The Bristol International Comic & Small Press Expo, commonly known as Comic Expo or BCE, is an annual comic book convention held in the United Kingdom. The show is held once a year in Bristol in the spring. The organiser is Mike Allwood, formerly of Area 51, a comic shop based in Bristol.
The convention features 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 is the Orang Utan Comics film night, which has been a staple of the show since 2007. The charity event "Draw the World Together" is an annual part of the show. BCE includes a separate "Small Press Expo," an autograph area, as well as a so-called "Artists' Alley" where comics artists sign autographs and sell or offer free sketches.
From 2006â€"2008, Comic Expo was the host of the prestigious Eagle Awards.
History
BCE replaced a previous Bristol-based UK convention, the Comic Festival, which itself had replaced the United Kingdom Comic Art Convention.
The first Comic Expo was held in Bristol November 6â€"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, Mike Ploog and Simon Bisley; as well as over 2,000 attendees. 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.
Comic Expo Bristol 2006 was a huge success, with early figures suggesting around 2,000 attendees. In addition, the Eagle Awards were presented at CBE for the first time.
The 2008 show was the best attended one so far, with more than 4,000 ticket buyers. The Eagle Awards ceremony was held on Saturday, May 10, presented by comedian Fraser Ayres.
The Great Recession hit the 2009 show hard, as only 650 punters attended. The 2012 show attracted only 300 attendees, with many exhibitors reporting losses; there was speculation the show might not survive. But attendance bounced back for the 2013 show, with more than 2,500 ticket buyers.
Locations and Dates
References
External links
- Official website
- Hypotheticals 2008 panel website
