Category: Events

Frankenstein Begins this Saturday

In association with the Scottish Centre for Comics Studies, DeeCAP, and the Dundee Comics Creative Space.

Join us at The McManus art gallery and museum in Dundee as we launch an exhibition of sketches and storyboards that form the basis of a specially commissioned comic (Mary Shelley’s Dundee; or, Frankenstein Begins!) in which the team (Murray-Millar-Vaughan) creatively revisit Mary Shelley’s formative experiences in Dundee just as she was on the cusp of bringing her greatest creation, Frankenstein, to life. The artists will discuss the process of adapting the source material into script and finally an illustrated comic, stage by stage. Members of the public will even be able to join us in creating their own illustrations or short comic on the spot. DeeCAP will be bringing the comic to life before our very eyes! Not to be missed!

10am-12pm: comics activities for kids run by The McManus

2-5pm: talks and drop-in sessions with Dr Chris Murray and the team (come by at your leisure)

6pm: formal launch of the comic, with performances (starring DeeCAP)

This event forms part of the “Mary Shelley’s Dundee” series taking place during the national Being Human Festival.

Free but bookable at our eventbrite page.

FRANKENSTEIN BEGINS

Watch the specially created comic FRANKENSTEIN BEGINS come to life! The play will have interactive elements, allowing the audience to meet Mary Shelley, author of the famous Gothic novel, and her real-life friend Isabel, daughter of a local jute baron, as she fuels her imagination in the City of Discovery. In association with DeeCAP.
Free but ticketed, visit the FRANKENSTEIN BEGINS eventbrite page to book.

This event is associated with the Frankenstein Begins: A Comic Workshop and Exhibition on display at The McManus Art Gallery & Museum, which will be launched on Saturday 21 November, 2-5pm.

Part of the Mary Shelley’s Dundee series of events running as part of the national Being Human Festival.
The FRANKENSTEIN BEGINS is by Chris Murray and Norrie Millar.

Dundee Literary Festival 2015

We were very pleased to link up with Dundee Literary Festival last week for our Sneak Preview events. They have just posted a short video of Festival highlights. Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot some comics related guests such as Dave Gibbons, Karrie Fransman, and the Ex Libris Book Fair.

The video for Dundee Literary Festival 2014 is worth a look to as it features Pat Mills and Woodrow Phoenix among others.

Dundee Literary Festival 2015 from Literary Dundee on Vimeo.

Superheroes vs Monsters

This Saturday! An event for all the family.

Join Igor and friends — including Scotland’s first superhero, Saltire — for a family-friendly day of hands-on Science experiments, feverish face-painting and monstrous mask-making. There will be also regularly scheduled talks on Mary Shelley, the mother of Science Fiction, and on the comic book tradition. Why not take home a special “Frankenstein me!” caricature of your own little monsters to keep? To mark the occasion “Franken-selfies” are a must! Themed snacks and baked goods will also be on sale. Oh, and feel free to dress up (you, too, mums and dads); after all, it is Halloween, the funnest day of the year. We’re pleased to confirm that the Dundee Science Centre will knock off 25% of the price of admission for those in fancy dress. Families, students, superheroes and monsters… FUN FOR ALL!

The Fun Day launches a series of events collectively entitled “Mary Shelley’s Dundee”, which will be hosted by the School of Humanities at the University of Dundee during the nationwide Being Human Festival of the Humanities (12-22 November). Other events include two “Dead Dundee” walking tours, a “Ghost Writing” evening at Braes, a comic exhibition and workshop at The McManus, a comic-based play at The Little Theatre, and more. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Dundee series of events will celebrate the author of Frankenstein (1818), Mary Shelley, who spent considerable time in Dundee during her teenage years.

See the Superheroes vs Monsters Facebook page for details.

Dave Gibbons: Creating Comics Workshop

Thursday 22nd October 11am-12pm.

Dundee Creative Comics Space.
Free but ticketed.
See the Literary Dundee website for booking details.

Dave Gibbons, an Honorary Graduate from the University of Dundee, is one of the most famous comics artists in the world, best known as the co-creator of Watchmen, the ground-breaking graphic novel written by Alan Moore. He is also the UK’s first Comics Laureate.

Today he leads a ‘Creating Comics’ workshop for 14-17 year olds – a brilliant opportunity to learn more about Dave’s methods in producing comic art, to use his expertise to produce your own, and to explore Dundee’s new comics space.

Part of Dundee Literary Festival.

Sneak Preview of Dundee Comics Creative Space

Sneak preview of Dundee Comics Creative Space with Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Letty Wilson and Norrie Millar. DCCS is hosting an informal open day for anyone interested in trying their hand at comic production on Wednesday 21st October and industry stars Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Norrie Millar and Letty Wilson will be on hand at 2pm to pass on advice or just speak about comics. They, along with other big names from the comics world, will also take part in talks, workshops and other events as part of the Literary Festival. Look out for our extra special guest, a legendary comics figure from Dundee who will be on hand to greet you.

All ages. Free but booking required at the DCCS eventbrite page.

Industry giants to help launch Dundee Comics Creative Space during Literary Festival

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

Giants from the comics industry will visit Dundee next week for a sneak preview of a new studio aiming to produce the next generation of superstar artists and writers.

The Dundee Comics Creative Space (DCCS), situated in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, will be officially opened early in 2016 but a series of special preview events will take place next week as part of this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

DCCS is a new social enterprise and studio project developed by the University of Dundee in collaboration with The Rank Foundation and the Dundee Place Partnership Scheme. The aim is to provide educational workshops and creative opportunities for various age groups and to encourage creative learning through comics.

DCCS will host an informal open day for anyone interested in trying their hand at comic production on Wednesday, 21st October and industry stars Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Norrie Millar and Letty Wilson will be on hand to pass on advice or just speak about comics. They, along with other big names from the comics world, will also take part in talks, workshops and other events as part of the Literary Festival.

Dr Chris Murray, DCCS Operations Director and a Senior Lecturer at the University, said, “We are delighted that prominent figures from the world of comics are once again taking part in the Dundee Literary Festival.

“Having writers and artists of their stature here is inspirational for anyone who wishes to work in comics, and indeed anyone with a love of the genre. The point of DCCS is to help young comics enthusiasts to develop their skills and nurture the Dave Gibbons’ and Cam Kennedy’s of tomorrow. This is a really exciting development for Dundee and will help cement our place as the home of the British comic industry.”

The 2015 Dundee Literary Festival programme will see some 50 talks, readings, workshops and other events take place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th October. The critically acclaimed writers appearing include Jackie Kay and Janice Galloway. Rab C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher’s appearance coincides with the launch of his new book about the amazing story of the biological family he traced after finding out he was adopted.

Actor and writer Nick Frost (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) will also be discussing the personal journey recounted in his memoir Truths, Half Truths and Little White Lies while 2013 winner of the Great British Bake Off Frances Quinn will be talking about her first cook book, Quintessential Baking.

A series of events showcasing the freshest new voices in literature and workshops for aspiring writers will also be held at the Festival, which will also see the winner of the 2015 Dundee International Book prize announced.

More information is available at the Literary Dundee website.

The comics events taking place during the five-day run are:

  • Wednesday 21st October

2-4pm – sneak preview of Dundee Comics Creative Space with Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Letty Wilson and Norrie Millar.

4pm – Comics legend Dave Gibbons will be giving a talk at Bonar Hall.

  • Thursday 22nd October

11am – Dave Gibbons will lead a workshop at DCCS for aspiring comics creators aged 14-17.

6-8pm – Comics Creators Jam at DCCS featuring Cam Kennedy, Dan McDaid, Montynero, Ian Kennedy and Tom Foster.

  • Friday 23rd October

2.30pm – comic artists Mike Collins and Tom Foster will discuss the comics scene today, how it’s changed and what the future might hold at Bonar Hall.

4pm – Mike Collins will be discussing his work producing storyboards for the series of Dr Who currently showing on BBC1 at DCCS.

5.30pm – William Goldsmith and Catherine Simpson will discuss about their wonderful books and their journeys to publication at Bonar Hall.

  • Saturday 24th October

2.15pm – Will Morris and David McKenzie will discuss comics, graphic novels, the eternal hunt for inspiration and other Adventures in Design at Bonar Hall.

6.30pm – Karrie Fransman and Sepideh Jodeyri will discuss freedom of speech and the power of comics to transcend cultural boundaries at Bonar Hall.

See the Events page for more details.