-Tommy Lee Edwards

The organisers of BICS would like to add their own profound apologies for Tommy Lee Edwards not being able to make it this year. We all did our utmost to try and resolve the situation, but as Tommy says’ himself, at the end of the day, producing the work and getting the comics you love, out there for you to enjoy, has to take priority. We fully support and understand Tommy’s decision. Don’t despair just yet Tommy Lee/Turf fans. Plans are underway to host a very special Turf event at BICS, even though Tommy Lee Edwards won’t be there in person, we still hope to bring you something a little special, with a surprise guest or two. As soon as it has been confirmed, you’ll be the first to know.

Very special BICS guest and world-renowned illustrator Charles Vess in association with Aaltaïr publishing has produced a strictly limited edition book exclusively for BICS 2010.

This gorgeous, slip cased volume presents Charles’s inimitable take on J. M. Barrie’s’timeless classic: Peter Pan. Limited to a worldwide edition of just 100, a true collectors item, and only available at BICS 2010. Only 80 copies of this masterpiece are now available for pre-order.

The cost for each book is only £60, individually numbered and featuring an original  ink drawing by Mr Vess of a character of your choosing. The finished ink drawings will be produced on a separate sheet of art paper suitable for framing.

The book will be waiting for you when you arrive at the show, you will not have to wait in line. The book will be dedicated only when you meet Mr Vess in person.

Please note, only 20 copies of the book will be held in reserve for direct sale over the convention weekend. To guarantee a copy, you must pre-order.

During the convention weekend, Mr Vess will be happy to sign copies of any of his published works, for graphic novels and books that are presented; quick headshot sketches will be available. The artist will not sketch on loose paper or in sketchbooks.

Read the full interview here.

http://www.dangerwrites.com

Sarah McIntyre hops the gap between comics and children’s picture books. Her strip ‘Vern and Lettuce’ was published weekly by the DFC, appeared in the Guardian Comic section, and launches in September as a book in the DFC Library. Her picture book with Giles Andreae, ‘Morris the Mankiest Monster’ is so disgusting that her mother is ashamed of her, and her editors were shocked to find aliens taking over her latest book with Gillian Rogerson, ‘You Can’t Eat a Princess’.

She shares a studio in an old police station in Deptford with Beano comics wizard Gary Northfield, her art college classmate who re-introduced her to comics, Ellen Lindner, and the head of Stitch and Bitch London, Lauren O‘Farrell. They’ll give you insights about what they get up to in the studio on their blog, The Fleece Station. (The original three founders – Sarah, Gary and Viviane Schwarz – coincidentally met while they were making comics starring sheep.)

If you want to get lots of updates, visit Sarah’s blog on Live Journal, follow her on Twitter here or visit her website Here

TRIPWIRE website: www.tripwire-magazine.com

Joel Meadows Photography website: www.joelmeadowsphotography.com
My blog, Walls and Bridges: http://joelm1-joelmead.blogspot.com/

For more work by Dylan visit: www.dylansdrawingboard.blogspot.com/

GETTIN’ HITCHED
One of the biggest names in the business: Bryan Hitch talks about his life, work and his new art book from Impact Publishing in a live podcast hosted by the infamous Geek Syndicate. Followed by a signing in the theatre lobby.

BIG IN JAPAN
World famous and multi award winning illustrator Yuko Shimizo offers’ a rare glimpse into the wonderful world of illustration she creates. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience first hand the dazzling work and remarkable working methods of one of the most talented illustrators on the planet.

SIMON AND HIS CAT
Simon Tofield, the genius behind Simon’s cat, talks about all things feline, animation and his world famous creation: “Simon’s Cat”, including a screening of all the films produced to date, plus a surprise or two! Not to be missed. Meow!

HOME TURF WITH TOMMY LEE EDWARDS
Astonishingly gifted comic book superstar Tommy Lee Edwards talks tough about Turf and his illustrious career to date. With surprise guests, (maybe).

“I’m a full-time comics creator who has worked for all sorts of different publications all over the world. For the British newsstand kid’s comic ‘Toxic’, I created the strips ‘Rex!’ and ‘Robin Hoodie’. On the internet I write the Hunt Emerson created ‘Ardnox High’ strip. I’ve had stories in Fantagraphics and Rip Off Comix anthologies in America. I’ve had strips in ‘Soft Secrets’ and ‘Wasted’. I’ve written for ‘Artx’ and ‘Men Only’. But in comics fandom I’m best known as the self-publisher of the small press titles ‘Octobriana’ (which won the award for Best New British Comic that year), ‘Armageddon Patrol’ and ‘Loxley’.”

David Hitchcock has been drawing comics for as long as he can remember, but only deemed them suitable for public consumption in mid 90s.

In 1999 he self published his first graphic novel masterpiece‘Spirit of the Highwayman’ meeting critical acclaim from the world of comics.

David’s instantly noticeable style returned for such favourites as his spin on Jack the Ripper with the superb ‘Whitechapel Freak’, and then again picking up a coveted Eagle Award in 2005 for ‘Springheeled Jack’.

In 2008 he published a collection of his best short comic strips called ‘Gothic’ much to the delight of fans at the British International Comics Show as queues for his sketches rivalled those of comics legend Michael Golden.

Also look out for David’s work in the Accent UK anthologies illustrating the stories of Leah Moore and John Reppion.