The events in the Paul Gravett curated Comica festival at the ICA continue apace in the coming weeks – this is what’s lined up for the first week in a few days time. For details of the events happening on the opening weekend see this post.
Ian Rankin: Crime & Comics – Monday 17th November
Devouring The Beano proved to be a formative influence on this Edinburgh lad who grew up to become an acclaimed author of crime fiction. Now he has turned to writing comics and his debut graphic novel, a John Constantine: Hellblazer original entitled Dark Entries, is due next year. Ian Rankin shares his passions for reading and writing comics and for their role in improving youth literacy, in a conversation with fellow comics fan Toby Litt.
Alex Maleev: Master of Mood – Tuesday 18th November
Both classicist and innovator, the remarkable Bulgarian-born artist has injected his distinctive atmosphere and realism into such major American projects as Brian Michael Bendis’ gritty Daredevil, cult computer game Halo and an online serial of Stephen King’s chiller “N”. Maleev talks with British comic book scribe David Hine about his approaches and collaborations. Followed by signings alongside French guests Ted Benoit and Emmanuel Guibert.
Ted Benoit & Emmanuel Guibert: The Best of Bande Dessinée – Wednesday 19th November.
A rare opportunity to encounter two of France’s leading contemporary graphic novelists, now being translated into English. Ted Benoit is one of the greatest exemplars of the “Ligne Claire” and illustrates new tales of Blake and Mortimer, Edgar P. Jacobs’ thoroughly British detectives, written by Jean Van Hamme. Emmanuel Guibert collaborates with Joann Sfar on space pirate Sardine in Space and mummified romantic comedy The Professor’s Daughter and specialises in deeply touching memoirs such as Alan’s War, recounting an American soldier’s life, and The Photographer, about Didier Lefèvre’s reportage on the Afghanistan war. The artists will be interviewed by Ann Miller, author of Reading Bande Dessinée, and Paul Gravett, director of the Comica festival, and will sign their books afterwards.
Great British Comics: Past, Present & Future – Sunday 23rd November
How do the comics of our childhoods stand up to today? Boyfriend, Eagle, Battle, Rick Random and more are being re-appreciated thanks to a wave of compilations, artbooks and studies. David Leach, Steve Holland and David Roach examine the creators behind these wizard wheezes and ripping yarns. In the second part, cartoonists Adam Brockbank, John and Patricia Aggs, Gary Northfield and Sarah McIntyre from new weekly The DFC compare notes on how to make comics appeal to 21st century kids.
Stripping Off – Erotic Comics – Sunday 23rd November
From Playboy and bandes dessinées to hentai manga and webcomics, an adults-only romp through the sex and sexualities in modern X-rated comics with special guests including artists Erich Von Gotha, Lynn Paul Meadows, Garry Leach and and Wicked Wanda writer Frederic Mullaly. Hosted by Tim Pilcher, author of the two-volume Erotic Comics: A Graphic History.
Live From Kirby Plaza – Sunday 23rd November
Jack ‘The King’ Kirby not only co-created much of the Marvel Universe, including Captain America and The X-Men, but also created the Fourth World epic for DC and pioneered romance and kid gang genres in American comic books. His legend and legacy are celebrated by Paul Gambaccini, Mike Lake and Chrissie Harper, editor of the 15th anniversary edition of Jack Kirby Quarterly. Hosted by Paul Gravett, with live transatlantic links to Greg Theakston, Kirby confidante and author of the new biography Jack Magic, Vertigo artist James Romberger and Kirby Museum archivist Rand Hoppe.
Shelton, Spain & Spiegelman: Up From The Underground – Sunday 23rd November
Three of the greatest members of the US underground comix movement recall the heady daze of their 60s debuts, their cartooning careers and their latest releases: Not Quite Dead by Gilbert Shelton, creator of the Freak Brothers; a strip biography of Che Guevara by Spain, inventor of Trashman; and Breakdowns by Art Spiegelman.
Art Spiegelman: Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist As A Young %@*! – Monday 24th November
The Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Maus returns to autobiography in his latest graphic novel, combining multiple reflections on how comics have warped his life with a facsimile reprint of Breakdowns, his rare collection of conceptual strips from the 1970s which anticipated the medium’s most progressive innovators today. In conversation with Guardian cartoonist Posy Simmonds.
FILMS:
To end Comica 2008 there are a couple of very special films:
Naruto – Ninja Clash In The Land Of The Snow
Naruto 2 – Legend Of The Stone Of Gelel
22 November (double bill), 29, 30 November
A special anime double-bill with the first two features adapted from author Masashi Kishimoto’s manga series. Hyperactive junior ninja Naruto finds himself guarding his favourite actress in the first big-screen outing, leading to a spectacular showdown in the Land of Snow. In the follow-up – still unseen in the UK – Naruto finds himself fighting over a precious mineral that has the power to create or destroy worlds. The double bill screening is introduced by Helen McCarthy, author of 500 Essential Anime.
Twentieth Century Boys – Wednesday 26th November
A first look at the live-action version of Naoki Urasawa’s manga series, set to be the first in an epic fantasy trilogy. Inspired by the T.Rex song of almost the same name, the film follows a young man as he attempts to unravel the secret of the sinister conspiracy known as ‘Friend’. The globe-hopping plot builds up to a spectacular showdown on the eve of the new millennium – man versus machine against the backdrop of bustling Shinjuku!
A first look at the live-action version of Naoki Urasawa’s manga series, set to be the first in an epic fantasy trilogy. Inspired by the T.Rex song of almost the same name, the film follows a young man as he attempts to unravel the secret of the sinister conspiracy known as ‘Friend’. The globe-hopping plot builds up to a spectacular showdown on the eve of the new millennium – man versus machine against the backdrop of bustling Shinjuku!
Comica 2008 runs from the 14th – 30th November 2008.
Comica 2008 – ICA website.
Comica 2008 – Paul Gravett site.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
narutO is the best anime since dragon ball