Comic Expo

The Bristol International Comic & Small Press Expo, commonly known as Comic Expo or BCE, was an annual comic book convention held in the United Kingdom from 2004 to 2013. The show was held once a year in Bristol in the spring. The organiser was Mike Allwood, formerly of Area 51,[1] a comic shop based in Bristol.

Comic Expo
StatusDefunct
GenreComics
VenueBritish Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall/Ramada Plaza Hotel (2005–2008)
Ramada City Inn/Mercure Holland House Hotel (2009–2011)
Passenger Shed of Brunel Old Station (2012–2014)
Location(s)Bristol
CountryUnited Kingdom
InauguratedNovember 2004
Most recentMay 2014
Attendance2,500 (2013)
Organized byMike Allwood
Filing statusfor-profit
Websitewww.fantasyevents.org/bristolcomicexpo

The convention featured floorspace for exhibitors, including comic book dealers and collectibles merchants. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, one of the highlights of Comic Expo was the Orang Utan Comics film night, which was a staple of the show since 2007. The charity event "Draw the World Together" was an annual part of the show.[1] BCE included a separate "Small Press Expo," an autograph area, as well as a so-called "Artists' Alley" where comics artists signed autographs and sold or offered free sketches.

From 2004[2] to 2008, Comic Expo was the host of the Eagle Awards.

History

BCE replaced a previous Bristol-based UK convention, the Comic Festival, which itself had replaced the United Kingdom Comic Art Convention.[1]

The first Comic Expo was held in Bristol November 6–7, 2004, at the Ramada City Inn. (A so-called "Pro-Con" was held in the same space on November 5.) Guests included Simon Furman, Mike Carey, and Mike Collins. This was very much a trial run by all concerned. Although not very well attended, it established how future events in Bristol would work.

The next BCE, held in May 2005, was a success, with guests such as J. Michael Straczynski, Michael Avon Oeming, Gary Frank, Dave Gibbons, Alan Davis, Brian Bolland,[3] Mike Ploog and Simon Bisley; as well as over 2,000 attendees.[4] The November Brighton Comic Expo was held at the prestigious Metropole Hilton, the largest conference hotel in South England. Guests included Mark Millar, Gilbert Shelton, Dave Gibbons, Sydney Jordan, and Harry Harrison. This was again successful and, with the exception of a few minor criticisms, proved immensely popular with those attending.[5]

Comic Expo Bristol 2006 was a success, with early figures suggesting around 2,000 attendees, as well as the presentation of the Eagle Awards.[6]

The 2008 show was the best attended one so far, with more than 4,000 ticket buyers.[1] The Eagle Awards ceremony was held on Saturday, May 10, presented by comedian Fraser Ayres.[7]

The Great Recession hit the 2009 show hard, as only 650 fans attended.[1] The 2012 show attracted only 300 attendees, with many exhibitors reporting losses. Because of this, there was speculation the show might not survive,[8] but attendance increased for the 2013 show.[9] Nonetheless, the final BCE was held in 2014.

Locations and Dates
DatesVenueAttendanceOfficial guestsNotes
Nov. 6–7, 2004Ramada City InnSimon Furman, Mike Carey, and Mike CollinsEagle Awards presented at CBE for the first time.
May 14–15, 2005British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall/Ramada Plaza Hotel[3]2,000J. Michael Straczynski, Michael Avon Oeming, Gary Frank, Dave Gibbons, Alan Davis, Brian Bolland, Mike Ploog and Simon Bisley
November 19–20, 2005Metropole Hilton (Brighton)2,000Mark Millar, Gilbert Shelton, Dave Gibbons, Sydney Jordan, and Harry HarrisonBrighton show organized with Dez Skinn[10][11]
May 13–14, 2006British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall/Ramada Plaza Hotel2,000Roy Thomas (guest of honour); Geoff Johns, Howard Chaykin, David Lloyd, and Liam Sharp[12]Eagle Awards presentation
May 12–13, 2007British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall/Ramada Plaza HotelKurt Busiek, Brian K. Vaughan, Jeph Loeb, and Jean-Pierre DionnetEagle Awards presentation, hosted by actor/comedian Norman Lovett[13]
May 9–11, 2008British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall/Ramada Plaza Hotel[1]4,000Jim Shooter, Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin, and Dave GibbonsEagle Awards presentation, hosted by comedian Fraser Ayres
May 9–10, 2009Ramada City Inn/Mercure Holland House Hotel650Dan DiDio and Bob Wayne
May 22–23, 2010[14]Ramada City Inn/Mercure Holland House Hotel1,000Richard Starkings, Kieron Gillen, Paul Grist, Charlie Adlard, and Ian Churchill[15]
May 14–15, 2011Ramada City Inn/Mercure Holland House HotelMartin Asbury, Paul Grist, Dave Gibbons, John Higgins, Rick Veitch, and Richard Starkings
May 12–13, 2012Passenger Shed of Brunel Old Station300Dennis O'Neil (guest of honor; but unable to attend); Paul Cornell, Ian Churchill, and Mark Buckingham
May 11–12, 2013Passenger Shed of Brunel Old Station2,500Ian Churchill, Ian Gibson, Boo Cook, Mark Buckingham, Ben Oliver, and Lee Garbett
May 10–11, 2014Passenger Shed of Brunel Old StationJames O'Barr, Arthur Suydam, Michael Golden

References
  1. Gordon, Joe. "For the Love of Comics: A Conversation with Mike Allwood," Archived 2013-12-24 at the Wayback Machine Forbidden Planet International (Aug. 14, 2009).
  2. Patty, Shawn. "2004 Eagle Awards Winners," Comics Bulletin (November 11, 2004).
  3. "Heroes Swoop In To Comic Expo," Games Industry International (21 April 2005)
  4. "Comics Expo, Bristol — May 2005," Archived 2013-12-24 at the Wayback Machine DownTheTubes.net. Accessed Dec. 22, 2013.
  5. "Brighton Comics Expo 2005". (Not to be Confused with) The Truth. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  6. "Eagle Awards 2006 Nominations". Comics Bulletin. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  7. Hunt, James (May 12, 2008). "A Report from Bristol International Comics Expo". Comic Book Resources.
  8. Johnston, Rich. "Tim Pilcher Says Too Many Cons, Not Enough Pros," Bleeding Cool (May 14, 2012).
  9. "Bristol Comic Expo 2013 Review". Comic Conventions. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  10. Carter, Stuart. "Comics Come to Brighton," Emerald City #124 (December 2005).
  11. Johnston, Rich. "CBR Exclusives: Lying in the Gutters," Comic Book Resources (Aug 15, 2005).
  12. Singh, Arune. "Bristol International Comic Expo 2006 — May Update," Comic Book Resources (May 4, 2006).
  13. Official Press Release. "Eagle Awards Website Open for Nominations," Comic Book Resources (Feb 05, 2007).
  14. Johnston, Rich. "Baking In Bristol – Comics Expo 2010," Bleeding Cool (May 23, 2010).
  15. Freeman, John. "In Review: The Bristol Comic Expo 2010," DownTheTubes.net (May 24, 2010).
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