British Comic Art Convention


The British Comic Art Convention was an annual British comic book convention which was held between 1968 and 1981, usually in London. The earliest British fan convention devoted entirely to comics, it was also the birthplace of the Eagle Awards.
Most editions of Comicon took place over two days, usually on a Saturday and Sunday. 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 Comicon was the Saturday all-night film show.

History

The first Comicon was organized by 18-year-old Phil Clarke and was held 30 August – 2 September 1968 in Birmingham, England. The first show attracted both professional and amateur creators of the time, including, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Steve Moore, and Nick Landau. It also featured a "fancy dress" contest, in which contestants dressed up as characters from the comic books.
Comicon '69, held in London, was organized by retailer Bram Stokes, "Godfather of British fandom" Frank Dobson, and Steve Moore. The convention booklet featured original illustrations by Vaughn Bodē, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando, Al Williamson, Jeff Jones, and Bernie Wrightson. Films screened included The Black Knight, an episode of the 1954 Flash Gordon TV show, and Heading West, a Durango Kid film.
Comicon '70 was organized by Sam Plumb and held in Sheffield, the convention booklet featured original art by Mike Higgs and Trevor Goring.
Comicon '71 returned to London, and was organized by Bram Stokes and later-Marvel UK editor Dez Skinn. - the convention booklet featured original art by Dave Gibbons, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie and Mike Higgs.
Comicon '72, the fifth annual show, was organized by Nick Landau, later to become publisher of Titan Books. The Comicon '72 program booklet featured artwork by Dave Gibbons, Robert Crumb, Kevin O'Neill, and Mike Higgs. Attendees included comedian Bob Monkhouse and Monty Python member Terry Gilliam; Brian Bolland made his first professional contacts.
Comicon '73, planned and promoted by Bram Stokes and John Mansfield, was scheduled for the weekend of 21–22 July at London's Regent Centre Hotel, with special guests Frank Bellamy and Morris. The show being abruptly canceled shortly before it was scheduled, however, the event was salvaged by Nick Landau and Rob Barrow, who by that time were promoters of the competing London Comic Mart shows. Landau and Barrow managed to put on a one-day show on 22 July at the usual location of the Waverley Hotel. Barrow organized the convention for at least the next four years.
The Comicon '76 convention booklet featured artwork by Dave Gibbons, John Bolton, Kevin O'Neill, Paul Neary, Brian Bolland, Ron Embleton, John M. Burns, Brian Lewis, Martin Asbury, Frank Hampson, John Romita, Sr., Bryan Talbot, and Hunt Emerson.
The tenth anniversary show, Comicon '77, hosted the first presentation of the Eagle Awards, organized by Mike Conroy, Nick Landau, Colin Campbell, Phil Clarke, and Richard Burton. The Comicon '77 program booklet featured interviews with Brian Bolland and Dave Gibbons; and artwork by Hunt Emerson, Leslie Stannage, Frank Frazetta, and John Byrne.
The Comicon '78 convention booklet featured a cover by Frank Bellamy; an appreciation of Don McGregor by Richard Burton; a Michael Kaluta interview by Chuck Dixon; and artwork by Jack Kirby, Frank Thornton, Fred Holmes, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Brian Lewis, Judith Hunt, Mike McMahon, Frank Humphries, Joe Staton, Trevor Goring, Keith Watson, Ron Embleton, Dicky Howett, Frank Hampson, John Bolton, Walt Simonson, and Hunt Emerson. Films shown during the "All Nite Film Show" were Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, Jabberwocky, Freebie and the Bean, Freaks, Vault of Horror, Monkey Business, and Dr. Cyclops. The Sunday films were the recent James Bond films Live and Let Die and Rollerball.
Comicon' 79, or "British Comic Art Convention 11," was sponsored by Valhalla Books of Ilford, Essex, and organized by Ian Starling, Neville Ferris, and Ian Knox. It took place August 11-12, 1979.
Details are sketchy as to whether a 1980 convention took place or not; the final incarnation of Comicon was held in 1981 in London, organized by Dez Skinn and Frank Dobson.

Locations and dates

DatesLocationOrganizerOfficial guestsNotes
30 August – 2 September 1968Midland Hotel, BirminghamPhil ClarkeAlan Moore, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Steve Moore, and Nick Landauand Frank Dobson
1969Waverley Hotel, LondonBram Stokes, Frank Dobson, and Steve MooreSteve Parkhouse and Barry Smith
1970Rutland Hotel, SheffieldSam Plumb
27–28 February 1971Waverley Hotel, LondonBram Stokes and Dez SkinnFrank Bellamy ; Frank Dickens, Mick Farren, and Edward Barker
5–6 August 1972Waverley HotelNick Landau5th annual show
22 July 1973Waverley HotelNick Landau and Rob Barrow
21–22 July 1974Regent Centre Hotel, LondonRob BarrowDenis Giffordsubtitled "Comic Mart Summer Special 1974"
2–3 August 1975Regent Centre HotelRob BarrowFrank Hampson and Paul Neary
21–22 August 1976Regent Centre HotelRob BarrowPaul Neary, Tony Weare, Dave Gibbons, John Bolton, Kevin O'Neill, Brian Bolland, Ron Embleton, John M. Burns, Brian Lewis, Martin Asbury, Frank Hampson, John Romita, Sr., Bryan Talbot, Hunt Emerson
3–4 September 1977Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, LondonRob BarrowFirst annual presentation of the Eagle Awards
29–30 July 1978Bloomsbury Centre HotelRob Barrow and Colin CampbellDon McGregor ; George Pérez, Jim Salicrup, Duffy Vohland, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Brian Lewis, Trevor Goring, Dez Skinn, Dave Gibbons2nd annual presentation of the Eagle Awards
11–12 AugustLondonIan Starling, Neville Ferris, and Ian KnoxJim Starlin
1981LondonDez Skinn and Frank DobsonFrank Miller, Alan Davis, Paul Neary, Bryan Talbot, Richard Burton, Bernie Jaye, Martin Asbury, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, John M. Burns, Ron Embleton, Dave Gibbons, Don Lawrence, and Mick Anglo