As part of the Open Book Festival umbrella, the popular Comics Fest takes place on 9 and 10 September. With an array of activities, workshops, discussions and demonstrations, the sizzling hot programme is cooking with events that will delight fans of comic books, illustration and design – professional or amateur, young or old. The Open Book Comics Fest will again be running from the D6 Homecoming Centre and surrounding venues in Cape Town.
Seasoned illustrator Andy Mason will be hosting the Monster Battle Draw Off throughout the weekend, a friendly competition that starts on Saturday where participants will be drawing flat-out for six rounds! Aspirant comic artists are welcome. The winner will go through to Monster Battle 3 on Sunday. Drawings will be auctioned to raise funds for future drawing workshops for young artists. Spectators are welcome.
Animation guru Mike Scott shares some skills in the Comics Fest Demo session on Saturday 9 September, or catch Hugh Upsher and Martin Mezzabota on Sunday 10 September to learn how to create a zine from start to finish, and try your hand at making one.
Super heroes, comic books and workshops
On Saturday 9 September, Jess Bosworth (Unblush) and André Bozack (art facilitator at Heal the Hood, schools and community centres) speak to Kay Carmichael about challenges under-represented groups face entering the world of illustration and comic book creation in Skills and Space.
School learners should catch Draw Your Own Superhero on 7 September with Roberto Millan and Su Opperman to create a super-hero of your very own, and lose yourself in a word of comic books, original artwork and zines at the Open Book Marketplace that weekend.
“Comics Fest has been an integral part of the Open Book Festival programme and has proved to be a melting pot of ideas, connections, opportunities and inspirations and we are delighted to welcome the creators to the 2017 edition,” says Festival Co-ordinator Frankie Murrey. “Look out for our limited edition bags for sale on the Comics Fest Marketplace floor, which are the result of an initiative with uHlanga Press. Artists were asked to create an original artwork inspired by the words of some of the local poets they publish, which were transposed onto the bags. Funds raised go towards Open Box Library Project.”
Artists participating in Comics Fest include: André Bozack, Andy Mason, Ashe Ah-Sing, Ben Geldenhuys, Ben Winfield, Caitlin Mkhasibe, Carla Botes, Clyde Beech, Danelle Malan, Daniël Hugo, Danielle Albertyn, David du Plessis, Deon de Lange, Dianne Makings, Frank Lunar, Gabriel Metcalfe, Gabriella Jardine, Hugh Upsher, Jess Bosworth Smith, Karl Schulschenk,, Kay Carmichael, Kit Beukes, Loyiso Mkize, Martin Mezzabotta, Maya LeMaitre, Moray Rhoda, Nick L’Ange, Nina Pfeiffer, Readers Den, ReeTreweek, Roberto Millan, Robyn-Jade Hosking, Sector Comics, Sjaka S. Septembir, Su Opperman, Unblush Collective, Wessie van der Westhuizen, Zapiro (pictured above) and Ziyaad Rahman.
What: Open Books Comics Fest
Where and when: 9 – 10 September at the D6 Homecoming Centre and surrounding venues
Book: Webtickets
Visit: Open Book Programme
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