Comics enthusiasts show ‘The Spirit of Scotland’
Published On Fri 6 Mar 2015 by Grant Hill
The most famous characters in Scottish comics are to appear together in the ‘Spirit of Scotland’ strip –assembled in only one day at the University of Dundee.
Comic creators from across the industry will join with fans to create the special strip, which will be put together on Saturday, 7th March at ‘Comics, So What?’, a celebratory event aimed at engaging people with the medium.
“Characters looking suspiciously like Oor Wullie, Dennis the Menace and, of course, Saltire – Scotland’s first superhero, who was created in Dundee – will appear in specially written and designed strip,” said co-organiser Phillip Vaughan, head of the University’s Animation and Visual FX MSc course.
“Saturday’s event is being held during a week celebrating the work of Will Eisner, the man who popularised the idea of the Graphic Novel and pioneered Comic Studies as an academic subject. The ‘Spirit of Scotland’ strip will mark the 20th anniversary of his trip to Scotland with a famous faces packed tour of Glasgow.
“The script has been written in advance. Professionals and enthusiasts will bring along panels and strips, which – combined with what we produce on the day – will create Spirit of Scotland. Everyone is invited to take part and contribute an idea or panel.”
‘Comics, So What?’ is co-organised by the Scottish Centre for Comics Studies and the Cartoon Museum in London. The event is being launched with concurrent events in Dundee, London and Staffordshire after being supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The event begins at 1pm in the University’s College Hall, behind the Tower Building at the heart of the campus. The best Spirit of Scotland submission will win £100. Other highlights include the opportunity for fans to bring along their favourite comic page and explain to the other devotees and professionals alike what makes it so great.
An eye tracking device will also offer a unique perspective on how people read comics. The technology will demonstrate which panels really do catch and hold the reader’s eye.
Famous industry names include Death Sentence creator Monty Nero, and illustrators Dan McDaid and Alex Ronald, who have worked for leading publishers 2000AD, Titan, Image and Vertigo.
The University of Dundee offers undergraduate comics courses and a one-year Masters in Comic Studies, and students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) can also study a comics module as part of their studies.
Dr Chris Murray, who runs the Masters course, co-organised Saturday’s event and also co-wrote the ‘Spirit of Scotland’ script.
“We are seeking to engage the public in the appreciation of comics and graphic novels and draw attention to Comics Studies in the UK,” he said. “Our event is part of the ‘Comics, So What?’ event organised by the Cartoon Museum and funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“The grant allows the Cartoon Museum to expand its collection of original comic art, and to hold events that celebrate the medium. Our event also ties into International Will Eisner Week. We’ll celebrate Eisner’s profound influence on the medium of comics, and his importance for Comics Studies, by commemorating the 20th anniversary of Eisner’s visit to Scotland.
“I’m delighted to have worked with John McShane, himself a well-known face in Scottish comics, on the Spirit of Scotland script and am looking forward to seeing how the excellent talent in Dundee and beyond has responded to it.”
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