Live Charity Art Auction – Your Chance To Win Original Comic Book Art, Signed Graphic Novels And More
Last year we planned an art auction that sadly did not take place, probably because I didn’t advertise it. So, I’m not making the same mistake twice.
Starting at 4 pm in All-Saints Church, you can get to bid on some great items, donated by many of last year’s guests, with all proceeds going to the Kings Heath Food Bank.
You can get a list of all the items on our official Charity Art Auction page here. Just don’t forget to bring your wallets and help a good cause in the local community.
Kings Heath Comic Con Workshop Schedule Revealed
We pride ourselves on the variety we have to offer to guests of all ages. And this year is no different, with three workshops on offer throughout the day, all to be found in the auspicious All-Saints Church, which can fit up to 300 people. Just like last year we will have three very different workshops that you can read up on on our What’s On page here.
We have Mark MaccPower (organiser of Macc Power comic con in Macclesfield), The Beano’s Laura Howell, returning with her highly enjoyable comic book workshop and JAke Detonator who will be teaching you “How To Draw Star Wars”.
Trader Spotlight: Birmingham’s Finest – Time Bomb Comics And Hardline Comics
Time Bomb Comics
Time Bomb Comics is a Birmingham independent publishing success story. Established in 2007 by publisher Steve Tanner, it has grown from putting out one or two titles to now working with the likes of Gerry Anderson on the official Spectrum comic book, featuring Anderson creations, Captain Scarlet and The Terrahawks, as well as the strange tales anthology series, Brawler and Dick Turpin comics too. In fact, quite the variety of genres and all produced on our doorstep.
This year, Time Bomb Comics will be debuting their newest comic book series, Amnsia Agents #1 by writer Jason Cobley and artist James Gray at our comic convention. You;ll be able to grab the first copies of that, hot off the presses, as well as a whole back catalogue of comic books, which you can check out at Time Bomb’s website: timebombcomics.com. and sign up to their Substack newsletter here.
Hardline Comics
Another local publisher with over a decade in the game, Hardline Comics, returns to Kings Heath Comic Con.
“Hardline Comics is a publisher of comic books, including the popular series Mahoney’s, The Guys and Limits. Our physical and digital books are available for purchase on our website. We have a wide range of characters and stories, from superheroes to horror and everything in between. Our team is passionate about creating exciting and engaging comics that will keep you coming back for more.”
And that team is made up of founder, publisher and writer Richard Carrington, and artists Brian Dawson and Lee Gaston.
Last year, at Kings Heath Comic Con, Richard Carrington debuted his darker, NSFW line of comics, Darkline, with the debut of Vermley Keep, which I reviewed for comicon.con here, and which I wrote at the time was “sensual, seductive and shocking” and a great Hammer House-type of horror comic.
Trader Spotlight: Cinebook – The 9th Art Publisher
With all our special comic book guests announced, it’s time to let you all know who else will be at Kings Heath Comic Con. Today we shine a light on Cinebook, a wonderful publisher specialising in English-language translations of European Bande Dessinée, like Lucky Luke, Valerian, Thorgal and many, many more.
As a kid, I found such graphic novels almost impossible to find in the wild. The odd Lucky Luke here and there, but nothing as exotic as Bluecoats or Blake & Mortimer. And now, you lucky lot get to sift through a HUGE collection of books from some of Europe’s greatest creators. I may be tempted myself, with such a variety of titles and genres to choose from. Needless to say, I’ll be stocking up on some comic books myself.
Here’s more about Cinebooks:
Cinebook, Publisher of the best-selling European comic books for all ages.
“For many English-speaking readers, knowledge of European comic books is limited to popular characters Tintin and Asterix.
Lucky Luke, Iznogoud, Blake & Mortimer, XIII, Valerian, Thorgal,Largo Winch, Spirou & Fantasio, Billy & Buddy, Yakari, the Bluecoats, Yoko Tsuno, Buck Danny, Cedric . . . These European comic book characters, already boasting more than 300 million copies sold, are featured stars in Cinebook’s catalogue.
The comic book and its close relative, the graphic novel, are a highly respected art form in France, Belgium and the rest of Western Europe—so well regarded that Cinebook takes our tagline (“The 9th Art Publisher”) from the classification of comic books as No. 9 on the list of plastic arts in Europe (Plastic Art list: 1st-Architecture; 2nd-Painting; 3rd-Sculpture; 4th-Engraving; 5th-Drawing; 6th-Photo; 7th-Cinema; 8th-Television; 9th-Comic books), In fact, one of every eight books sold in France is a comic book.
Since the end of 2005, Cinebook has worked to become the premier publisher of the Franco-Belgian Ninth Art in English in markets dominated by American superhero comics and Japanese manga.
Cinebook selects series and individual titles based on a number of factors in order to please a wide range of readers—factors such as geographic settings, protagonists’ age and gender, historic themes, genres, etc.”
You can check out their entire catalogue and the kind of albums they will be bringing to the con at their official webpage: cinebooks.co.uk
We have a HUGE Guest Announcement For You
I can’t quite believe this myself, but we have landed one of the biggest names in comics. A creator who hasn’t done a comic book convention since 2018 and has graciously accepted our invitation to Kings Heath Comic Con. After such a successful first year show, we wanted to make the second year something equally as special. And we think we’ve done that. Not only in the calibre of guests we’ve got – some returning faces and some new – as well as the three free workshops we’re putting on, and, of course, the return of everyone’s favourites, the 501st Legion UK Garrison, but now with our final guest announcement. Watch the video, and all will be revealed. For comic book fans around the UK, you do not want to miss this one! Who knows when this person will do another convention again? And we are very privileged to have him at our show. A convention, lest you forget, that puts the focus on comics and a family-friendly day out. And all for FREE! Beat that for battling the cost of living crisis, Andy Burnham.
2000 AD Mural Revealed
Over the weekend of High Vis Comic Con we were able to invite the legendary SNUB 23 to help celebrate 2000 AD. If you know anything about this Brighton-based artist, you know he loves robots, particularly the A.B.C. Warriors from 2000 AD. And he loves going big! And so we obliged.
So we thought it would be a great idea to share some process pictures above as well as invite anyone passing through Kings Heath to enjoy the growing number of murals we’ve been able to make happen with the help of MIA Properties too.
Now, check out the final mural in all its glory:
Not bad for a first-time con, we think. And, after a lot of positive feedback, we’ll definitely be back next year, one way or the other!
Welcome to Kings Heath, bab. Wherever yoy travelled from this past weekend.
And it’s a Wrap!
What a day! Judging by the number of positive social media posts I’ve seen, I think we did well. And there’s already talk of doing it all again next year. But for now, enjoy this small selection of photos taken on the day by Mitch Schofield. Trust me, there’s more. Lots more.
And now a round-up of a good deal more photos in one nifty video. Why not grab yourself a cuppa and enjoy reliving the day below?
Sorry.. Is The Hardest Word
Yup, we’re sorry to announce that Paul Goodenough and Martin Simmonds have had to pull out of the comic con for personal reasons.
We also have to say that Dead Pixels have had to pull out. But with the weather on our side, comic book creators such as Judge Dredd co-creator, John Wagner, coming and Cosmic Rays playing a charity gig in aid of the Kings Heath Food Bank, plus comic book workshops, a HUGE comic book charity auction and more, there’s still a lot to do.
Grab A Wrist Band, Grab A Discount
We will have two information stations on Saturday June 21st, in case anyone needs directions, a map, schedules or anything else we can help with. The first is at the entrance to Zone A, situated at the All Saints Community Centre, and will be open from 10am. The second will be found on York Road just outside The Hare and Hounds’s stables. That opens at 12pm.
If you ask for a wristband band at either of these information stations, you can get discounts on your drinks at Fletchers, food at The Hare and Hounds and desserts at Sweet Coffee Shop. You can also pick up a map with schedules for all the workshops, anime films, an other events happening.
One such new event is a Drink and Draw at The Hop and Scotch, starting at 2pm. Why not take the load off your feet and recreate your favourite 2000 AD character on blank 2000 AD covers while watching Richie The Caterpillar craete an original piece of canvas art live. Plus you can take in the 2000 AD mural take shape just across the road. And… that takes us full circle.
Well, quite a bit as we ramp up for High Vis Comic Con. As well as our comic book guests and indie comic creators, we have the makings of an iconic mural celebrating 2000 AD from some of Birmingham’s talented street artists. After all, it wouldn’t be a High Vis event without street art. Furthermore, what better way to pay tribute to the galaxy’s greatest comic and honour one of our star guests, the co-creator of Judge Dredd, John Wagner?
Artwork by Title
As well as this multiple-artist collaboration by Brum artists Title, Ginger Dan,and i.create.not.destroy, we have the Welsh wonder, Art of Sok and all the way from Brighton, the legendary SNUB 23, painting one of his unmistakable, grandiose and gorgeous robot creations.
Add to this the addition of local legend and High Vis Drink & Ink Finalist 2024, Liskbot, with an art station and free sticker packs. For those quick enough to grab these limited edition packs. He’ll also be selling his art and art prints just outside All Saints Community Centre, where you’ll find the Quantum Indie Comics Traders Room as well as guest Charlie Adlard, Sonia Leong, Laura Howell, Kev F Sutherland, Hunt Emerson and actor Nick Owenfold.
Oh, and joining in on the madness is Tat Vision bringing his quirky, comedic style to proceedings with a drop-in superhero mask-making workshop from 12pm – 3pm.
We couldn’t be any happier with the way things are shaping up, but the most important thing is, I hope anyone coming has a good time, but do, please, stay hydrated and wear your sunblock.
