Once again hosted by the British Empire and Commonwealth Exhibition Hall and Ramada Plaza Hotel, this year's lineup promises to be the biggest and the best so far.
It all kicks off on Friday May 9 with Diamond UK Retailers Day (exclusive presentations to UK and European retailers of the major releases for the rest of this comics year) and the Orangutan Comics Film Night '08 for all early arrivals, starting 6pm at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (more details available at www.myspace.com/bicefilmnight).
Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11 feature two full days of events, including presentations on upcoming Marvel and DC releases, the world famous Hypotheticals panel hosted by Dave Gibbons, DC Portfolio reviews by editors Karen Berger, Eddie Berganza and Hank Kanalz and the Saturday evening presentation of The Eagle Awards. The awards were first presented in 1976 and are the comics industry's longest established awards.
As usual, the first 1,000 people through the door on Saturday are eligible for a free goodie bag -- in previous years this has contained graphic novels, comics, posters, badges, action figures and once again the contents are a well-kept secret that are strictly first come, first served, strictly one per person.
Special guests signing, sketching and/or hosting talks throughout the weekend include: Jim Shooter, Walt Simonson, Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Yanick Paquette, Dave Gibbons, Mike Carey, Alan Davis, Mark Buckingham and Paul Cornell.
Tickets for the Bristol International Comic Expo are available online for six pounds per day for adults, or just one pound for 12 to 16 year olds under the Kids For A Quid scheme. As usual, all accompanied attendees under the age of 12 get in for free.
Book now via: www.comicexpo.net/08tickets.html.
