Posted in: Comics | Tagged: cartoon museum, Comics, december, entertainment, london, things to do, things to do in london

12 Things To Do In London This Week If You Like Comics

Published Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:00:19 -0600

by Rich Johnston

Last updated Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:27:18 -0500

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Exhibitions

Sean Phillips new exhibition in the Orbital Comics Gallery, featuring a selection of pages from Fatale, Criminal, Hellblazer, Sleeper, Void & more.

Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women. SPACE STATION SIXTY-FIVE, Building One, 373 Kennington Road

While the influential role of Jews in cartooning has long been acknowledged, the role of Jewish women in shaping the medium is largely unexplored. This exhibition of original drawings, full comic books and graphic novels presents the powerful work of eighteen U.S., Canadian, and international artists whose intimate, confessional work has influenced the world of comics over the last four decades, creating an entirely new genre.

Many of the original artworks on display have never been exhibited in public until now. Artists run the gamut from pioneering Wimmen's Comix and Twisted Sisters artists of the 1970s and 1980s to the superstars of the new generation. Graphic Details is co-curated by Michael Kaminer, a New York journalist and collector whose December 2008 story on confessional comics in the Forward, the national Jewish newspaper, provided the impetus for the show. His collaborator, Sarah Lightman, is an award-winning artist, curator and arts journalist based in London who is researching a PhD at The University of Glasgow on Autobiography in Comics.

Gekiga: Alternative Manga from Japan Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street

Gekiga was the spark which, between 1956 and the early 1970s, transformed manga from being the preserve of the young into a vast industry now read by millions of children and adults around the world. This exhibition shows how a small group of young artists, initially working in the Kansai area in and around Osaka, created a new style of powerful and dramatic narratives. Drawn in a more realistic and atmospheric style with grittier story lines, gegika attracted older teenagers, university students and eventually adult readers. The exhibition includes material never before displayed in Europe, including over 50 pieces of original artwork and reproductions from rare manga.

Hogarths's London, Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street

In the two hundred and fifty years since he died, Hogarth's commentaries on London have inspired numerous artists to look at life in London in their own time. Though neither a cartoonist nor strictly a caricaturist, his satires remain a touchstone for satirists from David Low and Ralph Steadman to Steve Bell and Martin Rowson. This exhibition invites the public to look more closely at the original pictures and discover a London which is sometimes horrifying, but always fascinating.

Moose Kid Comics, Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street

A new children's comic was launched in June 2014 – Moose Kid Comics. Comic artist Jamie Smart – who used to create work for The Dandy and who currently draws for The Phoenix – came up with the idea for the comic after the The Dandy went out of print in 2012.

Jamie pulled together over 40 artists to create a comic to make children laugh. The comic is filled with make-believe advertisements and full colour stories about super grannies, angry badgers, farting cats and terrifying underwater creatures – something for everyone. Some of these images are currently displayed at the Cartoon Museum. And there are still a few copies left of the comic, available to buy from the Cartoon Museum Shop.

Theatre

Go see Usagi Yojimbo at the Southwark Theatre.

December 3rd

Orbital Comics, London

Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko signing, 5-7pm

In conjunction with Lille Comics Festival and Malta Comic Con, a very special signing on as part of their European tour. Aside from being two of the loveliest people in comics, they're also an incredible creative force with a wealth of work behind (and ahead of) them, so don't miss this rare opportunity to meet them as they fly through the UK between shows!

December 4th

Forbidden Planet Megastore

Ian Edginton and I N J Culbard signing Brass Sun from 6 – 7pm.

December 5th

Gosh Comics

Avery Hill publish some of the very best creators on the UK indie scene with the likes of Owen D. Pomery, EdieOP, Eleni Kalorkoti, and Gosh! alumni Mike Medaglia and Julia Scheele.

The party starts at 7pm with beer and bubbly by the bucketful. A number of the creators will be joining the Avery Hill team, signing copies of their books, and being their usual affable selves.

December 6th

London Comic Mart, Royal National Hotel