These days I don't get to conventions very often, but on Saturday I decided to check out Doujicon 4. One reason I like this trader and artist based comics convention is that it combines the local Western comics and manga/anime scenes better than any other. Also, it's small :).

 Best of all, the good people at OzTAKU have just released the OzTAKU Subsequence anthology, a compilation of manga tales from local (and some overseas artists), including the complete 16 page Moth & Tanuki story, Night of the Mothbots. I think it's one of my better efforts, and tells a substantial story that works as a standalone (so a good place to start).

The anthology itself is fantastic. Edited by Robet Eiva, it is in a digest-sized format familiar to manga readers (and pleasantly reminiscent of the underrated Xuan Xuan). With a catchy cover from Hollow Fields star Madeleine Rosca, it's full of fascinating stories in a wide variety of manga-related styles, along with short interviews. I really like this book - hope it gets the wide circulation it deserves!
Otherwise, I greatly enjoyed catching up with so many local comickers, new and old - talking to all these artists and writers, and picking up a stack of new books, is what I really enjoy at conventions. What really amazes (and pleases) me is just how many local female comics artists and writers were there - it's a good sign about the nature of our comics/manga scene here in Australia! I was knocked out by quite a few people's art, including getting to see some original pages (always a treat).

I'm feeling enthusiastic about the future of comic-making in Australia - it's never been more exciting!

Labels: Comic anthologies, Doujicon, Moth and Tanuki, OzTAKU, OzTAKU Subsequence

Yes, indeed, Doujicon ("Australia's first fully-fledged self-published cartoonists and animators convention") on Saturday definitely rocked!

There were classes and discussions going on downstairs that looked well-attended, but I didn't get to any of those, as I spent nearly all my time upstairs in the traders' area. I managed to get around to various tables, but missed buying a few titles I planned to - mostly due to being on our own table, but partly due to the throngs around many tables when I approached (a good problem for an event like this to have!). Meeting so many other local artists for the first time was great - I'm always amused by how artists look like the way they draw! Fortunately, I had my somewhat beaten up copy of Operation Funnybone with me to get a few more signatures and pictures added. A lot of people had come from interstate - even just our table consisted of people from Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria!

I sat on a table with Tonia Walden (of too many comics to mention), Scott Beattie of Seven Swords, and Aaron & Warwick Burgess of Comics Australia. (I'm not in the picture, but that's my empty chair :)). We had quite a range of A5 format comics for sale, including Tonia's anthologies (Once Upon a Time, Eat Comics, Pirates and Meus Officium Est Abyssus #1 and #2*), the three issues of The Ink, Scott's Seven Swords and Kittyboy, and Daniel Reed's excellent The Crumpleton Experiments #5 & #6.

Full marks must go to Avi Bernshaw and all the OzTaku gang for the amazing effort put into this gathering and the great success that it was! Avi had even arranged food for we traders, which was sooo appreciated.

For loads more pics, check out the gallery provided by the good Mr. Aaron Burgess at Comics Australia Doujicon pictures. You may even find a picture of me there!


* More on this new anthology soon...

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On another note, my oldest daughter, H., turned 18 on Friday, and she's growing up nicely, but it is kind of hard to take in - I was a young parent! :)

Labels: Australian comics, Doujicon

Australia's first fully-fledged self-publishing cartoonists & animators convention is on this Saturday, 29th July from 10:00am at Monash University, Caulfield Campus. It's $5 to get in and there'll be loads of Auscomics for sale, with artists coming from across Australia to flog their stuff. There's a heap of good new books out, including The Ink #3 (and the first two will also be on sale). So I'll be seeing you there! :)

Labels: Doujicon