Comics heroes at the Jonathan Cape Graphic Novel MiniCon

What a privilege to see so many amazing comics creators on 21 June (many who I have books by!) at the Jonathan Cape Minicon, including two luminaries, Alison Bechdel and Bryan Talbot.

Bryan and Mary Talbot

Bryan Talbot is the creator who first got me thinking about graphic novels before I realised I was even thinking about them, as his Alice In Sunderland is so amazing and probably the first GN that I tracked down and bought after reading a review of it! Get hold of a copy and pore over it! I also have The Red Virgin and The Vision Of Utopia which was co-created by Bryan and Mary Talbot, and I have also read their Dotter of her Father's Eyes.

My much loved copy of 'Alice in Sunderland' and 'The Red Virgin'

I was also delighted to discover new books by Simone Lia, Anna Trench and Miriam Gold.

It was an expensive outing! I'll do some little reviews when I've read them all.

'Elena' by Miriam Gold, 'Florrie' by Anna Trench and 'How to Make Life Better When it Feels Like it's Getting Worse' by Simone Lia and Fluffy Pulcino

There was a good selection of talks throughout the day, and some opportunity to do a bit of storyboarding with Dominique Duong, though by this point as the aircon was on so fiercely (it was a stifling hot day in London that day), I had to go across the road to buy a scarf then into the cafe and get a hot drink.

Then after the talks, the audience filled to capacity for a rare UK talk by Alison Bechdel. I'd not heard her speak before but she was hilarious. I look forwards to getting her new book 'Spent'.

Alison Bechdel talks to an enraptured audience.