www.unicomics.co.uk Ben 10 image: TM & © 2009 Cartoon Network Image: Walker Children’s Books Image: Self Made Hero Hi, Everyone..! Welcome to UniComics: a celebration of all kinds of Comics for all kinds of people. Created by a diverse team of Arts enthusiasts, our aim has been to ensure that, whether you’re an uber-Geek or a young newcomer, UniComics has something for you.

Welcome This year, we hear three veritable Comics superstars – Pat Mills, Dave Gibbons and Kevin O’Neill – reminisce about their early careers on seminal British comic 2000AD, while Mills joins Gary Erskine, Nick Jones and Will Brooker to celebrate a similarly iconic British title, The Eagle. Be mystified byThe Paper Cinema’s ‘live animation’ performance, while budding comics creators can be inspired by such talents as Picture The Story Interactive Dave Gibbons, , Marcia Williams and Sarah McIntyre, and families can craft their own personal comics with our family diary comics workshop. Further with Marcia Williams Storyboarding inspiration is available at ComixBox, where a great line-up of artists are on the clock Workshop: Gothic Film to show off their wares! There’s screen fun, too, as kids can enjoy a Ben 10 adventure Thursday 22 April 1.00pm and adults can immerse themselves in the Watchmen Director’s Cut. And save some Join children’s author Marcia Williams for a and the energy – and cash – for our UniCon marketplace, offering a stunning array of Comicsto lively illustrated talk based on her books. start or expand collections. Thursday 22 April 3.00pm Marcia Williams has illustrated and retold many stories for children with her distinctive This special storyboarding workshop led Enjoy, The UniComics Team cartoon-strip style. Described as breathing new by acclaimed writer Ian Edginton (Self Made life into the classic stories, capturing the tone of Hero’s successful Eye Classics Catalogue, UniComics is presented by the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with Laydeez do Comics, the original tales, but rendering them vivid and The Hound of the Baskervilles, A Study Herts County Council (Libraries), the St Albans Children’s Book Group, Danny Graydon Film & Comics fresh, her innovative mix of comic style frames, in Scarlet) will demonstrate how graphic Journalism and the Film Education Consortium. The team consists of: decorative technique and gorgeous colour novels are constructed with specific reference Natalie Fountain, UniComics Festival Director, Melissa Marlow, UHArts Assistant palette is bound to delight. to storyboarding and film, and show how the UHArts Manager Nicola Streeten, Illustrator two visual art forms are interconnected. Darren Elliott-Smith, Film Education Coordinator, Ross Renton, Head of UK Recruitment and Access There will be the opportunity to buy a book for Hertfordshire Film Consortium Sarah Lightman, Artist signing at the event. Focusing on Self Made Hero’s adaptation Daniel Goodbrey, Comic Artist Sean Azzopardi, Comic Artist of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, “Williams is one of our very best retellers of the Danny Graydon, Journalist and Author (Film/Comics) The St Albans Children’s Book Group the artist will visually illustrate a comparison classics.” The Independent on Sunday Emma Bannister, Stock and Reader Development between the graphic novel and the recently Librarian, St Albans/Dacorum District Libraries released Dorian Gray (Oliver Parker, UK 2009) Katie Buckhaven, UHArts Marketing and in a script-to-storyboard presentation. Also Events Executive includes a live interactive demonstration of storyboarding with a graphics tablet, using the cinema screen, a deconstruction of the visual choices in panelling, style and point of view.

Price: FREE Price: £3 Duration: 60mins Duration: 120mins Age Suitability: 16+ (A-Level / BTEC Film and Age Suitability: 7-12+ Media Studies, Art and Design and Undergraduates (schools and home educated event) studying Art / Graphic Design and Film Studies) Front cover images Ben 10: TM & © 2009 Cartoon Network Venue: The Weston Auditorium Venue: The Weston Auditorium ComixBox: Nicola Streeten and Sarah Lightman Box Office: 01707 281127 Box Office: 01707 281127 Hungry Aliens and Manky Monsters: David Flickling Books Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 2000AD: Art by Brian Bolland. Iwo Jima © Rebellion 2010 Watchmen: © DC Comics / Titan Books 3 2223– April ComixBox – The Lost World What’s In Yours? Presented by The Paper Cinema Presented by Laydeez do Comics Friday 23 April Thursday 22 April 8.00pm 10.30am and 6.00pm

ComixBox is a collection of presentations The cereal-box maestros present a magical by dynamic and innovative artists working piece of ‘live animation’ to inspire and delight For more information visit www.unicomics.co.uk in the area of autobiographical comics. audiences of all ages interested in theatre, Invited artists from a variety of backgrounds literature, music and art. Using a basic including music, theatre, illustration, fine camcorder and a pile of cut-out illustrations art and zine making, will have ten minutes they whisk the viewer across the world – in each to share the inspirations and thought this case to Venezuela, for a retelling of Conan processes behind their works. The audience Doyle’s tale of intrepid explorers and blood- will have an opportunity to ask questions thirsty dinosaurs. With live music created after each presentation. Following this and played by ‘littleboat’. there will be an open mic session. * Booking essential - limited to 100 places.

What’s in your ComixBox? Presented by Laydeez do Comics Price: £10 full / £8 concessions / £5 students and children Price: £4 Duration: 60mins Duration: 120mins Age Suitability: All Age Suitability: 14+ (located in Campus bar) Venue: The Weston Auditorium Venue: The Attic, The Forum Box Office: 01707 281127 ComixBox Box Office: 01707 281127 Email: [email protected] Image: Nicola Streeten and Sarah Lightman 5 24 April

UniCon Comics Artist Workshops Convention with Dave Gibbons Saturday 24 April Saturday 24 April 10.00am to 5.00pm 10.30am and 1.30pm

UniCon is UniComics’ own one-day comics Interested in drawing your own comics? convention, featuring the best and brightest Need help? Get it from the best!

For more information visit www.unicomics.co.uk of the UK comics scene. Running all day Saturday in the de Havilland Campus’ Atrium As part of the UniComics festival, Hertfordshire (just outside The Weston Auditorium), there Library Service are proud to present these will be something for comics fans of all ages artist’s workshops with Dave Gibbons, the with an exciting range of stalls showcasing the artist behind the award winning Watchmen. breadth and diversity of comics from the UK Dave will be demonstrating how he designs his and beyond. Get a sketch from your favourite characters, offering advice to help you improve indie creator, have your portfolio reviewed your drawing skills, and being on hand to give by a comics professional or take a trip into you hints and tips on character design. the wonderful world of small press and self * Workshops limited to 30 places. Please call published comics. to reserve your place (first come first served). See the best and the brightest of the UK comics scene UniCon

Price: FREE Comics Age Suitability: All Price: FREE Venue: The Atrium, de Havilland Duration: 90mins Campus Age Suitability: All More information: 01707 281127 Venue: St Albans Library Convention Email: [email protected] Bookings: 0300 123 4049 7 24 April

Hungry Aliens and Ben 10: Secret of the Manky Monsters Omnitrix Saturday 24 April 11.00am Saturday 24 April 1.00pm

St Albans Childrens’ Book Group invite you What happens when Ben Tennyson to join illustrator and comics creator Sarah accidentally sets off a self-destruct function McIntyre for a fun hour of weird and wacky in the Omnitrix? How can he save the universe monsters. Find out what aliens love best from destruction? Find out in the animated film, to eat, and watch Sarah draw Morris, the Ben 10: Secret of the Omnitrix, directed by most revolting monster EVER! Create your Sebastian Montes and Scooter Tidwell. own monster or alien and enjoy an exciting storytelling game that will have everyone Come along for a free screening, meet an alien laughing. from the film, and be in with a chance to win some Ben 10 goodies! More activities will be Sarah McIntyre loves making both picture taking place on the day and Ben 10 books will books and comics. She has filled her latest be available to buy. two books Morris the Mankiest Monster by Giles Andreae and You Can’t Eat A Ben 10 is an American animated series created Princess by Gillian Rogerson, with by Man of Action and produced by Cartoon creatures no one on this planet has ever Network Studios. It follows Ben Tennyson and seen, but whom everyone can love and his adventures as a super-power thanks to the relate to. Her favourite comic characters, mysterious abilities of his ‘Omnitrix’ watch to Vern and Lettuce, star in a book coming transform him into a variety of alien life forms. out this autumn as part of the DFC Library. * Booking essential - places limited. She posts new drawings and comics on her blog almost every day: jabberworks.livejournal.com

Price: £3 Price: FREE Duration: 60mins Duration: 120mins Age Suitability: All Age Suitability: All Venue: The Weston Auditorium Venue: The Weston Auditorium Box Office: 01707 281127 Box Office: 01707 281127 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Image: TM & © 2009 Cartoon Network For more information visit www.unicomics.co.uk 9 Image: Art by Brian Bolland. Image: © Warner Bros. 2009 Iwo Jima © Rebellion 2010.

24 April

Architects of Watchmen – Thrill-Power – The The Director’s Cut Legends of 2000AD (Zack Snyder US, 2009) Saturday 24 April 6.00pm Saturday 24 April 8.00pm

Since its launch in 1977, 2000AD – “The In an alternate 1985 where superheroes Galaxy’s Greatest Comic” – has been at exist – and are outlawed – the world stands the forefront of British Comics and remains on the very brink of nuclear conflict. When a shining light in an increasingly barren a former colleague is murdered, an active landscape. Arriving perfectly in time with the vigilante named Rorschach begins a sprawling popular re-emergence of Science Fiction investigation which soon uncovers a threat and bearing a punky, anti-authoritative that could completely change the course of tone, 2000AD thoroughly invigorated Boys history. Long deemed “unfilmable” – notably comics, introducing a collection of classic by Watchmen writer Alan Moore himself - 300 characters. For a vast array of 2000AD’s Director Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Moore’s artists and writers, the comic was a vital and Dave Gibbon’s revolutionary and award- springboard to international recognition and winning graphic novel won considerable success. UniComics is proud to present a acclaim for its thoroughly impressive loyalty to panel discussion with three of 2000AD’s the source material. The director’s cut of the most iconic and renowned creative stars film adds a further twenty-three minutes to from its formative years: Co-founder, debut the story, bringing it ever closer to the graphic editor and writer Pat Mills (Slaine, ABC novel. For this special UniComics screening, Warriors, Charley’s War), artist Dave Gibbons the film will be introduced by Watchmen artist (Rogue Trooper, , Watchmen) and Dave Gibbons. artist Kevin O’Neill (Nemesis The Warlock, ABC Warriors, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) – who discuss the early development of the title as well as their own specific and greatly-admired contributions. Hosted by Danny Graydon. Price: £10 full / £8 concessions / Price: FREE £5 students and children Duration: 186mins Duration: 90mins Age Suitability: 18+ (strong graphic Age Suitability: 12+ violence, sexuality, nudity and language) Venue: The Weston Auditorium Venue: The Weston Auditorium Box Office: 01707 281127 Box Office: 01707 281127 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Image: © DC Comics/Titan Books For more information visit www.unicomics.co.uk11 Image: Art by Frank Hampson. © The Dan Dare Corporation / Titan Books

25 April

Diaries and Family Weekly British Spirit: Comics Workshop Sixty Years of The Presented by Laydeez do Comics Eagle and Dan Dare Sunday 25 April 2.00pm Sunday 25 April 6.00pm

Make your own family diary comics... On April 14th, 1950, a new Boys comic called The Eagle vigorously introduced some wonder For more information visit www.unicomics.co.uk Whether or not you think you have a story in to the drudgery of post-war Britain, and, to tell, and whether or not you think you can with its star strip Dan Dare: Pilot of The Future, draw, we think there’s a comic inside you just showcased a profoundly alluring fantasy of a waiting to be let out! Come along to this three strong and vital Britain in then far-flung 1997 hour session to learn how to adapt the stories that boldly led the way in the exploration of of your day into comic strips, and how, by outer space. One of the most successful collaborating with your family and friends, you comics in British history, at its height The Eagle can turn your comic strips into fully-fledged remarkably sold just under a million copies a comic books. week. In celebration of the sixtieth anniversary You will be guided by the creators of ‘Laydeez of both this landmark, much-beloved title do Comics’, illustrator Nicola Streeten and and its highly-memorable flagship character, Get involved artist Sarah Lightman, who will present their UniComics presents a panel discussion to and join our work and introduce all the possibilities relating explore what is considered to be one of the to family magazine and diary comic-making. high watermarks of British Comics history. family workshop At the end of the workshop all the groups will The panel includes Pat Mills (Founder of present their work to each other and will be 2000AD), Nick Jones (Founding editor able to take their magazine projects home of Titan Book’s Dan Dare library), Dr. Will with them. Brooker (Kingston University) and Gary Erskine (Artist, Virgin Comics’ Dan Dare). Diaries and * All materials will be supplied at the workshop. Hosted by Danny Graydon.

Price: £10 full / £8 concessions / Price: £3 £5 students and children Family Comics Duration: 180mins Duration: 120mins Age Suitability: All (family oriented) Age Suitability: 12+ Venue: N106, de Havilland Campus Venue: The Weston Auditorium Box Office: 01707 281127 Box Office: 01707 281127 Workshop Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Image: Nicola Streeten and Sarah Lightman 13 Box office Online bookings: www.unicomics.co.uk

Info Want to know more about UHArts UHArts Box Office * The Box Office will be closed on 2 April (University of Hertfordshire) (Good Friday), 5 April (Easter Monday). and Galleries? Phone: St Albans Library Bookings (for Artist Including information about venues and access / volunteering / group discounts? 01707 281127 Workshops with Dave Gibbons) Please visit www.herts.ac.uk/artsandgalleries or call the Box Office on 01707 281127 (Lines open Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.00pm) Phone: 0300 123 4049 Visit: The Weston Auditorium Foyer, Please note that events may be cancelled de Havilland Campus, Hatfield, or altered without prior notice. Herts, AL10 9EU To see The Weston Auditorium (Open Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.00pm seating plan visit our website during term time) www.unicomics.co.uk How to find us The Weston Auditorium Hatfield Train Station and workshop venues This station is served by West Anglia de Havilland Campus, Hatfield Great Northern trains from London Kings Hertfordshire AL10 9EU Cross (usual journey time 22 minutes) and Moorgate (usual journey time 40 minutes), The Forum as well as local services from Cambridge College Lane Campus, and Peterborough. Direct local trains Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AB between Hatfield and Stevenage (journey St Albans Library time 15 minutes) connect with Intercity Central Library, The Maltings, train services to the north. St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JQ St Albans City Station Parking Services are run by First Capital Connect de Havilland Campus linking Bedford in the north, London and There is no charge after 4.30pm Brighton in the south. Gatwick Airport on weekdays and weekends. At other and Luton Airport are also served on times please check with the Box Office as the same line. free parking may be available. Spaces for St Albans Abbey Train Station disabled badge holders are available. This station provides a local service into College Lane Campus Watford Junction connecting to Euston Parking is very limited except at weekends Mainline services. and in the evenings. Bus Services: St Albans Library Uno, the University’s own bus company, Please see map opposite – parking provides a frequent bus service between marked ‘P’ (all charged). the stations and the campuses. Please By Road telephone 01707 255764 or visit The County of Hertfordshire lies just 20 www.unobus.info miles north of London, and is served by Further travel information and campus major road and motorway networks. maps are available to download from Public transport www.herts.ac.uk/artsandgalleries Nearest train stations: Hatfield, St Albans City and St Albans Abbey 15 For more event information and to make an online booking for a ticketed event go to: www.unicomics.co.uk

All of our venues are Love the arts? wheelchair accessible. Why not sign up to our mailing list to find out more about our upcoming UHArts and Galleries Please events in future? We’ll keep in touch through contact us brochures, letters and emails, featuring relevant if you would information of interest to you. prefer this Sign up… brochure in By phone: 01707 281127 an alternative By email: [email protected] Online: go.herts.ac.uk/artsmailinglist format.

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