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A day at the Birmingham International Comic Show

Right where should I start? I guess I should introduce myself as this is the first thing I’ve ever written for the website. You can call me GEEKBoY. Why? Well the name should be a fairly big clue. Yes I am a Geek! I love sci-fi, movies, books, comics and spending hours on the internet searching for the latest gossip on all of the above.

I would have to say the thing I am most “geeky” about is comics. So you can imagine my excitement at being asked to go and write an account of quite simply my AWESOME day at BICS (Birmingham International Comic Show).

What is BICS? I assume some of you ask. Think of a cool venue bursting with comics, graphic novels and toys for sale, but wait there’s more!! There’s talks and signings with some of the hottest and up coming artists and writers from the comic book industry.

So let’s begin: Saturday 16th October I meet my geeky travelling companion very early at the train station. We’re both tired but excited about the day ahead and in desperate need of caffeine. (One of us was hung over and it wasn’t me).

Once the caffeine had kicked in on the train I decide go through my battle plan of the day. Who do I want to see and what do I want to get signed?

Now, BICS takes place over a whole weekend but I can only make it for the day which really puts the pressure on. I’ve got one chance to satisfy my geeky needs.

So here is my signing list:

Mike Carey: Author of the fantastic Felix Castor novels which follow the exploits of a freelance exorcist based in London. He’s also a regular writer for both DC and Marvel Comics.

Charlie Adlard: Artist on the must read series The Walking Dead! His artwork on this book is truly amazing. If this book is not on your radar I believe the door is behind you… leave and shamble like a zombie to your nearest comic shop and buy it!

Charles Vess: Is an artist I don’t know too much about, nor do I own much of his work but what I do have is Neil Gaiman’s illustrated version of stardust of which Vess provides the artwork. So how could I not take the opportunity to get such a great story from my favourite author and filled with the most beautiful artwork signed?

Bryan Hitch: Now here we have a true heavyweight in the comic world! Providing artwork for games, DVD covers, working with Marvel and DC, this guy even designed the TARDIS interior for Russell T Davis! I would say his most famous contribution to the world geekdom is working with Mark Millar (Kick Ass) on THE ULTIMATES. We can also thank him for Samuel L. Jackson being cast in the new Marvel movies as Nick Fury as they used his likeness in the Ultimate books.

The Arrival! Wow! The Venue is huge. Ok things are just getting started so best get the lay of the land as the show is split between two halls and a lecture theatre downstairs somewhere for talks throughout the day… Time to explore! As I go for a quick wander before my first signing I realise this may end up being a rather expensive day, SO MUCH TO BUY! I also start spotting people who have really got into the comic show spirit… I love Cosplayers.

I’m very excited now. I’ve just joined the queue (4th in line baby!) for Charlie Adlard with my hardback “The Walking Dead: The Covers” book in hand. I also spot on his desk that he’s selling the latest graphic novel for only £5! That’s cheaper than everywhere else and you get it signed. I’m well on my way to my first geekgasam of the day. I begin to realise that the queue is moving rather slowly so I decide to investigate by peeking over the shoulders of the people in front. Sketches, he’s doing sketches and these are not just quick pencil or pen sketches he’s taking his time on each one. I check out the price for a sketch (£20) and decide hell yeah! Eventually I get to the front of the queue and stand before the man that is becoming known as the best zombie artist in the business. HE’S FROM THE UK! I feel like a bit of an idiot for not knowing this, anyhoo I hand over my book, buy the latest graphic novel and then pop the big question: “Can I get a sketch?” of course the answer is yes and what would I like. Shock and horror my answer is a Zombie…

I stand there in awe as he takes his time pencilling, then outlining, then inking and it’s at that point I realise this is not a sketch, this is a piece of original artwork that is so getting framed and put on a wall! Charlie is a really nice guy, while he was sketching away we spoke about the work he did for the latest George A. Romero movie (He drew the poster), zombie movies, movies in general and I asked if he had seen any of the episodes for the upcoming Walking Dead TV series (hitting our shores November 5th people).

I check the time and realise I’ve been queuing for a while and that I’ve missed part of the Bryan Hitch talk in the lecture theatre. So off I run getting a little bit lost on the way but arriving eventually. It was a great talk (what I managed to catch anyway). He told us about designing the interior of the TARDIS, working with Mark Millar and that he would love to again, his not so secret desire to work on a superman story. After a few questions from the crowd the talk wrapped up and as the last one in I was first one out. Running back up stairs I managed to get second in line for the Bryan Hitch signing. No sketch this time but I did get my copes of The Ultimates Vol 1 (already signed buy writer Mark Millar) and Vol 2 signed.

Two signings down, two more to go and I still have not gone comic hunting yet! Then I was told that Charles Vess is at his table signing. I dash across the hall, copy of Stardust in hand to find Vess no longer there. His assistant informs me that he’s gone for lunch which only reminds me of how hungry I am. Do I wait? Can I wait? Where is the nearest pub? These questions circle through my head and as I’m about to make this life changing decision Mr Vess walks up sandwich in hand. He signed the book and also added a lovely message with a sketch which made me very happy.

Feeling recharged after a pint and a Ginster I head back into the breach! One signing left to go! Hmmmm but no-one seems to know where or when Mike Carey is signing. I decide to go on a comic bargain hunt and hope I stumble across him in the process. I love looking for comics, there’s nothing like finding that missing issue or picking up a graphic novel that you had always wanted dirt cheap. So I moved from stall to stall looking through boxes, chatting to friends having a great time. Oh I managed to pick up a copy of City of Others – written by Steve “30 days of Night” Niles for £5 – Win.

About 4pm they announce that Mike Carey is about to begin his signing session. After asking a steward and meeting batman I make my way over to the area and wait in line (yes queuing is very much a large part of the event). The queue moves quickly and before I know I’m handing over my copy of the “Devil You Know” the first of the Felix Castor novels of which I have all five. I tell him how much I love the books and the fact they are all based in London. He then tells me that not all the places he uses are real; one in particular is a heavily featured Psychiatric hospital. He continues to tell me that readers on more than one occasion have told him they walk past it everyday, we both laugh.

By this point the show is winding down for the day so I do one more sweep of the stalls, pick a few more bits and meet up the with my geeky travelling companion and other good friends I know at the show. We then decide once again PUB! So over many pints we talked about the day, looked over each others goodies and then decided to have a Marvel Top Trumps tournament (some of the stats very questionable). Eventually it was time to catch the train home, little bit sad as I knew what I was missing out on Sunday but really very happy because I had a bag full of booty, a belly full of beer and stories to share. I highly recommend BICS to all and comic fans. The quest list was superb, the venue amazing and very easy to find. I will be definitely be going next year and hopefully for the entire weekend.