2007 Programme | Venues
Comiket | Graphic Short Story Prize | Lingua Comica
Other Events | Reviews

COMICA 2007:
ENTER A WORLD OF YOUR OWN

A world of comics is converging on Comica, the London International Comics Festival from 20 October to 6 November: African teen romance in 1970s Ivory Coast; Laika, first cosmonaut dog in space; Shooting War exposes Iraq's frontline in 2011; a unique Asia-Europe comix-lab puts rising stars together with acclaimed graphic novelists from Brussels, Hanoi, Berlin and Delhi; Posy Simmonds, Igort, Misako Rocks, Best New Manga, Observer/Cape Prize, demos, films, docs, performances, music, 24 Hours Comics - and more.

Exhibition: Manga Shakespeare
An exhibition of artwork from the original manga adaptations of The Tempest, Richard III and A Midsummer Night's Dream, published by independent graphic novel and manga publisher SelfMadeHero, downstairs at Bodhi, London's first manga café and visual arts gallery. Paul Gravett discusses the UK Manga revolution at The Times Online. More...
Where: Bodhi, Manga Café & Gallery, 214 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SA
When: Saturday, 20 October to Tuesday 6 November, 2007

Conversation & Live Music: Jeffrey Lewis
With all his autumn London gigs sold out this is an extra special opportunity to meet New York anti-folk singer-songwriter and comic-book artist Jeffrey Lewis, who will be performing an intimate, illustrated acoustic set with Helen Schriener as a duo, on guitar, keyboard and two voices, and will also be in conversation with Everett True, editor of Plan B magazine, and award-winning comedienne Josie Long, this is an extra Opening Day event for Comica 07 in association with Plan B magazine. Please note the early afternoon time slot. More...
Listen to the Jeffrey Lewis Comica event here.
Tickets: £6, £5 Concs, £4 ICA members
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Saturday, 20 October, 2007 at 2pm

24 Hour Comics Day
Be spontaneous! The clock is ticking as a 'virtual' Scott McCloud challenges artists all over the world to start creating original 24-page comics in only 24 hours. A stellar array of talents is working here 'live', while weblinks update this unique global 24 Hour Comics Day event. Participating artists include:
Takayo Akiyama (Siamese Twins) - www.takayon.com
Sean Azzopardi  (Twelve Hour Shift) - www.phatcatz.org.uk
Francesca Cassavetti (The Most Natural Thing...) - www.fabtoons.com
Richy K. Chandler (Delicate Axiom) - www.myspace.com/tempolush
Oliver East (Trains Are... Mint) - www.rollingstockpress.co.uk
Tom Humberstone (Vented Spleen) - www.ventedspleen.com
Jim Medway (Teen Witch) - www.jimmedway.com
Richard Peel (Robin Rudestar) - www.richardpeel.com
Alex Potts (Lost Shoe Comix) - www.lostshoe.co.uk
More...
Tickets: Free with ICA membership
Where: Brandon Room, ICA
When: Saturday, 20 October 2007, 3.00pm to 11.00pm

Talk: Lingua Comica - Asia-Europe Cultural Exchanges

Lingua Comica (3.30pm to 4.30pm)
The language of comics bridges cultures. Comica director Paul Gravett introduces the Lingua Comica comics lab, gathering 14 young creators from Asia and Europe and renowned Japanese expert Kosei Ono who reveals the rich exchanges between manga and comics in the rest of Asia, Europe and beyond:
    Fionnuala Doran (Ireland) with Sarah Mokhtar (Malaysia)
    Mari Ahokoivu (Finland) with Kaori Kuniyasu (Japan)
    Sophie Darcq (France) with Thanh Phong (Vietnam)
    Paola Cortese (Italy) with Rommel Joson (Philippines)
    Ken Niimura (Spain) with Choi Juhyun (Korea)
    Tom Smith (UK) with Vishwajyoti Ghosh (India)
    Gabor Kiss (Hungary) with Aziza Noor (Indonesia)

Between Angoulême & Hanoi (4.30pm to 5.30pm)
Mixing reportage and romance, acclaimed French auteur and tutor Gérald Gorridge (Les Fantômes de Hanoï) shares his passion for Vietnam, where he has discovered a fresh generation of comics geniuses.

Indian Comics From Calcutta to Brick Lane (5.35pm to 6.30pm)
Sarnath Banerjee explains his path to becoming India's premier graphic novelist with Corridor and The Barn Owl's Wondrous Capers from Penguin, and his plans for their ambitious follow-up, Route.

In association with the Asia-Europe Foundation. More...
Tickets: Each talk: £6, £5 Concs, £4 Members
Tickets: All three talks: £14, £11 Concs, £9 Members 
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Saturday, 20 October 2007

Talk: Fumetti Maestros
Italy's powerful contemporary graphic novelist, Igort (5 Is The Perfect Number, Baobab) discusses his personal themes and techniques. Supported by Jonathan Cape and Macmillan Books. Unfortuntely, planned guest Gipi (Garage Band, Notes For A War Story) is now unable to attend for health reasons. More...
Tickets: £8, £7 Concs, £6 Members
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Tuesday, 23 October 2007, 7pm

London Lip: Alan Moore, Michael Moorcock, Iain Sinclair
A celebration of the paperback publication of London: City of Disappearances. Witness a rare urban excursion from the legendary Northampton magus of the graphic novel Alan Moore and the Texas-exiled creator of the multiverse, author of Mother London, Michael Moorcock. A conversation refereed by the book's editor, Iain Sinclair. Readings from Moore, Moorcock, Sinclair. Interventions from performance-artists-poets Brian Catling and Kirsten Norrie. Promoted by Penned in the Margins. Call 020 7375 0258 for information. More...
Tickets: £12 on the door, £10 online
Where: Great Hall, The Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
When: Friday, 26 October 2007, 6.30pm

Q&A: Anders Morgenthaler
The Danish director of Princess, Anders Morgenthaler, will introduce the tonights screening and afterwards take part in a Q&A discussion hosted by Paul Gravett. More...
Tickets: £8, £7 Concessions, £6 ICA Members
Where: Cinema 1, ICA
When: Tuesday October 30th, 2007 at 7.00pm

Theatre: Ear Cinema
An immersive theatre experience where a combination of film, live art, animation and sound-art will be used to create a full-on-sensory experience which harnesses technology and drama to present a chilling event guaranteed to create a suitably ghostly ambience. Presenting the chilling tale of Little Mary, a young girl pronounced dead in hospital at 3.27am, Ear Cinema utilizes a specialist Ambisonic technique to create an extraordinary 3D aural picture plunging the audience straight to the heart of the story.... Be afraid, be very afraid! Running time 25 minutes approx. Places are limited so early booking advised. More...
Tickets: £8, £7 Concessions, £6 ICA Members
Where: ICA
When: 31st October to 3rd November, 2007, 6.30pm & 8pm Daily
           Late night performance 31st October 10.30pm
           Installation open from 12noon - 5pm (free with day membership)

Graphic Novel Launches: Enter A World of Your Own

Laika: Sputnik 2's Cosmonaut Dog (3.00pm to 4.00pm)
Marking today's 50th anniversary of Russia's launch of the first living creature into space, Nick Abadzis presents an audio-visual essay about his research into Soviet-era secrets which underpin his moving graphic novel about the plucky dog Laika, from First Second/Macmillan Books.

Aya & Africa (4.30pm to 5.30pm)
Paris-based writer-artist couple Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie reveal how they developed Aya de Yopougon, their tender portrayal of teenage living and loving set in the prosperous Seventies Ivory Coast, and an example of the new wave of contemporary African comics. Supported by Jonathan Cape, Africa e Mediterraneo Association and Bad Idea Magazine.

Authors will be signing their books after each talk. More...
Tickets: Each talk: £6, £5 Concs, £4 Members
Tickets: Both talks: £10, £8 Concs, £6 Members
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Saturday, 3 November 2007

Comics Britannia Rule!: How Yesterday's Comics Live On Today

I Love Girls' Comics:
From School Friend to Photo-Love (2.30 to 3.30pm)
Writer and performer Stella Duffy, Jane Purcell, author of the Radio 4 play 43 Years in the Third Form, Unskinny cartoonist Lucy Sweet and Nina Myskow, former editor of Jackie, relish the heydays of Girl, Bunty, My Guy and more and reflect on their lessons and legacies. Hosted by Dr Mel Gibson.

Achtung! Commando!:
The Art of War Comics (4.00pm to 5.00pm)
Gung-ho but blood-free, the pocket-sized Commando has been winning the war for over 4,000 issues. Experts Steve Holland and David Roach consider the artistry and evolution of war comics with those who created them. Hosted by David Kendall, editor of The Mammoth Book of Best War Comics.

The Seventies Revolution:
From Tammy to 2000AD (5.30pm to 7.00pm)
Weirder, grittier, darker, British comics changed radically in the Seventies. Pat Mills talks with fellow writer Gerry Finley-Day, creator of the revolutionary Tammy, and then with artist Kevin O'Neill to set the records straight from Whizzer & Chips and Battle to Action's censorship and the origins of 2000AD, 30 years strong this year. Chaired by Paul Gravett, co-author of Great British Comics.

Presented in association with Carlton Books, Mammoth Books, Titan Books and The Book Palace. Authors will be signing their books after each talk. More...
Tickets: Each talk: £6, £5 Concs, £4 Members
Tickets: All three talks: £14, £11 Concs, £9 Members 
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Sunday, 4 November 2007

Film: Tekkonkinkreet
Japanese-American guest Misako Rocks! demonstrates her Disney manga hits Biker Girl and Rock and Roll Love, previews her new trilogy and introduces an exclusive big-screen showing of anime movie Tekkonkinkreet based on Taiyo Matsumoto's dazzling dystopian manga. Following the live-action adaptation of his 'Ping Pong' manga, the genius of Taiyo Matsumoto comes to the screen once again in this high-energy, visually thrilling anime adaptation of his beloved tales of 'Black and White'. The intricately detailed film follows the adventures of two orphan street-kids - Black and White - as they take on the corrupt adult inhabitants of crazed, crime-ridden city Treasure Town, while remaining fiercely loyal to one another at all times. (Dir. Michael Arias, Japan 2006, 100 mins, subtitles).
Tickets: To be confirmed
Where: Cinema 1, ICA
When: Monday, 5 November 2007, 8.45pm

Theatre: Our Comic Book
Hot on the heels of an acclaimed interdisciplinary launch across this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Our Comic Book arrives in London with an evening of highlights from the packed performance programme hosted by John Hegley. The evening will be based around a unique screening of selections from cult NY cartoonist Mark Newgarden's eclectic silent film collection with an unlikely cabaret of theatre, visual art, music and comedy accompaniments. With a well-developed sense of eccentricity and absurdity, and the love of a genuine enthusiast, Newgarden has amassed an extraordinarily diverse collection of 16mm films. His picks for this programme range from anonymous and utterly inexplicable homemade reels thrown out with the trash and dusty vintage thrift store finds, to rare prints of early animation and toy films. Titles include Spanuth's Trained Baby Elephant, How Not To Undress and Chip the Wooden Man in The Magic Wand. Simon Munnery's newly commissioned live satellite link-up interview with himself and a rare presentation of Brian Dewan's Deuternomy filmstrip complete the bill. The performers will be available to sign copies of Our Comic Book in the ICA bookshop before the event and during the interval. More...
Tickets: £12 / £10 Concessions / £8 ICA Members 
Where: ICA
When: Monday, 5 November 2007, 7.00pm

Iraq: The Graphic War, Today & In 2011
Campaigning charity War on Want's Iraq: Operation Corporate Takeover is a documentary comic in which Sean Michael Wilson and Lee O'Connor expose how Western companies are profiting from the occupation, while New Yorkers Anthony Lappé and Dan Goldman project the war's technology, media coverage and paranoia to the year 2011 in the provocative Shooting War from Weidenfeld & Nicholson. Hosted by Seumas Milne, Guardian columnist and associate editor. Seumas was the Guardian's comment editor from 2001-2007. He has worked for the paper since 1984, as a general reporter, labour correspondent (Europe) and labour editor. He has reported for the Guardian from the Middle East, eastern Europe, Russia and Latin America. More...
Tickets: £8, £7 Concs, £6 Members
Where: Nash Room, ICA
When: Tuesday, 6 November 2007, 7pm