Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, Dan Mallier, entertainment, free comic book day, Nostalgia and Comics

Things To Do On Free Comic Book Day In The Midlands, UK

Published Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:00:53 -0500

By Olly MacNamee

Ahead of the annual comic fest that is Free Comic Book Day, I thought it a good idea to preview what's happening in the Midlands on the day, and even in the run up to May 2^nd itself, with some local comic shops wanting your participation ahead of FCBD 2015, hence the heads' up now.

Nostalgia and Comics in Birmingham, as they have in the past, are encouraging fans young and old to enter their drawing competition. Simple enough: draw your favourite superhero or supervillian. Prizes vary depending on the age category, but the overall winner of the adults' entries will see their design adorn the new Bags for Life that the gang at Nostalgia and Comics are planning on producing. I must say their most recent design will take some beating, but what a prize for an amateur or more professional artist to bag (if you'll pardon the pun). Each Bag for Life having your artwork emblazoned on it for the world (well, Brummies at least) to feast their eyes upon. If past experiences are anything to go by, you don't have to be the best artist to enter, but you do need to be original and put a smile on the staff's faces. So, get those pencils sharpened and those pens filled up with enough ink. Or, just switch on your Wacom, I suppose.

Down the road in picturesque Leamington Spa, Dan Mallier, the man behind Leamington's first comic con last October is pairing up with the Leamington Spa library, encouraging literacy awareness through comics, with 500 free comics to be bagged. Mallier states that,

Last year's Comic Con was a big success so I know the people of Leamington love a comic or two. I'm hoping Free Comic Book Day will encourage even more people to discover the marvellous world of comics, and encourage them to join their local library, which has its own graphic novel section.

And with the promise of cosplayers (with Mallier's own wife, Lisa-Marie Nelson planning to come as Harley Quinn) there should be plenty of time to bag some free reads and photo opportunities too throughout the busy day.

Two great ways on which to offer satellite events that encourage a younger generation, whether living in the urban sprawl of a big city like Birmingham, or the tranquility of rural Leamington Spa, chalk and cheese, with comics to please.

So, what are you doing this Saturday?

Olly MacNamee teaches English and Media, for his sins, in a school somewhere in Birmingham. Some days, even he doesn't know where it is. Follow him on twitter @ollymacnamee or read about his exploits at olly.macnamee@blogspot.co.uk. Or don't.

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