LUC@176

Posted: June 29th, 2009 | Author: sean azzopardi | Filed under: Conventions | Tags: 176, 2009, Azzopardi, Comics, London, Sean, Undeground | 4 Comments »

(Click above for photos)
Well, that was a fucking success I shouted Into Oli’s ear, as we enjoyed the after show pub session at the enterprise.
For an outsider this could be seen as yet another bold, ego laden and over hyped statement coming out of the rather large mouth of LUC. But this is deserved. Just ask the people who took part either exhibiting or visiting .

The event was a long time in the planning and organizing stage. Six months, after being invited by Matt Stokes to join his three month long festival of events, Club Ponderosa. A long gestation time, sure. But the venue itself is what kept the enthusiasm fresh and tangy. A former Methodist church, with loads of large spaces, and small secret little spaces. LUC were given the use of the spacious back room. This was The main area for Club Ponderosa. The idea being that it would develop organically over the duration, the decor, audio visual equipment and whatever was left behind from theatre groups gigs performances , etc.
So what has this got to do with comics?
Well, the main man behind LUC, Oli Smith has always stressed the desire to bring comics to a non comic reading audience, educating and expanding a new audience. This is also aligned to making the selling and exhibiting of comics for self publishers, making it a low cost and if possible free participation. This last aim was achieved through a combination festival policy and sponsorship from Gosh, that fine comic shop in central London.
So for one day 45 exhibitors have a free space in a pretty amazing setting, with free refreshments. There was no charge to the public, but there never has been at LUC events.
Because there was the aforementioned Audio Visual equipment, there were live DJ’s for the events duration, and animations using the huge screen. One of the achievements that excited me was the amount of people that stayed, sat around chilling, reading comics. It made for a wonderful relaxed atmosphere.  So many conventions I have been to as a punter exhibitor, have no space for people go relax. The only options are buy the comics the leave the venue. I did find myself smiling as a personal goal had been realized, comics music and animation, in a room with people relaxed and enjoying themselves.
One of the lessons learnt from this venture is to take the comic convention into new venues, that cater for different audiences. There are so many art centers galleries in London alone, never mind the potential nationwide.
I would hesitate to review the comics exhibited and sold because I will leave people out. But hey, it’s nothing personal I spent the whole day enabling rather than selling so , I only got to look at a selection.
I brought Paul Rainey’s There Is No Time Like The Present, now on issue 9, and I believe issue ten is complete too!
Bloc, two years in the making by Oli Smith and Oliver Lambden made its debut and got a fantastic reception, well deserved too. Douglas Noble had four new comics, Complex, Live static one to three. The Phonogram team were both in attendance, so I got my hands on issue 2.3 ( it’s excellent) and Kieron had my contributed copy of Phonogram versus the fans (Curated by Matt Sheret), with a brilliant cover by Jamie Mckelvie.
Also Jake Harold selling Justine Thyme, And Marc Ellerby, with his ever expanding range of finely crafted wares.
One final mention for Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, who was selling part four of the excellent Necessary Monsters.
Alongside Douglas was the tag team of terror David Baillie, selling a new collection of his writing and Dan Lester, who was representing Schmurgen Jonerhaffs. Nick Tesco closed the day on the decks with a storming combo of punk and hip hop.
The there DJ’s who deserve a big thank you are larry Sun who also write Tales From The Flat, and Dave Lander who was also selling comics and contributed to the animation showreel.
So sadly the event had to be packed away and as we cleaned up everyone left had little dance excited by the days events, and the prospect of sinking a few beers in the Enterprise.
Every individual has there reasons for participating in the crazy world of comics. But for me, working with people collaborating enabling a collective experience, has been very rewarding.
Rewarding, and fun times.

Finally a big thank you to Matt an Maitreyi, for all the work you put in which enabled this to take place, and all the staff at 176 who were brilliant.
Big shout to Gosh, naturally, and Forbidden Planet, Joe and Richard.
Also, Geek Syndicate, Barry And David
Thank you to all the people that turned up on the day, exhibitors and buyers.
Thanks for making a really special day.