British Comic Art Convention

Last updated
British Comic Art Convention
BCACbadge1968.jpg
1968 attendee badge. Art by Mike Higgs.
StatusDefunct
GenreComic books
VenueWaverley Hotel, London (1969, 1971–1973)
Regent Centre Hotel, London (1974–1977, 1981)
Location(s) Birmingham (1968, 1978, 1979)
London (1969, 1971–1978, 1981)
Sheffield (1970)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugurated1968
Most recent1981
Organized by Rob Barrow (1973–1978)

The British Comic Art Convention (usually known by the moniker Comicon) was an annual British comic book convention which was held between 1968 and 1981, usually in London. The earliest British fan convention devoted entirely to comics, it was also the birthplace of the Eagle Awards.

Contents

Most editions of Comicon took place over two days, usually on a Saturday and Sunday. The convention featured floorspace for exhibitors, including comic book dealers and collectibles merchants. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, one of the highlights of Comicon was the Saturday all-night film show. Charity auctions of original comic book art were also usually held. Convention booklets produced in conjunction with each show featured original illustrations by comics professional and fanzine artists.

Early editions of the convention were intimate affairs where comics enthusiasts gathered to socialize, network, and educate each other about the form. As the convention evolved and grew, it increasingly focused on comics dealers and professional guests. [1]

History

The first Comicon was organized by 18-year-old fanzine publisher Phil Clarke and was held 30 August – 2 September 1968 in Birmingham, England. (Clarke paid £111 of his own money to rent the venue for the show, the Midland Hotel.) [2] The first show attracted both professional and amateur creators of the time, including, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Steve Moore, and Nick Landau. [3] It also featured a "fancy dress" contest, in which contestants dressed up as characters from the comic books. [3]

Comicon '69, held in London, was organized by retailer Bram Stokes, "Godfather of British fandom" [3] Frank Dobson, and Steve Moore.

Comicon '70 was organized by Sam Plumb and held in Sheffield. [3]

Comicon '71 returned to London (where it mostly stayed from that point forward), and was organized by Bram Stokes and Dez Skinn. [3] The guest of honor was Frank Bellamy. An underground comix panel featured cartoonist Edward Barker, and editors Mick Farren and Graham Keen. [4]

Comicon '72, the fifth annual show, was organized by Nick Landau/Comic Media. [3] Attendees included comedian Bob Monkhouse and Monty Python member Terry Gilliam; Brian Bolland made his first professional contacts. [2] The all-night film show was sponsored by the Electric Cinema Club and Richard Williams Films.

Comicon '73, planned and promoted by Bram Stokes and John Mansefield, was scheduled for the weekend of 21–22 July at London's Regent Centre Hotel, with special guests Frank Bellamy, Morris, [5] James Warren, Peter O'Donnell, Bruce Pennington, Jim Cawthorne, Yaroslav Horak, Eddie Jones, Philippe Druillet, Jean Giraud, and Albert Weinberg ( Dan Cooper ). A cadre of famous American Marvel Comics comics creators — including Stan Lee, Jim Steranko, and Neal Adams — were also tentatively scheduled to appear. Films planned to be screened include a Star Trek blooper reel, Richard Corben's Neverwhere , an episode of The Avengers television show, and the U.F.O. television film. [6] The event being abruptly canceled shortly before it was scheduled, however, the show was salvaged by Nick Landau and Rob Barrow, who by that time were promoters of the competing London Comic Mart shows. Landau and Barrow managed to put on a one-day Comicon on 22 July at the usual location of the Waverley Hotel. [3] Barrow (and his corporate entity Fantasy Domain) organized the convention for at least the next four years.

Barrow's first solo convention, Comicon '74, was co-billed as "Comicon/Comic Mart Summer Special 1974." [3] Returning to being a two-day affair, it was held at the Regent Centre Hotel. The only industry guest was Denis Gifford, who delivered a presentation. There was an all-night film show on Saturday, and films were shown Sunday evening as well. [7]

The tenth anniversary show, Comicon '77, hosted the first presentation of the Eagle Awards, organized by Mike Conroy, Nick Landau, Fantasy Advertiser 's Colin Campbell, Phil Clarke, and Richard Burton. [8] The Comicon '77 program booklet featured interviews with special guests Brian Bolland and Dave Gibbons. A talk on the characters of Edgar Rice Burroughs was given by Frank Westwood of the British E.R.B. society, and Dez Skinn gave a slide show on the artist and the comic book. An underground comix panel featured Hunt Emerson and Chris Welch.

1978 was a complicated year, as organizer Barrow scheduled two editions of the show: the main one in London, and a subsequent edition — "Comicon II" — in Birmingham. The convention booklet was produced by OVR Comics. Comicon II, the Birmingham edition, held September 2–3, 1978, at the Imperial Hotel, was a disaster. First of all, one of the guests of honor, Dave Cockrum, did not show up. Secondly, a local smallpox scare kept dealers and crowds away. Thirdly, there were mix-ups by the hotel. Nonetheless, Barrow went forward with the show, including film showings and panels. [9] An underground comix slideshow was presented by Chris Welch and Hunt Emerson. [9]

In 1979, long-time organizer Barrow turned his focus away from Comicon and toward his comic mart business in London and elsewhere. Ultimately, two Comicon '79s ended up taking place — one in London and one in the originating location of Birmingham. Comicon (London) 1979, the official "British Comic Art Convention 11," was sponsored by Valhalla Books of Ilford, Essex, and organized by Ian Starling, Neville Ferris, and Ian Knox (who promised future conventions, none of which seem to have occurred). It took place August 11-12, 1979, [10] held at the Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place. The guest of honor was Jim Starlin. [11] The Birmingham edition of Comicon '79, officially known as the "U.K. Comic Art & Fantasy Convention," was organized by Rob Barrow's former convention partner Colin Campbell, previously the editor/publisher of Fantasy Advertiser (and later to become a co-owner of Forbidden Planet International). Campbell's convention was held August 31–September 2 at the Birmingham Metropole, National Exhibition Centre. The guest of honor was Jim Steranko, and other guests included Marshall Rogers, Chris Claremont, Terry Austin, Paul Levitz, Howard Chaykin, Len Wein, and Joe Staton. [12]

The British Comic Art Convention did not take place in 1980. To fill the void, Starburst magazine (at that point owned by Marvel Comics) produced the Marvel Comics Film & Fantasy Convention, held at Lawrence Hall, London. True to its name, however, the show and its guests had very little connection to the comic book industry. [13]

In the early months of 1981, flyers appeared at the Comicbook Marketplace promising a Comicon '81, but there were concerns that proper permissions to use the name had not been acquired. [14] In the end, the final incarnation of Comicon was held in late October 1981 at the old location of London's Regent Centre Hotel, organized by Dez Skinn and Frank Dobson. [15] Skinn and Dobson organized the show as a more intimate convention, "with the fan in mind;" an art exhibit featured comics from Alex Raymond to the present. [16] In addition, the Saturday "ComiCon Banquet" featured the fifth annual presentation of the Eagle Awards, as well as the presentation of the Society of Strip Illustration Awards, and the Ally Sloper Award. [17]

Legacy

The following year saw Comicana 82, held in late September at London's Regent Crest Hotel. Produced by Rob Barrow's Fantasy Domain and Comic Showcase, the special guest was Frank Miller. The next British comics convention to be staged with any regularity was the United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (UKCAC), which was held annually from 1985 to 1998.

Locations and dates

DatesLocationOrganizerOfficial guestsProgram booklet contributorsFilms screenedNotesSource
30 August – 2 September 1968Midland Hotel, BirminghamPhil Clarke Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Steve Moore, and Nick Landau, and Frank Dobson ("Godfather of British Comics") [3]
Summer 1969Waverley Hotel, London Bram Stokes, Frank Dobson, and Steve Moore Steve Parkhouse and Barry Smith Jim Baikie (cover), Denis Gifford, Vaughn Bodē, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando, Al Williamson, Jeff Jones, Bernie Wrightson, Steve Moore (lettering) The Black Knight , an episode of the 1954 Flash Gordon TV show, and Heading West (a Durango Kid film) [18] [3]
1970Rutland Hotel, SheffieldSam Plumb (assisted by Jon Harvey, Dave Fletcher, and Peter D. Parkin) Mike Higgs, Trevor Goring, Ken Simpson (cover), Fletcher [3]
27–28 February 1971Waverley Hotel, London Dark They Were and Golden Eyed (Bram Stokes) and Dez Skinn Frank Bellamy (guest of honor); Denis Gifford, Frank Dickens, Mick Farren, and Edward Barker Dave Gibbons, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Mike Higgs Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte [4]
5–6 August 1972Waverley Hotel Nick Landau/Comic Media Dave Gibbons (cover), Kevin O'Neill, Mike Higgs Eyes Without a Face , The Gorgon , Les Enfants Terribles , The General , The Adventurer , The Philosopher's Stone , The Immigrant , Scarface , The Blood of a Poet , The Little Island , A Christmas Carol , The Spirit of 1976 (a Betty Grable film), The Devil and the Nun , The Gadfly , Judex , La Jetée , and Sherlock Jr. 5th annual show [19]
22 July 1973Waverley Hotel Nick Landau and Rob Barrow
(replacing Bram Stokes and John Mansefield)		None. [3]
20–21 July 1974Regent Centre Hotel, LondonRob Barrow Denis Gifford Co-billed as "Comic Mart Summer Special 1974;" admission: 35p for one day; 60p for both days [7] [3]
2–3 August 1975Regent Centre HotelRob Barrow John Romita Sr., Frank Hampson, Paul Neary Admission: 50p for both days [20]
21–22 August 1976Regent Centre HotelRob Barrow Paul Neary, Tony Weare, Dave Gibbons, John Bolton, Kevin O'Neill, Brian Bolland, Ron Embleton, John M. Burns, Brian Lewis, Martin Asbury, Frank Hampson, John Romita, Sr., Bryan Talbot, Hunt Emerson 44 pages; Trevor Goring (cover), Barry Windsor-Smith, John Romita, Sr., Paul Neary, Brian Lewis, John Bolton, Dave Gibbons, Denis Gifford, Kevin O'Neill, Brian Bolland, Ron Embleton, John M. Burns, Martin Asbury, Frank Hampson, Mike Higgs, Bryan Talbot, Hunt Emerson, Ken Simpson, Steve Mitchell, Paul Milliner Admission: 70p for both days [20] [21]
3–4 September 1977Bloomsbury Centre HotelRob Barrow Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, Trevor Goring John Bolton, Hunt Emerson, Leslie Stannage, Frank Frazetta, John Byrne Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze , The Ultimate Warrior , Night of the Living Dead , Danger: Diabolik , Slaughterhouse-Five , Jason and the Argonauts , The Black Bird , The Man Who Fell to Earth , and The Adventures of Barry McKenzie . Cartoons: Superman , Felix the Cat , and Yellow Submarine shorts10th anniversary show; first annual presentation of the Eagle Awards [22]
29–30 July 1978Bloomsbury Centre HotelRob Barrow and Colin Campbell Don McGregor (guest of honor); George Pérez, Jim Salicrup, Duffy Vohland, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Brian Lewis, Trevor Goring, Dez Skinn, Dave Gibbons 68 pages: Frank Bellamy (cover; originally done for the Comicon '72 booklet but not used); an appreciation of Don McGregor by Richard Burton; a Michael Kaluta interview by Chuck Dixon; and artwork by Jack Kirby, Frank Thornton, Fred Holmes, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Brian Lewis, Judith Hunt, Mike McMahon, Frank Humphries, Joe Staton, Trevor Goring, Keith Watson, Ron Embleton, Dicky Howett, Frank Hampson, John Bolton, Walt Simonson, and Hunt Emerson Saturday "All Nite Film Show": Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger , Jabberwocky , Freebie and the Bean , Freaks , The Vault of Horror , Monkey Business , and Dr. Cyclops . Sunday: James Bond movies Live and Let Die and Rollerball .11th anniversary show; second annual presentation of the Eagle Awards [21] [23]
2–3 September 1978Imperial Hotel, BirminghamRob Barrow Dave Cockrum (guest of honor; did not show), [9] Paul Neary Fritz the Cat and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Dubbed "Comicon II" [9]
11–12 August 1979Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, LondonIan Starling, Neville Ferris, and Ian Knox Jim Starlin (guest of honor); Paul Neary, Dez Skinn 48 pp.: Jim Starlin interview, artwork by Starlin, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, caricaturist Patrick Gaughan, and some uncredited amateur artistsComicon (London) 1979, or "British Comic Art Convention 11" [10] [11]
August 31–September 2 1979Birmingham Metropole, National Exhibition Centre, BirminghamColin Campbell/Biytoo Books Jim Steranko (guest of honor); Marshall Rogers, Chris Claremont, Terry Austin, Paul Levitz, Howard Chaykin, Len Wein, Joe Staton Comicon '79, or "U.K. Comic Art & Fantasy Convention;" third annual presentation of Eagle Awards [12]
1980No Comicon held; "replaced" by Marvel Comics Film & Fantasy Convention [13]
October 31–November 1 1981Regent Centre Hotel, London Dez Skinn and Frank Dobson Frank Miller, Alan Davis, Paul Neary, Bryan Talbot, Richard Burton, Bernie Jaye, Martin Asbury, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, John M. Burns, Ron Embleton, Dave Gibbons, Don Lawrence, and Mick Anglo Frank Bellamy (cover, originally done for the Comicon '71 booklet but not used)Fifth annual presentation of the Eagle Awards [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbidden Planet (retail chain)</span> UK-based science fiction, fantasy and horror collectible shop chain

Forbidden Planet is the trading name of three separate businesses with online and retail bookstores selling science fiction, fantasy and popular culture products. The original store was opened in London in 1978 named after the 1956 feature film of the same name. Specialising in film and television merchandise, the shops sell comic books, graphic novels, fantasy and horror, manga, DVDs, video games, and a wide variety of co-branded edition/collector's items, promotional apparel and merchandise and collector's items.

Derek Graham "Dez" Skinn is a British comic and magazine editor, and author of a number of books on comics. As head of Marvel Comics' operations in England in the late 1970s, Skinn reformatted existing titles, launched new ones, and acquired the BBC license for Doctor Who Weekly. After leaving Marvel UK, Skinn founded and edited Warrior, which featured key works by Alan Moore.

Mike Conroy is a British pop culture writer and former comic book retailer. He is best known for co-creating the long-running industry award, the Eagle Awards. He was an editor for the trade journal Comics International from 1997 to 2010, with the title of editor-in-chief from 2006 to 2010.

The United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (UKCAC) was a British comic book convention which was held between 1985 and 1998. As a complement to UKCAC, from 1990 to 1995 the organizers put on the Glasgow-based Glasgow Comic Art Convention (GlasCAC), generally held in the spring.

<i>Fantasy Advertiser</i> British fanzine focused on comic books

Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine focused on comic books, founded in 1965 by Frank Dobson, the "Godfather of British Fandom." Considered the first British comics fanzine, Fantasy Advertiser started out as an adzine focused on the sale of primarily second-hand comics; it eventually transitioned into a true comics fanzine. FA now operates as a comics webzine.

Richard Burton is a British comic publisher and editor who had a lengthy career at IPC Magazines. While an assistant editor at 2000 AD, he became known to readers as Tharg the Mighty's bumbling assistant Burt, who appeared in a number of strips with him. Earlier in his career, Burton published the popular fanzine Comic Media News, and was a co-founder of the Eagle Awards.

Nick Landau is a British entertainment entrepreneur. He co-owns Titan Entertainment, with his partner Vivian Cheung, which comprises the Forbidden Planet Limited store chain and Titan Publishing Group.

Notable events of 1979 in comics.

Notable events of 1974 in comics.

Notable events of 1976 in comics.

Dark They Were and Golden Eyed was a science fiction bookshop and comic book retailer in London during the 1970s; the largest of its kind in Europe. Specialising in science fiction, occultism, and Atlantis, the central London shop also played a key role in bringing American underground comics to the United Kingdom. It also sold American editions of mainstream science fiction books that were not easily obtained anywhere else.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Triple Fan Fair</span> Defunct multigenre convention; one of the first U.S. comic book conventions

The Detroit Triple Fan Fair (DTFF) was a multigenre convention generally held annually in Detroit from 1965 to 1977. It is credited for being one of the first comic book conventions in the United States. The Triple Fan Fair also gave balanced coverage to historic film showings and science fiction literature, in a manner that provided a template for many future convention organizers — most of which have yet to attain the same level of equal service to this sort of linked fan base.

Titan Distributors was a British comic book distributor which existed from 1978 to 1993, when it was acquired by a larger U.S. distributor. Operated by Nick Landau, Mike Lake, and Mike Luckman, Titan Distributors supplied comics, science fiction, and other genre products to retailers all over the United Kingdom. Titan also operated the retailer Forbidden Planet, produced the bimonthly Westminster Comic Marts, and operated Titan Books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comic book convention</span> Event with a primary focus on comic books

A comic book convention or comic con is a fan convention emphasizing comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. Commonly, comic conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels, or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating with cosplay than for most other types of fan conventions. Comic book conventions are also used as a method by which publishers, distributors, and retailers represent their comic-related releases. Comic book conventions may be considered derivatives of science-fiction conventions, which began during the late 1930s.

<i>BEM</i> (magazine) British fanzine focused on comic books

BEM, originally known as Bemusing Magazine, was a British fanzine focused on comic books which was published from 1973 to 1982. The brainchild of Martin Lock and billed as "The Comics News Fanzine," BEM featured American and British comics industry news and gossip, interviews, comic reviews, essays, columns, and comic strips.

Comic Mart is the catchall term for a series of British comic book trade fairs which were held in the United Kingdom from 1972 until the early 1990s. The Comic Mart was one of the earliest recurring public comic events in the UK, predated only by the British Comic Art Convention. Comic Mart began in London, eventually expanding to Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, among other locations. The first few Comic Marts were organized and produced by Rob Barrow and Nick Landau; eventually they split up to produce competing versions of the event, and were joined by other regional organizers.

Mike Higgs is a British comic book artist, writer, designer, and editor. He is the creator of the oddball humor strip The Cloak, the daily comic strip Moonbird, and the children's character Dopey Dinosaur.

The Society of Strip Illustration (SSI), later known as the Comics Creators Guild, was a British network for all those involved in any stage of the creative process of comics production. The SSI, which was co-founded in 1977 by Denis Gifford, met monthly in London, published a newsletter, and distributed annual awards for achievement in the field. Despite the organization's name, most members were comic book creators, as opposed to those of comic strips like those found in The Beano and The Dandy.

Trevor Goring is a British artist who has worked in the comic book industry and the film industry. His comics work includes 2000 AD, House of Hammer, and Death Race 2020. Since the mid-1990s Goring has mostly focused on being a storyboard artist, working on such films as Independence Day, The Cell, Gattaca, X2, Watchmen, and The Cabin in the Woods.

References

  1. ↑ Barnett, George. Panelologist #8 (Sept./Oct. 1977), p. 3.
  2. 1 2 Johnston, Rich. "ComICA – ‘Dark We Were And Golden Eyed’ Panel Report," Bleeding Cool (November 8, 2009).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Skinn, Dez. "Early days of UK comics conventions and marts," Archived 2012-02-01 at the Wayback Machine DezSkinn.com. Accessed Mar. 3, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Comicon '71: A Report," Comicon '72 program booklet (1972).
  5. ↑ Roberts, Peter (21 October 1972). "6th British Comicon". Checkpoint (25). Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  6. ↑ The Sixth British Annual Comic Art Convention program booklet.
  7. 1 2 "Comic Mart Summer Special 1974 poster". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  8. ↑ Burton, Richard "'The Eagles' are launched!" in Burton (ed.) Comic Media News #30 (Mar-Apr 1977), p. 11
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #21 (Nov. 1978), p. 10.
  10. 1 2 Comicon '79 program (1979).
  11. 1 2 Sallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #24 (July 1979), p. 25.
  12. 1 2 Comicon advertisement, BEM #23 (Apr. 1979), p. 14.
  13. 1 2 Starburst 029 (Marvel UK, Jan. 1981).
  14. ↑ Sallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #33 (Apr. 1981), p. 39.
  15. ↑ Johnston, Rich. "Lying in the Gutters," Comic Book Resources (Aug. 15, 2005).
  16. ↑ Lock, Martin. "Comicon '81," BEM #34 (July 1981), p. 5.
  17. ↑ "Comicon '81 advertisement". Fantasy Advertiser. No. 70. November 1981. p. 17.
  18. ↑ Roche, Anthony. Alan Moore interview, Heroes Unlimited #8, p. 36.
  19. ↑ 5th Annual Comicon London 1972 program booklet. Archived at Classic UK Comics Zines. Retrieved Jan. 11, 2021.
  20. 1 2 "Bemuscene," #9 (May 1976), p. 7.
  21. 1 2 Fantasy Domain advertisement, BEM #21 (Nov. 1978), p. 26.
  22. ↑ Comicon '77 program booklet. Archived at Classic UK Comics Zines. Retrieved Jan. 12, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Comicon 78 Programme" (1978), pp. 4-5.
  24. ↑ BEM #35 (Spring 1982), p. 3.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.