Nigel Auchterlounie

Who are you?
Nigel Auchterlounie AKA Spleenal.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I do a comic blog/webcomic thing at www.spleenal.blogspot.com.

It stops and starts a lot. The most recent big story was Weak as I am.

The blog/webcomic thing has suffered recently since somehow became the writer of Dennis and Gnasher for the Beano! How did I manage that!?! I dunno! They just asked me. If I did something right I don't know what it was and I'm too shy to ask.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
My personal comics are: funny, rude, and surprising (I hope).

Further info:
@spleenal
Blog www.spleenal.blogspot.com
The Spleenal book

Steven Finch

Who are you?
Steven Finch of Fonografiks.

What have you done / what are you doing?
Designer/letterer of Saga, Nowhere Men, Luther Strode, Severed, Hector Plasm, and Popgun from Image Comics.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Delivered for deadline.

Further info:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=fonografiks

Forbidden Planet

 

Who are you?
Forbidden Planet: setting the industry standard in comics, cult, sci-fi and fantasy retail for over 30 years.

What have you done / what are you doing?
Working hard to try and get as many comics out to as many people as we can.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
All. Of. Them.

Further info:
www.forbiddenplanet.com

Lee Robson

Who are you?
Lee Robson. Writer, tea drinker, ne'er do well.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I've written for the Eagle Award nominated FutureQuake, and its sister publication, the horror anthology Something Wicked. I've also been a regular contributor to the Accent UK series of themed anthologies (Robots, Western, Predators and Zombies 2 are out now; Victoriana is due for release in 2013), and I've written a fair old chunk of stuff for the 2000AD fanzines Zarjaz and Dogbreath. Oh, and I wrote a strip for Stacey Whittle's Into The Woods collection. My first graphic novel, Babble (with Bryan Coyle) is due for release in December 2012, from Com.X - which is available for pre-order NOW from all good and disreputable comic shops with the code OCT120971, and it'll be available from bookshops after the 19th of December. I will have preview pages with at Canny Comic Con, too.

Currently, I'm finishing up some small press strips - one of them may be available to read very soon - and beginning to develop a new project with my Babble collaborator Bryan Coyle, which we'll be looking for a publisher for in the new year.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Brilliant story telling.

Further info:
Blog: http://www.imaginarystories.co.uk/
Twitter: @lee_robson

Babble blog: http://www.babblecomic.com
Twitter: @Babble_GN

Owen Michael Johnson

Who are you?
Owen Michael Johnson - writer/illustrator/comic-creator.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I’m a comic book writer, and the demented mind responsible for the Accent UK graphic novel Who On Earth Was Thaddeus Mist? which launched recently at Thought Bubble festival of Sequential Arts, where Starburst magazine deemed it “a book that soars high above any comparable British anthology”. I’ll be selling limited copies of Who On Earth Was Thaddeus Mist? at Canny Comic Con.

I’m currently writing and drawing Reel Love; an autobiographical comic about one man’s life-long relationship with his small-town cinema, as well as other creator-owned material with artists far more accomplished than I. I co-host a cult-film podcast called ‘The Occultists’, and reside near Penrith, Cumbria.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
True, innovative, unique.

Further info:
http://www.creatingmonsters.blogspot.co.uk/
@Owen_Johnson

Steven Sterlacchini

Who are you?
Steven Sterlacchini - Judge Minty Fan Film Team Member

What have you done / what are you doing?
Judge Minty - The Judge Dredd Fan Film. A 25 minute fan film based on the world of 2000AD's Judge Dredd.

Judge William Minty has spent his entire adult life policing the violent streets of Mega-City One and now he’s slowing down. When a lapse of judgement almost ends his life, he knows that it’s time to quit. He can choose to teach in the Academy, or he can leave the city and walk alone out into the anarchy of the Cursed Earth, taking law to the lawless.

There will be a screening of Judge Minty at Canny Comic Con!
[Unfortunately due to this film being uncertified at this time, screenings are 18+ only.]

JUDGE MINTY IS A NOT FOR PROFIT FAN FILM, SHOWN WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF 2000 AD AND REBELLION
JUDGE DREDD® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK, © REBELLION A/S®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
JUDGE DREDD IS THE CREATION OF JOHN WAGNER AND CARLOS EZQUERRA.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Engaging, dramatic, inspiring.

Further info:
http://www.judgeminty.com/

Watch the trailer!

Brittany Coxon

Who are you?
I'm Brittany Coxon, I do design and illustration. I like making things out of paper including comics.

What have you done / what are you doing?
My work appears in a handful of the Paper Jam Comics Collective Anthologies including Art... and that and History... and that. I recently added a second 24 hour comic day to my "things what I've done" list, this time I created an alright comic, it doesn't have a title yet. It's got space cars, space robots and space quests in it, feel free to make suggestions.

I also make stationery, concentrating on custom designs for things like greetings cards, usually combining my illustrations with layers of paper and card. I've got plans for a comic with bits cut out of it in a similar style but right now it's an interesting format that doesn't have any kind of story to go in it. Most recently I've been involved with the Newcastle Science Comic team, providing enthusiasm and editorial input.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Unexpected, playful, entertaining.

Further info:
http://britthub.co.uk/
http://britt7094.blogspot.co.uk/
@BrittCoxon

angelKat Entertainment

Who are you?
angelKat Entertainment. A team of artists, writers, and one code monkey, dedicated to creating new and innovative comic titles for your enjoyment. The team consists of: Davy Shirley (the founder of the group as well as writer, artist, and professional code monkey), Paul Burr (writer and editor), Donna McGarry (cartoonist), Anna Sheldrick (writer, photographer, and, in her words, token Asian), Josh Gahstly (writer, and cartoonist), and last but not least Clair Honeybadger (artist).

What have you done / what are you doing?
aKE was launched in 2009 as a solo project by Davy Shirley, with our flagship webcomic title Fera now approaching it's 4th anniversary, it has been very well received by the LGBT community - with issues already available in print, and the first volume being released in 2013. Since then the team has expanded and we have a couple of new titles available now in print including: angelKat Adventures - a mini-comic featuring our mischievous mascot, and The Editors - a tale of conspiracy and capes as a shady organisation conduct ret-cons in-world.

We're also currently working on several projects that will be available soon, including new issues of the titles mentioned above, a comic strip series called Offices & Accountants - where Dread Knights and Barbarians unwind by playing an RPG about middle management, and a collection of short horror stories for the first issue of our series, angelKat Presents.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Moving. Intelligent. Witty.

Further info:
Our site: http://angelk.at/
Read Fera online: http://angelk.at/fera/
Twitter (Davy): @t_iii
Twitter (Paul): @pauladamburr
Twitter (Donna): @donnakebab
Facebook (aKE): http://www.facebook.com/angelKatEntertainment
Facebook (Fera): http://www.facebook.com/aKe.FERA

Paul von Scott

Who are you?
My name is Paul von Scott. I'm a writer/editor who has been producing comics for over 10 years now and am planning on having my third attempt at 'the novel' in the new year, when I become an ex-Library Assistant.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I eidted and co-created Solar Wind, the award winning homage to british kids comics, I then wrote the criticially acclaimed Omnivistascope sci-fi comic and now, well, I'm finishing off many of my long-running comic projects. I have just released The Last Days of Man, a collection of all my collaborative work with Paul McCaffrey, which features four stories of the exntinct human race linked by an alien professor three million years in the future. I'm also working on collections of Rathbone - Last of the Organic Wars (the tale of the fall and rise of a robot senator), Space Lord (a diminutive ruler of the galaxy who produces small press comics in his spare time) and Quisling (a man tasked to guard the country from threats he doesn't believe in and probably don't exist).

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Imagination. Vision. Originality.

Further info:
You can find me via http://www.omnivistascope.com/ or 'omnivistascope' on facebook.

Paul Thompson

Who are you?
Paul Thompson. I’m an artist and writer, working in digital art, photography and comics.

What have you done / what are you doing?
In comics: Tales of the Hollow Earth is now in its third issue. I’ve recenting wrote a daft RoboHunter strip for Zarjaz with Cuttlefish Comics and drawn a short horror story for the Glasgow League of Writers with Luke Halsall. I’m also one of the editors/organisers of the Newcastle Science Comic to accompany the British Science Festival’s visit to Newcastle next year. It’s very interesting. You should investigate further.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Enigmatic. Evocative. Complete.

Further info
@paulxthompson
hollowearth.co.uk
newcastlesciencecomic.blogspot.co.uk/

Gary Bainbridge

Who are you?
I'm Gary Bainbridge and I'm an artist and comics creator.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I make comics and books that usually have some connection to Newcastle. I'm the artist an co-creator of the Tyneside-set kitchen sink superhero comic Sugar Glider with writer Daniel Clifford. Sugar Glider follows the experiences of 18 year old Susie Sullivan as she tries to juggle college, baby-sitting duties and crime fighting.

Also, this winter sees the conclusion of the Geordie crime fiction comic, Nightbus. This comic gathered quite a following when it first launched in pubs and shops across the city, and the final issue has been eagerly awaited. You can pick up the new issue, or indeed the whole series, at the CCC.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Pictures in sequence.

Further info:
www.garybainbridge.co.uk
@GB_COMICS

Ingi Jensson

Who are you?
Ingi Jensson, Icelandic cartoonist & illustrator living in the UK with strong ties to Holland.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I have drawn my fair share of squiggly lines since March 1999 when I first got paid for making a comic. Since then I've worked professionally as an illustrator/comic maker, mainly work for publishers in Holland and Iceland.

The past 3 years I've offered drawing courses for primary schools in the N/E of England. Recently I teamed up with Vivid Dance and together we offer a dance and drawing workshop for creative kids called Monsters In Motions.

Three words that describe my favorite comic:
Funny, funny, funny.

Further info:
www.facebook.com/teikningi
www.teestoons.com
@ingijensson

99th Garrison

Who are you?
99th Garrison - Star Wars based Costume Group.

What have you done / what are you doing?
99th Garrison consists of members from all over the country but primarily we are based in and around the North East, North West, including Merseyside, North Wales, Lancashire, and the North/ East Midlands. We come together to indulge in our passion for Star Wars, to enjoy ourselves, to make people smile and to help charities. Although the 99th Garrison has only been in existence since June 2010 we have attended many events in that time and helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity. The total raised in our first two years is in excess of £37,000. We are very professional in our approach to events and we keep our costumes as close to the film versions as we possibly can. Our members are always looking to improve the costume base for the Garrison and new costumes are being introduced all the time. We are always looking for new ways to help good causes and to increase awareness of the group and the work we do.

Futher info:
http://www.99thgarrison.co.uk/

Nadine Ashworth

Who are you?
Nadine, also known as Fiver! I draw stuff and also do a lot of colours for things. I may have a small squid on my head at any given time.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I'm constantly working on my own comic TAG, a bright, light hearted adventure story, which currently has two issues in print. But I'm also involved in a bunch of collaborative efforts including Art Heroes' Halcyon & Tenderfoot series, Dead Roots, Vs Comics and some other stuff in the works - like Volume 3 of Jon Lock's Afterlife Inc. which I will be inking & colouring, and more importantly has a kickstarter running this month! Check it out!

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Good dark humour!

Further info:
@fiverarts
Main website
TAG online

Mary Talbot

Who are you?
Mary Talbot, freelance writer. I was an academic, but I gave up my day job.

What have you done/what are you doing?
My first graphic novel script, Dotter of her Father’s Eyes, is beautifully illustrated by the illustrious Bryan Talbot. It was published by Jonathan Cape in February this year (Dark Horse in USA) and its reception has been stunning. It’s one of Publishers’ Weekly’s five Best Graphic Novels in 2012 and it’s just been shortlisted for the 2012 Costa Biography Award.

I've recently completed a second graphic novel script. Sally Heathcote: Suffragette charts the fortunes of a maid-of-all-work as she’s swept up in the feminist activism of the Edwardian era. It is currently being illustrated by Kate Charlesworth, with Bryan doing the layouts and lettering. It looks awesome. Publisher: Jonathan Cape.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Stories in pictures?

Further info:
www.mary-talbot.co.uk

Mel Gibson

Who are you?
Mel Gibson (no, not that one. I’m the other one, Dr. Mel Gibson) – I’m a lecturer at Northumbria University and I research in the areas of comics and children’s books.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I’ve been helping libraries, schools and other organisations to develop graphic novel collections and use comics in the classroom since 1993.

I write about comics too. My most recent stuff can be found in Jason Lee’s book Cultures of Addiction, Smith and Duncan’s Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods and Paul Gravett’s 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die: The Ultimate Guide to Comic Books, Graphic Novels and Manga.

I’ve also been a guest editor, most recently for two editions of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics, the first on Superheroes and Gender the second Audiences and Readership.

I was asked to be a judge for the first British Comic Book Awards, along with Stacey, and was equally thrilled to be invited to take part.

Finally, I’m part of Comics Forum, a group of British academics who research comics. I’m happy to talk to anyone about studying comics.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Diverse, exciting, beautiful.

Further info:
My website http://www.dr-mel-comics.co.uk/index.html

Bryan Talbot

Who are you?
Bryan Talbot, writer/artist in the comics medium.

What have you done / what are you doing?
Comics and graphic novels including The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, Nemesis the Warlock, Judge Dredd, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Sandman, The Tale of One Bad Rat, The Dreaming, Heart of Empire, The Dead Boy Detectives, Fables, Alice in Sunderland, Metronome, Cherubs!, the Grandville series and Dotter of Her Father's Eyes.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Surprising, eloquent, beautiful.

Further info:
http://www.bryan-talbot.com


Grandville: Bete Noire trailer:

Bryan talks through the whole process of comic creation (four parts):

Stacey Whittle

Who are you?
Stacey Whittle - podcaster, SFX blogger, editor.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I am a podcaster - I co-host both Small Press Big Mouth, a news and review podcast showcasing independent comics, and The Megacast, which reviews The Judge Dredd Megazine. I also write blogs for the SFX Magazine website, usually but not always about comics.

This year I produced an anthology comic called Into the Woods: A Fairytale Anthology, which I will be selling at CCC. Also this year I was asked to be a judge for the first British Comic Book Awards, I was thrilled to be asked and am very proud to have been a tiny part of a wonderful thing.

Also I am geet funny like and I’m often mistaken for AntandDec.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Interesting, moving, funny. Any combination of the three is good or any one by itself!

Further info:
My own blog: http://whittlewaffle.blogspot.co.uk/
Buy Into the Woods now: http://ayesawcomics.bigcartel.com/
SPBM podcast blog: http://smallpressbigmouth.blogspot.co.uk/
Everything Comes Back to 2000AD (which hosts the Megacast podcast): http://2000ad.wordpress.com/

Dave Candlish

Who are you?
Dave Candlish - publisher/editor of anthology comic, PARAGON.

What have you done / what are you doing?
In recent years I've contributed to the honestly-it's-not-Doctor-Who anthology Dr WTF?!  I edit and publish the three times a year anthology comic, PARAGON, which was nominated for an Eagle award as best British B&W comic in 2010 (which was nice) and have just launched a new horror anthology AAIIEEE!!! (both of which I'll have with me on the day).

I'm currently working on the third book of stories for my time-travelling, demon-hunting Japanese warrior Jikan - a kind of cross between Hammer films' Captain Kronos and Quantum Leap
(with a hint of Samurai Jack). Check out the blogspot and lulu.com shop for preview art and details!

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Dez Skinn's Warrior.

Further info:
http://paragoncomic.blogspot.com/
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/PARAGONcomic

Readers of the Lost Art

Who are you?
Readers of the Lost Art, probably the longest-running graphic novel reading group in the UK, based at Newcastle City Library.

What have you done / what are you doing?
We've been meeting fortnightly since March 2004, using the Library's graphic novel stock as a basis for group discussions on all kinds of comic-related topics. Recently, we've had discussions about horror comics (for Halloween) and comics that have been adapted into films. We occasionally write graphic novel reviews and articles which we publish on our website. Aside from borrowing the stock and discussing/reviewing it, we've also had a hand in selecting it on behalf of the library. We meet alternate Tuesdays at the library, all welcome - why not come along?

And if you're just getting into the world of comics and graphic novels, talk to us at CCC or one of our meetings and we'll be happy to recommend some work you might enjoy from the library's collection.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Worth talking about.

Further info:
http://readers-of-the-lost-art.org.uk/

Terry Wiley

Who are you?

Terry Wiley (publishing as IDCM - I Draw Comics, Me!)

What have you done / what are you doing?
I used to do Sleaze Castle - which isn't very sleazy, it's an anagram of Castle Leazes! It's just come out again in big fat stumpy 500 page book form, with slim affordable 80-page book form due in Feb.

Nowadays I do VerityFair, the story of a middle-aged party-hard actress and her search for a decent night's sleep.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Talented, well-thought-out, not-so-superpowered.

Further info:
My website - rendered in "old-skool" HTML: http://www.idcm.net/
My twitter:  @terrywiley_idcm
My Facebook groups:
Sleaze Castle: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleaze-Castle/186088511440561
VerityFair: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IDCM-Comics-home-of-VerityFair/119430808091133

Cuttlefish

Who are you?
Cuttlefish although I occasionally answer to Martin.

What have you done / what are you doing?
Alongside juggling a busy home life, high blood pressure and hair loss, I am also a comic artist and illustrator responsible for drawing Arsecancer, Trainee Space Chef, Taxonauts and other small press and Paper Jam Comics Collective anthologies. Currently working on a strip for Zarjaz and one for Dead Roots a zombie comic anthology due out very soon.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
I love you.

Further info:
http://cuttlefishcomics.blogspot.co.uk
http://arsecancer.co.uk/

Tom Boyle

Who are you?
Tom Boyle AKA PandaFunkTeam, Comic artist and freelance Illustrator from Sunderland, likes Pandas, Tunes and good Sneakers.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I am currently working on a couple of comic projects, my main one being Zpace, which will be available to buy at CCC. It is a collection of short, science fiction comics about day to day life in Zpace; but life in Zpace is filled with mystery, comedy and action, and silly jokes and awesome characters. My other projects I’m working on are with other writers; the first is Gorlash, with Dan Clifford of Halcyon and Tenderfoot fame. It is a cool story with the tag line ‘Posh Conan’. ‘Nuff said. The second is St. George in Cyberspace by E.Chapman.

In the past I have created other comics which I will have for sale at CCC. There is Yggdrasil, a story set in the Norse universe which spans the World Tree itself; and I have the Planetary Cook Book which is about the journey of manhood for a young chef on a strange planet of mystery and good eats.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Deep, Fun, Action.

Further info:
http://pandafunkteam.deviantart.com/
http://pandafunkteam.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PandaFunkTeam

Nigel Dobbyn

Who are you?
My name is Nigel Dobbyn, although my deviantArt handle is handtoeye.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I’ve just finshed the artwork on a graphic novel adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’ The Power of Five – Nightrise, to be published by Walker Books next year (it’s the third in a series, but the first one I’ve drawn for them).

Previous comics work includes 2000AD (Strontium Dogs, Medivac 318, Red Razors etc), Sonic the Comic, Digimon, Gogos Crazy Bones, The Chili (for Markosia), Power Rangers, Mr. Bean, even My Little Pony and Angelina Ballerina!

I also do a lot of book illustration, wildlife art and graphic design work.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Really Great Storytelling.

Further info:
My web address is http://www.nigeldobbyn.com/

My deviantArt can be reached through that, or directly at http://handtoeye.deviantart.com

I’m always happy to give advice, chat, look at artwork etc. Most of my new work goes on there, as well as some older stuff and tutorials.

Andrew Waugh

Who are you?
Andrew Waugh, Scottish illustrator and cartoonist.

What have you done / what are you doing?
As an illustrator, I've done work all over the place, mostly for magazines. As a cartoonist, I've contributed strips to publications such as ink+PAPER, Paper Science and Solipsistic Pop, as well as self-publishing my own comics when I have the time. These have been frequently sweary and occasionally very beardy.

I'm currently working on a number of illustration projects, anthology contributions and my next comic Gauntlet - due out in 2013.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Funny. Moving. Stunning.

Further info:
My website is at thismeanswaugh.com and you can also find me on Twitter at @thismeanswaugh.

Lydia Wysocki

Who are you?
Lydia Wysocki, an artist and writer and person who makes many things.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I continue to make awesome handmade small press comics and other awesome things. In November 2012 published a bonafide paperback book called Celebrity Homes: a book of words and pictures about awesome houses and the legendary people who lived in them. It includes epic tales of country music, George Orwell, education, history, biography, slang and bad jokes. It features many heroic people and many comical stories, but please don't be fooled into thinking it's a KAPOW! ZAP! SHAZAM! comic book.

I also make hardground etchings, which are prints made using a pleasingly dangerous process involving acid, power tools and face protection. Etchings have historically been used to make political cartoons (as seen in most History textbooks and in posh antique shops) but at the moment I'm having far too much fun etching animals and local landmarks to worry about hard-hitting content. If you happen to say hello to me at Canny Con I'll briefly bombard you with information about the etching process and then say 'nah, forget that, just have a go on this etching plate and see how you get on'.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Daft and clever.

Further info:
http://HelloLyd.wordpress.com/

Art Heroes

Who are you?
Art Heroes. Art Heroes will be represented by Daniel at Canny Comic Con, because Lee has family stuff that he has to attend to, while Daniel is far too selfish to put family before comics. Art Heroes makes comics and runs workshops that involve young people making their own comic books, cartoons and illustrated stories. Daniel is the writing, co-ordination and dogsbody side of the Art Heroes partnership.

What have you done / what are you doing?
Art Heroes has released 3 issues of Halcyon & Tenderfoot so far, with the final issue, issue 4, due in late December. Halcyon & Tenderfoot is an all-ages comic focussing on a father and son superhero duo as they try to bring back the good old fashion tradition of superheroics. Art Heroes has co-ordinated workshops all around Tyneside (and a bit further) since launching at last year's Canny Comic Con. The lads are currently developing a number of comic projects to pitch to publishers.

Three words that describe your favourite comics:
Fun. Engaging. Heartfelt.

Further info:
You can find Art Heroes on the web at ArtHeroes.co.uk and on Twitter at @artheroesuk. Both are updated sporadically, but both still worth a look.