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GLASGOW COMIC CON The homegrown event keeps its literary focus
G lasgow is set to be the scene of the battle of the comic conventions. The contenders are the three-year-old Glasgow Comic Con, on this month, (CCA, Sat 13–Sun 14 Jul) and the in-no-way-affiliated inaugural MCM Expo Scotland Comic Con (SECC, Sat 7 Sep). It’s Glasgow’s own Judean People’s Front versus The People’s Front of Judea, but with spandex.
Great news, then, for hardcore fans of superheroes and cosplay, but also for literary types who may be new to comics. The next few weeks are a good chance to dip a toe into some of the finest graphic novel universes. Since the annual Glasgow Comic Con began in 2011, it’s kept a strong literary focus. Expect to see a huge number of authors
and artists, including Alan Davis (working on Wolverine), Alan Grant (writer of graphic novels featuring Batman and Superman), and Spider-Man supremo Barry Kitson. Popular narratives and obscure titles alike are available to browse, and you can also meet publishing groups including Scottish collective Team Girl Comic. There’s a cosplay competition too, so if you’re up for fully embracing the world of comics this year, it might just be worth investing in a sewing machine as well as some extra bookshelf space. (Charlotte Runcie)
Glasgow Comic Con, CCA, Glasgow, Sat 13–Sun 14 Jul; MCM Expo Scotland Comic Con, SECC, Glasgow, Sat 7 Sep.
50 THE LIST 11 Jul–22 Aug 2013
HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
✽ Glasgow Comic Con If it’s wrong to nerd out on comics, then we don’t want to be right. Star-spot, dress up in your finest cosplay duds or just browse and buy from the fine selection of narrative art on offer. CCA, Glasgow, Sat 13–Sun 14 Jul.
✽ Patti Smith Punk poet Patti Smith mixes
spoken word and music. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Mon 12 Aug.
✽ Charlaine Harris: Dead Ever After True Blood might be a guilty pleasure, but it’s a bloody good one. This is the very last book in the series, so you can find out what happens to Sookie long before your TV-watching friends. Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Wed 17 Jul.
✽ Rustle of Leaves: A Listening Walk Join
feminist environmentalist poet Mandy Haggith for a guided walk around Edinburgh’s loveliest green space. Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh, Fri 12 Jul.
✽ Christopher Brookmyre: Flesh
Wounds As Chris Brookmyre fans know, the ever-charming author never fails to entertain. Waterstones West End, Edinburgh, Thu 1 Aug.
✽ Popcorn Horror Want to terrify people, but not sure where to start? Learn how to
keep your stories short and scary at this writing workshop from the folks behind Popcorn Horror, an app for short horror films. Glasgow Women’s Library, Glasgow, Wed 24 Jul.
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