ICE draws to a close

I've said it before but I have the greatest respect for anyone who runs a comics event. It's hard work coordinating everything, and an expensive gamble. Most importantly, there'd be no comics community without conventions bringing people together over the years. Friendships, and sometimes relationships, are forged at these events. Life changing experiences. 

It's with great sadness then to hear that Shane Chebsey has announced that this year's ICE (International Comic Expo) is cancelled, and that he's retiring from organising conventions. It was due to take place in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on September 10th.

Yes, it's an almost-last minute decision but don't be hard on Shane. It's not a decision taken lightly and he's obviously greatly disappointed he's had to axe the show. The reasons cited include slow ticket sales and major guests pulling out, as well as some exhibitors cancelling. Shane has already made a loss and the current economic situation has simply made it too much of a risk to continue, both for his finances and for his health.

I've known Shane a long time (thanks to conventions) and consider him a friend. He's always put on great shows and looks after the guests well. There have been lots of laughs and happy memories of ICE events over the years so rather than dwell on the negatives I thought I'd dig out a few photos and personal memories of past ICE conventions in Birmingham to show here...

Launching Brickman Returns at ICE2015 was my first self-published comic in years. Response was fantastic and it sold really well.

 

 

ICE2016 saw me on a panel discussion with Robbie Morrison, Rachael Stott, and Sarah Milman, and there were laughs a plenty. 

It was also great to see Steve Parkhouse and Peter Hogan at ICE2016. I'd known Peter for years but this was the first time I'd met Steve, whose artwork I'd admired for decades.

 ICE2016 was very busy...

At ICE2017 I got to meet Marvel writer Dan Slott again who'd flown over from New York. Always good company. 

As expected, 2017 was another busy year...

ICE2018 was the final one, by which time I'd published a few more comics including Combat Colin and Pedantic Stan... 

It was fun to be on a Beano panel at the 2018 show too, alongside Nigel Parkinson, Laura Howell, and Hunt Emerson...

There wasn't an ICE2019, and sadly the pandemic put the kibosh on shows for 2020 and 2021 but it was hoped it'd return this year. Now that is not to be, but I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be at the shows in the past. It was a real pleasure, and I hope you'll join me in wishing Shane Chebsey all the very best for the future.