Since my last post on a here a few more guests have confirmed for the 2009 show these include:

PASQUAL FERRY

DAVID LLOYD

BRYAN TALBOT

& ANDY DIGGLE

Plus loads more. The full list is on our website at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/guests.htm

all the best

Shane

The venue is booked and guests are starting to confirm for BICS 2009!

This year's guests include:

Howard Chaykin
Charlie Adlard
Alan Davis
Duncan Fegredo
John McCrea
Sean Phillips
Rufus Dayglo

plus many more.

150 tables with over 100 exhibitors including Forbidden Planet, Gosh Comics, Incognito, Apocalypse Comics, Knockabout, Markosia, 2000ad and many many more!

A full program of special events with signings, book launches, panels quizzes and exclusive guest interviews.

This year at the Birmingham International Comics Show budding writers will be given the chance to enter the BICS GOT TALENT writing competition.

Entrants will be able to pitch an idea for a Tharg's Future Shock to a star line up of professional Judges and the final three will face an audience vote to decide which story will be illustrated by a top 2000ad artist and published in a forthcoming issue.

The final winner will receive full payment for their story as first prize, and the runner's up will receive exclusive 2000ad prizes.

To enter keep an eye on our website for updates and further details.
Only those attending the show both days will be able to enter this competition.

We are proud to announce our first confirmed international special guest for 2008 as comics legend Michael Golden.

Michael will be attending both days and taking part in panels and events.

More news to follow!

Shane

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the show this year: Guests, Exhibitors and Fans alike. It couldn't happen without you.

Next year's event is happening - again at the Think Tank - with more space booked and more guests invited to attend.

Hope to see you all there.

Chebbo

Hi Folks.

Set up times for exhibitors are as follows:

Exhibitors who have booked one table can set up 8am - 10.30am on Saturday 13th October.

Exhibitors who have booked two or more tables have an additional set up window on Friday 12th October and can start to set up from 4pm - 6pm.

These times are rigid, and cannot be extended due to our agreement with the venue.

Anybody arriving outside of these times will not have access to the main hall, so please be prompt.

We hope you have a fun and profitable weekend!

all the best,

Shane, James and Andy

The organisers of this years BICS are proud to welcome Kevin Nowlan to the UK for a weekend visit in October.

We're all huge fans ourselves, and are really excitied to have such an accomplished and respected artist at the show.

That's right folks... Multi talented Hellboy creator Mike Mignola has confirmed for this year's show.

We're really looking forward to welcoming Mike to Birmingham.

Charlie Adlard, Leah Moore, John Reppion and Andi Watson have also said they will definately be there!

And the guest list continues to grow......!

At last we can confirm dates and a venue for this years Birmingham Show.

On the 13th and 14th October we will be putting on the biggest comics event of the year at The Think Tank at Birmingham's Millenium Point.

With twice as many exhibitor spaces and twice as many star guest this event is a huge step forward from last years cosy little event at the Custard Factory.

Just today we received confirmation from Mike Carey who will be there both days.

Also confirmed: Duncan Fegredo and Garry Leach.

More big announcements to follow!

Shane

Hi Folks,

Here are some photos from BICS 2006.

Spot anyone you know?

Hi Folks,

I just want to take this moment, to officially say thank you to those of you who attended the show this weekend:

All the Visitors, Exhibitors, and Guests who helped to make it a huge success.

We had a few little teething problems over the weekend, but many of you pitched in to help, and many of you were very understanding and patient too, so thank you many times over...you know who you are!

Thanks to your feedback and encouragement, next year will be even better.

best wishes

Shane, Andy, James and Paul

One last post before the show:

Firstly,

It looks as though Linoleum Press have had to cancel their booking with us, and as such, we now have no one to host the Comics Jam, which runs from 6pm - 8pm.

If you are a live art lover, and would like to host this event, (which basically means watching over drunken artists to make sure they don't just draw offensive material for two hours) please email me now at: chebbo@aol.com or telephone me on 07843 443340 and I'll be really pleased to her from you.

Secondly: For exhibitors who aren't sure about car paking and loading etc, there is now a full map of the parking and loading areas online at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/BICSCARPARKING.pdf

If your table number is under #51 then you will be in Hall #1.

If your table number is between #51 - #77 you will be in Hall #2.

see you there,

all the best,
Shane

Ok Folks,

I'm going to be in Birmingham from now on, until the end of the show, so this will be my final update for a while.

We are hoping to put on an event next year, so please feel free to leave as much feedback as you like here once the show is over. We value your opinion very much.

Full floorplans and an events program are now available on the main website.

A full signing and sketching schedule will be available at the main entrance on saturday morning.

If your coming along, I hope you have a great weekend, and I look forward to reading your comments (good or bad) next week.

all the best,

Shane

To all exhibitors at the show:

Here are some tips that you may find helpful:

1> Make sure you bring a cloth to cover your table. A bare wooden table looks really naff, and you'll sell more books if you look professional.

2> If you don't ave a wall table and you want to display artwork, make sure you arrange to bring a backing board with you as there won't be any available on the day.

3> Exhibitor passes will NOT be posted out,so don't worry that you don't have yours yet. Everyone who has booked and paid for a table is now on the floorplan which shoud be online soon. If you have not yet paid for your table, then you will not have a table at the show.

4> There is free onsite parking and a back entrance to the main exhibition areas available. However, for overnigt parking I'd suggest moving your vehicles to your hotel car park, or the free car park nearbye.

5> Let us know if you will need any cover for your table for breaks or panels and we will try to help.

have a great weekend!

Shane

Just a few updates:

The exclusive access to the onsite Bars, has now been put back to 8.30pm due to the Zane Lo gig needing set up time. However, I can personaly recomend the Radisson bars for a nice place to have a drink, as well as the nearbye Crown pub.

Friday set up is now extending to 6pm,

and the late night film show, will probably now be winding down around midnight, due to staffing issues.

Shane

Hi Folks,

I've been asked a few questions about the show lately,which tend to be repeated, so I thought I'd answer them here:

1. To find out about car parking, please email andy@thecomicsshow.co.uk
2. Friday set up for exhibitors is available from around 2pm until 5pm. Please telephone me on 07843 443340 on the day for confirmation.
3. Floor plans and the events program will be available to exhibitors as soon as all tables are booked, and to visitors at the main entrance on the day.

4.Under 5's get in free with a paying adult.

5.There are 3 onsite bars, all of which will be exlusive show bars until 10pm.
6. Advanced regitrants will not be posted tickets for the show. You will receive your passes on arrival. Your pay pal reciept can be used as proof of purchase, if you post an advanced reg. form to us with payment, we will confirm your booking via email.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to post them on this forum, or email me at: shane@thecomicsshow.co.uk

OK, We now have a PO Box for all cheques and mail enquires:

International Comic Shows,
PO BOX 4820
TIPTON
DY4 7BB

We also have a Pay Pal account for anyone wishing to register in advance (please use the note in the pay pal options to say what you are paying for).

Any exhibitors paying via pay pal, please also send a completed application form from the website, otherwise you won't get a table, just write your pay pal email on the back of the form.

all the best,
Shane

Ok, It seems that getting a PO BOX is now a complete pain in the arse. Therefore anyone wnating to post registration or Exhibiton forms, please send them to me

That's right folks, even more top guests are now confirmed for the show including:
Hunt Emerson, Paul Grist, Andy Diggle, Andi Watson and all the way from the US...exclusive Marvel artist Skottie Young.

I don't know about you, but I know I can't wait until December 9th!!
More guests to be confirmed.

The Exhibitor Booking form is now available for download at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/exhibitors.htm

all the best
Shane