downthetubes.net News Archive: September 2007




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INDIEREVIEW SITE LAUNCHES
17/9/07: A new website promoting the UK's burgeoning independent comics scene, IndieReview has just launched, and there'll be lots of stuff there of interest to readers of downthetubes, including Small Press Creator Bio's and links, recommended reading and more.
"The idea behind IndieReview is that it"s a place newcomers to the UK independent scene can go to get some more information on the currently under-exposed UK scene," explains site's co-owner Hassan Otsmane. "We have lists of publishers along with some of their comics. These listings give a brief description on the publisher with links to their website, and the comics" listings include a cover picture, contact links, a brief description and much more information.
Web Link: www.IndieReview.co.uk

Dredd versu Death First 4 Figures character figures DREDD VERSUS DEATH FIGURE ANNOUNCED
16/9/07: First 4 Figures and Rebellion have announced the first in a new range of 2000 AD statues - Dredd Versus Death, based on a poster image illustrated by Greg Staples.
The fully hand-painted statue is minutely detailed, stands 11.5" tall and comes securely packaged in deluxe, full-colour packaging, including a Certificate of Authenticity. It is strictly limited to 1,000 numbered statues for worldwide distribution.
The 2000 AD online shop (www.2000adshop.com) will be selling a limited number of exclusive versions of the statue, which features a signed certificate from Greg Staples himself.
Registered users of the 2000adonline site can get 20% off the £149.99 retail price by clicking on the link below and ordering the statue between now and September 30th 2007.The Dredd Versus Death statues will be available from December 2007.

George Low. Photo: Calum Laird.

DOWN THE TUBES EXCLUSIVE: COMMANDO EDITOR INTERVIEW
13/9/07: This month sees a major change at DC Thomson with the retirement of long-serving but, perhaps, little-known editor of Commando George Low, who joined the company from school and has worked on the digest title ever since.downthetubes caught up with George to ask him about himself, Commando and the title's future. Read More...

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES AT OPEN HOUSE
12/9/07: A Twickenham based galery is organising a new comics-inspired exhibition in 2008, and offering comics artists the chance to exhibit their work.
Through its annual open exhibition opportunities, Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham helps artists both locally and nationally to showcase their work in group exhibitions. In 2006-7, over 500 individual artists (excluding those participating in Arthouse) exhibited work in a range of open exhibitions across three galleries - the Orleans and Stables Galleries, Twickenham and the Riverside Gallery in Richmond. Since 2005, there have been four exhibitions dedicated to or incorporating comic art.
In 2008, the Gallery has further opportunities for artists to submit artwork for the second of their comic open exhibitions. The gallery is seeking original artwork (digitally created work is accepted) and printed comics by up-and-coming and established artists who are self-published or work for small-scale or independent publishers.
• Artists can submit up to five original works (and five comics) either via A4 sized photographic prints, colour printouts or high-resolution jpegs submitted on CD. Original artwork is not accepted. Comics can be submitted.
• When submitting, please clearly label each submission with: artist"s name, title of work, publication, date, media, approximate size and price before commission if the work is for sale (the gallery will add on an additional 40% commission to the artist"s price).
• In addition, please enclose contact details, an artist's statement and if possible a CV.
There is a £10.00 administration charge (which also contributes towards exhibition costs); £7.50 concessions (please include proof). Please make cheques payable to ‘L.B.R.U.T". Your submission will not be accepted without payment.
• If you would like images or comics returned, please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope. Successful artists will be contacted by email or in writing approximately two weeks after the deadline.
• Liveline: Comics Open will run from 1 March - 13 April 2008. Any queries, please email Mark De Novellis at m.denovellis@richmond.gov.uk

SWEATDROP LAUNCH NEW RISING STARS PODCAST
12/9/07: This month's Sweatdrop podcast, published by UK manga publisher Sweatdrop Studios, is a special event, as each of the four presenters were previously winners of Tokyopop's "Rising Stars of Manga" competition. The creators talk about how they prepared and planned their comics, and what they went through whilst producing them. They also offer tips and advice for anyone who is entering Rising Stars of Manga or any other short manga competitions. Sweatdrop Studios have been releasing podcasts for a while now, with three previous episodes covering UK events, San Diego Comic Con, and various Sweatdrop Studios members, as well as interviewing UK manga industry personalities such as Helen McCarthy.
Sonia Leong's Fatal Connection won second place in Rising Stars of Manga: UK & Ireland 1" while Emma Vieceli's Between the Lines was a runner up in the same volume. Selina Dean's Poison won second place in Rising Stars of Manga: UK & Ireland 2, while Hannah Saunders' Beyond won 3rd place. Morag Lewis' The Homecoming and Joanna Zhou's Happily Ever After were runners up in the same competition.
Sweatdrop Studios (www.sweatdrop.com) is a group of over 20 UK-based manga artists which has been operating for more than five years. They havepublished a number of anthologies such as Cold Sweat and Tears, Blue is for Boys and Pink is for Girls, as well as original titles such as Looking for the Sun by Morag Lewis and Fantastic Cat by Selina Dean.
Sweatdrop members Emma Vieceli and Sonia Leong also recently released Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet respectively with Self Made Hero, as well as working on original titles with Sweatdrop.
• To download Direct MP3 Download, click here (14.6MB, 64 minutes long) • Click here for RSS Subscription • Click here for iTunes Subscription • Click here for to listen to the Podcasts in your browser

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