tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.comments2024-03-05T12:36:24.236+00:00Neill's blogNeillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comBlogger837125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-22117088147158053252015-07-24T21:39:33.796+01:002015-07-24T21:39:33.796+01:00Thanks to you for coming to us, Neill, we all had ...Thanks to you for coming to us, Neill, we all had great fun and a truly creative experience! Best of luck for Camp Bestival.Library Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01570490814176677619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-41573800441303032772015-06-23T05:36:22.398+01:002015-06-23T05:36:22.398+01:00Really Santa? you can do ballet? That's cool. ...Really Santa? you can do ballet? That's cool. Try to have a <a href="http://www.arizonadanceartistry.com/" rel="nofollow">children's nutcracker 2015 Phoenix</a>.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08475576794470915700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-53581926723993165482014-10-13T18:43:14.920+01:002014-10-13T18:43:14.920+01:00Comics in Britain today have got all a bit middle ...Comics in Britain today have got all a bit middle class (probably because they're the only ones who can afford them), and therefore Liberal Democrat. Any British-based attempt to create an international society of comics is probably going to devolve into endless cycles of "shall we ban Tintin in the Congo?" and "Let's pressure Japan to stop making porn comics!". <br />I do like the idea of a national network, though. Even if it won't be national-ist, unless I can hijack the leadership. Also, if we get loads of kids into making comics early, they might hone their craft in the teens and twenties, and we could potentially end up with something a bit like the early British videogame industry, where kids, fired up on late-night programmes, would be punching code into the BBC Micro at school to see what happens.<br />The only problem is making an "industry" of those comics. The internet is out, WEBcomics are "stateless", and very healthy already. Digital-only paid for comics are a doomed dead-end, due to, well, a load of stuff that's just as good being available totally gratis. You aren't going to get a big new generation of "cottage industry" print comics into WH Smith (not until it's making billions and THEY are begging US to let them in on the action, anyway). Maybe a national network thing could pool it's resources / donations and, eventually, profits, into paying independent bookshops, "retro stuff" shops and so on to sell the comics?<br />As most of the people in Britain who like comics are followers of the yellow diamond anyway, the comics that result from this mass movement are probably going to look like a printed version of Tumblr or Upworthy, so these "trendy" shops will be only too happy to stock them. And, of course, their clientele will be only too glad to get into the "vanguard of new British art". Though hopefully a lot of those inspired-kids-turned-bedroom-creators will be from all sorts of backgrounds, and before long even builders and taxi drivers and bankers will be reading those comics, too. And they'll be all over dentist's waiting rooms, stuffed in restaurants for people to read while they wait, and so on. And then we'll be Japan... with more stabbings and still no high speed trains or elecricity. But one step at a time.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14722956860700640056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-33983756273943475662014-10-08T10:01:07.921+01:002014-10-08T10:01:07.921+01:00UPDATE 1: I totally should have remembered to incl...UPDATE 1: I totally should have remembered to include the mighty Kev F Sutherland (The Beano, lots of stuff) in my list of Comics Creators Who Do Workshops, because he is THE DUDE AT THAT:<br />http://utproductions.co.uk/masterclass.html<br />(South West)<br /><br />UPDATE 2: The amazing Sarah McIntyre has a waaaaayyyyyyyyy more comprehensive list of Creators Who Do Workshops at the end of this (really, really excellent) post post giving advice to schools and libraries on how to run a successful author / illustrator visit:<br /><br />http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/637011.html Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-74864316847365907312014-10-08T09:32:26.155+01:002014-10-08T09:32:26.155+01:00Hi guys!
ReadItDaddy - thanks for the support, w...Hi guys! <br /><br />ReadItDaddy - thanks for the support, will absolutely keep you notified of any and all Plans and Schemes ;)<br /><br />Jenny - again, thanks for the support! I've heard from a few people who run comics clubs already or who would like to start one, and I'll try and figure out what would be the best way of putting people in touch with each other so we can all share ideas and resources. A blog? A mailing list? *Puts thinking hat on*<br /><br />Also: Kev F! Of course! Dude's a legend. I absolutely should have put him on my list, but couldn't remember where he was based. Thanks!Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-33810445347923557782014-10-06T12:45:25.341+01:002014-10-06T12:45:25.341+01:00Oh- and I forgot to add that my own children love ...Oh- and I forgot to add that my own children love your book, I bought copies for both of the libraries at my school and for myself as I knew it would be inspiring after enjoying your work in The Phoenix. I know they're not comic books as such but Pilkey's Captain Underpants series has had a major influence on my boys (5 and 8) this Summer as they've wanted to produce their own comics just like his characters George and Harold & I also reclaimed my enormous stash of vintage Beano, Whizzer and Chips and Dandy Annuals from my parents so they have gone comics crazy! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01021053220370194834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-10548697648479386102014-10-06T12:22:57.594+01:002014-10-06T12:22:57.594+01:00Totally agree with all of your posts on this Neil-...Totally agree with all of your posts on this Neil- please count me in for your ninja comics agency project. I think that a central website/blog would be a great start as we can use it to share lists of resources and showcase work produced. We've got the Etherington Bros visiting our school after half term so I'm planning on starting some kind of comics club afterwards as I'm hoping that it will inspire children to create as well as read comics. Please also add Kev F Sutherland to your list of awesome comics people who visit schools- I booked him for my son's school a few years ago and he made a big impact on them there<br />http://utproductions.co.uk/masterclass.html<br />(South West)<br />Please feel free to add me to email lists or whatever as I'm very keen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01021053220370194834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-5105637239935551232014-10-03T12:20:43.189+01:002014-10-03T12:20:43.189+01:00Loving the idea of a national (maybe even internat...Loving the idea of a national (maybe even international) comics club. That would definitely be something worth investigating further but I can imagine the effort involved in setting something like that up. It'd so be worth it though!<br /><br />As you've probably guessed, we're backing everything said here to the hilt. Comics and comic creation really do engage kids (and parents) in positive ways and not just for literacy or honing art skills, there's a whole ton of benefits for social interaction, expressiveness and it's good for kids who are naturally introverted, drawing 'em out of their shells too.<br /><br />It's gotta be worth a campaign for 2015. ReadItDaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03701448003248147233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-5043601332629947102014-10-03T11:11:37.294+01:002014-10-03T11:11:37.294+01:00To your first point: thank you for the correction,...To your first point: thank you for the correction, I based that on probably-unreliable internet-sourced data; I did try and find some historical info on sales figures but probably not as diligently as I should have, as that wasn't really the main thrust of the piece.<br /><br />To your second point: SICK BURN!Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-20277006493652267912014-10-03T11:06:48.672+01:002014-10-03T11:06:48.672+01:00Also, I think I spotted another mistake- you accid...Also, I think I spotted another mistake- you accidentally allowed the word 'Beano' to appear alongside Beano artist Laura Howell's name. NPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11576357868923002621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-6171045038081622142014-10-03T11:05:19.176+01:002014-10-03T11:05:19.176+01:00The Eagle never sold 2 million copies a week, the ...The Eagle never sold 2 million copies a week, the only comic that has ever sold over two million copies of one issue was The Dandy in 1951. I wonder if your other facts are as solid?NPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11576357868923002621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-78687167752568214962014-10-03T11:01:04.250+01:002014-10-03T11:01:04.250+01:00Like I said, it's a subjective list: the favou...Like I said, it's a subjective list: the favourites of one particular kid.Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-23338580981424922412014-10-03T10:52:24.150+01:002014-10-03T10:52:24.150+01:00And you seem to have missed off The Beano from you...And you seem to have missed off The Beano from your list.NPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11576357868923002621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-2767621387682306722014-10-02T11:21:30.879+01:002014-10-02T11:21:30.879+01:00Just to let you know that Melanie (Library Mice) a...Just to let you know that Melanie (Library Mice) and I are compiling a new booklist for the Federation of Children's Book Groups focusing on comics and graphic novels- it will be ready April 2015, and then free to any one who wants it eg schools, clubs, individuals.Playing by the bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02761644438775249830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-86216421243260866532014-09-29T21:00:14.576+01:002014-09-29T21:00:14.576+01:00Get teachers turned onto the benefits of comics an...Get teachers turned onto the benefits of comics and the literacy skills that are developed through reading them. The programmes of study for English ask for children to read widely across a range of fiction and non fiction and to develop comprehension skills in discussion with a teacher - comics are perfect for that as there's so much to discuss! I showed my sister and husband a comic at the weekend, one that our comic group made, and they laughed in all the right places and were really impressed, but the comment that stuck with me was 'There's actually a lot involved in reading a comic isn't there? Its quite complicated to work out what's going on and what's happened in each panel, I'm really having to think!' THAT'S the attitude that needs to be shown to teachers and people in charge of texts in the curriculum. I'll stop the ranting now....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167023226359095495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-50198487273559008352014-09-29T18:34:44.091+01:002014-09-29T18:34:44.091+01:00Thanks Alix! That's a really good point, that ...Thanks Alix! That's a really good point, that its hard for schools to measure results from using comics, and that that's why they don't. I hadn't thought of that, and it bums me out. What can we do about it? <br /><br />HMMMM.Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-53854656918945219802014-09-29T16:58:27.099+01:002014-09-29T16:58:27.099+01:00I was going to reply on twitter but there's ju...I was going to reply on twitter but there's just not enough in 140 characters to say how much I agree with ALL this. I still don't get why people disparage comics and say 'only reading comics' - there is so many complex literacy processes going on when reading a comic that is hard to measure. That's why schools don't use them - it's hard to measure the results of a child's interest, understanding and amount of words read in a comic, whereas it's easier to measure accuracy in a standard text. Also teachers who don't read comics can't talk about them to kids, and there are no Cliffs notes to help them! Completely agree about how many comics there were in the 'olden days' too, I read so many, and have passed it on to my daughters. I don't understand the reluctance of so many people to encourage their children to read through comics, what happens in the transition from reading picture books to text books and why aren't comics used to ease it - I'm even considering studying it as a subject for a PhD, if I wasn't so busy reading! Well said Neill, excellent rant. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167023226359095495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-26092273995020679482014-03-04T10:05:49.226+00:002014-03-04T10:05:49.226+00:00Hi
this is really very helpful article. I go throu...Hi<br />this is really very helpful article. I go through this site really very nice information.thank for sharing such a nice information.<a href="http://www.snappingturtlecomics.com/" rel="nofollow">superman comics</a>Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13259289766754281581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-40859032769172146082013-12-01T22:10:23.240+00:002013-12-01T22:10:23.240+00:00Really enjoyed the copy of Jordan's comic that...Really enjoyed the copy of Jordan's comic that I picked up from your and his table. Some great pebble based drama in thereAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07012644438843453070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-16403473439025959022013-11-28T17:18:19.832+00:002013-11-28T17:18:19.832+00:00Indonesian Kid Cigarette Smoking Photos especially...Indonesian <a href="http://funnycoolphotos.blogspot.com/2013/11/indonesian-kid-cigarette-smoking-record.html" rel="nofollow">Kid Cigarette Smoking</a> Photos especially for U ....ONLINE WORLDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13439689405306636929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-37927224336564923842013-11-26T22:02:25.998+00:002013-11-26T22:02:25.998+00:00Thanks for that, Neill. Definitely one of the best...Thanks for that, Neill. Definitely one of the best panels I've been on, mainly down to all of you.Roger Langridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12404576498089582383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-3733663847612819492013-06-03T20:39:58.439+01:002013-06-03T20:39:58.439+01:00Acrylics! Cheap, cheap acrylics.Acrylics! Cheap, cheap acrylics.Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-78136263752765282002013-06-03T18:33:54.216+01:002013-06-03T18:33:54.216+01:00what did you use for colour? Was it acrylic? Awa...what did you use for colour? Was it acrylic? Award for most useful info goes to drawing initial sketch on outside. Obvious once someone says it.Faffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04446264944001513202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-61967749063207276112013-05-08T13:15:55.026+01:002013-05-08T13:15:55.026+01:00Thanks for the shout-out Neill! I look particularl...Thanks for the shout-out Neill! I look particularly scary in that pic, possibly due to the dark shadows, or maybe it's just the inherent wierdness of a grown man in a romper suit! Great write up and picsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07012644438843453070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4570136224774191385.post-40454273826112973962013-05-05T19:43:18.677+01:002013-05-05T19:43:18.677+01:00Adeline: that's so brilliant to hear! Go Nora!...Adeline: that's so brilliant to hear! Go Nora! Look forward to seeing her work in the Phoenix one day :D<br /><br />Julian: that joke was indeed made by (nerdy, grown-up) audience members (such as myself), but oddly none of the kids decided to run with it...Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689901140275643742noreply@blogger.com