Comics and beer.
If you follow the social media feeds of our Editor in Chief Andy Oliver then you will already be aware that he’s a staunch believer in the complementary nature of the two via his #comicsinthepub hashtag. This Sunday, at London’s Orbital Comics, there will be a welcome opportunity for that philosophy to be expounded upon as artist Khary Randolph, Orbital’s Chris Thompson and Andy himself will be in panel conversation at an event that also celebrates Brooklyn Brewery’s comics-themed limited release beer Defender IPA – the official ale of New York Comic Con.
The full details of the evening can be found in the press release below. Tickets are available here priced £5.00 – which includes a beer and souvenir glass – or £10.00 for those who want to take up the offer of multiple refills over the course of the evening. If you’re a fan of our regular ‘Drink and Draw‘ nights with Gosh! Comics, then pop along to the ‘Defend Comics’ extravaganza for another chance to embrace the dual wonders of sequential art and the taste sensation of a well brewed hoppy beverage.
A colorful evening of beer, art, comics, and discussion in celebration of Brooklyn Brewery’s limited release beer, Defender IPA. Brooklyn Defender IPA is a specialty beer brewed as the official beer of New York Comic Con for the past four years. Each year we team up with a new artist to create a Defender superhero. This year we’re working with illustrator Khary Randolph.
Khary will partner with Andy Oliver, Editor in Chief of Broken Frontier, to discuss their backgrounds as members of the art and comics industries as well as the state of these industries in both the UK and the US. Chris Thompson, Event Manager at Orbital Comics will host the discussion, which will be recorded for the popular Orbital In Conversation podcast.
Now’s your chance to ask the experts all that you’ve been wanting to know about comics. How did they get to where they are today? What makes them the most excited about comics? Why do they Defend Art? If they were a superhero, what would be their super power?
The discussion will take place at Orbital Comics, Central London’s favorite comic shop, stocking everything the modern comic enthusiast could possibly desire – from weekly shipments of imported comic books, tons of hard to find back-issues, small press releases, graphic novels and all the latest collected editions available.
All ticketed guests will receive a complementary Defender IPA and you’ll get to take home the limited edition glass. For an extra £5, we’ll refill that glass as many times as you’d like. Khary will also be signing Defender posters.
And if you really want to get in the spirit, those who come dressed up in a superhero costume will get a little extra something.
Bios :
Khary Randolph…was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He moved to New York in 1996 to attend the School of Visual Arts and graduated in 2000 with a BFA in Cartooning and Illustration. Since then, he has worked for a number of clients in the animation, advertising, and comic book industries and left his mark on many properties, including Spider-Man, X-Men, Hellboy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Boondocks, and Teen Titans.
Twitter : @kharyrandolph
Andy Oliver…is comic culture website Broken Frontier’s Editor in Chief and its resident specialist on small press, self-published and altcomics through his regular ‘Small Pressganged’ column. He is a member of the 2015 British Comic Awards Committee, was a contributor to Paul Gravett’s book ‘1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die’, and was also an independent judge for the 2014 Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition.
Twitter : @AndyWPOliver
Chris Thompson…is a writer, podcaster and speaker who has appeared at conventions across three continents. Chris hosts the popular Orbital In Conversation podcast and works as Events Manager at Orbital Comics in central London, where he arranges gallery shows, signings, talks and art classes.
Twitter: @popculturehound
The Beer
Brooklyn Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, a huge fan of classical comics, made sure that the Defender IPA was full of bright, sharp flavors and just a bit of funk to capture the fun and energy of comics and comic fans alike. Defender IPA is an explosive, bright, juicy, West Coast-style IPA takes on a reddish twist from a dash of roasted malt. Bold, fruity, hop bitterness and an intensely resinous nose lead the way into a dry finish that will refresh and entice you.
The Superhero
The Defender is constantly vigilant, standing guard over all those who dare to create, to dream, and to drink great beer.
Who is this masked hero? The Defender emerged in an era when gloomy walls and bland beer held our city in a stranglehold. Slowly, murals began to brighten the landscape and flavorful beer flooded the taps. Today the city is alive with fiery art and delicious beer. The Defender maintains constant vigilance to battle back the blandness lurking around the edges. Ours is a world of light and fury and song. This is its Defender.
More Information
http://brooklynbrewery.com/the-Defender/Defender#the-defender-link
Order tickets for the evening online here.
