Scotland’s superhero to return at DeeCon 2015
Published On Thu 19 Mar 2015 by Grant Hill
Saltire, Scotland’s superhero, will make his return in a sequel to the acclaimed debut to be launched at DeeCon 2015, the country’s biggest free anime, animation and art convention.
Saturday, 4th April will be a day of colour, fun and geekiness at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) with film screenings, board and video game tournaments, stalls, exhibitions, demonstrations and industry presentations alongside the launch of Saltire: Annihilation Part Two.
DEE-CON is organised predominantly by students and alumni of the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. It is a fundraising event with all proceeds going towards the College’s animation degree show in May. The event has grown in stature year-on-year, and around 2000 fans, many of whom dressed in costume, took part in 2014.
Kerri Targett, a member of the organising committee, said they were delighted to bring the big, blue superhero with ginger hair to DUSA to help them celebrate DeeCon 2015.
“We are extremely excited to be hosting DeeCon 2015 and it is amazing to see the support and following it has accumulated since its beginning,” she said. “We are grateful for all those who come along and make the day such a success and help out the final-year animation students.
“This year we will be integrating the Dundee Comics Expo, which will expand DeeCon's interest and adds to the event by celebrating Dundee's, and Scotland's, comic and graphic novel heritage. We have several local comic artists and creators hosting talks and workshops as well as the launch of 'Saltire: Annihilation part 2', a popular and successful Scottish superhero graphic novel.
"We are looking forward to bringing everyone together under one roof, where they can share their work, meet like-minded people and have enjoy a fun filled day at DeeCon 2015.”
The many events and activities taking place throughout the day including the Artists Alley, Comics Corner,
Cosplaying, video games tournaments, table-top gaming and screenings of popular anime films. DeeCon plays host to a variety of guest speakers from the comics, animation, cosplay and academic worlds and the day’s fun will be rounded off at the after-party where DJ's Nanashi will be providing the beats.
Saltire is produced by acclaimed Scottish publisher Diamondsteel Comics and creator John Ferguson will be on hand at DeeCon to talk about the new instalment of the adventure.
He said, “Like the first book it is set in a pseudo-history of the country but this time it’s more immersive, more involved. Annihilation is set a few hundred years after Invasion and it’s darker, more sinister, with a wider scope and a more expansive story. It also uses many of the old myths and legends of the country to expand the Saltire Universe”.
“The trend last year to assess Scottish culture is an interesting one. Being Scottish is not a political statement but the Saltire character celebrates it in a very positive and passionate way. It is the very existence of a big, blue, ginger superhero that is a confident reflection of Scotland, which creates a positive message for children and adults alike.”
More information about DeeCon can be found at http://deecon2015.blogspot.co.uk, https://www.facebook.com/DeeCon2015, or by emailingdeecon2015@gmail.com.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277