The country’s biggest FREE comic (related) convention, Invasion Colchester, was once again a resounding success. This our eighth year and Colchester town centre was heaving with 15,000 to 20,000 people who came in especially to see over 200 costumed characters, the scores of replica vehicles from TV and film, actors autographing and artists sketching, not to mention the number of visitors, old and young, who dressed up as well.
This event is organised by my daughter Kerrie and our good friend Simon Leonard, a leading member of the UK Garrison Star Wars costume group. Simon kicked the event off in 2011 as a way of raising funds to thank to Leicester Glenfield hospital that saved his life. Simon and Kerrie have grown this tribute from a small event in the road outside our Ace Comics Colchester store to a huge festival that encompasses virtually the whole town centre including both local shopping centres (Culver Square and Lion Walk/Red Lion Yard), Castle Park, Colchester Town Hall (abseiling!), Fenwicks, our art centre, First Site, plus many more shops and businesses. The purpose, besides having fun, is to raise money for two local charities, which we have done so again by the literal bucket load.
Each year the event is held on the first Saturday of September, a day now firmly fixed in the local event calendar. The feel good factor of so many people having a great time was palpable, raising the spirits of everyone who attended.
We have a few items of artwork to auction for Invasion Colchester including two pieces from John Watson and a Charlie Adlard head sketched Walking Dead hardcover, and will post details on this site, so look out for that soon. All of the money raised will go to our charities. Ace Comics takes nothing… except the plaudits.
To find out more about the event, check out the official Invasion Colchester website.
What about the new comics?
This month I am excited about; Firefly returning to comics from Boom studios – Joss Whedon wouldn’t allow anything but the best to come out, so this series is definitely a must for me; the one true Green Lantern is going to return – Grant Morrison has read all the past Hal Jordan comics and is going to tie all of that history in to one hell of a ride; with trepidation I mention Uncanny X-Men #1 – This should get the X-Men universe back on a cohesive track, however, making it a ten issue weekly to kick off is a gamble; lastly William Gibson’s Alien 3 #1, which adapts his unproduced screenplay for Alien 3.
There is always something exciting and new, just not always enough spare cash to buy it all, dammit!
Mission for the Month
A smile on the face for barely a moment makes others happy for hours. Life is brief, but wonderful. Enjoy every second.
