Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo - Part 2

Regular visitors to Escape from Tomorrow will know just how much I enjoy books from publisher Top Cow - Witchblade, The Darkness, Velocity, Magdalena ... the list goes: complex characters in thought provoking stories complemented by some of the finest art you'll find anywhere in comic books.

Imagine my delight, therefore, when I saw that both Matt Timson and David Hine were scheduled to appear at this years BICSPE.

As I was based at the Mercure Holland House Hotel conference centre I tracked down Matt Timson first. I'd met Matt last year at the Exeter Comic Expo where, aside from getting a few books signed, I was able to purchase an extremely limited edition A3 Darkness print.

Matt very kindly agreed to sign a couple more books and to do a sketch for me - I asked for Batman after seeing a really nice Batman sketch he'd posted a little while ago on Twitter.

I popped back an hour or so later and couldn't have been happier with what I saw - Matt was putting the finishing touches to this stunning illustration.

Matt had a brought along a selection of prints of some of his work and, continuing the theme started at Exeter last year, I purchased a glossy, full colour print of his cover from Top Cow's free comic book day offering The Darkness II: Confession that I'll shortly be framing and displaying at home.

I genuinely couldn't have been happier with both the sketch and the print - thank you Matt.

Over at the Ramada City Hotel David Hine was sharing a table with Shaky Kane where, amongst other projects, they were promoting their Bulletproof Coffin collection. David was kind enough to sign copies of Top Cow's The Darkness: Four Horsemen for me and then, after signing some of my Batman books, very graciously agreed to my unusual request for him to record a promo 'bumper' for a forthcoming episode of The Batman Universe Comic Podcast.

Two very nice, and super talented, guys who it really was my pleasure to meet once again.

Darkness Falls Over Exeter: Top Cow Creators at the Exeter Comic Expo 2010

You might remember that a week or so ago I attended the Exeter Comic Expo, organised by Mike and his team at Fantasy Events UK, which was held at the four star Mercure Hotel in Exeter city centre, Devon.

Fantasy Events UK have a great track record organising such events having promoted the annual Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo for a number of years so I went along with high expectations ... and I wasn't disappointed.

Alongside a wealth of local and national dealers - including Krackers, Reed Comics, Funky Monkey - were a number of very special guest creators.

As a fan of the Top Cow Universe I was very excited at the prospect of meeting writer and artist David Hine and artist Matt Timson.

I've long-since been a fan of David Hine's writing and was grateful to speak with him for 10 minutes or so about his Daredevil: Redemption mini-series for Marvel a few years ago - which to this day is one of the most moving comic book stories I've read - the numerous Batman-family books he has written and continues to write for DC as well as his four-issue mini series for Top Cow the Four Horsemen.

The first two parts of this series have so far been published - issue #2 is in stores today in fact - and I've certainly enjoyed what I've read. It was interesting to discuss some of the plot points with Mr Hine and get a first hand insight into his particular writing process.

Likewise, I enjoyed an interesting, albeit briefer, conversation with artist Matt Timson after which I purchased an extremely limited edition A3 Darkness print, the proceeds from which were being donated to charity. While we chatted about his work Mr Timson was kind enough to sign the image which will shortly have pride of place on my wall.


Aside from bringing away some fantastic souvenirs of the day it really was my great pleasure to meet two such talented and likeable men.

More from my visit to Exeter to follow - the next Exeter Comic Expo will take place on Sunday 20 February 2011, again at the Mercure Hotel, as part of the annual Animated Exeter festival.

Links:
Top Cow
Fantasy Events UK
Animated Exeter
Matt Timson website, blog

Yet Another Fantastic Exeter Expo Exclusive ...

Following on from my last post, and with the Exeter Comic Expo 2010 just 3 weeks away now, organisers Fantasy Events UK have confirmed that not only will David Hine and Shaky Kane be signing copies of Bulletproof Coffin, arguably the hottest Image title of the year with issue #4 debuting at the event, Expo attendees will also be able to purchase this limited edition A3, 300gsm, Bulletproof Coffin/Ramona print by Shaky Kane for just £5.

David Hine will also be signing copies of his ground breaking title Strange Embrace and, as part of 'Darkness Falls Over Exeter' will be taking part in a special double signing with Matt Timson.

The Exeter Comic Expo 2010 looks like being another fantastic event from Fantasy Events UK. Entry is, incredibly, just £2 with children under the age of 12 free with a fee paying adult.

More details from the Fantasy Events UK website.

New From Top Cow - The Darkness: Four Horsemen

For me one of the stand-out items from this weeks new releases is The Darkness: Four Horsemen from publishers Top Cow Productions.

I'm relatively new to The Darkness and I must say it wasn't an instant hit with me in the same way that, for instance, Witchblade was. It's definitely a book I've learnt to appreciate more with each new issue, and each re-read of those issues.

This four-part series looks an interesting proposition from one of my favourite writers ...

The Darkness: Four Horsemen #1
Written by David Hine with interior and cover art by Jeff Wamester

The Darkest Tale of The Darkness Yet!
Jackie Estacado has known little fear since he inherited the power of The Darkness on his 21st birthday. But when an old mafia boss blackmails him to hunt down four fiendish bikers in the California desert, he will find that even The Darkness can know fear.

From David Hine (Batman: Arkham Asylum) and up-an-coming artist Jeff Wamester (RAZE).
Full Colour, 32 Pages, Limited Series, $3.99

Broken Frontier recently published a number of preview pages featuring some very nice art from Jeff Wamester while the Top Cow website itself features a number of additional pages showcasing the book.

Speaking of Top Cow, via their recently relaunched online store readers can claim a fantastic 25% off thir first order by simply by entering a promotional code: more details from the Top Cow Store.

Exeter International Comic Expo - September 2010

I've received news ahead of the Exeter International Comic Expo 2010, sponsored by Com.x, and it looks like we're in for another superb event from organisers Fantasy Events UK, the team behind the ever-popular Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo.

Taking place at the Mercure Southgate Hotel, in the heart of Exeter city centre, on Sunday 19 September 2010, the Exeter International Comic Expo features a host of talented creators including Special Guests Lee Garbett (Outsiders, Batgirl, Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne), David Hine and Shaky Kane, who will be signing copies of Bulletproof Coffin with issue #4 debuting at the Expo, Matt Timson (The Impaler, The Darkness, The Darkness: High Noon) along with Guest of Honour Mike Ploog.

Lee Garbett will be signing copies of the recently published Batgirl Rising trade paperback which features the first 7 issues of the series written by Bryan Q. Miller. Furthermore, Expo visitors who purchase a copy of Batgirl Rising from the Krackers booth will receive a print of this fantastic pencilled splash page - from Batgirl #12 - which will be printed on A3 300gsm card stock: you'll find me somewhere in that queue!


As well as the creators there will be a wide range of dealers in attendance including Expo regulars Reed Comics, Full Circle Publications, PsiComics, The Comic Man and the aforementioned Taunton-based Krackers.

The event takes place from 11am to 4pm with entry an absolute bargain £2 while children under 12 years of age are admitted free of charge with a fee paying adult.

I attended Fantasy Events Exeter Expo in February of this year and had a wonderful day picking up a load of back-issues, new publications, sketches and chatting with creators and comic fans alike. The venue, the Mercure Southgate Hotel, was absolutely superb with fantastic facilities, friendly staff, large function rooms and a great restaurant.

I can't recommended this event too highly - along with the Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo the Exeter Expo has quickly become one of the highlights of my 'comic year' - and more details and additions to guest list can, of course, be found at the Fantasy Events website.

EXETER INTERNATIONAL COMIC EXPO
Sunday 19 September, 11am to 4pm
Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel

Expo website