Panel Borders: Klaus Janson – Superhero Noir

Continuing our month of shows about iconoclastic American comic book artists, Alex Fitch talks to German-American artist Klaus Janson about his work such as inking and eventually providing most of the art for Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in the early 80s to his more recent returns to the characters in Batman: Gothic and Daredevil: The End of Days. Klaus also talks about his love of teaching new artists and his experiences at comic book conventions over the years. (Recorded at Comics Launchpad, Birmingham 2011)

Links: Klaus Janson pages on Wikipedia and comicartcommunity.com
Summary of Klaus Janson’s lecture at comics launchpad
More info about Comics Launchpad, Birmingham, 2011
Listen to Alex’s interview with Klaus’ frequent collaborator John Romita Jr.

Recommended events:

Orbital comics events

John Miers and Yoav Segal exhibition

Starting on February 25th, the Orbital West Wing will host an exhibition celebrating the publication of Regeneration by Lawrence and Wishart books with artwork by John Miers & Yoav Segal.

The second in an ongoing series of volumes on inter-generational politics, Regeneration focuses on the question of intergenerational justice. Defining the world’s young people as those born after 1979 – a hugely symbolic moment in the history of globalisation – it reflects on the massive growth in generational protest across the globe thirty years later. At its heart is an analysis of politics through the prism of generation in which the first glimmer of a post-neoliberal consensus can be discerned.

David Hine signing

As part of their line-wide ‘rebirth’, Top Cow Productions are teaming up with Orbital Comics to create a special signing event celebrating the release of The Darkness #101. Oncoming writer David Hine (of Bulletproof Coffin fame) will be in store to sign your comics and chat about his plans for the book, plus there will be giveaways and demos from the good folks at 2K Games who are behind The Darkness II video game.

The signing starts at 5pm on Wednesday March 21st (new comics day), so you can be among the first in the world to have a copy of The Darkness #101 and get it signed by the author.

8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA

http://www.orbitalcomics.co.uk

Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen X-Men signing

Forbidden Planet are delighted to bring you a fantastic double X-Men signing! Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen will be at the London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8JR, on Thursday 15th March 2012.

Artist Jamie welcomes you to the X-Men’s first year! Professor Xavier has recruited five of the most powerful mutants he’s ever seen to save a world that hates them. But there’s only one problem: they’re teenagers who have to survive hormones and super-powers, all while fighting for their lives.

Written by Kieron, Uncanny X-Men starts over in the wake of Schism. What is to become of Cyclops and the mutants who side with him after the big split? And what does it have to do with the resurrected Mr. Sinister? The hottest new writer in the business, Kieron Gillen (Thor), and superstar artist Carlos Pacheco (Ultimate Avengers) bring you the biggest and baddest X-Men you’ve ever seen.

Thursday 15 March 2012 18:00 – 19:00

Forbidden Planet, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

http://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2012

Supergods at the Petrie Museum

COMIC BOOK SLAM

Date: 31 March | Time: 2-4pm | Price: Free | Age group: Teen / Family

Create your own comic panel and characters in 2 hours in this comic book slam at the Petrie Museum. explore comics using Egypt as inspiration and objects from the museum for your own ideas. With Kel Winser. All ages. Just pop in!

SUPERGODS COMIC BOOK WORKSHOP

Date: 2-3 April | Time: 11am – 3.30pm | Price: Free. Preferably book in advance. | Age group: Young people age 12 up.

Create your own superheroes based on the Ancient Egyptian gods. Get advice from a comics writer on how tell your story. Take inspiration from the museum and other comics about Egypt to put your own comic strip together. Suitable for 12 years upwards. With Kel Winser.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT

http://petriemuseum.com