in another writer’s fiction (Robert E. Howard’s The Black Stone) and the 170th anniversary of the publication of The Murders in the Rue Morgue. The panelists discuss the influence of Lovecraft on genre fiction plus the use of the iconography of Poe in Goth culture and detective literature in front of an audience of fans and professionals including David Hine and Al Davison. (Recorded at the British Film Institute as part of this year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival).

8pm, Friday 2nd December, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Websites: Cleaning Up / Pulp
China Mieville / Denise Mina / Alice Duke / Mark Stafford

Magical realism

Sparky O Hare by Mawil, Nelson by Woodrow Phoenix, Miss Moti by Kripa Joshi

In a pair of talks recorded at Laydeez do comics, cartoonists Kripa Joshi and Mawil (Markus Witzel) discuss their work, plus Alex Fitch visits Woodrow Phoenix in his studio to discuss his editing of the new graphic novel Nelson. If there is a common theme between the three, it is a sense of magical realism in their art which juxtaposes the ordinary with the out of the ordinary, from Woodrow’s use of road furniture in Rumble Strip, to Kripa’s use of Indian mythology in her tales of domestic incidents and Mawil’s blue collar stories of life in Germany through the lens of his alter-ego Sparky O’Hare.
Recorded by Nicola Streeten and Alex Fitch, introduced and edited by Alex Fitch.

For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Kripa Joshi‘s website and Miss Moti comics
Mawil‘s website
Woodrow Phoenix‘s online portfolio
More info about Nelson

Recommended events:

Laydeez do comics, December 2011

In the last LDC of 2011, Laydeez curators Nicola and Sarah talk about their work and how it has evolved since the first LDC meeting in 2009 + a couple of designers talk about their comics.

Guests:
Rachel Abrams, designer and writer, Brooklyn NY
Sarah Lightman, artist, curator and researcher
Marcia Mihotich, graphic designer and illustrator
Nicola Streeten, illustrator and author of graphic memoir Billy, Me & You

Recommended Read:
Billy, Me & You by Nicola Streeten, published by Myriad Editions

Monday 5 December
Time: 6.30 – 9.30pm
Venue: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ

Comics Gosh!p

Another monthly event, in which hosts Mike Medaglia and Mark Haylock pick a ‘mainstream’ and small press comic to discuss in this free reading group in Gosh Comics!, Soho

This month they’re looking at “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud and John Miers‘ treatment of The Tower of Babel in his book “A Collection of Comics”
All books will be available at Gosh! and you can read ‘The Tower of Babel’ online (however the book is really nice to have!)

Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Time: 19:00 until 21:00
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F ODR

More info: http://www.facebook.com/thinkingcomics

The danger of Romance

Partially broadcast 27/11/11 on Resonance FM

covers of Young Romance #12 (Aug 1949, art by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Bill Draut) / First Romance #17 (Sep 1952, artist unknown), pages from The Story of Lee by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada / Yakuza Moon by Shoko Tendo, Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa

Concluding our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer and manga translator Sean Michael Wilson and lecturer and author Ian Rakoff about romance comics. Sean is the editor of AX vol.1: A collection of Alternative Manga and author of The Story of Lee and adaptor of Yakuza Moon, two manga novels with varying degrees of biography about the fortunes of young women encountering different cultures across Asia.
Ian is about to give his latest lecture about comics (30/11) at the Victoria and Albert museum, and this month is discussing the subject of romance comics, with a focus on how they were an antidote to McCarthyism in 1950s America.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Info about Ian Rakoff‘s talk on Romance Comics on his blog
Event listing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s website
Alex’s previous interviews with Ian about Social Realism, Westerns and cultural stereotypes in comics

Sean Michael Wilson‘s blog, including info on the books discussed in this interview
Read various manga by Wilson at www.webcomicsnation.com including an earlier adaptation of The Story of Lee illustrated by Yishan Li
Interview with Wilson at www.scotsman.com

Recommended events:

Blame it on Romance: What Frightened Senator Joe McCarthy

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join Ian Rakoff, screenwriter, editor and author, to look at the significance of politics and gender in relation to popular romance comic books.

Romance comic books selling over 30 million monthly issues and featuring influential heroines dominated the market from 1949 to 1954. At the same time, real women continued to experience gender discrimination and disempowerment. Ian Rakoff draws new connections between the content of romance comic books and 1950s anti-communist McCarthy witch-hunts.

Wed 30 November 2011, 1pm, Victoria and Albert Museum, Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2RL
More info: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson

The National Collectors Marketplace Comics Fair – London

The National Collectors Marketplace, with 130 tables, is the largest regular marketplace for comicbook and trading card collectors in the UK. You will also find a whole range of related materials including Sci-fi, Fantasy, Film, TV and Toys from leading National & International dealers. A refreshments counter and pub will be open next to the venue.

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Dec 04, 2011
Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1

More info: londoncomicmart.co.uk

Panel Borders: The danger of Romance

covers of Young Romance #12 (Aug 1949, art by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Bill Draut) / First Romance #17 (Sep 1952, artist unknown), pages from The Story of Lee by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada / Yakuza Moon by Shoko Tendo, Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa

Concluding our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer and manga translator Sean Michael Wilson and lecturer and author Ian Rakoff about romance comics. Sean is the editor of AX vol.1: A collection of Alternative Manga and author of The Story of Lee and adaptor of Yakuza Moon, two manga novels with varying degrees of biography about the fortunes of young women encountering different cultures across Asia.
Ian is about to give his latest lecture about comics (30/11) at the Victoria and Albert museum, and this month is discussing the subject of romance comics, with a focus on how they were an antidote to McCarthyism in 1950s America.

8pm, Sunday 27th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Info about Ian Rakoff‘s talk on Romance Comics on his blog
Event listing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s website
Alex’s previous interviews with Ian about Social Realism, Westerns and cultural stereotypes in comics

Sean Michael Wilson‘s blog, including info on the books discussed in this interview
Read various manga by Wilson at www.webcomicsnation.com including an earlier adaptation of The Story of Lee illustrated by Yishan Li
Interview with Wilson at www.scotsman.com

Recommended events:

Julien Neel interview

Paul Gravett will be interviewing the truly brilliant French cartoonist Julien Neel and translator Ros Schwartz.
Where: Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place SW7 2DT
When: November 27, 2011 – From 3pm

More info at: www.comicafestival.com

Blame it on Romance: What Frightened Senator Joe McCarthy

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join Ian Rakoff, screenwriter, editor and author, to look at the significance of politics and gender in relation to popular romance comic books.

Romance comic books selling over 30 million monthly issues and featuring influential heroines dominated the market from 1949 to 1954. At the same time, real women continued to experience gender discrimination and disempowerment. Ian Rakoff draws new connections between the content of romance comic books and 1950s anti-communist McCarthy witch-hunts.

Wed 30 November 2011, 1pm, Victoria and Albert Museum, Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2RL
More info: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson

Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder

Partially broadcast 20/11/11 on Resonance FM

Images from Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman and Miguelanxo Prado

Continuing our month of shows about genre, it’s a science fiction double feature as Alex Fitch chats to author Neil Gaiman about examples of SF in his work such as Doctor Who, American Gods, Babylon 5 and Sandman: Endless Nights. Plus, in an extract from a talk at the British Library, Neil discusses his experiences of the genre around the world from China to Tasmania.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Listen to the the 75 min panel discussion with Neil Gaiman, Peter F. Hamilton, Rachel Armstrong, Kari Sperring and (chair) Farah Mendlesohn

Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog
Neil Gaiman’s journal
Art by Miguelanxo Prado

Recommended events:

Laydeez do comics – Internation Comica special

The monthly meeting Laydeez Do Comics links up again with Comica Festival to present special guests from Canada, the USA and Germany. Sarah Leavitt launches Tangles, her graphic memoir of her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease, published by Jonathan Cape. MK Czerwiec, aka ‘Comic Nurse’, presents her unique medical comics and cartoons from a nurse’s perspective. German guests Mawil and Uli Oesterle discuss their careers and latest albums translated into English courtesy of Blank Slate.

Tickets: £1.50
Where: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage St, London E1 5LJ
When: Monday, November 21, 2011 – 6.30pm to 9.30pm

History and Future of Superheroes Comica talk

Secret Origins are exposed and Secret Identities are unmasked in Paul Gravett’s illustrated overview of how the superhero genre was born and has evolved, and where it is heading next. By the co-author and editor of 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die. 

Tickets: Admission free
Where: Islington Central Library, Fieldway Cresent N5
When: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 – From 7pm

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Panel Borders: Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder

Images from Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman and Miguelanxo Prado

Continuing our month of shows about genre, Alex Fitch chats to author Neil Gaiman about examples of Science Fiction in his work such as Doctor Who, American Gods, Babylon 5 and Sandman: Endless Nights. Plus, in an extract from a talk at the British Library, Neil discusses his experiences of the genre around the world from China to Tasmania.

8pm, Sunday 20th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog
Neil Gaiman’s journal
Art by Miguelanxo Prado

Listen to Alex’s interviews with Neil about science fiction conventions and Stardust

Recommended events:

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Thought Bubble comics festival

This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, tables, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.

Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.

Other guests include Doug Braithwaite, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Adam Hughes, Jeff Lemire, Posy Simmonds, Peter Milligan, D’israeli, The Etherington Brothers and many more. More info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Worlds of Wonder at the British Library

Farah Mendlesohn, Neil Gaiman, Rachel Armstrong, Peter F. Hamilton, and Kari Sperring at The British Library. Photo by Marjorie Taylor

In a panel discussion entitled “Worlds of Wonder?”, recorded at the British Library as part of their events season to support the exhibition ‘Out of this World’, authors Neil Gaiman and Peter F. Hamilton, scientist Rachel Armstrong and critics Kari Sperring and Farah Mendlesohn (chair) discuss the current state of science fiction around the world and its relationship with the latest advances in science fact.

(This show replaces November’s episode of Book List on Resonance FM as the slot was overbooked)

Listen to an additional 15 mins of this panel in which Neil Gaiman talks about SF around the world and discusses Doctor Who and Sandman with Alex Fitch

For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com

Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog

The Last Ride of the Western Heroes

Partially broadcast 13/11/11 on Resonance FM

The Kents and Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes by John Ostrander / West - Justice and The Confederate Dead by Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable

Continuing our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to creators of small press and mainstream cowboy comics. Alex talks to veteran comics writer John Ostrander about his classic serialised graphic novel The Kents featuring the history of Superman’s great grandparents in 19th century Kansas and their encounters with the Luthers of the time, which is being re-released in three ’100 page giants’ this winter. Alex and John also talk about Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes, Grimjack and his unrealized Doctor Who audio western.
Also in an interview recorded at this year’s Bristol Small Press Expo, Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton talk about their ongoing comic West, which has recently included horror tropes and guest artists plus their future plans for the title and its graphic novel collections.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton‘s website – www.angrycandy.co.uk
Review of West: Justice on The Forbidden Planet International blog

John Ostrander‘s message pages at www.comicscommunity.com
Preview of The Kents at dccomics.com

Recommended events:

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.

November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Thought Bubble comics festival

This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. From Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th there is also a three day academic conference called Comics Forum.
On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.

Panel Borders events:
Saturday 19th, 1pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a Q and A on stage with Tim Sale (Heroes, Batman: The Long Halloween, Spiderman: Blue) about his work.
Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.

Other guests include Doug Braithwaite, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Adam Hughes, Jeff Lemire, Posy Simmonds, Peter Milligan, D’israeli, The Etherington Brothers and many more. More info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Panel Borders: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes

The Kents and Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes by John Ostrander / West - Justice and The Confederate Dead by Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable

Continuing our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to creators of small press and mainstream cowboy comics. Alex talks to veteran comics writer John Ostrander about his classic serialised graphic novel The Kents featuring the history of Superman’s great grandparents in 19th century Kansas and their encounters with the Luthers of the time, which is being re-released in three ’100 page giants’ this winter. Alex and John also talk about Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes, Grimjack and his unrealized Doctor Who audio western.
Also in an interview recorded at this year’s Bristol Small Press Expo, Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton talk about their ongoing comic West, which has recently included horror tropes and guest artists plus their future plans for the title and its graphic novel collections.

(This is the 300th radio show that Alex Fitch has made for Resonance FM!)

8pm, Sunday 13th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton‘s website – www.angrycandy.co.uk
Review of West: Justice on The Forbidden Planet International blog

John Ostrander‘s message pages at www.comicscommunity.com
Preview of The Kents at dccomics.com

Recommended events:

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.

November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Thought Bubble comics festival

This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. From Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th there is also a three day academic conference called Comics Forum.

On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.

Panel Borders events:
Saturday 19th, 1pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a Q & A on stage with Tim Sale (Heroes, Batman: The Long Halloween, Spiderman: Blue) about his work.
Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.

Other guests include Doug Braithwaite, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Adam Hughes, Jeff Lemire, Posy Simmonds, Peter Milligan, D’israeli, The Etherington Brothers and many more. More info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Hemlock and Skullkickers – Gendering Fantasy

Partially broadcast 06/11/11 on Resonance FM

Skullkickers by Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang / Makeshift Miracle by Zubkavich + three pages from chapter one of Hemlock by Josceline Fenton

Starting a month of shows about genre in comic books, Alex Fitch talks to the writers of two very different fantasy comics which show the wide range of approaches to the genre. At a signing in Orbital Comics, recorded in February, Alex talks to Jim Zubkavich about his popular Image Comics title Skullkickers, his web strip Makeshift Miracle and his work on Udon Studios’ Street Fighter comic, then in an interview recorded at last weekend’s MCM Expo, Josceline Fenton discusses her small press comic Hemlock. Both creators discuss the appearance of their comics online, the importance of well designed packaging for the collected editions and their other projects.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Jim Zubkavich on livejournal and blogspot
Info about Jim Zubkavich at Udon Entertainment’s website

Josceline Fenton pages on tumblr
Hemlock website, including the first page of the saga

Recommended events:

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 9: Comics Gosh!p – the new monthly meeting for graphic novel fans, run by Mark Hayock & Mike Medaglia, this month discussing Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One and Joceline Fenton’s Hemlock.

November 11: Frederik Peeters (Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story) signing/talk/Q&A. His new book Sandcastle is out through SelfMadeHero.

November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.

November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Comica Events

Comiket 2011

The spectacular Great Hall at the Bishopsgate Institute is the new venue for Comica Comiket, the Comica Festival’s 6th one-day comics and art fair – bigger and better than ever, offering the best of British creators, publishers, small presses, graphic artists and suppliers under one roof. Throughout the day, top artists will be taking part on stage in the Comica Drawing Parade, with their live artworks and demos projected on a giant screen.

Artists include: Roger Langridge, Luke Pearson, Warren Pleece, James Jarvis, Savage Pencil, Eyeball, Frederik Peeters and Brecht Evens

Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – 11am to 6pm

Warren Ellis screening + Q & A

The cult writer Warren Ellis makes a rare public appearance at the Bishopsgate Institute and is interviewed by Lenny Henry, before the UK premiere screening of Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts, the revealing documentary about Ellis, directed by Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods).

Tickets: £8 (plus 80p booking fee) available from WeGotTickets.com
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – From 7pm

Panel Borders: Gendering Fantasy

Skullkickers by Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang / Makeshift Miracle by Zubkavich + three pages from chapter one of Hemlock by Josceline Fenton

Starting a month of shows about genre in comic books, Alex Fitch talks to the writers of two very different fantasy comics which show the wide range of approaches to the genre. At a signing in Orbital Comics, recorded in February, Alex talks to Jim Zubkavich about his popular Image Comics title Skullkickers, his web strip Makeshift Miracle and his work on Udon Studios’ Street Fighter comic, then in an interview recorded at last weekend’s MCM Expo, Josceline Fenton discusses her small press comic Hemlock. Both creators discuss the appearance of their comics online, the importance of well designed packaging for the collected editions and their other projects.

8pm, Sunday 6th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

Links: Jim Zubkavich on livejournal and blogspot
Info about Jim Zubkavich at Udon Entertainment’s website

Josceline Fenton pages on tumblr
Hemlock website, including the first page of the saga

Recommended events:

Events at Gosh! Comics

November 9: Comics Gosh!p – the new monthly meeting for graphic novel fans, run by Mark Hayock & Mike Medaglia, this month discussing Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One and Joceline Fenton’s Hemlock.

November 11: Frederik Peeters (Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story) signing/talk/Q&A. His new book Sandcastle is out through SelfMadeHero.

November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.

November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).

November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!

November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

Comica Events

Comiket 2011

The spectacular Great Hall at the Bishopsgate Institute is the new venue for Comica Comiket, the Comica Festival’s 6th one-day comics and art fair – bigger and better than ever, offering the best of British creators, publishers, small presses, graphic artists and suppliers under one roof. Throughout the day, top artists will be taking part on stage in the Comica Drawing Parade, with their live artworks and demos projected on a giant screen.

Artists include: Roger Langridge, Luke Pearson, Warren Pleece, James Jarvis, Savage Pencil, Eyeball, Frederik Peeters and Brecht Evens

Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – 11am to 6pm

Warren Ellis screening + Q & A

The cult writer Warren Ellis makes a rare public appearance at the Bishopsgate Institute and is interviewed by Lenny Henry, before the UK premiere screening of Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts, the revealing documentary about Ellis, directed by Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods).

Tickets: £8 (plus 80p booking fee) available from WeGotTickets.com
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – From 7pm

Peckham Invalids and The Thrill Electric

Partially broadcast 30/10/11 on Resonance FM

The Peckham House for Invalids issue 1 by Howard Hardiman, Julia Scheele and Sarah Gordon / The Thrill Electric by Leah Moore and John Reppion - issue 2 art by Emma Vieceli and Windflower Studios

Concluding this month’s series of shows about new British comics, Alex Fitch talks to the creators of a pair of new Edwardian set comics that mix classic comic book ideas with old and new storytelling techniques. Howard Hardiman discusses The Peckham House for Invalids, a new comic he’s written, illustrated by Julia Scheele and Sarah Gordon that features disabled homeless children with superpowers. Howard and Alex also talk about the return of the author’s beloved anthropomorphic title Badger, in a new zine / illustrated novella format and his recent experiences at art school.
Plus, in a pair of interviews recorded at the MCM Expo, Alex talks to Leah Moore, John Reppion and Emma Vieceli about their web comic, The Thrill Electric, which started this week on Channel 4′s website and tells the tale of sexual politics gang violence and the arrival of the telegraph in turn of the Century Manchester.

For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: The Thrill Electric website
Leah Moore and John Reppion’s website
Emma Vieceli’s website

The Peckham House for Invalids website
Buy Howard Hardiman’s other comics: Badger and The Lengths
Julia Scheele’s website
Sarah Gordon’s website

Recommended event:

Nobrow anthology launch

On Thursday November 3rd at the impossibly fashionable bar Jaguar Shoes, 32 Kingsland Rd, Shoreditch, the pubishers of Luke Pearson’s books Nowbrow press will be launching their new anthology from 6.30pm.

More info: www.comicafestival.com