The Sunday Spotlight: The ‘C’est Un Grand OUI’ Edition
by Richard Bruton
Welcome once more to the end of the week show, the catch-up for all your comic news – it’s The Sunday Spotlight!
Okay, I admit it, last week’s Sunday Spotlight was rather missing in action. Did you miss me? Honestly, one of those dog ate my homework things.
Anyway, we’re back and we’re chock full of Sunday comic news…
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Kickstarting Comics – Advance Notice – Transphoria: A Trans & Non Binary Comic Book Anthology funding from 28 May 2024…
A 90 page graphic novel anthology about Trans and Non Binary experiences of gender euphoria across a wide range of genres – looks like it’s going to be something very, very good.
Pre-launch page here.
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Another great UK Comics Event – Glasgow Comic Con – 1 June 2024…
The 13th Glasgow comic con itself takes place on 1 June, but there’s plenty going on before that –
Tuesday 28 May – award-winning Egyptian comics artist and writer Deena Mohammed in conversation with Sha Nazir.
Wednesday 29 May – Deena Mohammed (again) discussing the language of translation with Susan Bassnett.
Wednesay 29 May – a full day symposium featuring papers from leading artists and academic in Angus Og Goes To Glasgow.
Friday 31 May – Drink and Draw, the Glesga Edition – drinking, talking, drawing. What could be better?
Saturday 1 June – Bryan Hitch in conversation with Frank Quitely.
Guests include David Lloyd, Sarah Graley, Bryan Hitch, Frank Quitely, Roger Langridge, Neil Watson-Slorance, and many more.
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Updated events schedule for Lawless Comic Con – Bristol, 27-28 May 2024…
Now in it’s 10th year celebrating all things 2000 AD, Judge Dredd, and comics in general, Lawless has a reputation for great guests and a relaxed vibe.
This year’s show takes place, once again, at the Doubletree By Hilton, Redcliffe Way, Bristol on the 25th – 26th May of 2024. Guests include John Wagner, Mick McMahon, Glenn Fabry, Liam Sharp and John Higgins, along with established 2000 AD artists, new talent, and so much more.
We revealed the events program a few weeks back but it’s changed a little since then –
More at the Lawless website.
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Jamie Smart sweeps all before him (again)…
Rather big news at the British Book Awards as Jamie Smart (Bunny Vs Monkey, Looshkin, loads more great great great comics) scooped the awards for Book of the Year (Children’s Illustrated) and Illustrator of the year. Huge congratulations to him. Go buy all his books and see what millions of sales for comics looks like and why he’s now treated as a God of comics by children around the world.
Still stunned, excited and exhausted about last night at the British Book Awards, and winning both Best Illustrated Children’s Book and Best Illustrator. Here’s my speech for the latter if you’re interested, but my other (longer) speech is on my Instagram: https://t.co/zZYIirqY3W pic.twitter.com/yRq6JvfK8I
— Jamie Smart (@jamiesmart) May 14, 2024
I won best illustrated children’s book, and illustrator of the year at the British Book Awards, and I am losing my tiny mind. pic.twitter.com/BQXbttbL3f
— Jamie Smart (@jamiesmart) May 13, 2024
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A lack of Draw Eurovision this year…
Every year I try (and often fail) to put up something related to Draw Eurovision, the live drawing that accompanies the Eurovision Song Contest. Here’s something of a round-up for 2022. Missed last year as we were racing over to the homeland for an awful loss that was still to come at that point.
Anyway, this year’s Eurovision took place in the shadow of the Israel-Gaza war/conflict/insurgency/genocide (take your pick depending on where you stand on things – but you just have to look at the death figures to get the picture). The Israeli entry was controversial for a few reasons and we had both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests and protest voting happening. It also meant that there was nowhere near the amount of #DrawEurovision stuff going on. In fact, the only one I did see was this (well worth a look) from Mistermunro.
As for a perfect idea of why so many sat it out, here’s Neil Watson-Slorance (of the great Dungeon Fun and Plant Daddy comics) to explain…
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And finally – Elizabeth Sandifer’s Doctor Who reviews are essential reading…
Writer of prose, journalism, and comics, Elizabeth Sandifer has done great things online at Eruditorum Press, but let’s draw your attention to some great writing on the latest Doctor Who episodes… Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord –
Here’s just a little snippet from The Devil’s Chord piece…
‘What is perhaps most impressive is the way in which it drops the hammer and simply never lets up. Once Jinx Monsoon crawls out of the piano the show simply works this way now. It does not worry about whether anyone will be confused by the fact that it works this way now. It just does. The universe is menaced by the Gods of Faggotry, the Doctor can hear non-diegetic music, and there’s always a twist at the end. It’s a gorgeous one-two punch with Space Babies, completing a magic trick in which, Doctor Who transforms before our eyes from a 2008 nostalgia piece into something startlingly unfamiliar, all in the space of Flux.’
As for the series – I trust you’re enjoying it? The Devil’s Chord was particularly great I thought, everything that I want from a Russell T Davies Doctor Who and with a staggeringly good, particularly gorgeous, and bringing so much to the role Ncuti Gatwa. And for those criticising it, I can see some of what you’re saying, but you also need to view it through modern, younger eyes. Haven’t seen the third episode, Boom, yet but it sounds rather damn good already.
