Watchmen creator Alan Moore is to make his first official comic convention appearance as the guest of honour at the first ever Northants International Comics Expo (NICE) over the weekend of 22-23 September at Wickstead Park.
For nearly 30 years Alan Moore has been universally acclaimed as the most ground-breaking and literate comic writer in the world. His early days in UK comics such as 2000AD and Warrior led to the creation of enduring stories such as The Ballad Of Halo Jones and V For Vendetta . He redefined the idea of superhero icons in The Killing Joke , Marvelman and most notably Watchmen , which is still the only graphic novel on TIME magazine's 100 Greatest Novels list. From there he has created an eclectic body of work such as From Hell , Lost Girls and The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman . He is renowned as both an entertaining and enlightening speaker by those lucky enough to have experienced one of Alan Moore's rare readings or talks, and NICE 2012 is delighted to announce that he has graciously accepted the invitation to be Guest of Honour at our inaugural 2012 event.
On the Saturday evening of NICE 2012, Moore will give an unprecedented hour-long talk, sharing his comic-writing expertise. Visitors to the convention can then experience an hour-long Q&A session.
The convention is also running a prize draw for all tickets sold by 15 September. They’ll be entered into a draw for five sketches from attending artists; the first five names drawn will receive five sketches each and then be added to a further draw for a signed Watchmen HC signed by both Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
The convention will also feature signing and sketch sessions from an array of major international comic creators. In addition, NICE 2012 will host art workshops for children, cos-play competitions, original art galleries and auctions, live music, discussions and Q&A panels, and much more! There will also be a large dealers’ area to search for those rare back issues and collectables . The dealers, cos-play and art gallery areas will all be free to access all weekend with no entrance ticket required.
NICE and Alan Moore will be supporting a donation program on behalf of Northamptonshire Libraries . Throughout the weekend you will be able to visit the Library's table and donate your old graphic novels and trade paperbacks . Please help and recycle those unwanted books so these local libraries build a better selection of graphic novels and TPB's for your communities! Every book that is donated will also be matched by another thanks to the generosity of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.
To kick-start these donations it will be requirement that a donation is made to this program for entry to either of the ALAN MOORE panels. Your proof of donation, along with your show ticket, will be required for admission. Please note that due to the expected high demand for these panels they will take place in the evening after the main convention day has ended and attendees may enjoy the rest of the Park's facilities before re-entering the main venue after seating has been reorganised.
Attending Guests
The list of other confirmed guests features acclaimed creators from all the major UK and US publishers. They include:
Charlie Adlard
Simon Bisley
Doug Braithwaite
Ian Churchill
Alan Davis
Steve Dillon
Marko Djurdjevic
Glenn Fabry
Melinda Gebbie
RM Guera
Adi Granov
David Hine
Shaky Kane
Dave Kendall
Clint Langley
Ben Oliver
Esad Ribic
Greg Staples
John Watson
All signing sessions will be free of charge to convention ticket holders .
Wicksteed is located on the outskirts of Kettering in Northamptonshire, and is easily accessible from London by Rail (via London St. Pancras). If you wish to drive, the park has a large number of parking facilities available. Please see www.wicksteedpark.co.uk for all the details of the many attractions that this historic British park has to offer.
Tickets and Enquiries
Tickets, contact details and further information, are available from the convention website: www.northantsinternationalcomicsexpo.com
Prices are £15 (+£1 handling charge) for a Saturday or Sunday day ticket, or £25 (+£1 handling charge) for a full weekend ticket.
