A world of comic art will be arriving in Kendal for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, 12–14th October, 2018. But what can visitors expect from this year’s Cumbria comics extravaganza?
Well, here’s a quick guide you can use to tempt your comics friends into the depths of the woolly North of England… plus details of recently announced guest, 2000AD and Razorjack artist John Higgins.
This year, the Festival is even bigger and better than ever, with over 70 of the best comic artists, writers and creators heading to the Lake District for a packed comic art weekend spectacular.
Whether you’re a comic art addict, new to the world of comics or just love exceptional art and storytelling – the weekend has something for everyone, with kick-ass super heroes, future worlds, fantastical creatures, zombies, crime fighters, politics, satire, documentary, comedy, manga and much more. The world of comic art is a diverse and spectacular place, bursting with creations that transport us to other dimensions.
The family-friendly Festival takes over the Brewery Arts Centre and many other venues in Kendal, Cumbria for a weekend of wonderful events, activities and workshops for all ages.
The legendary Comics Clock Tower, open on the Saturday and Sunday, is full of independent creators, publishers and retailers, representing a wide range of comics from around the world. And new for 2018, the Festival has also introduced a new zone, the CCT Xtra, with even more creators including the Scottish Comics Bothy. With an Out of Hours line-up, the Festival continues into the evenings with fun-filled antics for pass holders.
“We have a fantastic line-up for the festival this year and even more exhibitors showcasing their creative talent across the town,” says Julie Tait, Festival Director. ”There are artists and creators joining us from many countries including India, Finland, the US, Canada, France, Denmark and, of course, creators from the UK.
“Whether you are new to comics or a serious fan, you’ll find something new to discover at the festival. We look forward to welcoming you all to Kendal in October.”
• Tickets for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, running Friday 12th – Sunday 14th October 2018 in Kendal at various venues across the town, are on sale now from the event’s web site.
• Web: www.comicartfestival.
Guest Spotlight: Artist John Higgins
Award-winning artist John Higgins’ career as a freelance comic artist started in 1977 soon after he left art college and has seen him work on such diverse characters as Judge Dredd, Batman, John Constantine and Jonah Hex.
He’s possibly best known for his work on Watchmen and Batman: The Killing Joke. He’s also the creator, writer and artist on Razorjack, an independent comic book published first by Higgins’ own Jack Publishing and later by Com.X.
In 2017, John was commissioned to illustrate a special set of Royal Mail stamps to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which won the prestigious D&AD award.
A retrospective exhibition of John’s work at Liverpool University’s Victoria Gallery & Museum in 2017, was extended due to popular demand and ran for a full year ending in February 2018.
The exhibition gave John the opportunity to write and design an accompanying autobiographical art book, Beyond Watchmen & Judge Dredd: The Art of John Higgins which includes many examples of his work and also shows how it was produced with illustrated steps on how a comic story develops from an idea to script to printed page.
JOHN HIGGINS ONLINE
• www.artofjohnhiggins.com
• @RazorJackRealm
• Facebook
Festival Guests also include:
Joe Kelly, American comic book writer, penciler and editor
Cartoonists Graham Dury, Simon Thorp, the creators of VIZ
Mikiko, German-Japanese comic book artist
Orijit Sen, an Indian graphic artist and designer and creator of India’s first graphic novel
Robbie Morrison, best known for his work on 2000AD
Emma Vieceli – critically acclaimed artist, whose work includes Doctor Who and Vampire Academy
Charlie Adlard, the Walking Dead artist and curent Comics Laureate
Satoshi Kitamura, Japanese children’s picture book author and illustrator
Ian James Rankin, Scottish crime writer, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels
Steven Appleby, the creator of comic strips for many newspapers, including The Guardian, The Observer and The Times
Kripa Joshi, the creator of Miss Moti, a character who has been featured in BBC Women’s Hour, BBC Asian Network, the Guardian and other international publications
Steve McGarry, the most syndicated British cartoonist, based in the USA, and President of the National Cartoonists Society
Frank Quitely, Glaswegian comic work includes New X Men, We3, All Star Superman
David Silverman, extraordinary cartoonist, director and animator with credits include The Simpsons