A welcome return this weekend to MCM Comic-Con in London where again I'll be in the heart of Artist Alley, Booth F-08. My show profile page is here :)
The show has evolved a lot since we first exhibited with the original Comic Village morphing into Artist Alley but is still true to its roots of spotlighting artists and creators who bring life to so much which has become popular culture alongside independent makers like me. The quality and diversity of talent on display is continually changing and always inspiring to attendees and 'ol timers alike!
If you're around, please have a good wander around Artist Alley and I'm sure you'll find something you like and if you see me, please say hi :)
That was a fun day! Thanks to Scott of Scott's Pop's & Comics for hosting last Saturday's annual Free Comic Book Day, ('FCBD') at his shop in Warrington Market. This was his 3rd time and delayed a week from the official worldwide FCBD and possibly the smoothest and best so far? It's always hard to judge from behind the table but there was a steady stream of fans, browsers and visitors which certainly seemed to keep all us artists busy, so quite happy.
While the shop opens at 9am, the artist's event was supposed to be a shorter 11 - 4pm day, but most turned up and 'opened' their tables and sketchbooks earlier, some staying a little later too, ensuring that all those patient attendees got to see and chat with everyone they wanted. This made for a really enjoyable steady day with a great atmosphere of artists, fans and newcomers chatting about comics and all related pop culture, making new friends and discoveries along the way.
Sincere thanks to all who came along, supporting Scott, the event and the artists and thanks to all for participating, assisting or spreading word, helping its success - see you next year!
Here's a few snaps Scott took of the day of the happy and busy artists - Rachael Smith was also there but manged to escape the lens!
Delighted to be returning to Scott's shop tomorrow as part of his great line-up of comic artists's for this year's Free Comic Book Day - delayed by a week to avoid the coronation clash.
This will be Scott's third event, (showing how quickly time flies), and one that previously has been a joyful celebration of comics, mainstream and independent, putting the spotlight on local creators who are involved in comic making across the genres whether humour, autobiographical, fantasy, historical or adventure. Showing the diversity and versatility of the comics medium.
If you have time please pop in and check out the cool artists and the range of this year's annual free comics, there really is something for everyone and you won't have to pay a penny unless you are tempted by the many other comics, sketches and goodies on offer!
Ian Knight, Alex Haimann & Me meeting for the first time since 2019!
Wow, that was fun! All that preparation, planning, travelling and then the day itself just speeds by, far too quickly and SALUTE50 was over as quick as it begun!
I was delighted with the response that my new release, ZULU: WATER CART RESCUE received and felt justified in attending the event with the interest and many encouraging comments received. That said, SALUTE is of course a wargaming show with models, figures, paints and the many, many game displays being people's priority, so this remains very much an outreach event for comics and one that I'm willing to invest the time and energy in to see if a successful crossover can be made to justify the expense in attending.
One thing I may have to do is make the fact that my books are comics more obvious, as despite the various signage and displays, many thought that I was selling Zulu War gaming rules and were interested if any figures were being produced or recommending manufacturers existing sets to suite such a venture! Most saw the funny side and were intrigued enough by the comics concept to give them a try but it is something I need to address in future.
Check out Warspite's video for a great SALUTE50 overview and a wee cameo after 09:30!
The event itself was certainly much busier than the previous covid hit 2021 one and everyone was saying that it was 'back' in terms of attendance and atmosphere so it was nice to fully experience the show that had enticed me previously. Certainly the new organising committee seemed to pull out the stops by adding many features such as panel talks, increased demonstration and participation games to give attendees more to do than just shop, which in turn encouraged them to stay at the show for longer so it didn't markedly drop off early afternoon like before.
With Tim and James of the Die Hards in mufti!
A personal highlight was of course catching up with chums that I'd not seen since my last South African trip in 2019, with historian and author Ian Knight and fellow enthusiast (and exhibition curator) Alex Haimann and Tim Rose and James Dix of the Die Hards - although I'd of course seen Tim at Salute in 2021. Our time was brief together but well spent with updates, ideas and more being discussed and shared ahead of July's very exciting Clash of the Empires exhibition, more to follow!
My handy backing table restock and display items
Being kept busy at the table I didn't really get the chance to look round the show myself but there are already a few videos like the one above on YouTube to give you a feel of the event. Not enough time to see everything was a common theme but I guess the additional venue and related costs may make an extension to two days prohibitive but we'll see.
The only game I did see was the really quite wonderful, Battle of Ntombi River wargame display presented by the Hornchurch Wargames Club from, of course the Zulu War! This was fabulous to see and discuss with one of the Club members and of course Ian Knight who I had visited the real scene with in 2010 and 2014, a special moment indeed.
Ian & I at Ntombe in 2014 after wading across the river!
So there you are, over in a flash but a lovely memorable day with a few other highlights and potential contacts made so hopefully worthwhile overall and I do enjoy trying different types of events to spread the word of independent comics so would like to return next time too, fingers-crossed. Thanks to all who stopped and chatted and showed interest in my efforts, very much appreciated and of course sincere congratulations to the South London Warlords on their 50th anniversary, here's to many more.
But overall just delighted to finally get my ZULU comic out there in the wild, USUTHU!
Yes, the rumours are true, the new colour edition of my long out of print 'cult comic classic' returns in a swanky new edition in glorious colour from Matt Soffe!
I could and will say more, but its quite a journey and true to the end I'm dashing off for its debut appearance this weekend at the previously mentioned SALUTE wargaming show! So will leave it there for now, but yes I'm totally pleased with it, finally! :)
Aha, as promised, I've updated the 2023 'tour' schedule with a few of the confirmed events for this year, some new and some very, very exciting, including this Saturday's Salute Wargaming show, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary!
This follows my debut there at Salute's previous show, way back in 2021! I really enjoyed the experience, even if they were clearly a little subdued given the covid situation we were all in at the time and indoor events were only really slowly emerging. Sensibly, they opted out of 2022 to allow the new committee time to fully plan their anniversary event so here we are. This year I return to table TE05 and hopefully we'll experience the full Salute in all its glory, if only I'd something new out.........
