30 June 2009

Starblazer anniversary exhibition opens

An exhibition of artwork to mark the 30th anniversary of a much-loved, sadly-missed and pioneering science fiction comic has opened at the University of Dundee.

First published by DC Thomson in 1979, ‘Starblazer’ marked a departure from the company’s traditional comics, and built on the success of films like Star Wars and TV shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Blake’s 7.

As well as original artwork, the free exhibition includes original page proofs, scripts and unpublished artwork never before seen in public. It takes place at the University’s Lamb Gallery until August 22nd.

The exhibition was unveiled during the Dundee Literary Festival’s Comics Day, which took place on Sunday. Some of the biggest names from the world of comics, including Warren Ellis and Alan Grant, gathered to share their thoughts about comics, and their memories of Starblazer.

This year’s Comics Day proved a major success, attracting more than double the number of visitors who attended the inaugural event last year.

The publication’s editor Bill McLoughlin and artist Keith Robson also spoke about their experiences on Starblazer. A national call for writers attracted young talent from around the country, including future comics superstar Grant Morrison. Glasgow-based Morrison is one of the most successful comics writers in the world, and has recently hit the headlines for killing Bruce Waye in the Batman comics published by American publisher DC Comics.

Morrison and his fellow writers created extraordinary fantasy worlds which were brought to life by a range of artists, many of whose work is included in the exhibition. They included home-grown talent such as Dundonian Ian Kennedy and international artists such as the Argentinian Enrique Alcatena.

Comics Day organiser Dr Christopher Murray, of the University’s English department, said "Many people of my generation have a huge fondness for Starblazer, particularly the spectacular covers, which were striking examples of the science-fiction art so popular at the time". Many of these covers are represented in the exhibition.

The final Starblazer comic went to press in 1991, but the publication continues to enjoy a strong cult following. Versions of the comic have been published in France, Spain, Holland and Finland, and a new role-playing game based on the comic was created by Cubicle 7 Entertainment earlier this year.

For further information contact curator Matthew Jarron on m.h.jarron@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 384310.

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