LICAF 2017: Full Festival Programme announced; new wristband pass system introduced
Ahh, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival – lovely. A cracking artist-focused convention which takes over the entire picturesque town of Kendal in Cumbria, and is, quite frankly, one of the highlights of our convention year. Lovely.
Yes, we may keep saying ‘lovely’ when it comes to LICAF, as it is a particularly laid back affair, as conventions go. Sure, the organisers may be paddling like ducks under the surface but, up above, the event usually glides along with a tranquil grace. Which is impressive, considering the amount of stuff that goes on over the course of the weekend (Friday 13th – Sunday 15th October 2017, various locations’ throughout Kendal)
The organisers have today announced the attractions that are running over the course of this years Festival, attractions of simply the highest calibre – previous years have seen appearances from Dave McKean, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Duncan Fegredo, Leah Moore, Steve & Luke McGarry and loads of other immense talent.
This year, LICAF features over 70 international guests, including Sergio Aragonés, Stan Sakai, Comics Laureate Charlie Adlard, Hannah Berry, Melinda Gebbie, Jason LaTour, Brendan McCarthy and many more.
Highlights of the weekend include events such as the Ultimate Comics Master Class with top MAD Magazine artist Tom Richmond; an in-depth interview event with SPIDER-GWEN artist Jason LaTour; the launch of new work by creators such as Mal Earl and Kermit Leveridge; the chance to meet the “insanely imaginative” 2000AD writer Peter Milligan; discover how comics can shine an uncomfortable light on our modern world with Hannah Berry, Darryl Cunningham and Fumio Obata; find out more about the art of top illustrator Michael Cho (who provided this year’s gorgeous Festival artwork); meet USAGI YOJIMBO creator Stan Sakai; and experience Finnish comics – and the Moomins! – as you have never experienced them before.
The Festival’s opening Gala Opening Night this year will be QUICK ON THE DRAW – a spectacular evening of live draw featuring some of the fastest, funniest and most talented cartoonists on the planet. The legendary Sergio Aragonés (who has only made occasional visits to the UK in the past) will demonstrate his quick-fire genius together with superstars from the United States’ cartooning scene.
Lakes is organised slightly differently this year – instead of paying for individual panel presentations and talks at the Brewery Arts Centre on the Saturday and Sunday, attendees now buy a Pass for each day they want to attend, or indeed the full weekend – no word yet on room clearing or whether it’s first-come first-served, but we’ll reach out to LICAF and find out.
The Passes are priced at:
- SATURDAY (10.30am – 5.30pm): Adult £22.00, Student £17.00, Under 16’s £17.00
- SUNDAY (10.30am – 3.30pm): Adult £19.00, Student £14.00, Under 16’s £14.00
- WEEKEND PASS (excluding Gala Friday): Adult £35.00, Student £25.00, Under 16’s £25.00
All booking are subject to a £1.50 booking fee, and are available to buy on the links above. You get a bunch of guest related goodies as well and a snazzy wristband with your Pass Purchase. Groovy.
Don’t worry, though: the Clock Tower is still free, as are the Canadian Comics Lodge, Finnish Village and Family Zones. The organisers are also expanding their content spaces this year, with interviews and panels taking place in rooms at the Clock Tower and more – let’s take a gander at what makes up this years magnificent ‘three ring circus’:
FRIDAY 13th OCTOBER 2017 – OPENING GALA NIGHT
- QUICK ON THE DRAW 7.30pm (TICKETS)
“Our Gala Opening Night this year will be ‘Quick on the Draw’ – a spectacular evening of live drawing featuring some of the fastest, funniest and most talented cartoonists on the planet.”
“Join legendary co-writer & visual designer Brendan McCarthy for a screening of this unique Black & Chrome edition version of the multi award-winning world-wide smash-hit Mad Max: Fury Road.” Note: this film is a 15 Certificate
BOTH FESTIVAL DAYS (SAT & SUN)
- A DAY TRIP TO MOOMIN VALLEY from 10am
“An opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of the Moomins!”
- MINI ZONE DE BANDE DESSINÉE from 10am
“Introducing budding young artists (aged 4- 6) to the wonderful world of comics!”
- CANADIAN COMICS LODGE from 10am
“Find out all about Canadian comic art and meet creators at the Canadian Comics Lodge.”
- FINNISH VILLAGE from 10am
“How better to celebrate the centenary year of Finnish independence than in Kendal’s impromptu Finnish Village focussing on the work and legacy of internationally-famous artist and writer Tove Jansson?”
SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 2017
“Metaphrog is a remarkable duo based in Scotland who have won many awards and accolades for their unique work and for their constant promotion of comics as a medium.”
“If you think Peter Rabbit means business, then think again!!”
“Michael Palin has declared that “Tony Husband is consistently one of the funniest cartoonists around.”
- CHIP ON CHIP 11.30am
“Chip Zdarsky is (according to his own biography) an award-winning nice man and the co-creator and illustrator of the hugely popular, and sometimes banned, SEX CRIMINALS.”
“An unmissable chance to discover more about the kaleidoscopic world of Melinda Gebbie!”
“LICAF is proud to present an hour of animated comic art entertainment with, the one and only, Steve McGarry and his twin sons, Joe and Luke McGarry.”
“We think Jason Latour is one of the most talented and original comic artists of his generation which is why we are are so excited to welcome him to Kendal this year.”
“Calling all manga addicts! Find out about the favourite manga of other guests and we want to know ‘what’s your favourite manga?’ too.”
“Recognised as one of the most influential British comic artists ever, Bryan will be launching the first and last volume of his epic GRANDVILLE series at the festival this year.”
- OUT THERE – MARIKO TAMAKI 1,30pm
“Mariko Tamaki is a Canadian writer, activist and performer with “an avid interest in freaks, weirdos and other fabulous forms of human behaviour.”
“Your chance to meet THE WALKING DEAD artist Charlie Adlard (and enjoy a hand-crafted beer!)”
“This year LICAF is celebrating the life and work of novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author Tove Jansson.”
“LIES AND OTHER FOOLS is a powerful graphic poem exploring the near-death experience brought about by septicaemia.”
- MAD MEETS VIZ 2.45pm
“Pencils and wit sharpened… you don’t want to miss this LICAF Live Draw extravaganza, as MAD and Viz go head-to-head for the first time!”
“Peter Milligan was at the forefront of the revolution in comics created for a more sophisticated, adult audience.”
“Join John Allison, Ryan North, Emma Vieceli and Dan Berry to explore the new world of the webcomics maestros.”
- THE ART OF MICHAEL CHO 3.30pm
“Michael Cho is a cartoonist and illustrator based in Toronto, Canada… Find out more about him and his work in this fascinating panel.”
“Chip Zdarsky, Duncan Fegredo, Rufus Dayglo and Mariko Tamaki join Peter Kessler to display and discuss comic book covers that have changed the course of comics history.”
“Hosted by John Freeman, this is a excellent opportunity to meet the creative tour de force that is Ivan Petrus – you can see him work too!”
- MANGA MANIA 4,45pm
“Join Miguel Domínguez as he discusses all things manga with Paul Gravett… and he’s launching his new book MANGASIA too!”
“Renowned artist Fumio Obata hosts our festival screening of this award-winning, heart-warming and inspirational anime.”
“Director of the Amiens Comic Art Festival, Pascal Meriaux, presents a festival screening of Luc Besson’s Sci-fi adventure, based on the incredibly popular and influential work created by Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre Christin.”
- NU EARTH BAR @ RUSKINS 10.15pm
“This year Ruskins transforms itself into the Nu Earth Bar celebrating the 40th Anniversary of 2000AD and serving ‘Rogue Trooper’ beer with artwork by Dave Gibbons.”
SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017
- TELLING THE TRUTH 10.30am
“Alex Fitch is joined by Hannah Berry, Darryl Cunningham and Fumio Obata to discuss the power of comic art to expose the truth.”
“Allow Tim Pilcher to guide you through the life of extraordinary creator and psychedelic pioneer Brendan McCarthy.”
“Kick-off Sunday in comic art style and celebrate the history of football in cartoons and comics with Steve McGarry.”
“Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see top syndicated stars Rick Stromoski and Lynn Johnston in interview and action!”
“Join Andrew Woodrow-Butcher and hear Claudia Davila, John Martz, Ryan North and Jillian Tamaki talk about the joys of writing comics for kids.”
- THE BIRTH OF THE GRAPHIC NOVEL 12.30am
“Join Benoît Peeters and John McShane to discover more about Rodolphe Töpffer’s groundbreaking work and comic art style.”
- THERE’S ONLY ONE ARAGONÉS! 12,30am
“Preen/don those moustaches (male, female, adult, child) and get ready to celebrate the life and work (and moustache) of one of the greatest living cartoonists, Sergio Aragonés!”
“2017 marks graphic novel publisher SelfMadeHero’s 10th anniversary.”
- COMICS GOLD 1pm
“Lew Stringer leads a panel looking back at the many highlights of British comics, charting the changes to the industry.”
“Join Dan Berry in comic art conversation with John Martz, Joe Decie and Jason.”
- THE ART OF JILLIAN TAMAKI 1.30pm
“Join artist Jillian Tamaki in interview with Director of the Toronto Comic Art Festival, Chris Butcher.”
“Our annual (and almost legendary) big comic draw this year celebrates the work of Image Comics in its 25th Anniversary year.”
“Join Emma Vieceli for a special screening of the award-winning anime YOUR NAME, based on the manga by Makoto Shinkai.”
EXHIBITIONS
- TALES FROM THE NORDIC ARCHIPELAGO: Kendal Museum, Sunday 1st October – 5th November 2017
Curated by the Finnish Institute in London and the ICA, this fascinating photographic exhibition, looks at the life and work of Finnish artist and writer and creator of the Moomins Tove Jansson (1914 – 2001).
The enchanting Moomins family have been delighting readers since their adventures were first published in the 1940s. Original and rare photographs and material relating to Jansson’s life, family and friendships go beyond the Moomins and reveal a highly talented painter and writer of adult fiction.
Illustrated books and early first editions of the Moomins are included in the exhibition.
Tales from the Nordic Archipelago is supported by the Finnish Institute
- ARCHIPELAGOGO: Wildman Gallery, Sunday 1st October – 5th November 2017
Commissioned by LICAF to celebrate the work of Tove Jansson, this spellbinding multimedia exhibition by super-talented artists Jonathan Edwards and Louise Evans (Felt Mistress) creates a group of fantasy islands (archipelago) and creatures.
Each island and its inhabitants depends on the others e.g. the music created by the inhabitants of one island inspires the work created by the inhabitants on another.
Scenes from each island are depicted in a series of paintings and drawings while the islanders themselves are fully realised as 3D soft sculptures.
The soundtrack is a bespoke soundscape design created by world-renowned DJ, producer and record label owner Andy Votel.
Archipelagogo is supported by the Finnish Institute
- WILL EISNER: A CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION: The Sugar Store Gallery @ Brewery Art Centre, Thursday 12th October – 5th November 2017
The exhibition, ‘Will Eisner: A Centennial Celebration’ features scores of key images from throughout the artist’s long career: rare surviving pages from 1930s comic books, World War II posters, several complete Spirit stories and splash pages, and key sequences from his groundbreaking graphic novels from the 1970s through to 2004.
America’s most prestigious awards for excellence in comics, presented annually at San Diego Comic-Con, are named after him.
All images are giclées, exactingly reproduced from original art provided by the Eisner estate and private collectors.
An oversize full-colour catalogue accompanies the centennial exhibition, which will make only one stop in the United Kingdom…….. Kendal!
With special thanks to Denis Kitchen.
- ON THE PALM OF UNKNOWN: Intro Bar @ Brewery Arts Centre, Thursday 12th October – 5th November 2017
Commissioned by LICAF, this groundbreaking exhibition by acclaimed graphic novelist Fumio Obata makes surprising connections between the nuclear plants at Fukushima and Sellafield.
Originally from Japan, Fumio has spent years researching the aftermath of the devastation caused by a massive tsunami at the Fukushima power plant in 2011.
In experimental and abstract artworks Fumio explores the invisible connections and sentiments between the two different worlds. Without taking a political position Fumio reflects the ambivalent and mixed opinions people have about the nuclear industry, in a comic strip format, based upon his interviews and meetings with local people.
- THE SPIRIT OF EISNER: The Warehouse @ Brewery Arts Centre, Thursday 12th October – 5th November 2017
THE SPIRIT was a 16 page comic section that ran for 12 years from 1940 – 1952, with a circulation of more than 5 million, introducing action, mystery and adventure through the crime-stopping escapades of its hero The Spirit – a dashing, masked vigilante who dispenses justice in ‘Central City’ and beyond.
To celebrate this hugely influential character and comic and to offer a contemporary and original homage to its creator, Will Eisner, this exhibition will feature the artwork from LICAF’s commission ‘The Spirit of Eisner’ plus the winning entries from its student competition ‘Revealing the Spirit of the Lake District’.
The former will create a 12-page broadsheet newspaper with 10 self-contained stories inspired by ‘The Spirit’ written and drawn by a stellar group of creators from a range of comic genres and co-ordinated and designed by Sean Phillips. They are Sergio Aragonés, Seth, Chris Samnee, Jason Latour, Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips, Becky Cloonan, Graham Dury & Simon Thorp, Brendan McCarthy, Peter Milligan & Duncan Fegredo, John M Burns and Jonathan Ross & Bryan Hitch.
The newspaper will be on sale at the festival with proceeds towards LICAF’s Artists’ Development Fund.
About the LAKES INTERNATIONAL COMIC ART FESTIVAL:
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is the only one of its kind in the UK, taking place in one of the UK’s most beautiful areas – the English Lake District in the North West of the country, in the market town of Kendal. Modelled on European-style festivals, such as Angoulême in France, it takes over the whole town for a weekend of comic art. Its aim is to celebrate the whole spectrum of comic art, inspiring existing comic art fans and creators and, it hopes, generating new audiences and creators too. It invests in creators through a commissioning programme and has an emphasis on developing international collaborations.
Follow all the latest updates on what happening at LICAF 2017 by bookmarking the Englishman In San Diego Event Page, by checking in on the Festival Official Webpage (www.comicartfestival.com), or via their social media: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
