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News

Brighton's Comic Art Girls Have 'Ace' up their Sleeves

12 October 2005

A largely female group of Foundation Art & Design students from City College Brighton and Hove have joined forces to produce 'Ace Comics', a striking collection of Brighton-themed comic-strip stories. 20,000 giveaway copies of the comic will be distributed across the city's many bars, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and waiting rooms during October. The College was approached with the idea of the comic by Comics International editor/publisher and ex-editorial director of Marvel UK, Dez Skinn. Dez has worked in comics for over 35 years and titles he has created include Doctor Who Weekly, House of Hammer, Hulk Comic, Starburst and Warrior. Dez says:

'It's all about the next wave, the new generation. Never mind what went earlier. While that sets a foundation for what follows, you really are only as good as your latest hit. And I feel this is a hit. It's tomorrow's stars showing what they've got to offer today. Not only does it dispel the myth that comics are a male domain, it reflects the amazing level of talent coming out of today's art and design students. I'm as proud to be associated with this project as anything else I've previously been involved with.'

Erin Flanagan with her story,

City College's reputation for nurturing exceptional artistic talent has built steadily over the years and it has been an extremely rewarding experience for the staff and students to be involved in the project. Under the supportive guidance of their tutor, Trisha Rafferty, the students following the Graphics and Illustration pathway in the Foundation Art and Design rose to the challenges presented by the format of the comic genre and produced some outstanding and thrilling results. Trisha says:

'It was the first chance the students have had to work with a professional who knows the business really well and Dez set very clear deadlines and let them know what was necessary. They met the creative and professional demands of the project while coping with all the other pressures of a one-year course. To have their art-work published pre-University will give them a lot of kudos and for the College to back a project like this is very encouraging for young artists in Brighton.'

Erin Flanagan, whose story 'IT' appears in the comic, says:

'The professional advice on our work was very useful. It got me thinking in terms of the overall project from start to finish ? developing an idea and taking it to completion. It's strange seeing my work in such a professional-looking publication but really good too because it's all about getting your ideas out there.'

Wired Sussex, the non-profit organisation which supports the media community in Sussex, enthusiatically endorses the project and their Project Manager Tara Solesbury says:

"The comic idiom is perceived as being very male-dominated so to see that nearly all the artists included in 'Ace Comics' are female is fantastic and something which Wired Sussex, who manage the Women In Media initiative, is very pleased to support. It is also a great endorsement of the work done at City College to ensure that their students are encouraged to explore their creative potential and all the mediums open to them regardless of their gender."

For further information, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year around 16,000 full and part time students, as well as many international and European students, choose City College as their education provider. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.