The Birmingham International Comics Show 2008

Leon Hewitt reports on a highly successful BICS held at the Thinktank, Millenium Point, Birmingham in October...

Following the success of last year's show, the Birmingham International Comics Show (BICS) returned to Thinktank at Millenium Point. Now in its third year, BICS is becoming a show every bit as accomplished and well organised at its more established sister show, the Comics Expo held in Bristol every spring.The attendance seemed up on last year and reinforced the notion that there is sufficient interest in comics to warrant two major shows each year in the UK.

Returning to the Thinktank enabled the organisers to iron out some of the problems from last year. The addition of another room for exhibitors meant that despite the increase in the number of creators, publishers and retailers exhibiting their wares, there still seemed to be more room to breathe. This extra space afforded more room for the signing areas, solving the problem last year of autograph queues blocking access to exhibitors' tables.

Another change from last year was the use of a purpose-built theatre for the panels and talks. This impressive auditorium had tiered seating and a full Audio-Visual set-up, an improvement on the small, frequently crowded rooms from last year. The downside of this meant there was only a single stream of panels as opposed to the two streams last year, inevitably leading to fewer events. Despite this, the organisers kept the programme varied with such highlights as an interview with veteran American artist Michael Golden, an introduction to the new UK kids' subscription comic, The DFC and a behind the scenes look at the creation of the best-selling graphic novel, Watchmen with artist Dave Gibbons.

Unashamedly mainstream in its outlook, the alternative/art comics side of the medium was conspicuous by its absence. Despite this, there was still a many exhibitors in from the UK's ever-healthy small press scene and the diversity of work offered by this section of the comics community is always a joy to behold. All in all an enjoyable weekend.

Everyone I spoke to had a good time and felt it was an improvement on last year. BICS in its short life has become as essential in the UK comics calender as the Bristol Expo has been for several years now and that the legendary UKCAC events were in their day.

• Click here for information on the next Birmingham International Comic Show: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk