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It's Official ... BICS is back for 2010!

Britain's largest and most popular event devoted to comics and graphic novels of all kinds returns this year with a truly international flavour as the organisers welcome renowned creators from as far a field as America, Japan and Europe.

Over the weekend of October 16th – 17th at the state of the art Think Tank, Millennium Point in Birmingham, visitors can look forward to a full program of events celebrating the medium of comics and manga including panels, competitions, book launches and a huge trade fair featuring the UK's most well known publishers and dealers.

This year the guest list includes the complete creative team from Vertigo's runaway success "Unwritten" including award winning illustrator Yuko Shimizu, writer Mike Carey and penciller Peter Gross. There will also be a special appearance by Artist Jimmy Broxton as visitors have the chance to take part in an exclusive "Unwritten" panel at the show.

Vertigo editor Pornsak Picheshote will also be at hand conducting portfolio reviews and taking part in events.

Other big names flying in from across the world include Turkish creator Mahmud A Arsar and American Superstar Tommy Lee Edwards who's work can be seen in the new Jonathan Ross penned series "Turf".

Along with a whole host of UK creators such as Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy), Alan Davis (X-Men), Charlie Adlard (Walking Dead) and Sean Phillips (Criminal) to name just a few – BICS 2010 boasts the most diverse and impressive guest list of any UK event.

To find out more, book tickets or to keep up with all the latest updates visit the official website at: http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

Legendary artist Charles Vess now confirmed for this year's show! :-)

Dave Gibbons and Canadian artist Yanick Paquette now confirmed as special guests at this year's BICS.

How in the world did I miss this thread?

But yes, I'll be there, same as last year.

I think I might go to this event, don't know if it'll be a family trip for the weekend or a mini Hell-Trek ;)

I shall think about it over the coming weeks!

Now confirmed... superstar artist BRYAN HITCH will be at BICS 2010 for a special one day appearance!

This is Bryan's first UK show appearance for quite some time and he'll be launching his new book to the delight of fans, signing most of the day (day to be confirmed) and taking part in an exclusive panel in the theatre.

Yet another International guest is added to this years BICS roster in the form of Australian artist Nicola Scott who's eye catching work can be seen in Wonder Woman and other titles from DC Comics.

Clashes with my trip to Monaco, so for that reason..... I'm out!

Dammnit, Nichola Scott would have been the deal breaker for me. Love her work

Hot British writer Paul Cornell has now confirmed for BICS 2010 and along with artist Jimmy Broxton will also be taking part in an exclusive panel talking about his career in TV and Comics and about his new series for DC Comics.

Check out the BICS website now, for more updates on events and guest signings at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

The  extravaganza that is the BICS Friday Night Launch Party is now to be held at Oceana in Birmingham City Centre

The exclusive party will take place in First Port, a welcoming room dressed with warm lighting and cushioned seats. This informal lounge, based on a cruise ship lounge, creates a fashionable yet classic feel. There will be an exclusive V.I.P area; the Aspin Ski Lodge, a log cabin reconstruction, complete with fur carpets on the walls, candle style lighting, wooden structure and it's own mounted moose head!

"How do I get to go to this sophisticated shindig?" I hear you cry.

I'm glad you asked, all you have to do is pre register your tickets for the show at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/tickets and you're in...Simples!

Interesting...

Quote from: Bolt-01 on 11 August, 2010, 09:19:39 AM
Interesting...

As alaways guests and exhibitors are automatically added to the guest list :-)

I'll be there- as will, I think, Strip Magazine UK.

-pj

Quote from: pauljholden on 11 August, 2010, 06:53:18 PM
I'll be there- as will, I think, Strip Magazine UK.

I believe them, thee, and me, will be there. I shall endeavour to shake your hand and, perhaps, even buy you a pint in recognition of the better-than-a-decade association we share within the industry, during which time I have spoken not one single word to you in the environs of meatspace.

:-)

Cheers!

Jim

I'll be there and will hopefully have a TPB that collects #1-7 of SGT. MIKE BATTLE:  THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO!

I'll also be issuing my "Open any issue of SMB, turn to any page and try not to laugh" Challenge.

Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 11 August, 2010, 09:30:58 PM

Quote from: pauljholden on 11 August, 2010, 06:53:18 PM
I'll be there- as will, I think, Strip Magazine UK.

I believe them, thee, and me, will be there. I shall endeavour to shake your hand and, perhaps, even buy you a pint in recognition of the better-than-a-decade association we share within the industry, during which time I have spoken not one single word to you in the environs of meatspace.

:-)

Cheers!

Jim

CRAZY TALK!

Can I just mention that any pros who are not already on the guestlist and who do not have tables can you please email james@thecomicsshow.co.uk to secure your guest passes before 1st September.

cheers

Shane

Quote from: pauljholden on 12 August, 2010, 11:37:27 AM
CRAZY TALK!

You're right -- I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking!

Cheers!

Jim

Really looking forward to this - gonna book me a weekend pass I reckon.

Quote from: mygrimmbrother on 29 August, 2010, 08:39:52 PM
Really looking forward to this - gonna book me a weekend pass I reckon.

I'm all booked -- hotel for Saturday night, too.

Should be fun. :-)

Cheers!

Jim

Going to have to get around to booking this...

"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."

I hadn't come accross Creators having stipulations before except:

Dave Gibbons will automatically draw you a man in a hat in 15 secs
Simon Bisley will ask 'tits or arse' and still manager to draw a spliff on dredd

And as if by magic  :lol:





And here he is putting the spliff in Dredd's Gob at Dreddcon 6.5  ;)

That pales in comparison with the Jock dredd. Christ, that is good.

I like the curled hands of horror on the right-hand side

Not mine, as I was okay with what he was up to.
Sadly for the next person (who is a forum member) the tale was not so good. Lets just say that that drink and the contents of the ashtray played a part and at the end a scrunching took place by the Biz. It was not a happy time for the owner of an amazing book of sketches :'(

Seeing as Hi-Ex! is off next year I am seriously thinking of going for the BICS weekend. Anyone need a room share, Buttonman can vouch for me  ;)
I've just been checking the train fares and timings and it seems quite reasonable.

Good man!

Sounds like a rendezvous at the FutureQuake table. From there, we strike out for... the bar!

Cheers

Jim

Decided on the Saturday only in the end, ticket and train sorted.

Looking forward to seeing everyone up there and especially the FuturQuake table  :wave:

Here's hoping you have quite a late train back- The chinese after show meal is always good fun!

Really looking forward to it now.

Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 08 September, 2010, 11:16:59 PM
Sounds like a rendezvous at the FutureQuake table. From there, we strike out for... the bar!

Do you promise not to bring any expensive (potentially lose-able) technology with you this time? :)

Quote from: uncle fester on 14 September, 2010, 11:50:56 AM
Do you promise not to bring any expensive (potentially lose-able) technology with you this time? :)

I feel naked without my laptop!

Cheers

Jim

Booked for the weekend - yay!

We won't be there, I'm afraid- but we will be at Thought Bubble.

Everybody looking forward to the preshow-party?

Pre-show!

Now, last year myself, RAC, Bou, Kev (and Mrs Kev), Dunk! & Banners all sequestered ourselves in a pub for the night. The beer was fine and the conversation was too.

I'd be well up for doing the same again, and never mind trying to spot comic celebs in a nightclub- unless everyone wants to go there?

Who's up for the pub?

QuoteI'd be well up for doing the same again, and never mind trying to spot comic celebs in a nightclub- unless everyone wants to go there?

Who's up for the pub?

Even though we won't be there- I'd heartily endorse this option.
I would not, however, suggest you get the 'flu over the rest of the weekend, head home and spend the next week in bed like I did last time...

Ah, to hell with this saving money shit, I'm coming along. Any suggestions for a hotel on Saturday night?

Quote from: Bolt-01 on 14 September, 2010, 01:16:26 PM
Now, last year myself, RAC, Bou, Kev (and Mrs Kev), Dunk! & Banners all sequestered ourselves in a pub for the night. The beer was fine and the conversation was too.

I'd dearly love to, but so many of my lettering jobs are going to press on a Friday deadline these days, I daren't even go to my local for more than a couple on a Friday these days!

I'll be around all day Saturday, Saturday evening, and most of Sunday, so hopefully I'll catch up with a bunch of this forum's fine members.

Cheers!

Jim

There is a bar right?

Quote from: Kerrin on 20 September, 2010, 08:47:54 PM
There is a bar right?

If there isn't a bar, I shall bally well go out into the supermarkets of Birmingham, stock up on booze and open one myself. Good grief, man, no bar?

Quote from: Kerrin on 20 September, 2010, 08:12:34 PM
Ah, to hell with this saving money shit, I'm coming along. Any suggestions for a hotel on Saturday night?

I'll never do the convention special at the Britannia again after the first year there... Holiday Inn above Nostalgia is pretty good, I've heard nice things about the Ramada at the Mail Box too, but not stayed there.

Cheers Kev. I'm going to do some research of course, but any recommendations are most welcome.

Now I've actually bought the pass and committed to go I'm feeling quite excited. My first ever comic con, WOO-HOO! I'm particularly looking forward having a couple of quiet beers with fellow boarders. HA!

Mustn't forget a decent sketchbook.

Hooray! We get to meet Kerrin! :)

Heard nothing but bad things about the Britannia.
We've stayed at the Ibis any time we've been there, and it's been fine.

Since I'm back at work after my hols, I need something to look forward to to keep myself sane, so I think I'll give this a go - trains and ticket seem pretty cheap, I'll do some searching for a hotel tonight.

Is that post-show chinese on Sunday night? I'll have to book a late train! And I'll be up for a few small shandies on the Friday night.

This is gonna be grand... I'm putting a few sheckles aside to buy a few original sketches and ales.

Quote from: mygrimmbrother on 22 September, 2010, 12:00:18 PM
I'm putting a few sheckles aside to buy a few original sketches and ales.

Then I would suggest, sir, that your priorities are the wrong way round :)

I have a friend's wedding on the Friday, so no pre-drinks for me, but look forward to Sat night when I've booked into the Holiday inn.

Dunk!

Seems to be quite a few boarders staying at the Holiday Inn - is that the Holiday Inn City Centre (Queensway) or the Holiday Inn Express (Lionel Street), both pretty close to each other?

City Centre Queensway, above Nostalgia and Comics, for me.

Booked the Holiday Inn Queensway. If you're going to try the same you're better off phoning this evening, their website is knacked.

Oh man, I'm looking forward to this.

Woohoo. Ticket, train and hotel all booked! That was pretty spontaneous, I had no plans at all to attend before today, but thought "ah, what the hell..."

See you all there!

Quote from: BICS2007 on 12 August, 2010, 12:29:35 PM
Can I just mention that any pros who are not already on the guestlist and who do not have tables can you please email james@thecomicsshow.co.uk to secure your guest passes before 1st September.

cheers

Shane

I did this twice and never heard back either time.  Guess I'm just not famous enough...

:(

Quote from: Matt Timson on 22 September, 2010, 09:09:25 PM
I did this twice and never heard back either time.  Guess I'm just not famous enough...

You can be my +1 ... :-)

Cheers!

Jim

I WANT MY OWN INVITATION!

Hi all,

I'll be there on Saturday unless the plane's delayed! Shame about Hi-Ex I've only just found out so obviously I must be at BICS to give Dave a chance to hone his sales skills and persuade me to buy some more Zarjaz back issues!  :lol:

I'll be Happy to chat to you all day Si, and it will be a treat to meet you again.

Hi Matt

I'll email James and see if I can get you on the guest list. It's very strange of him not to reply to emails right away. Drop me a line at: shane@thecomicsshow.co.uk with your email details and I'll forward them to James.

best
Shane

Quote from: Matt Timson on 22 September, 2010, 09:09:25 PM

Quote from: BICS2007 on 12 August, 2010, 12:29:35 PM
Can I just mention that any pros who are not already on the guestlist and who do not have tables can you please email james@thecomicsshow.co.uk to secure your guest passes before 1st September.

cheers

Shane

I did this twice and never heard back either time.  Guess I'm just not famous enough...

:(

Too slow, Shane- already sorted!

:D

Thanks though.

I'm coming down Sat
C youse there! :D

Chi

Cool!

I don't know why El Chivo, but I thought you lived in the States for some reason. 

The accent i guess :)

I'll be there Saturday as well. Questions guys - I'm bringing my two little ones, one of which is only two - should I pay at the door in case the 2-year-old is free? Or are there limited tickets?

Under 5s are free Locust, see here (http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/tickets/), looking forward to meeting you and the mini-locii.

I was hoping to get a portfolio review but missed the deadline 4 it so just going to soak up the atmosphere, check out some stalls & meet all u guys
I take it the Zarjaz/FutureQuake stall is the place to congregate/loiter?

I saw the queue for the portfolio reviews at Bristol. A long line of condemned-looking men waiting for the jailor to come and collect them. Didn't look like a fun way to spend an afternoon. The bar's much more fun :)

Quote from: uncle fester on 27 September, 2010, 08:56:05 PM
I saw the queue for the portfolio reviews at Bristol. A long line of condemned-looking men waiting for the jailor to come and collect them. Didn't look like a fun way to spend an afternoon. The bar's much more fun :)

Spose its a blessing in disguise, this way i can ease myself into breaking my convention cherry...
..the bar it is!

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 27 September, 2010, 07:58:21 PM
I'll be there Saturday as well. Questions guys - I'm bringing my two little ones, one of which is only two - should I pay at the door in case the 2-year-old is free? Or are there limited tickets?

Yeay for Locust and the mini-locos coming along!


Re THE BAR! Checking the website and the only source of booze in the ThinkTank (apart from Bisley) is the IMAX Lounge. Fortunately it is open throughout the day - hurrah!

Does anyone have knowledge of any other local hostelries?


Locusts: checking the schedule for the IMAX in a slightly geeky way, they have a showing of Toy Story 3 at 10.30am.

Everyone else: evening showings are Avatar Special Edition and Inception. But if I catch any of youse in there when you should be drinking, there'll be trouble.

Under 5's are free :-)

Shane

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 27 September, 2010, 07:58:21 PM
I'll be there Saturday as well. Questions guys - I'm bringing my two little ones, one of which is only two - should I pay at the door in case the 2-year-old is free? Or are there limited tickets?

Now that I'm coming for the weekend, where is the meet/drinking on Friday evening?

The official one is at Oceana nightclub, but I'm hoping that I can get some folks to meet up with at an actual pub where we'll be able to talk with each other.

Last year Banners arranged one for a pub I can't remember the name of for the life of me and it was a great night. Last bus home for me!

Bolt, it was the Wellington

http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/index.php (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/index.php)

Real Ale-tastic, and a proper pub surrounded by clubs and bars.

Is there a plan for the Sat night?

The plan for Sat night- Chinese then pub. The end. Last year we got about 20 for the chinese- I'll sort a signup sheet at the FQ table this year- See if we can match the mighty Hi-Ex tables!

Groovy - I'll be up for a drink on Friday and a chinese on Saturday. Luverly!

I'll be at BICS too!

Quote from: Dandontdare on 01 October, 2010, 04:43:29 PM
Groovy - I'll be up for a drink on Friday and a chinese on Saturday. Luverly!

I'll be up for a drink anytime. ;)

Especially as I'm helping drive a van down from Scotland on Friday. I've never driven a van before, especially through Birmingham. I definitely need a drink after that.  :o

Cheers!

Colin


ps - Since so many boarders will be at BICS, anyone wanting to reserve any of the recent Dredd pages just PM me. That way people won't be disapointed when someone else buys that page with "their name" on it!  :D

Aces- It'll be great to see you there Colin.

And driving from and to Scotland- That's the way!

Looks like I'll be there now...... :-)

Colin & PJ &, &, bring some stuff for me!

I will bring everything that I don't sell in New York :P

-pj

Train tickets booked now -- should be there mid-afternoon Saturday until late afternoon Sunday. Definitely up for food and booze on Saturday night.

Cheers!

Jim

Cool. And I'm collecting the stock in the morning- a week early!

Expect much pimping, in all the appropriate places.

Should point out: I'll still be recovering from New York, and my wife is coming over to BICS (first time she's been to a con in YEARS) so I expect lots of early nights.

For sleep. You perverts.

-pj

Quote from: pauljholden on 03 October, 2010, 09:16:53 PM
Should point out: I'll still be recovering from New York, and my wife is coming over to BICS (first time she's been to a con in YEARS) so I expect lots of early nights.

For sleep. You perverts.

-pj

Sleep for her, anyway... :lol:

Dave sign me and the sexy A man up for chinese again this year and Graham Pearce made noises about defending his "ate the most at the all you can eat buffet" title (which Queen Firey Beau only just lost out on it should be said) so him too probably. And Paul Thompson as well.  Man I'm looking forward to seeing you guys, it feels like forever!

Quote from: Bolt-01 on 01 October, 2010, 03:51:12 PM
The official one is at Oceana nightclub, but I'm hoping that I can get some folks to meet up with at an actual pub where we'll be able to talk with each other.

Last year Banners arranged one for a pub I can't remember the name of for the life of me and it was a great night. Last bus home for me!

Was that after your third pint at 10.30 then most bonny of lads? :-D

Quote from: Dunk! on 01 October, 2010, 04:23:33 PM
Bolt, it was the Wellington

http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/index.php (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/index.php)

Real Ale-tastic, and a proper pub surrounded by clubs and bars.

Is there a plan for the Sat night?

LOVE the Wellington.

The Wellington (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/) it is then.

Now we just need to work on a time to meet. Say 8pm? And shall we make 2000 AD T-shirts mandatory?

I'm going to BICS! Really looking forward to it. I haven't booked a hotel yet like, any ideas folks?

Quote from: satchmo on 04 October, 2010, 06:32:04 PM
I'm going to BICS! Really looking forward to it. I haven't booked a hotel yet like, any ideas folks?

Me and The A Man and Paul are all staying at The Comfort Inn, looks a bit shite but it was very cheap! :-D
http://www.comfortinn-birmingham.co.uk/The_Comfort_Inn_Birmingham_Accommodation.html

And full.

:cool:

Apparently I'm staying in a Travelodge, don't know which but I'll find out this afternoon, when I pop down the comic shop!

Quote from: Matt Timson on 05 October, 2010, 11:26:36 AM
And full.

:cool:

Probably a blessed relief for Satchmo really! :-)

I'm at the Holiday Inn, as is Dunk, and possibly others. Fairly cheap, and easy walking distance.

I'm staying here
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hatters-Hostel-Birmingham/Birmingham/5132
no idea wot it's like & sharing with a bunch of strangers but it's cheap & i plan to be bladdered  :)

Quote from: stacey on 05 October, 2010, 11:15:03 AM
The Comfort Inn, looks a bit shite but it was very cheap!

...And opposite the train station. My criteria precisely. I have no idea why Birmingham is so fucking expensive -- I've paid less for rooms the last twice I've been to London.

Cheers!

Jim

Can I gloat about how I'm living in the student accommodation right next door to the venue?

Yay! Party at Christov's!

I'm at the Holiday Inn as well. The pre-booking prices have almost doubled since the beginning of last week. 

Quote from: Kerrin on 06 October, 2010, 07:54:01 AM
The pre-booking prices have almost doubled since the beginning of last week. 

Really? That's a bit cheeky isn't it?

The Ibis(mal).

Quote from: Kerrin on 06 October, 2010, 07:54:01 AM
Yay! Party at Christov's!

Oh lordy no. I'm living in a shoebox as it is.

Quote from: uncle fester on 06 October, 2010, 09:47:18 AM

Quote from: Kerrin on 06 October, 2010, 07:54:01 AM
The pre-booking prices have almost doubled since the beginning of last week. 

Really? That's a bit cheeky isn't it?

Always best to book hotels as early as possible the prices do go up nearer to the time you want to book. I find that in most cities I've stayed in. Always best to book at least a month in advance... more if possible.

Can I suggest if any of you are coming to the show in a group...try Arcadian Apartments. We always use them for our own accomodation over the BICS weekend.
If there's a bunch of you it's dirt cheap and the apts are real luxury

S.

TV presenter and comics writer Jonathan Ross will be joining us at BICS this year as our very special guest.
He'll be signing copies of Turf and taking part in a special event involving a digital version Of Tommy Lee Edwards which we think could well be a UK Comic Convention first! :-)

Quote from: BICS2007 on 07 October, 2010, 03:59:54 AM
TV presenter and comics writer Jonathan Ross will be joining us at BICS this year as our very special guest.
He'll be signing copies of Turf and taking part in a special event involving a digital version Of Tommy Lee Edwards which we think could well be a UK Comic Convention first! :-)

Both Days?

For wossy times and dates please keep checking the website for updates.

best
Shane

Quote from: BICS2007 on 07 October, 2010, 03:59:54 AM
TV presenter and comics writer Jonathan Ross will be joining us at BICS this year as our very special guest.
He'll be signing copies of Turf and taking part in a special event involving a digital version Of Tommy Lee Edwards which we think could well be a UK Comic Convention first! :-)

Has he signed up for the Saturday night Chinese yet?

I'm up for the Chinese but at the moment I'm trying to decide what 2000AD T-shirt I will wear on the Friday in the Wellington, as we don't want to all wear the same top  ;)

wear the subbie one  :D

I have a feeling that DDD might wear that one!

I won't now - knock yourself out!

I'll be there earlyish, certainly around midday, probably with Mini-Lady Crave.

Anyone know where the Events are going to be held, especially the Yuko Shimizo one?

Hotel booked for Saturday night.

I'll get there about midday.

No tattoo though, not had the time yet and it'll look a bit shit turning up with a pad on my arm...

Hotel booked ages ago.

I'll be fresh from a friend's wedding on Friday, so should turn up about 2-ish.

Serious dog hair on the menu for Saturday night.

CF wear the duster one, always a favourite!

That's all sorted then, I shall be wearing my 'yellow duster' as that is what the missus calls it  ::)

Won't be there Friday (out on the piss in Church Stretton with an old mate while I'm up in the Midlands) but on Saturday I'll be wearing my "You're Next Punk" Dredd T. That is until I outfit myself with some new XL, "manly physique", geektastic new comic T-shirts. At least one tooth T, quelle naturellement.

Sadly I ain't going.

Frustratingly, Smallzone won't have a table there so I won't have any PARAGONcomic on sale there

Anyone around here got a table to sell there wares on who would be willing to take a few on? (For a cut of the cover price, naturally)

Quote from: Daveycandlish on 09 October, 2010, 10:47:35 AM
Sadly I ain't going.

Frustratingly, Smallzone won't have a table there so I won't have any PARAGONcomic on sale there

Anyone around here got a table to sell there wares on who would be willing to take a few on? (For a cut of the cover price, naturally)

Sorry to hear that Davey... and sorry I can't sell the comic for you there. I just can't run a show and a table at the smae time I'm afraid  :(

Totally understand Chebbo - I know you'll have your hands full making the weekend go smoothly for everyone; apologies if it sounded like I was having a dig, it certainly wasn't meant to

Change of plan. I'll be attending on Sunday.

I'll be bringing the Judge (Minty) costumes for a couple of people from the Hollywood Heroes costume group to wear for a bit.

See you there.
Steven

Cool! I've been hoping to get a chance to take a look at those costumes close up (and get a photo of myself being arrested and/or wearing the helmet!)

Events have conspired against me and it is unlikely that I'll be able to make it (there is a slim chance but I won't know until Friday), which is a pity as I was hoping to meet everyone. :(

If it all comes together it'll be a mad dash down on Saturday morning - will there be tickets for the day available on the door?

Ahaaa! Confirms my suspicions that "The Emperor" isn't actually a person at all, but a sentient supercomputer programmed with a full database of comic-related facts. What "he" means is that his synthetic humanoid simulacrum isn't quite ready yet.

Quote from: Dandontdare on 12 October, 2010, 04:42:43 PM
Ahaaa! Confirms my suspicions that "The Emperor" isn't actually a person at all, but a sentient supercomputer programmed with a full database of comic-related facts. What "he" means is that his synthetic humanoid simulacrum isn't quite ready yet.

Ahaaa! Confirms my suspicions that "The Emperor" is in fact engaged full-time in averting crises and catastrophes around the globe and that he has heard advance warning of a seismic shift off the Pacific coast of South America which could jeopardise the lives of any Chilean miners left underground at the weekend so he's off to adjust the tectonic plates of said region whilst popping in to save some rainforest and resolving ongoing police / drug cartel feuds in Nicaragua and Mexico on the way home. Best of luck with that, Emps.

Or he's a house cat with highly developed typing skills. And a penchant for comics.

Quote from: uncle fester on 12 October, 2010, 05:41:27 PM
Or he's a house cat with highly developed typing skills. And a penchant for comics.

You know the interludes from Fractal Friction... [spoiler]they're NOT made up... Jim just changed the names to disguise the truth![/spoiler]

And, of course, it completely ruins my chance to prove I am not Jonathan Ross. ;)

Quote from: Emperor on 12 October, 2010, 06:00:25 PM
And, of course, it completely ruins my chance to prove I am not Jonathan Ross. ;)

Yeah yeah not Wossy whatever. I think we now have all the evidence we need.

Yes entry will be available on the door both days

best

Shane

Quote from: Emperor on 12 October, 2010, 03:09:02 PM
Events have conspired against me and it is unlikely that I'll be able to make it (there is a slim chance but I won't know until Friday), which is a pity as I was hoping to meet everyone. :(

If it all comes together it'll be a mad dash down on Saturday morning - will there be tickets for the day available on the door?

Quote from: Dandontdare on 12 October, 2010, 04:42:43 PM
Ahaaa! Confirms my suspicions that "The Emperor" isn't actually a person at all, but a sentient supercomputer programmed with a full database of comic-related facts. What "he" means is that his synthetic humanoid simulacrum isn't quite ready yet.

WRONG! He's a sentient cloud of purple nanobots which escaped from a CIA facility in 1997. He might be omniscient but he can't physically hold a ticket, hence no BICS.

Ker-Bump!

I'll be there tomorrow afternoon folks if anyone's about! And this Wellington place sounds good... :)

The Wellington is great. A little small perhaps, but well stocked with lovely Ales!

I won't be around Friday night, but I will be floating, meandering and drifting around the BICS halls both days.

There might be copies of the Sci-Fi Art Now book (http://scifiartnow.blogspot.com/) available (that myself any many other board members contributed to) and if anyone was intending to buy a copy and wanted me to personally spoil theirs I'd be only too happy to. :D

Quote from: KevLev on 14 October, 2010, 10:41:07 AM
There might be copies of the Sci-Fi Art Now book (http://scifiartnow.blogspot.com/) available (that myself any many other board members contributed to) and if anyone was intending to buy a copy and wanted me to personally spoil theirs I'd be only too happy to. :D

Oh yes - I'd forgotten it was out! Hooray! Another reason to go to BICS! :)

Satchmo- Bring a couple of Photo's!

I'll actually be arriving in Brum on friday evening but not sure if I'll be partaking of activities until the saturday. But if I do, what's the plan again for friday? Is it the Wellington?

Quote from: mygrimmbrother on 14 October, 2010, 12:51:16 PM
But if I do, what's the plan again for friday? Is it the Wellington?

s'right

I won't be able to go this weekend  :'(.

Ran into a bit of financial difficulties, and just don't have the money to go and enjoy myself. I'm saddened mostly because I would have liked to have caught up with everyone going.

Best of luck to all the artists that will be showing off their portfolios!

No!! That's not fair!  :(

Ag, thats a shame.

Everyone else- see you at the Wellington after 8.

Sad news Locustsofdeath, now I'll miss out on my Cherry Pepsi seeing you again.

Great news that Bolt-01 is bringing some After Eights to The Wellington, that's what you said, isn't it?

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 14 October, 2010, 01:05:40 PM
I won't be able to go this weekend  :'(.

Ran into a bit of financial difficulties, and just don't have the money to go and enjoy myself. I'm saddened mostly because I would have liked to have caught up with everyone going.

Sorry to hear this.

However, if I do miss BICS, this will mean I'll feel slightly less bad about it, so... swings and roundabouts ;)

Will you be able to fit another con in before flying back to the US of A?

It's a damn shame you can't make it Locust. I'll PM you about the stuff to send to Afghanistan.

No more work till Monday! WOO-HOO! Up to Church Stretton tomorrow morning and then I'll head for Brum Saturday lunchtime I reckon. Looking forward to ditching the car and getting down to some serious nattering and beerage with the assembled forumites.

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 14 October, 2010, 01:05:40 PM
I won't be able to go this weekend  :'(.

Ran into a bit of financial difficulties, and just don't have the money to go and enjoy myself. I'm saddened mostly because I would have liked to have caught up with everyone going.

Best of luck to all the artists that will be showing off their portfolios!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That's a damn shame locusts, I was looking forward to meeting up with you again.

Gruddammnit!

Yeah, sorry guys. I really had my heart set on being there with you all  :'(.

Edit: Emps, I hope to get to a few more before next October!

Off to work in 50 mins, ask for early finish (even earlier than normal), back home, forced deep sleep, up at 12:00, pick people up and then onwards to a weekend of fun!

just taken a look at  the Wellington's website (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/BeerFestival.php) to find out where it is -  this weekend is a beer festival with 40+ ales available. Expect beards and bellies a-plenty!

If it gets too busy in there we can always head to the Weatherspoons a few doors up. A nice big place.

Quote from: Dandontdare on 15 October, 2010, 11:00:44 AM
just taken a look at  the Wellington's website (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/BeerFestival.php) to find out where it is -  this weekend is a beer festival with 40+ ales available. Expect beards and bellies a-plenty!

I wish I was going now. Comics and a beer festival, sounds like heaven!
I had thought of coming to BICS but funds won't quite stretch that far this month but I am going to a beer festival anyway so I'm halfway to heaven I guess.
I hope you all have a great time.

Sat in services on M40, 30 miles from Brum, see you lot soon  :D

Leaving work in about 15 mins, last time I'll really be online till monday. See some of you tonight and over the weekend.

If you are a lurking Boarder, please come say hello- it is always nice to put a face to a name!

G'luck Dave! Tell all the boarders I said hello!

See Y'all 2moz!!
Locust, another time m8 :)

And I have found out I won't be able to make it, as I suspected :(

So all I can do is repeat this:

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 15 October, 2010, 04:24:09 PM
G'luck Dave! Tell all the boarders I said hello!

Now at Premier Inn, off out for grub in a minute and then to the pub for 20:00.
See you all there  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Dandontdare on 15 October, 2010, 11:00:44 AM
just taken a look at  the Wellington's website (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/BeerFestival.php) to find out where it is -  this weekend is a beer festival with 40+ ales available. Expect beards and bellies a-plenty!

I have never known a pub with that many real ales. :o

I like real ale pubs but Weatherspoons if its too busy ???

Puuuh-Lease

Have fun everyone.

Still stuck at work - see you all tomorrow!

Sat in the Wellington with Bolt-01, Banners and DanDontDare.
Where are you lot?

Post your conversation word for word, please. And give my regards to Bolt and DDD.

(you should have offered to pick me up, you bastard!)

In fact, just have your entire conversation via this thread! And send me a beer, via InterBeera.
Gah! Still, ive got Zombo, so im with you in spirit! chin chin!
SBT

What time do the doors open? Is it 10?

Have a great BICS, you lot and send my regards to the rest of them. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with most of ye at some point next year.

Convinced a group of wannabe actors that CF is Karl Urban's stunt double off to South Africa soon - more news later (or tomorrow) no doubt(!)

M@

He did you know, well just left the VIP area in whatever club we went to. Met Wake, Alec, Colin, Stacey and her not better half, plus others.
Now walking across town to hotel.
Pics will go up on Sunday night!

It was the Oceania.

Once we got into the VIP area, I chatted to Mike Collins, Lew Stringer and Pete(?). Left 2ish. Should be sleeping.

Rad Wagons Ho!

On my way

Hope everyone has a great time particularly if your showing your portfolio. 

I have the most awful flu/cold/deathbreaths and I won't be going anywhere! Took Friday off I was so sick. Misery.

Brilliant day at the con, many forum members met, Zombo masks gathered, FutureQuake bought many copies for those that asked, sketches acquired and chatting galore.
Off for Chinese in a moment.
Would write more but using phone and it's a bugger  :D

Stand at ease, mr forces, your mission is at an end. Couldnt pick up when you called, as was dealing with challenging behaviour! Glad you lot are having fun. Just to make you jealous, im off to watch fireworks in a bit.

In the rain.

SBT

enjoy chaps, maybe next year for me...

All packed up and ready to go.

See you tomorrow.

I'll definetly be at next years. I'm as jealous as the sea - !

Had a fun time yesterday having a wander, buying stuff, meeting fellow boarders and eating my own body weight in Chinese food afterwards... Just seen a judge monitoring the folks heading back in today - ace costume!

Surreal moment yesterday when we were stuck in a crowded lift with Batman though, (Christian Bale accent and all)...

Yeah, Steve/Minty sorted out someone to don the costume for Sunday. Glad you liked it.

Unfortunately I've got work on, I would have loved to have gone again.

I think that might be the same batdude that we saw last year - he really gets into the part.

Just back from BICS.

Can't say anymore now, the typing is too loud to bear.

Oh my aching head...

Just setting off in a minute, had a great weekend meeting old and new faces. All my sketches are safe in the car and all my missions completed.
Report later tonight  :D

I have loot. That is all.

Home safe after a bloody wonderful weekend. It was an absolute treat to meet so many boarders, Bolt 01, Microbolt, Commando Forces, LARF, Jim Campbell, Kevlev, Mrs.Kevlev, Satchmo (or Hollowlegs as he is now known), Matt Timson, DUNK!, Uncle Fester, Lady Festina, MyGrimmBrother, PJ Holden, Colin MacNeil, Dandontdare, Alec Worley, Graham Pearce, CraveNoir, Steve Green, El Chivo. All people of the very highest calibre! If I've missed you there, it's only because I have a truly terrible memory. Didn't bump into Christov which is a shame and we were all sorry that Locust and Emperor couldn't make it.

It was my first comic-con and I have to say that I couldn't believe how friendly everyone was and how generous with their time. I got some truly awesome sketches. I'll do some scanning when I get a chance and share them all here.

Didn't manage to take many photos but here are a few for the moment.

The Bar! Left to right, Lady F, Jim, Uncle Fester, Kevlev, Matt Timson (blurred for safety reasons), Olly (a very, very funny man) and a partially occluded MyGrimmBrother.




The FQP Stand with Commando Forces, Kevlev (sketching), Bolt 01 (singing I believe) and Alec Worley (I have no idea what is being described to Cf and I don't want to know either).




The Chinese meal was class, I honestly have no idea how Satchmo managed to eat that much, and the pub was a great laugh too. I bailed earlyish, well, midnight, 'cause I'm a woose but I'm lead to believe that the merriment carried on well into the early hours. Monsters!

Thanks again to everyone who was there, I really did have a fantastic time. Roll on Bristol!

I think that may have been the other Steve... unless I blacked out totally today ;)

Oh shite, I've been seeing CF all over the con and had no idea it was him.  :lol:

Quote from: Steve Green on 17 October, 2010, 07:05:45 PM
I think that may have been the other Steve... unless I blacked out totally today ;)

Doh! Sorry Steve! Had a look at some of the "Minty" stuff man, it's ruddy awesome. Well done sir.

Cheers mate,

glad you had fun!

Yeah, it was a hoot Steve.

My brother is kindly scanning all of my sketches at the moment, the generosity of all of the guys who did sketches was humbling to be honest. Artists really are the most unbelievably self critical bunch though. Fellas, you're all bloody ace!

Two of the maestros I got sketches from were...

The magnificent Mr.Colin MacNeil, who really is just the nicest bloke.



I've still got a Shimura sketch on the way from Colin, can't wait.

And Kevlev.Esq, whose portfolio is something awesome to behold. Kev doesn't always look like this....Honest.



Ha-ha-haaaaaa!

That is a particularly awesome Mechanismo sketch that Kev is working on, can't remember who it was for though.

If anybody is wondering what Colin is drawing in Kerrin's picture...


:D

Another Brilliant weekend, have to spend some time with the family now but once everyone is asleep I shall return.
By the way, Buttonman I have a new best friend and weirdly he makes me look like a bloody child in this picture  :o



P.S. That Mechanismo sketch was for ME  :D

Oh you are fucking joking. CF, in your picture with Wossy, the fella with the black hair and a bag over his shoulder in the background might actually be me.

This con proved that it is a bloody small world after all.  :lol:

Excellent, like ships in the night (day) we passed  :lol:

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 17 October, 2010, 09:40:30 PM
By the way, Buttonman I have a new best friend and weirdly he makes me look like a bloody child in this picture  :o

When is he going round to visit the Cellar of Dredd then?

No that's a scary picture, someone that makes CF look 'normal'......... :-\

Just got back
It was awesome to meet everybody and had a great time
Special thanks to Messrs. McNeill & Timson for taking the time to see my work, you were both very kind & am taking your advice on board (feel like i'm on X Factor..)
My only regret is during the Walking Dead Q & A not putting on my Zombo mask & asking Charlie Adlard
'May I Eat You?'

Next time...

Seriously tho, u guys rule, look 4ward 2 the next 1

Cheers

Chi

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 17 October, 2010, 09:40:30 PM
By the way, Buttonman I have a new best friend and weirdly he makes me look like a bloody child in this picture  :o

You are so naive - he's only palling up with you to get to me!

Quote from: Christov on 17 October, 2010, 09:45:44 PM
Oh you are fucking joking. CF, in your picture with Wossy, the fella with the black hair and a bag over his shoulder in the background might actually be me.

This con proved that it is a bloody small world after all.  :lol:

I probably walked past you Grud knows how many times as well Christov! Did you introduce yourself at the FQP table? Next time mate.

These are the sketches I got and I have to say I'm chuffed to bits with every last one of them.

I made a beeline for Colin to start with and got him at just the right time so I could watch this being done. Fascinating to watch the process, and that goes for all the the other ones I watched being created as well.

Insurrection Robot (sorry, haven't read Insurrection yet so I'm not sure of the exact name/type of this)




I've got a colour Shimura sketch on way from Colin as well, eeeeeeeeee!

Then I managed to collar PJ Holden for a Dredd sketch, wish I'd thought to get a photo of him doing it. PJ is another lovely guy and was unstinting in his generosity with help and advice all weekend.




Then on Sunday he did a Monsterology sketch as well. PJ had some artwork in his portfolio for this, and to say it was impressive would be a serious understatement. It was stunning.




Bolt-01 was the first board member I met on the Saturday by employing the cunning scheme of heading straight for the FQP table. He actually seemed surprised to be asked for a sketch. Huh? Bolt's a cracking artist as we all well know and the cleanness of the inking on these two (got the second on Sunday) is pukka.

First off is a superb Kid Knee.




And a Dredd-Head! WOO-HOO! I love Dredd-Heads. From what Bolt was saying the next script Tips is working on sounds mental.




After a while on Saturday I adjourned to the bar where I had the pleasure of encountering several board members, and with the sort of generosity I've come to realise is abundant in this fine place I was lucky enough to get...

A tremendous Judge Death from MyGrimmBrother (Matt Soffe).




A particularly nice Wulf Sternhammer from Kevlev (Kevin Levell).





Then Matt Timson asked if he was going to be allowed to do a sketch or what? After I'd picked my jaw up off the floor I said "Yes please!" and was provided with this Terminator piece.




HOLY SHIT! And Matt wasn't happy with it! Bloody hell, can't wait to see his next project. He also had some prints of something truly amazing with him, but it's not going to be me who spills the beans on that one.

I was also privileged enough to get a beautiful (if you can use that word for a Dark Judge) Mortis from Uncle Fester (Conor Doyle).




MyGrimmBrother's mate Olly was with in the bar, and whilst he freely admitted to knowing bugger all about comics, his take on Judge Dredd is freakin' genius.




Bwaa-haa-haaaa!

I obviously wasn't the only one to like this because the last sketch I got before I left Sunday was from Satchmo (Ben "Hollowlegs" Clark).




I love Spinechillers! And Ben was saying he's already planned out some of the next "season" too. Which means I'm happy as a pig in shit.

Thanks again to everyone who did sketches. I'm still gobsmacked.

That should of course be Uncle fester (Conor Boyle) not (Conor Doyle), I'm in dimwit mode.

Excellent sketches and fine photos.

However, what we really want to know is - any big news or announcements? An, you know, any juicy gossip? Is it true Kev got drunk and wore a French maid's outfit? No it isn't but I'd like to hear something as good ;)

I shall post the sketches that I managed to get later today but for now here are some pictures and some words about the weekend.

The Wellington was the meeting place for forum members and so after having an Italian with the people who I travelled up with I headed over there, hoping to not be the first one. Bollocks I was and so wearing my 'yellow duster', so as to help people find me, I waited for a while and when Dave turned up, we blagged a table.


Banners, Dandontdare, me & Bolt-01

This is when Banners managed to drag me into his web of lies about filming on the Urban Dredd but it was a bloody good laugh coming up with our elaborate story.
After here DDD and myself headed off to the place where the BICS lauch party was and it was here that I caught up with so many people I can't name them all (otherwise it would just be lists) but it did include Stacey, Colin, Alec, Wake, stop now John....

We blagged our way down into the VIP area with another pack of lies and continued to chat and drink. I must admit DDD did some fine drinking through the night and did the Hell-Trekkers proud.


Stacey, me, Lynsey & DDD

After a few hours in here it was time to wander across town to the hotel, thank God for sat nav on the phone. Managed to grab a 1/2 pounder on the way back from a slop house and got in around 2, I think.

The next day I made a beeline to the FutureQuake table shortly followed by Rebellion and after that I mingled. I managed to complete all my missions and even had texts through the days from people asking to get certain things for them, do not fear all, as said above, all missions completed.


Bolt-01, KevLev, Kerrin & LARF (at the FutureQuake table)

As I wandered round and acquired my sketches I took some photos of atists/writers doing there stuff and here is the rogues gallery. QUEUE MUSIC!


Staz Johnson. Had a good old chat about his upcoming Rogue Trooper, he had some art from the strip on show/sale and it looked ace. I wish I had bought some but I will definately get one in the future. I also collected my comission from him and the detail is amazing close up.


Charlie Adlard. Had massive queues both days and he never faltered.


Ian Edginton. Bought a couple of items from him and had a good old chat about his upcoming stuff, very interesting and so looking forward to seeing these things in the prog.


PJ. Doing my sketch while we chatted about EggHeads and how everyone let him down, amongst other things.

The day flew by and it was mainly filled with chatting and laughs. Next up it was the Chinese and then off to the pub followed by a hotel bar and then back to the hotel for 04:00 and up at 08:00  :lol:

Me & Kerrin in the pub. During this time we organised the Hell-Trek for 2012 and a mini trek to Bristol next year, looking forward already!


El Chivo, Alec & LARF

The next day it was more of the same. I even managed to see Darth Vader with the real Emperor!!!



Last pic is of my mates son Cameron, with one of the lads who Steve brought along to dress up in the Judge outfits. It was wonderful to see him gather all his sketches over the days and his dads wallet lighten, gotta keep the new blood interested in the medium and every single artist went out of there way to make his day. Special mention to Bolt-01 on this, your interaction with Cameron was great to watch as you chatted away as you drew his sketch.



Sometime today I'll post all my sketches and other things (6 Zombo masks, not all for me) that I bought. Like I said earlier I won't list everyones name as Kerrin has sorted that out for us all and I'll just end with this.

It was great to see old faces and the new ones (who felt like old faces, through chatting on the forum). The creators were yet again (as always) excellent value and so giving with their time. I'm now looking forward to Bristol to do it all again.
Sorry if I didn't chat to people but the time flies so bloody fast that before you know it the con is over.
Thanks all for a great weekend  :D

Wow those sketches are fantastic, I wish I was there too, but it wasn't to be this year.There is still something about black and white work which, for me, knocks the socks off most colouring in comics there days. That Mortis sketch is perfection ;-)


Glad the Judge costumes made an appearance once more, thanks for Minty (Steve S)for taking them!

Sorry to not to have made it on Sunday as intended. My train home after Friday night got cancelled four stops too early and then the taxi didn't turn up, so I had to walk home four miles in the cold drizzle. Have spent all weekend under two duvets and four blankets as a consequence.

Had a good time on Friday though - so cheers to Dave, John and DDD!

M@

I may stick a couple of photos up later, but I didn't take many. Back at work now (boo) after a fine weekend. Got hideously drunk on Friday - curse you jack Daniels! Apologies if I blathered shite in your direction, my memory of the latter part of the evening is a wee bit hazy.   :-[

As a result, I felt like crap all day Saturday. I spent far too much on comics of course, including a large haul from the futurequake table. Grabbed my free Zombo mask and bought my very first page of original art - one of Colin MacNeil's wonderful Tour of Duty pages. The chinese was great, it was brilliant to meet so many boarders there, and put faces to names. I wimped out on the pub afterwards, still feeling a bit rough from the previous night - I'm becoming a lightweight in my old age!

Felt better on the Sunday. Did my bit for the "persuade Jim Campbell to come back" campaign over a couple of beers and attended the Walking Dead talk - some fab exclusive preview clips of the TV show, which looks really good.

Guys I had a brilliant BICS, great to see so many of you again sorry for calling DDD a poof for going home on Saturday night! :-) Really nice to meet Kerrin and special mentions to ma boy Evans cos I geet love him and hanging out with him and the Wrly Bird for being such a flipping lovely dude, and Matt Timson for being a looney tune who did try to make me look at his crotch and John cos he's lush and MacNeil for being so cool and not minding me accosting him, hugging him taking the piss and wandering off again.

You all rock, and Uncle and Lady Fester and the fabbo Jim Campbell (Renegade rescuer) - whom I didn't get to hang out with enough but next time y'all!

Satchmo, dying to see my sketch, always love hanging out with you and dying to meet Dylan next month!

AND I interviewed the Goddamn HITCH! Great weekend!

what can I say? BICS was the best convention I've ever been too. Too many things to mention but everything went just so great.

I sold a tonne of books, met loads of new readers, caught up with loads of existing 'Battlers', as they are now known and best of all I got to hang out with so many lovely, like-minded comic-loving people.

Thought Bubble cant come soon enough!

Quote from: stacey on 18 October, 2010, 10:28:43 AM
AND I interviewed the Goddamn HITCH...

with your flies undone!!!

Quote from: Graham Pearce on 18 October, 2010, 11:50:26 AM

Quote from: stacey on 18 October, 2010, 10:28:43 AM
AND I interviewed the Goddamn HITCH...

with your flies undone!!!

I'm a classy bitch :-) I also got quoted on the back of one of my fave Small Press comics - thanks for that Graham, gorgeous to see you too as always and glad you've gone with Battlers rather than Battle Fans!

Got Monday off to recover from the weekend - Wedding + BICS combo.

It was really great to meet all the lurvely boarder folks: LARF, Kerrin, Satchmo, Commando Forces, Uncle & the lovely Lady Fester. All who kept me amused and entertained through those tough drinking hours.

Caught a load of faces only in passing (Don't know where the bar is at the millenium centre and was dead by Sunday) but i hope to make more acquaintances at Though Bubble and Bristol 2011 (book early)

Anyways cheers for a great weekend folks, here's to next year.

Dunk! - will bring sketch supplies 'cos i didn't realise i'd be honored with requests.

2000ad Highlight: Staz Johnson's upcoming Rogue pages. Fuck me sideways, they literally sparkled with raw thrillpower. Unfortunately they weren't for sale, so i had to stop myself from saying "Look! the woman in the silver jumpsuit is getting changed in the carpark!", dumping the contents of my wallet on the table and making off with a page or two. Great stuff.

Some videos:

www.bleedingcool.com/2010/10/18/jonathan-ross-at-birmingham-international-comics-show-2010-video/

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 18 October, 2010, 04:43:17 AMThe next day it was more of the same. I even managed to see Darth Vader with the real Emperor!!!

Beware of False Emperors

My crotch is miles better than my drunken terminator. Fact.

Kerrin was far scarier than any dark lord. :D

Looks like great fun was had by all and there's some glorious sketches there, with Commando Force's still to come and he always gets good sketch that one. Hopefully one day I'll get my ass to one of these again been too long. 

Firstly here is what I bought, was handed or blagged over the weekend.

The freebies in the con bag, not bad and the Watchmen book is excellent.


Small Press, I have other stuff by these titles and so bought what had been published since.


2000AD & Ian Edginton, at 3 for £25 you would be mad to miss such an opportunity! Also Ian's stuff is a delight to read.


Zombo, and no they are not all for me, SBT has a large investment in this lot  ;)


The FutureQuake haul plus another 2000AD fanzine, yes you will get this SBT as I think I have it already but I will check first!


Lastly The postcards and similar, the Meg ones were in the bag and the cards and business cards are from Kev Crossley. Well I had to get one of each didn't I :-[


Next up will be the sketches that I managed to get over the weekend  :wave:

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 18 October, 2010, 03:32:46 PM
The freebies in the con bag,

Whaaaa?  :o. Damn that hangover! Obviously slept too late on Saturday because by the time I checked in there were no goody bags, which I thought was a bit disappointing. To find out that there were and I missed them is doubly infuriating!

great haul CF,

is that Victirian Undead, Sherlock Vs Jeykle and Hyde on general sale now?

I honestly don't know but it says Dec 2010 on the cover. Ian said it was something to tide everyone over between the tpb's, as the artwork is taking it's time on that!

I think it's absolutely criminal that Emperor asks whether there were any news or announcements, and in the very next post, CF mentions that he had a chat with Ian Edginton about upcoming projects and doesn't mention a one of them.  Spill, man!  When's the next series of Stickleback?!

Cheers cf- despite not being able to see the pictures on my phone, im looking forward to all that stuff greatly.
Glad you lot had fun. Wish i couldve been there!
SBT

Practically the only photo I got all weekend. Thanks for taking it for me John! :D

Here we go, now I didn't scan these as half of them are A3 sized so I just took some photo's and cropped them to make the edges neat!


PJ Holden does a superb Guthrie going under cover at my block and look what's at the bottom of the block. Had a great chat with PJ until a phone call disturbed us but I obviously managed to mention Eggheads.


Dylan Teague, seriously folks you need to get on Dylan's list and get one of these. I must admit I never saw him do it as he was always doing another sketch when I came back to him (he did say to leave it with him) this was on the Saturday and I collected it on the Sunday.


KevLev, did this mechanismo whilst everyone was chatting around him at the FutureQuake table and he was a busy man in constant demand from us lot. I'm still up for something in the new year Kev and I will be thinking about it over the next few months.


Al Davison, was sat next to Mike Collins and as I was negotiating what I wanted from Mike, I noticed the style that Al was using and so had to get one from him. Had a long and very interesting chat with Al about the current situation in the world and with Al being a pacifist you would think we argued but no my dear forumites, we agreed with each other on everything we talked about. Very lovely chap.


Mike Collins, lovely vibrant colours that make Anderson leap out of the page. I also had a chat about his Dredd stuff and enquired about his future work! I also managed to take a pic of Mike with Wossy and it's on his facebook page.


Kev Crossley, this was the start of my new sketch book that just so happened to be A3 sized. Mike managed to put his Anderson at the back, so the book has two fronts now. Whilst I was chatting with Kev and looking at his 2000AD stuff I noticed a large couple of prints of Dredd (bought them both, they are in the postcards from the earlier blog. Dredd/Dino and the fully painted Dredd). Well the fully painted Dredd (this is a private commission) was there in the flesh and it looked stunning. I've enquired about something along those lines early next year and when I come up with my idea I will be in touch  :D


Colin MacNeil, :o WOW  :o How does he do it. It looks so easy with the sweeps of his forearm and he moves the crayon across the page. I told him that it looked very theraputic as he seemed so relaxed while he was working down his list of names. He said it was something another artist had nudged him into and that it was very relaxing doing these. I popped by Colin's table all the time just to see what else he was doing and every one was stunning. There are a lot of very happy people wandering about with one of his sketches.

Lat pic of the day is my commission from Staz, I wandered over to his table and he tried to find it and as he looked we chatted about the Judge Minty film and his Amazing Rogue Trooper art on display. He couldn't find the piece and I said not to worry as I'll just pop back later as he was extremely busy doing sketches. When I popped back there it was, next up is Sam and then the family can go on the wall all nicely framed!


I have one last sketch to put up but I think I might leave that for after the watershed, Stacey had one of these of Dredd & Alpha and so I had to get one  ;)

I also bought a Chopper T-shirt at the 2000AD stand (which was only there on the Saturday, tut, tut.)

I'm sure I've missed loads of stuff out and not thanked people correctly and if I have, sorry and THANKS EVERYONE for a great weekend. It passes so quick that many of the things I meant to do were pushed under the carpet as I ended up just chatting most of the time.
Had a great chat with Alec Worley about his current stuff and it was interesting to hear him explain how he goes about it all. These are some of my favourite things with the writers (not being one, obviously) as it's so bloody intriguing to hear his process.
Also has a long chat with Conor Boyle and wish I had done this before reading the Dark Judges fanzine as his art (and the stories) have really brought those four back to their most terrifying. You must get hold of a copy of this!

One last thing to anyone who is thinking about going to a con but is in two minds, you need to do it. Everyone who makes that first foray is so glad they did, especially when they get to see the rest of the board and Droids and realise what fun everyone has together.

That'll do before I bore everyone to death and my secrets will not be revealed about what is coming up in stories, books, etc..... :-X

Thanks for those CF - that one from Colin is magnificent!!

Also Kev has posted about what he took away from BICS on the artistic advice front:

http://kevlev.blogspot.com/2010/10/bics-2010.html

Quote from: Grant Goggans on 18 October, 2010, 04:17:18 PM
I think it's absolutely criminal that Emperor asks whether there were any news or announcements, and in the very next post, CF mentions that he had a chat with Ian Edginton about upcoming projects and doesn't mention a one of them.  Spill, man!  When's the next series of Stickleback?!

Quoted for both truth and emphasis.

Quote from: stacey on 18 October, 2010, 05:00:47 PM
Practically the only photo I got all weekend. Thanks for taking it for me John! :D

the second part of the subliminal advertising campaign for SGT MIKE BATTLE Volume 1!

John I hope you didn't keep calling Mr Davison "Ian" cos he's called Al!  Al Davison,The Astral Gypsy, from Newcastle duncha know, fabulous artist! :-D

EDITED TO ADD - also gorgeous bloody sketches mate!

Graham  - you should be paying me y'know! :-)

Stacey, you know what the funniest bit about that is I double checked his name so as to get his surname correct, yes folks it was Al Davison  ::)
What a twat am I, sorry Al. If any mods are watching could you please change his name in my thread please, it's wrong twice :-[

Quote from: Proudhuff on 18 October, 2010, 03:43:09 PM
great haul CF,

is that Victirian Undead, Sherlock Vs Jeykle and Hyde on general sale now?

Picked it up at FP at lunchtime, £4 odd, now I'll never complain about the Meg price again!

No sign of any Futurequake Pubs in FP tho  :'(

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 18 October, 2010, 05:33:03 PM
Stacey, you know what the funniest bit about that is I double checked his name so as to get his surname correct, yes folks it was Al Davison  ::)
What a twat am I, sorry Al. If any mods are watching could you please change his name in my thread please, it's wrong twice :-[

Tis done (for the record it was 4 times ;) ).

As we are on the topic this is his site:

www.astralgypsy.com

His Hokusai: Demons looks splendid (but as a fan of Hokusai I would say that):

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2010/new-at-bics-al-davisons-hokusai-demons/

He is also posting Muscle Memory on his blog:

http://musclememorymemoir.blogspot.com

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 17 October, 2010, 09:40:30 PM
Another Brilliant weekend, have to spend some time with the family now but once everyone is asleep I shall return.
By the way, Buttonman I have a new best friend and weirdly he makes me look like a bloody child in this picture  :o



P.S. That Mechanismo sketch was for ME  :D

I do hope that you aggressively questioned your new best friend about attempting to sabotage the messageboard and what he has been getting up to with Mark Millar and denying the existence of 2000ad.

I know i would have done.



:D

It looks like grand fun. And Kerrin is the true dark lord! :)

Lovely sketches and some from boarders too and CF's photo of goodies  has reminded me that the new Accent UK Wolfman story is out and I haven't bought it yet! :-[

The Mini-Trek to Bristol mentioned by CF sounds likea good idea.

Hangovers are for Wimps btw.

Quote from: Peter Wolf on 18 October, 2010, 06:10:37 PM
I do hope that you aggressively questioned your new best friend about attempting to sabotage the messageboard and what he has been getting up to with Mark Millar and denying the existence of 2000ad.

I only had a brief time and so pushed him in the direction of Steve and Judge Minty. I was going to ask about him covering all the art with his writing in Turf but decided to keep him sweet and then he may actually see Steve. By the way folks, he did and I'll let Steve write about that when he has the time. I can't wait to see the photos.

Quote from: Zarjazzer on 18 October, 2010, 06:44:35 PM
new Accent UK Wolfman story is out and I haven't bought it yet! :-[

You can get one with an alternate cover, it's predominantly black but I went with the basic red one to keep it looking like number one!

EDIT Thanks Emps for correcting my name disaster  :-[

Quote from: Zarjazzer on 18 October, 2010, 06:44:35 PM
new Accent UK Wolfman story is out and I haven't bought it yet! :-[

Darn went to get the posh/alt cover on the Whatever comics site and my paypal decided to start playing up. Will leave it for a bit and try again. Booooo!

Cheers CF!

I didn't even realise that WAS Ian Edgington! What a numpty I am. Oh no, that's right, I'm a Dark Lord now aren't I. The fella in the Darth outfit was a dude. He spotted my British Sea Power T-shirt and told me how he was going to some weekender where they were playing and that the new EP was "awesome", in his Darth Vader voice! I got the giggles after that I'm afraid.

The whole weekend really was a great laugh, and if you've never been to one of these things or are in two minds about doing so, just do it, it's brilliant fun.

I'm going to make sure I've got a decent pocket of dosh for the next one I attend. There was so much cool stuff available.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when Matt did that Terminator sketch for me he'd already had four or five pints. This was at about 5-ish in the afternoon. Him and Satchmo then kept going till 5 in the morning! Legends!

Just found a couple of pics of me (vain bugger) from other places, so I've stolen them.

Kev Crossley and look at my nice T-Shirt but even better just look at that carrier bag  :o


Mike Collin's sketch, this just shows the size and look another superb T-shirt


One last thing Tharg mentioned some good news about the San Diego T-shirt. Keep watching the shop all you addicts, as about 30 may be available soon.
Hope that was okay to say Old Green bonce  ;)

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 18 October, 2010, 07:55:44 PM

One last thing [/color]Tharg mentioned some good news about the San Diego T-shirt. Keep watching the shop all you addicts, as about 30 may be available soon.
Hope that was okay to say Old Green bonce  ;)

Dont all rush forwards at once or if you do make sure you leave one as i have reserved one of them for myself.

Thank you for your cooperation.

;)

A few pics:

"Hmm ... pint's running low. Best find me a bonny lad ..."




My lovely Dredd page:




Back at the hotel, Zombo reflects on the day.




Judge McMahon keeps the fanboys in order:

Who are we to question what you get up to in the privacy of you're own hotel room DDD? Sorry, I mean, Zombo.

And thanks for not showing us the lower half of that photo... :o

Ha that photo was taken in the VIP area which we managed to crash en masse by CF showing a photo of himself all judged up and going "hey mate thats me as Judge Dredd in the latest movie" to the security guard who then let us all in! :-)

Quote from: Kerrin on 18 October, 2010, 07:25:47 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when Matt did that Terminator sketch for me he'd already had four or five pints. This was at about 5-ish in the afternoon. Him and Satchmo then kept going till 5 in the morning! Idiots!

Fixed.

:D

Seriously though- I had a great time.  Met a bunch of new people and finally got around to having a conversation with Dylan Teague, who I see at every con, but never get to talk to.

Thanks to James and Shane for putting it on- and to anybody who found the time to stop and have a chat.  Special thanks go to Ben Clark, who didn't seem to mind that I took over the entire wardrobe and our one chair with my clothes- yes, clothes- I like to come prepared.  Apart from his trying to entice girls into our room at 4 in the morning, he was a gent to share a room with.

Although he did keep pushing the beds together.  Just sayin'.

Stacey has an incredibly dirty and infectious laugh.

This concludes my report. I won't apologise for the fact that it's rubbish.

Quote from: Matt Timson on 19 October, 2010, 12:48:12 PM
Seriously though- I had a great time.  Met a bunch of new people and finally got around to having a conversation with Dylan Teague, who I see at every con, but never get to talk to.

Thanks to James and Shane for putting it on- and to anybody who found the time to stop and have a chat.  Special thanks go to Ben Clark, who didn't seem to mind that I took over the entire wardrobe and our one chair with my clothes- yes, clothes- I like to come prepared.  Apart from his trying to entice girls into our room at 4 in the morning, he was a gent to share a room with.

Although he did keep pushing the beds together.  Just sayin'.

Stacey has an incredibly dirty and infectious laugh.

This concludes my report. I won't apologise for the fact that it's rubbish.

That girl was so pissed she knocked on our door twice thinking it was her room, and had the audacity to call us pissed, get a grip pet! I'm not denying the bed pushing thing like... :)

Finn spend much of Sunday promoting Mo-Bot High from the DFC Library, and gets a name check in Neil Cameron's blog post (http://neillcameron.blogspot.com/2010/10/neill-is-total-sell-out.html) about the con.

Quote from: satchmo on 19 October, 2010, 01:47:07 PM

That girl was so pissed she knocked on our door twice thinking it was her room, and had the audacity to call us pissed, get a grip pet!

Ben, How come you attract these late night shenanigans? here its wild wimmin, Hi-Ex it was a drug deal, next time it must be rocknroll!!

Man, I really wanna go to one of these events. Unfortunately I was being an unpaid decorator at my brother's house in Oxfordshire.

DDD that is a stunning piece of artwork there. I love seeing that stuff in the flesh as the subtlety of the tones in the blacks is usually amazing. I hardly get to see original artwork other than online.

Quote from: Wake on 19 October, 2010, 01:50:03 PM
Finn spend much of Sunday promoting Mo-Bot High from the DFC Library, and gets a name check in Neil Cameron's blog post (http://neillcameron.blogspot.com/2010/10/neill-is-total-sell-out.html) about the con.

That's great and he came up with a fierce robot too!!

Quote from: Proudhuff on 19 October, 2010, 02:05:17 PM

Quote from: satchmo on 19 October, 2010, 01:47:07 PM

That girl was so pissed she knocked on our door twice thinking it was her room, and had the audacity to call us pissed, get a grip pet!

Ben, How come you attract these late night shenanigans? here its wild wimmin, Hi-Ex it was a drug deal, next time it must be rocknroll!!

That's just how I roll, dog... (he says while sterilising baby bottles and wearing slippers)

It was a superb weekend, and it was great to see everyone again and to make some new friends too, it feels like I've been out of the game forever but its only been about a year.

It was a bit of a disastrous start like, the stock for the Renegade table didn't turn up in time, and the bloody car broke down on the way to the station. But the good folks of comic land saved the day,I managed to get some comics posted to my hotel on saturday morning, and Paul and Britt brought me down a table cloth. Extra special thanks to Gentleman Jim Campbell though, for making some banners and posters for the table at the last minute, he's a star, as you all know anyway.

And I didn't eat that much at the Chinese! Well ok, I probably did... My girlfriend was unsurprised, she says I eat that much all the time. At least I didn't want to go out for a kebab at 4 in the morning afterwards like Timson :)

Didn't really buy that much, Sgt Mike Battle Vol 1, London Calling (Keith Page! KEITH PAGE!) Dark Judgement, and Laura Howell's Adventures of Gilbert and Sullivan off the top of my head, haven't even unpacked yet. Oh and I love my Zombo mask quite passionately :)

And I got two sketches for the boys, a fab Scooby Doo from Bolt, and Timson's interpretation of Iggle Piggle is a joy to behold, Dylan loves it.

So thanks to you all for making it a fantastic weekend, when I was alternating between drunken euphoria and missing my family terribly. And thanks to everyone for the kind words about Spine Chillers and for buying my comics and that :)

Can't wait for Thought Bubble now!

Quote from: Matt Timson on 19 October, 2010, 12:48:12 PM
Stacey has an incredibly dirty and infectious laugh.

does anyone else remember what you said about the Geordie accent?  :lol:

Quote from: SuperSurfer on 19 October, 2010, 02:08:43 PM
DDD that is a stunning piece of artwork there. I love seeing that stuff in the flesh as the subtlety of the tones in the blacks is usually amazing. I hardly get to see original artwork other than online.

I was stood next to DDD when he went through loads of pages trying to decide what to buy. It was fun watching the torture on his face, as he looked at quite a few pages before he could finally decide. Supersurfer, you are dead right about looking at the stuff in the flesh, actually seeing all the extra details that are missed on the printed pages is a delight.

Anyway I have one last sketch to show and seeing as it's after last nights watershed here it is. It's by Lee Grice, as said earlier I saw what he had drawn for Stacey and it made me laugh, so I had one in the same vein  ;)

brings a whole new meaning to 'Helemts on the slab'

Quote from: satchmo on 19 October, 2010, 03:03:00 PM
Timson's interpretation of Iggle Piggle is a joy to behold

You so have to scan that one and post it up here.....

Pics from the Fester household to follow later. Hopefully I'll be more technologically capable that I was on Saturday night when I posted the same photo of boozy comic folk three times on Facebook.....

Quote from: Lady Festina on 19 October, 2010, 05:32:01 PM

Quote from: satchmo on 19 October, 2010, 03:03:00 PM
Timson's interpretation of Iggle Piggle is a joy to behold

You so have to scan that one and post it up here.....

Pics from the Fester household to follow later. Hopefully I'll be more technologically capable that I was on Saturday night when I posted the same photo of boozy comic folk three times on Facebook.....

As you wish, milady :)

I'll scan it after Chuggington finishes (I know way too much about cbeebies these days...)

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 19 October, 2010, 04:33:24 PM

This makes a Prick out of JD.

Quote from: satchmo on 19 October, 2010, 06:49:50 PM

That's not a Timson!! Where's the rotting flesh? The sharp fanged teeth? The look of evil in its eyes?!?

Ok, time to meet the cast of characters (this will be a long post, get a drink!):

MyGrimmBrother finds the meaning of life:


Matt Timson tries his hand at Dredd:


KevLev gets his priorities right while Uncle Fester stands in for Matt Timson:


Jim Campbell: because he's worth it:


Kerrin, who didn't stop smiling all day:


Correction: Kerrin did stop smiling in order to imbibe the finest of ales; here seen chatting to Dunk!:


And last but not least: this month's caption competition:


Sketches to follow soon!

Quote from: Graham Pearce on 19 October, 2010, 03:11:47 PM

Quote from: Matt Timson on 19 October, 2010, 12:48:12 PM
Stacey has an incredibly dirty and infectious laugh.

does anyone else remember what you said about the Geordie accent?  :lol:

Was it sexy on a man, horrible on a woman?  Something like that, I bet...

:lol:

And I needed that kebab.  Needed it.

Ah! the accent talk, didn't it then move onto Scouse, followed by loads of Harry Enfield takes  :lol:

I really need a haircut. And that's a Gin and Tonic damnit!

Only 'cause I was suffering beer bloat mind.  :D

And now the sketches. As a writing type person, I only have paper with lines in it and scrappy bits of card - hence the presentation:

I am the Paw! courtesy of Dunk!:


Fresh from Fractal Fiction, a Jim Campbell special:


El Chivo's menacing take on Judge Death:


What Kerrin really looks like:


The original, ultimate Dredd, by newcomer Olly (the boy's got talent):


From the same artist, essence of Superman:


Dredd by Timson (bit cheeky posting this as he abandoned it halfway through, dissatisfied with progress):


Fester's Dredd:


And last but not least, the ultimate Zombo, featuring the work of KevLev, My Grimm Brother, Kerrin, Fester, Matt Timson, Olly, Jim Campbell, Satchmo and yours truly (I am responsible for the teeth being out of line with the rest of the face):

Wait, wait - you had to go all the way to a comic convention for Fester to sketch you a Dredd?!?

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 19 October, 2010, 10:09:54 PM
Wait, wait - you had to go all the way to a comic convention for Fester to sketch you a Dredd?!?

I think he was getting sketch envy because I was asking everyone else and not him  ;)

Quote from: Lady Festina on 19 October, 2010, 10:06:46 PM
The original, ultimate Dredd, by newcomer Olly (the boy's got talent):

The sketch of the convention, as far as I'm concerned.

Quote from: uncle fester on 19 October, 2010, 11:11:42 PM

Quote from: Lady Festina on 19 October, 2010, 10:06:46 PM
The original, ultimate Dredd, by newcomer Olly (the boy's got talent):

The sketch of the convention, as far as I'm concerned.

It would look good on a T shirt.

That was Dunk Nimmo?  Balls!

Quote from: Matt Timson on 20 October, 2010, 09:17:54 PM
That was Dunk Nimmo?  Balls!

You were sat next to him at the The Big Wok Matt, sheesh.  ::)

Nice fella Dunk, and his comic stuff is class. My favorite of his I've read so far was the one in Dogbreath where Johnny and Wulf outwit the Cactus Gang. Brilliant.

Nobody introduced me and, being the shy and retiring type, I didn't think to introduce myself.  Plus, I really only had eyes for Ben.

Photos and a links round-up:

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2010/british-international-comics-show-2010-another-great-year-another-great-bics-part-1/
http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2010/british-international-comics-show-2010-another-great-year-another-great-bics-part-2-more-photos-and-a-link-dump/

I'm extremely jealous of you all. Looks like you had a fantastic time and hopefully I'll be able to make it over next year.

Quote from: Matt Timson on 20 October, 2010, 09:17:54 PM
That was Dunk Nimmo?  Balls!

Yeah, my failure to introduce myself was a result of nerves and general crapness on my behalf.

Plus a sudden rush of real in-the-flesh boarders to try and remember.

Don't worry- I didn't introduce myself either- so we're even. :D

Finally got some free time to say thanks to everyone I met at BICS for probably the best convention I've been to... ever! So here goes:

Thanks to Bolt-01 for hosting the Futurequake table and having it evolve into the meeting point for every board member that attended. Lost, lonely, just fancy a chat - head over to Futurequake everyone's there. Also for organising a great feast on the Saturday night - Big Wok is what it says on the tin, BIG WOK - arsom!

Kerrin for being a very entertaining drinking and comics buddy throughout the weekend

Commando Forces for some very entertaining war stories

El Chivo - if I had sat next to you in the Ross interview I would have worn the Zombo mask, classic idea and thanks for the drunken ramblings on Saturday, very funny

Matt Timson - we finally met after all these years and you're not as fat as I thought you were, whilst in my case I'm probably fatter, hope all goes well with the tights!

Dunc Nimmo - for all things computer game related and being an excellent smoking partner, we are quite literally a 'dying breed'.

Kevin Levell - for just being arsom, and a great artist you will go far Kev!

PJ Holden for making a nine year old boy very happy when he got handed his very own Judge Dredd sketch drawn by a Judge Dredd artist! Also for drawing my 16 year old a soldier only for him to say (and I told you so PJ) that it's not a bad SA80 but he's missed a few bits.

Satchmo - for eating loads, and drawing a hilarious Spine Chillers special - only Thought Bubble left

Jim Campbell - finally met the Illustrator and lettering Maestro. Sir, you are a legend and a letteropaedia when it comes to comicbooks, Todd Klein eh?

well met Lady Festina, I am now mortified that the production co. have stopped making 'In the Night Garden', and your other half Fester - I'm sorry I called you 'sick' after reading the Death Special and I know you didn't write it but the Fire story really did freak me out...

Also everyone else: Colin McNeil, My Grimmbrother, Dandon'tdare, Stacey etc. etc. etc. and sorry if I missed anyone off.

Brilliant weekend, roll on next year!

Endor Justice Department.

Back stage, Hollywood Heroes have some fun with the Judge costumes at BICS.

Quote from: Minty on 22 October, 2010, 04:25:30 PM
Endor Justice Department.

Mutie -Town One has a new Judge!

I'm surprised they didn't do a few more mash-ups...

I wasn't at BICS, but thanks to the efforts of Mr Commando Forces, and the artistry of Mr BOLT 01 the con keeps on giving!

SBT

Excellent! :)

Loving the picture SBT, I bet your good lady had a smile on her face taking that!

Ha-ha, cool stuff SBT! Awesome sketches from Bolt. I would have thought the Dark Justice special would be right up your street as well, it definitely reclaims the Dark Judges from the comedy side of things. I was lucky to see some of Conor's original art at BICS and it's even more impressive large scale, (and there's a Kerrin Gallery hidden at the bottom of one of the blocks, cheers Conor).

A few more pics from BICS.

Commando Forces gives a rather diminutive Judge advice on the subtle art of blowing away perps.




Some fella selling comics...




Shouldn't have told that George Lucas dwarf joke...




You know how, from time to time, we question the amount a Judge could actually see through the visor of their helmet? Well if you follow this chaps example...



Hee-hee. I think the helmet was a tad small for him, but then he was a very large dude.


The Sunday morning was gorgeous so here are a few shots of bits of Brum and the venue.

Quote from: Kerrin on 31 October, 2010, 09:12:52 PM
A few more pics from BICS.

This building is looking a bit sorry for itself and it must be one of the few buildings that survived being bombed during WW2 and then it survived the town planners as well.I havent ever visited Birmingham but the town centre would have been full of buildings like this.

There are lots of missing Dental blocks at the top of the building.

That building sits on its ownsome in the middle of nowhere. It used to be surrounded by urban sprawl, but all that got cleared to make way for fields.

I was kinda freaked to find two nice fields where there were buildings last year on the way to BICS.

Plan for regeneration; then leave it all fallow when the recession strikes.

Genius.

It's the old Curzon Street Station, and as Dunk! says, it sits in the middle of this weird cleared area right by Brum city centre.



From left to right you've got Millennium Point, dead pub, old station and then further right, out of shot, another dead pub. Directly behind where I took this shot from was...yet another dead pub. 

Level everything to the ground, except the pubs. Whatever is built here next will need pubs. Pubs are eternal.  :)

Developers know the post-recession buying market.

Yeah, it was in a weird part of the town centre with lots of empty spaces, new self contained appartment blocks being built (MC1 cityblocks are not far away!), but no street level shops or houses, and no character or atmosphere. I found the whole of the city centre a but soulless, lots of busy roads and huge interlinked concrete complexes.

Thanks for posting the pic Kerrin as its really interesting as this is right up my street particularly as you have given a location.

Quote from: Dunk! on 01 November, 2010, 09:21:20 AM
Level everything to the ground, except the pubs. Whatever is built here next will need pubs. Pubs are eternal.  :)

Developers know the post-recession buying market.

Thats good in a way as its one little bit of history and heritage preserved but what is now fields was once full of housing and buildings and its even more interesting when you think about all the activity that took place where those fields are but no trace of all that remains except for the pub which was the social centre of the entire area.

As for the empty wasteland with nothing doing thats the nature of manufactured economic cycles unfortunately.There were large scale redevelopments planned here in 2 locations which have now been aborted.As soon as the developers and private investment so much as sniff recession then they bail out.

Quote from: Dandontdare on 01 November, 2010, 01:46:16 PM
Yeah, it was in a weird part of the town centre with lots of empty spaces, new self contained appartment blocks being built (MC1 cityblocks are not far away!), but no street level shops or houses, and no character or atmosphere. I found the whole of the city centre a but soulless, lots of busy roads and huge interlinked concrete complexes.

I always find places like that always have a weird vibe about them.Anything that was planned and built in the 50s-60s always does.Badly planned and poorly executed with horrible soulless architecture and like you say no character or atmosphere but i always find the atmosphere just feels weird.

I found the exact same thing in Bristol town centre as well which has an A road running right through it.

All the character of a retail park.

Birmingham is very similar to Coventry in this respect.A horrible concrete jungle.

What is really interesting is if you look at a modern map of Birmingham and an old Ordnance survey map of Birmingham - pre-1940 you will see the street layout hasnt really changed from the old city centre at all nor the names but its an architectural F up but having said that the new shopping centre is a vast improvement from the old but virtually anything would have been an improvement on that.

I have been to Birmingham once but i didnt venture very far from Birmingham New St station not that i wanted to.

Quote from: Peter Wolf on 01 November, 2010, 06:10:49 PMI have been to Birmingham once but i didnt venture very far from Birmingham New St station not that i wanted to.

It gets better elsewhere, honest. Edgbaston is beautiful.

SBT- that photo is fantastic! Glad the little one's liked the pics.

Kerrin- some lovely photo's there.

Glad it is Thought bubble this weekend as it will be nice to see folk again.

Quote from: Christov on 03 November, 2010, 02:16:45 AM

Quote from: Peter Wolf on 01 November, 2010, 06:10:49 PMI have been to Birmingham once but i didnt venture very far from Birmingham New St station not that i wanted to.

It gets better elsewhere, honest. Edgbaston is beautiful.

I wasnt meaning to condemn the entire place as i am sure there are good bits outside of the city centre.The Jewelery district survived and is relatively intact.It should be named the silverware district rather than Jewelery as Birmingham produced massive amounts of silverware from the mid 19th cent right up to about the 1930-40s when it slowly became unfashionable.The Birmingham  hallmark is an anchor.

Quote from: Kerrin on 31 October, 2010, 09:12:52 PM
A few more pics from BICS.

Commando Forces gives a rather diminutive Judge advice on the subtle art of blowing

Fixed that for you  ;)

Can you see my trigger finger itching to get into position  ;)

no but I can see you trying to decide: spit or swallow?  :D

Absolutely disgusting, what are you lot like north of the prison wall border  ;)