NYCC 2014 Haul - Part 1.

It was the best year so far at the NYCC and I'll no doubt be posting about the fun for the next few weeks.

But here are some (just some) of the Marvel Bronze Age books I picked up.

NYCC 2014 Haul - Part 1.

It was the best year so far at the NYCC and I'll no doubt be posting about the fun for the next few weeks.

But here are some (just some) of the Marvel Bronze Age books I picked up.

Nottingham Comic Convention - haul!

A great Grimjack sketch from Mike Jackson.

Superb Flash Gordon print from Marc Laming!

Love this print from Luke Parker!

£5!!!!!! 

Love this cover!

For the nostalgia!

Why it?

Nottingham Comic Con - Small Press Haul.

Think Up - from Amanda Elanor Tribble. 

Great to see super talented Rachel Smith and this gem (got a great sketch inside too!)

Written by Chris Welsh with art by Ammar Al-Chalabi looks really interesting.

Yep. This looks pretty crazy - from Mike Jackson.

Some Horror Comics (bagged issues 1 & w) from Wisdumb Productions.

Rant of the week - Etiquette at the NYCC.

It's getting nearer to the NYCC and there's a lot of talk quite rightly about the etiquette of attendees.

These cover the very important issues of sexual assault and harassment that we hear has gone on in years before.

Nobody male or female deserves that kind of crap. We all agree. It's a big event and there's a lot of crushing etc so keep your hands, mouths and minds out of the gutter.

It's important to have a good time but to do it in such a way so that others enjoy themselves too.

Don't push and scream. Wait your turn. Be polite. Don't be sleazy. 

I've queued up for signings for getting on 35 years now in some comics centric event or other all over the world.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am a comics obsessive! Yet I also function as an everyday human being. I am not Comic Shop guy from the Simpsons. I am also not a Rich Johnson kinda guy. I just love comics, love reading them, talking about them, seeing movies about them, the whole thing.

Coming from the UK it's also a really expensive yearly trip for me. As a 46 year old man in the week before I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve! It's embarrassing to admit but I kinda can't sleep the night before! Genuinely.

I prepare plans of where I am visiting. Who I want to speak to. Comics I want to buy and get signed. It's the nearest thing that an atheist like me gets to visiting Rome or Mecca

You get where I am coming from. It's a big deal for me.

Over the years I have met pretty much all the greats. It's those moments that are important. When Stan Lee walked past and shook my hand and smiled and thanked me for being a fan. Or the minutes I got to spend with Joe Kubert. Or bumping into Alan Moore on the stairs at a UKCAC as a spotty teenager and him taking time to speak to me like an adult. These moments make me smile even now. 

Because of moments like these I will stick by whichever creator gave me those moments. There are too many to list here. But I'm sure you get where I am coming from.

So. Hmmm. If you are a pro attending. Please don't be a dick. I won't try and shake your hand at the urinal. I won't insist we share a cab. I won't ask for your contact details so I can send you my 'big idea'. I also don't want to become your best mate, confident or boyfriend. I won't plague you with tweets or Facebook messages.

I just want to chat for a couple of minutes about comics with you. Shake your hand, and walk away with a spring in my step.

Don't be that guy who doesn't look up from the signing. Throws the comic at you and then grabs the next one. Don't be that guy who looks at you like you are a socially inept freak. Utter some fucking words! Force a smile if you have to. 'Cos if you do I am gonna back you and buy your comics.

I won't recount the bad experiences I have had (cough, cough Chris Claremont). But there have been a couple of shockers. I'm not being a pussy about them but they kinda broke my heart a little? I understand fully that there are weirdos out there but please don't treat me and the rest of us normal fans like we just are one of them.

And let's have fun (and beers!)

Thanks for reading.

NIA.

Nottingham Comic Convention - 4th October!

This year Nottingham sees the second outing of 'Nottingham Comic Con' (formerly known as Nerd Fest).  Kev Brett is the idea man behind the Convention and after searching for a local comic con and finding nothing in the local area, he thought about putting one on. Kev had wanted to see an event that celebrates local artists, shows the world comic goodness and generally something for people to enjoy. He matched this with a desire to support charities close to home and the event was born.

In 2013 Kev and his team were overwhelmed by the success of Nerd Fest and so decided to do it again with a new venue and new brand.  The idea behind the day is to provide a fun day out for families interested in comics, art and superheroes and raise some money for charity.

This year Nottingham Comic Con will be bigger and better than last year’s event with double the exhibitor tables and twice as many guests. 

Amongst them there are four returning guest artists; Marc Laming, John McCrea, Steve Beckett and Gary Erskine and eleven 'first time' NCC guests including Dan McDaid, Marc Ellerby and Paul Grist, all showing there amazing talents, selling their art and waiting to chat to visitors.

Some of my favourite artists are going to be attending. Chatting, sketching and selling some great art.

Marc 'Fantastic Four, All New Invaders, Kings Watch, Splinter Cell' Laming will be there. (He's not this angry!)

John 'Hitman, Preacher, Dredd, Dicks, Mars Attacks' McCrea will be there (this is not his brain!)

Christian 'Porcelain, Briar, True Grit, In The Dark' Wildgoose will be there (His hips don't lie!)

Gary 'Roller Girls, Star Wars, Pendragon, Warheads, Dan Dare' Erskine will be there (on roller skates?)

Dan 'Jersey Gods, Vandroid, Doctor Who, Catalyst Comics' McDaid will be there. (Don't say 'Woo' for fear of getting a pinch!)

Paul 'Kane, St Swithin's Day, Jack Staff, Mud Man' Grist will be the (flying a flag).

The convention is a family event with attractions for all ages; returning for a second year we have the 501st UK Garrison (one of the main Star Wars Costuming groups in the world) and face painting for the children (THE busiest attraction last year!!).

During the day there will be a number of guest Q&A panels as well as live music from bands who are based within the East Midlands. There will be demos from local table top game companies such as Mantic Games and photo opportunities for all!

I shall be the representing NIA and beardrock.com and running a panel with a few of these names. If you want a question asked just pop along and put your hand up.

For 2014 Nottingham Comic Con is supporting three charities; Nottingham Based 'The Ear Foundation', The Marfan Trust and MacMillan Cancer Support.  £1 from every standard ticket sold and 100% of money raised through the charity raffle will be donated. 

We really hope that comic fans and their families enjoy the event and help us to support the charities and their much needed work. 

Visit the website: www.nottinghamcomiccon.co.uk and get your tickets booked!!

Positivity.

We all know this.

But some comics fans are completely deluded. It's no surprise I suppose but this guy has a load of followers from (what I can see) being mostly negative.

Slagging something off and trying to be controversial seems to get you a lot of followers. I think I'll just stick with my few pals and continue promoting good work.

His new target seems to be James Robinson who in my opinion is killing it on his titles.

NIA.