The Sunday Spotlight – The ‘A Mood Of Unpredictability Which Could Get Us Into Trouble Again At Any Time’ Edition
by Richard Bruton
Another slice of select comics news from the pizza pie of all things happening in comics right now – it’s The Sunday Spotlight…
RINGO AWARDS OPEN FOR VOTING BY FANS AND PROS…
Nominations for the 2025 Ringo Awards, named for the late Mike Wieringo are now open to both fans and professionals, with the 9th annual awards returning as part of Baltimore Comic-Con, with the results announced on 18th, October 2025. Nominate your faves at ringoawards.com.
LAWLESS IS COMING – COMPLETE WITH A COLIN MACNEIL PROGRAMME COVER – 24 & 25 MAY…
Well, the year is fairly rolling by, and that means that Lawless has crept up on me – it’s happening 24th & 2th5 May at Bristol’s Doubletree, a two-day celebration of all things 2000 AD and British comics. This year sees a veritable who’s who of Brit comics, including Simon Bisley, Alan Davis, John Wagner, Brian Bolland, and so many more.
You can still get tickets here – it’s yet another great comics show in the UK, one that’s been running since 2014. It’s big on supporting new comic creators as well as showcasing the best of 2000 AD.
Here’s this year’s programme cover, by Colin MacNeil and Brendon Wright..
AS THE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS KEEP SHIFTING, 2000 AD FINDS A PORT IN THE STORM AT LUNAR…
With the ongoing changes in the distribution networks following the bankruptcy and possible purchase of Diamond Distributors, Rebellion Publishing, home to all things 2000 AD and The Treasury of British Comics, has announced a non-exclusive distribution partnership with Lunar Distribution in addition to their existing deal with Diamond. Hey, in troubled times, it’s a good idea to maybe back a couple of horse in the race.
Lunar will be, initially, distributing a select few titles from 2000 AD, not, as I read it, the actual comic (or the monthly Judge Dredd Megazine), but a number of high profile collections and graphic novels at this point. Basically, it means that 2000 AD will have some of their higher profile title available to order by comic shops through Lunar from the June Lunar catalogue, for books shipping in August. The initial line-up of titles available includes all six volumes of the Best of 2000 AD series, a selection of titles from the Essential Judge Dredd and Essential Anderson lines, plus the Eisner-Winning book I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted The Future by Michael Molcher. That’s just month one of course, there’ll be more to come. But it does feel like Rebellion and 2000 AD are somewhat testing the waters here – understandably so.
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE COMPENDIUM LAUNCH PARTY AT GOSH LONDON WITH KIERON GILLEN AND JAMIE MCKELVIE – 30 MAY…
What better excuse to get the band back together? Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie reunite at Gosh Comics on 30th May for the launch party for the compendium edition of The Wicked + The Divine.
But can it really be 10 years since this particularly delicious bit of comics launched? Wow, way to feel old. Now, Image Comics is publishing the entire series as a particularly lovely compendium. If you’ve already got the books, consider this an excuse to buy and read it all over again. And if you’re lucky enough to be one of those who’ve never read it before, well, I envy you in the discovery of this perfect bit of comics for the first time. Especially if you can get down to Gosh for Friday 30th May to meet Kieron and Jamie for the launch party, complete with an exclusive bookplate.
Here’s Image’s PR for the book –
‘The critically acclaimed, compulsively page-turning, urban fantasy series returns in its definitive edition, collecting the complete story in one binge-ready volume.
‘Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. A world where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever.’
CELEBRATING DAVID BOWIE FOR THE RELEASE OF REINHARD KLEIST’S LOW: BOWIE’S BERLIN YEARS AT THE CENTURY CLUB – 30 MAY…
Published on 8th July by SelfMadeHero, Reinhard Kleist‘s Low: Bowie’s Berlin Years is the follow-up to his Starman: Bowie’s Stardust Years, published by SelfMadeHero in 2023. Both are essential reading for Bowie fans and comic fans alike, Kleist’s art and stories bringing his own take on a legendary icon’s defining years.
There’s going to be a very special Bowie event at the Century Club, Soho, London, on 30 May to ‘Celebrate the sound and vision of classic David Bowie through comics and cabaret!’ Featuring journalist Arsalan Mohammad in conversation with Kleist, talking about both Bowie graphic novels, and followed by cabaret artist Aiden Sadler performing highlights of the Bowie songbook with Kleist drawing along, live, as the music plays, this promises to be a great night.
More details here.
COMICS AS STAMPS – LEAVE IT TO CHRIS WARE…
Celebrating the 250th year of the USPS, Chris Ware has been brought in to design a very special set of 20 stamps, 250 Years of Delivering. These 20 stamps fit together in one image, ‘that invites the public to spot a fun array of familiar postal items and icons while following a mail carrier on her rounds through four seasons of the year.’
