(I should point out here that I have nothing against Supanova Pop Culture Expo. Indeed I plan on attending the Brisbane leg later this year -- even though it coincides with the Australian Cartoonists' Association's annual workshop/Award night. There has been some Facebook suggestions about artists boycotting the event -- I am not certain of all the facts or know why this was/is proposed -- and I am not actively choosing to do this by attending these other festivals throughout the year. I simply wasn't able to co-ordinate my work shifts for Sydney's Supanova in June, much as I would have liked to have been there.)
Every year, the Public Libraries in the inner-west of Sydney combine to bring the attention of comics to the community, and this is -- and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong -- the third year of Comic Con-Versation. The events took place from July 3rd for a whole week, culminating in a Comics Lounge (where local comic publishers can share their wares with the public) at the Ashfield Library.
My work commitments did not allow me to attend for the whole week. (Curse this work! If I would only win Lotto, I could be at all these comic-related events all year long, publishing comics until the end of my days! IF I were to only buy a Lotto ticket!) Anyway, I was able to have the weekend of July 9th and 10th off duty from work....so there was nothing to get in my way to allow me to attend the Comic Lounge. Not even Carlene! And flying to Sydney is always fun, as it gives me an opportunity to catch up with my great friend Rob Feldman and family!
There were many comics and books available at the Comic Lounge at the Ashfield Library on that Sunday afternoon. It was good to see so many other artists and cartoonists, happily engaging with the members of the public that were interested in sharing the mutual love of the comic medium. Here are some of the works that stood out (from my viewpoint)....
Thomas Campi remains one of the artists whose colour artwork I have long admired, even though I cannot understand anything about the comics he illustrates! Based in Sydney, Thomas illustrates graphic novels for the European market, and has won many awards for his works. I have secured the Australian rights to his first English-language graphic novel. The title is Joe Shuster, about the life and times of the co-creator of Superman, although the work is not yet complete. I remain convinced that I believe the work will put him in a position where some of the American publishers will be seeking him out for further work, and that he will be better known. [2017: The position, in regards the completion of the work, still remains the same, although it is nearer to completion. So Thomas tells me!]
After purchasing one of his books, Thomas was kind enough to present to me an original (black and white) illustration that he was working on at the time I approached his table. How can I not share it with you here?