Countdown to Bristol Comic Expo: 1 Day to Go!

It’s only 1 day to go until the Bristol Comic Expo (I’m definitely not writing this on Thursday straight after I finished yesterday’s blog) and I’m extremely excited!

Tomorrow I’ll be trying to sell people my comics and merchandise but without being too pushy - I don’t want to take anyone’s money who doesn’t want to give me it and doesn’t really want my comics. But I’ll have Sugar Glider, Sugar Glider Stories, A4 Comics presents…, Lily and Danel: Adventurers, Sugar Glider badge pack 1, and Sugar Glider badge pack 2.

I’ll also be in the Mercure Hotel’s Panel Room 1 from 1pm on the What’s the point in small press superheroes? panel with Paul Grist (Jack Staff), Graham Pearce (Sgt Mike Battle), Matthew Craig (Trixie Biker) and host Stacey Whittle (Small Press Big Mouth).

But aside from those events, what should people be looking out for? Well, let me tell you…

Martin Eden will be launching the latest issue of Spandex. This series started strong and has been getting better with each issue, so issue 4 should be such a good comic that you’d be a fool to pass it up. Plus, Martin will be sharing a table with me so you won’t have far to go to get hold of a copy.

My advice is to pick up all 4 issues of the series, but if you only buy one issue of Spandex make it issue 3 - a self-contained story that gives you everything you could possibly want from a singe issue.

Grant Springford is launching his latest comic with Abnormals Special #1. I’ve heard great things about Grant’s work in the past (I think his comic was called Pest Control) but never had a chance to read any. However, I have read this issue and I can tell you that it’s a lovely self-contained horror, adventure, superhero book with some of the best dialogue you’ll read all year.

Graham Pearce is launching Sgt Mike Battle issue 16, which promises to be just as funny as the previous 15 and reveal more secret histories of war and politics.

Here’s a confession: I hate ‘funny’ comics. The comedy general falls flat, they either don’t have substantial stories or suffer from diminishing returns, and I’m just not that interested.

But I like Sgt Mike Battle.

The politics, GI Joe references, the - actually funny - jokes… this comic just speaks to me.

If you’re interested in picking up an issue, go for the new one but you could also pick up the trade, which collects the first 7 issues of the series. Whatever you do, though, buy some of Graham’s comics.

Cy Dethan, Stephen Downey, Vicky Stonebridge and Nic Wilkinson will be launching their new Markosia book, Slaughterman’s Creed.

I haven’t read this book but I have heard a lot of great reviews (and I mean GREAT reviews) and Cy and Stephen’s previous collaboration, Cancertown.

I picked up Cancertown at BICS last year - one of only a few books that I picked up at that show and read it in one sitting. An enjoyable and weird book with fantastic artwork, Cancertown demonstrated the potential of the whole creative team to deliver a truly stunning book. And from what I’ve heard, Slaugterman’s Creed is that truly stunning book.

There are many more comics that people should be picking up, but these are the things launching at Bristol that I’m most excited about.

Pick ‘em up, people!

But buy my comics first.