Graphic Novels celebrated at London Book Fair 2015

This year, the London Book Fair celebrated Graphic Novels and as such I was gladly presented with a huge array of seminars on the topic. The Comics! The speakers were passionate about the discussions, laying bare preconceptions and stereotypes. From the need to establish graphic novels as an artistic medium to the more farfetched possibilities the digital format allows, all of it was thrown towards the audience in an urgent need to stir further debate. Everyone defended this world and some have as their life goal to make Graphic Novels not frowned upon, like Neil Gibson, founder of T Pub. He currently acts as a sort of ambassador for the medium, stating it is one of the most efficient ways to communicate stories. His mission to get more people reading comics involves advocating how to use them in work and study environments. #LBF15_NeilGibson

Neil Gibson talking about the pacing of Comic books.

With Paul Gravett - renown British comic book critic - we reflected on "What can comics do that other forms can't". A lively overview of several international projects: "Pablo" by Julie Birmant & Clément Oubrerie, "Death of the Artist" by Karrie Fransman and "There's No Time Like the Present" by Paul Rainey. It's interesting to see extremely different approaches of the medium on a conceptual and visual way. From freely drawn black & white cartoons to photography and full pages reinterpretations of famous works of art, you get but a tiny scope of what the Graphic Novel really allows you to explore. #LBF15 _ GraphicNovels go digital

"What can comics do that other forms can't" panel.

A final but quite controversial discussion about the digitalization of comic books left everyone still in doubt of what the future holds. Bringing together Sam Arthur from Nobrow, Sam Humphrey from SelfMadeHero, Leah Moore from Eletricomics and Russell Willis from Sequential, moderated by South London Hardcore Podcast's Steve Walsh. Does the reader want extra content: interviews, audio commentaries? After the early flop of motion comics it is safe to say everyone is thinking (or at least trying to) go for subtlety instead of bells and whistles. Everybody agreed that we don't want to disturb the readers experience. The aim is to create a new way, nearly a new medium which has graphic novels at its very core. A more immersive - but not invasive! - medium to experience stories.

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"Graphic Novels go Digital" panel.

Outland Entertainment was part of the innovative addition of the Sequential app at the LBF15. The upcoming graphic novel N0.1R " is an old school whodunnit starring a cast of really cool robots. Artist Nic Giacondino does an amazing job bringing both the characters and the setting to life.” Scott Colby states. You can get N0.1R's preview as well as the whole catalog from #LBF15 exhibit at the Sequential app using the code LBF15 - LBF15 - LBF15.

#LBF15 _ N0.1R

Attendees browsing N0.1R at the Sequential app corner.

The games panels were also incredible insightful with a special shout-out to the funny and incisive Jo Twist UKIE CEO and to the creative Rob Morgan , freelance game writer and narrative designer. Bottom line: the LBF offered insightful seminars on a varied assortment of topics. Three intense days that allow you to get an overview not only of the publishing industry but of what is being done in the whole entertainment sector. And one cannot forget that it was the 1st London Book & Screen Week! An event that complemented the whole experience by consolidating the idea of this increasingly cross media world. SG

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