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Comica ‘09: Ben Templesmith
Posted: October 1, 2009
Comica 09’s season overlaps with the unmissable Thought Bubble Festival in Leeds. Because we don’t want our two festivals to clash - and because Paul Gravett wants to go himself, and will be chairing the first panel ‘Seriously into Comics’ - we’ve avoided programming any events at the ICA on their big day, Saturday November 21st, and we’re co-operating and collaborating once again. Thanks to Lisa Wood and all at Thought Bubble, last year we shared the costs of bringing over from the States special guest Alex Maleev. This year we’re combining forces again to co-host the phenomenal terrormeister, artist and writer extraordinare Ben Templesmith.
Hailed for his arresting graphics and gripping narratives, Templesmith is justly famed for his visualisations of Alaskan vampire horror 30 Days of Night with Steve Niles, made into a hit movie which Comica previewed on Halloween night in 2007. He has also made his mark with Brit scribe Warren Ellis on the quirky noir Fell and on his own solo projects such as Wormwood and Welcome to Hoxford. Ben will discuss his whole oeuvre with acclaimed writer and film director Philip Ridley as well as the possibilities of their future collaboration.
This all kicks off at 6.45 at the ICA on Tuesday November 24th. After the conversation, Ben will be signing his books and then at 8.45pm Philip Ridley will introduce a preview screening of Heartless, his dark, horror-tinged urban fantasy starring Jim Sturgess as a young photographer who feels as if his life has been blighted by the birthmark that covers half of his face. There will be a Q&A session with Ridley after the movie.
The other vital partners in this are Orbital Comics, London, who will be holding a signing with him on Thursday November 26th, 5-7pm, and Travelling Man who welcome Ben to their stores in Newcastle (Thursday, 19 November, 1pm to 3pm) and Manchester (Friday, 20 November, 1pm to 3pm). Big thanks to all, and to BT in particular, for making this UK tour possible.
