PLEASE Consider Supporting CBO

Please consider supporting Comic Bits Online because it is a very rare thing in these days of company mouthpiece blogs that are only interested in selling publicity to you. With support CBO can continue its work to bring you real comics news and expand to produce the video content for this site. Money from sales of Black Tower Comics & Books helps so please consider checking out the online store.
Thank You

Terry Hooper-Scharf

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Bob Hoskins dies of pneumonia aged 71

I remember rushing home from business meetings and talks to watch Hoskins in Pennies From Heaven. He was one of my favourite actors.  

The following is from BBC News online:
Still from Who Framed Roger Rabbit Who Framed Roger Rabbit helped propel Bob Hoskins to Hollywood stardom

British actor Bob Hoskins, who was best known for roles in The Long Good Friday and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, has died of pneumonia at the age of 71.

Hoskins' agent said he died on Tuesday in hospital, surrounded by family.

The star won a Bafta and was Oscar nominated in 1987 for crime drama Mona Lisa, in which he starred opposite Sir Michael Caine and Robbie Coltrane.


He announced he was retiring from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob," the actor's wife Linda and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said in a statement.

"Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia.
"We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support."

Actor Sir Michael Caine, who starred with him in the films Mona Lisa and Last Orders, said: "He was one of the nicest and best actors I have ever worked with".


A Room for Romeo Brass Hoskins appeared in Shane Meadows' 1999 comedy drama A Room for Romeo Brass
 
The cast of Made in Dagenham Made in Dagenham was one of Hoskins' final film roles in 2010
 
Hoskins, who was born in Suffolk but grew up in London, started out on the stage before embarking on a television and film career.

On the small screen, he appeared in shows such as Play for Today, On the Move, Van der Valk and BBC drama The Street.

On film, his credits also included Mermaids, Hook, Mrs Henderson Presents and Made in Dagenham.
His last film role was as one of the dwarves in 2012's Snow White and the Huntsman, starring Kristen Stewart.

Dame Judi Dench, who starred opposite Hoskins in Mrs Henderson Presents, told the BBC News website: "I'm so very sorry to hear this news, and am thinking of his family at this sad time."
Hoskins was Bafta nominated twice prior to his Mona Lisa win, for The Honorary Consul in 1984 and The Long Good Friday in 1982.

He was also nominated for a television Bafta for his role in Dennis Potter's BBC musical drama, Pennies from Heaven.


Bob Hoskins in Pennies from Heaven Hoskins was nominated for a TV Bafta for his role in Dennis Potter's BBC musical drama, Pennies from Heaven
Bob Hoskins and Timothy Spall in The Street Hoskins appeared in BBC drama The Street, for which he won an International Emmy award
 
UK film critic Jason Solomons called The Long Good Friday "a great Londoner's movie".
"London ran through him like a stick of rock," he added.

Tributes to the actor have appeared swiftly on Twitter, with Bafta saying it was "deeply saddened" to learn of his death.

Actress Vicky McClure, who worked with Hoskins on Shane Meadows' 1999 film A Room for Romeo Brass: "He was one of the best. I feel honoured to have met & worked with him."

Sherlock creator and actor Mark Gatiss, who appeared as Rat opposite Hoskins' Badger in a 2006 adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, tweeted a picture  of the two together, praising Hoskins as "a true gent and an inspiration".

Stephen Fry added: "That's awful news. The Long Good Friday [is] one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man."
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tempus fugit

Komix Free Comic Book Day



Free Comic Book Day is a single day where participating stores across the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes in!

Come down to KomiX on Saturday 3rd May between 10am and 4pm to pick up your free comic books and have a look at everything else we have available!

There's something for the whole family!




KomiX
The Roundhouse
25 Church Street
Melksham, Wiltshire SN12
United Kingdom

Eddie Campbell joins Lakes International Comic Art Festival Line-Up




Eddie Campbell

Living In A Comic: Eddie Campbell joins Lakes International Comic Art Festival Line-Up

Kendal, UK, 30th April 2014: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is delighted to announce that the award-winning comic creator Eddie Campbell has joined the event’s line-up of guests, as one of the “extra” names for the weekend-long event in October that will be revealed across the next few months.

Eddie Campbell has been working in comics for over thirty years. His works include the huge From Hell in collaboration with Alan Moore; Bacchus, concerning the further adventures of the 4,000-year-old God of Wine, and Alec, an autobiographical comic he has been drawing since 1981.

Recent books have included The Fate of the Artist, The Lovely Horrible Stuff, and The From Hell Companion, a book crammed full of theory, anecdote and outtakes. This summer he is undertaking a tour with Neil Gaiman to promote The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountain, a performance/reading now turned into a book.

He has also collaborated with Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveller's Wife, on a strip published last weekend by The Guardian, "Thursdays, Six to Eight p.m".

Many of his works have been published in print by Britain's Knockabout Comics in partnership with Top Shelf Productions, and digitally by Festival sponsor SEQUENTIAL.

“It's exciting to see Britain getting a proper comics festival like they have in France and Italy,” says Eddie of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s programme.“ And it's even more exciting to be a part of it."

He also reveals his talk – which he re-works from event to event – has the intriguing title “Eddie Campbell talks about living in a comic.”

Eddie is the latest addition to the guest list that includes a range of British and overseas creators including acclaimed comics creator and newspaper strip artist Nick Abadzis (author of Laika); Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard, artist Mark Buckingham; The Mire and Wolves creator Becky Cloonan; Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons; 2000AD artist Jock; Japanese artist Junko Mizuno; digital comics frontiersman Scott McCloud; Drowntown co-creator Robbie Morrison; leading US comics writer Gail Simone; the creator of the multi-award winning Bone Jeff Smith; Grandville and Luther Arkwright author Bryan Talbot, one of the Festival’s patrons alongside Sean Phillips and Mary Talbot; and Emma Vieceli will also join other comic creators for Kendal’s second comics extravaganza.
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October 2014) is a new kind of comic art event in the UK. Modelled on a European-style festival it aims to take over the market town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, with comic art presenting the widest range of genres. Events include a 24 Hour Comic Marathon, children’s comic workshops, talks, signings, Great War in Comics art exhibition and a Comics Markteplace.

• Eddie’s event event will take place on Sunday 19th October 2014 at 12.15pm at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. Tickets for all the events at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival are on sale now. For the full guest list, details of events and bookings visit: www.comicartfestival.com

• Sign up for the Festival's newsletter here for the latest news! Web: www.comicartfestival.com

• More information on Eddie Campbell’s career and current work can be found at http://eddiecampbell.blogspot.co.uk
Eddie Campbell's art for the "From Hell Companion"
Eddie's cover art for the "From Hell Companion"
Art for "Truth is a Cave in The Black Mountain" a book with Neil Gaiman due out in June
Art for "Truth is a Cave in The Black Mountain" a book with Neil Gaiman due out in June

Notes for Editors

For further information contact: Julie Tait - julie@comicartfestival.com

Images of most announced guests, Festival poster and mascot images can be found here:

Web Resolution: www.flickr.com/photos/116459003@N07

About the 2014 Lakes International Comic Art Festival

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October 2014) is a new kind of comic art event in the UK. Modelled on a European-style festival it aims to take over the market town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, with comic art presenting the widest range of genres. Events include a 24 Hour Comic Marathon, children’s comic workshops, talks, signings, Great War in Comics art exhibition and a Comics Fair.

Visit the Festival web site for the full guest list announced so far

24 Hour Comic Marathon

The 24 Hour Comic Marathon creative team is: Dan Berry, Marathon curator and producer; Kristyna Baczynski (NME), Warwick Johnson Cadwell (Tank Girl), Joe Decie (The Accidental Salad) Sarah McIntyre (Oliver and the Seawigs, shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2014), Fumio Obata (author of the graphic novel Just So Happens) and Jack Teagle.
• For more information about the 24 Hour Comic Marathon visit: www.comicartfestival.com/competitions

Festival Sponsors and Benefactors

The Patrons of the Festival are comic creators Sean Phillips, Bryan Talbot and Mary Talbot.

The Festival is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with funding from South Lakeland District Council and Kendal Town Council working in partnership with the Brewery Arts Centre and Kendal College.

Commercial sponsors include the Westmorland Shopping Centre, Sequential and Knockabout.
Tickets for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival are on sale now. Sign up for the Festival's newsletter here for the latest news! 

Web: www.comicartfestival.com

For further information contact: Julie Tait - julie@comicartfestival.com




Tuesday 29 April 2014

CBO -Home Of International Comics Readers!


Hits today have shot up so thought I would check to see why. No idea. So many posts I'd need to check stats on them all.

However, I can tell you that Chinese comickers are still supporting CBO in  very high numbers. Oh, and the UK has finally (finally!) caught up with the rest of the comics world. Yes, only the absolute best comic folk visit CBO!

So, you want to know which countries are "tuning in"?

In order of highest number of visits today, here's the top ten!





China

USA

UK

France

Germany

Russia

Ukraine

Netherlands

Romania

Spain

And still you ponder on whether it is worthwhile sending review books to CBO???

THANK YOU to all the visitors!

Stan Lee Parkour

The Stan Lee Eagle Awards 2014

Stan Lee Eagle.gif

THE EAGLES, Britain's prestigious comic book awards, long held in high regards internationally, just got a makeover and a new spokesperson in Stan Lee, who as writer and editor at Marvel Comics helped make them the leading publisher of superhero titles in the USA, and the subsequent blockbuster films released internationally.

"The original Eagle Awards had a coveted reputation that was well earned and respected. But to have Stan 'The Man' Lee offer his brand and patronage to champion The Stan Lee Eagle Awards is just incredible," proclaimed Cassandra Conroy, who has spearheaded the awards' since taking over from her father, Mike Conroy, who created them back in the 70s with former 2000AD editor Richard Burton.

"Many view Stan as a comic book god," Mike Conroy noted. "That Stan was the very first inductee on to Eagle Awards Roll of Honour back in 1976 just makes Cassandra's coup that much more of a personal pleasure for me."

"My dad's intention was always to give the fans a voice a nd I'm delighted that this latest initiative will take his vision to an entirely new plane." Cassandra Conroy said.

The Stan Lee Eagle Awards will be held annually in July at the London Film and Comic Con, and will take place between 11th - 13th July this year, with nominations being accepted as of April 23rd at www.stanleeeagleawards.com.

This year's show will be Stan Lee's last ever official European convention appearance.

For more information visit: www.stanleeeagleawards.com

Hamelin Newsletter

 
bilbolbul
NEWSLETTER del 29/4/2014
 
 
 

 
"ALL'AVVENTURA"
CAMPI ESTIVI IN CINETECA
 
Sono aperte le iscrizioni per i campi estivi!
Tre settimane all’insegna dell’avventura per i bambini
dai 5 agli 11 anni.

All’avventura è un progetto nato dall’esperienza di Schermi e Lavagne, Papermoon e Hamelin, associazioni che da anni si occupano di promuovere una pedagogia del visivo attraverso proposte interdisciplinari per bambini e ragazzi fra cinema, narrazione e albi illustrati. Nei giorni dei campi sarà allestita una mini-biblioteca in collaborazione con Salaborsa Ragazzi e in ogni settimana verrà realizzato un laboratorio con metodo Munari ® a cura di Zoo.
I pasti sono realizzati in collaborazione con il Mercato della Terra di Slow Food Bologna.

INFO E ISCRIZIONI
schermielavagne@cineteca.bologna.it
051 2195329 - 349 0854844
 

 
PROROGATA LA MOSTRA DI BENJAMIN CHAUD E MERENDA FINALE
 
Visto la grande affluenza di visitatori, la mostra Sulle tracce di orsi e elefanti, personale di Benjamin Chaud è stata prorogata fino al 13 maggio 2014.
In occasione della chiusura della mostra vi aspettiamo il 13 maggio dalle ore 16 alle ore 18 presso la sede di Hamelin (via Zamboni 15, Bologna) per salutare orsi e elefanti che stanno per ripartire alla volta della Francia. Una merenda dedicata ai fan di Pomelo che per l’occasione dovranno cimentarsi nel disegno di mezzi di trasporto a misura di Pomelo, per aiutare l’elefante rosa a tornare a casa. Agli adulti sarà offerta una visita guidata alla mostra.
 

 
È PARTITA LA DODICESIMA EDIZIONE
DI COOP FOR WORDS
 
È aperta la nuova edizione del premio letterario per giovani autori Coop for Words. I partecipanti, che dovranno essere d’età compresa tra i 18 e i 36 anni, si potranno cimentare in cinque categorie differenti: poesia, fumetto, racconti dello scontrino, canzone d'autore e ricette d'autore.
Per il primo classificato della sezione fumetto è prevista una borsa di studio del valore di 3000 euro per collaborare ad un progetto internazionale volto alla realizzazione di attività formative nei paesi dell'Africa sub-shariana. Il vincitore avrà diritto, inoltre, alla pubblicazione di una prefazione ad un volume edito da Chiarelettere e le sue tavole verranno esposte in una mostra antologica all'interno di BilBOlBul 2014. I primi dieci elaborati di ogni categoria saranno pubblicati in un’antologia che sarà messa in vendita nei negozi Coop di tutta Italia.
Tutti gli elaborati devono essere inviati entro il 15 giugno 2014.

Scarica qui il regolamento
PER MAGGIORI INFORMAZIONI: WWW.COOPFORWORDS.IT

 

 
BERLINO, PARIGI, ROMA.
NEI FUMETTI DI ANKE FEUCHTENBERGER, MANUELE FIOR E EMMANUEL GUIBERT
 
Dal 16 aprile al 10 maggio a Roma è aperta la mostra Berlino, Parigi, Roma nei fumetti di Anke Feuchtenberger, Manuele Fior e Emmanuel Guibert che presenta le capitali della Germania, Francia e Italia attraverso le esperienze di viaggio di tre tra i più importanti fumettisti europei, ognuno alla scoperta del Paese di origine dell'altro.

La mostra rientra nell’ambito di Europa in una nuvoletta!, un progetto del Goethe-Institut Italien e dell'Institut Français d'Italie.

La Pelanda / MACRO Testaccio, Centro di Produzione Culturale
Piazza Orazio Giustiniani 4, Roma
Orari di apertura:
mar-sab ore 18:00-22:00 | dom ore 11:00-18:00
 
 
DONA IL TUO 5 X 1000 AD HAMELIN
Anche grazie al tuo contributo potremo portare avanti le nostre attività.
Nella tua dichiarazione dei redditi, scrivi il nostro codice fiscale: 92047890378
Grazie per il sostegno!
 
 
HAMELIN FA PARTE DI IBBY ITALIA
International Board on Books for Young People è una rete internazionale di persone, che provengono da 77 paesi e promuove la cooperazione internazionale attraverso i libri per bambini, creando ovunque per l'infanzia l'opportunità di avere accesso a libri di alto livello letterario e artistico e incoraggiando la pubblicazione e la distribuzione di libri di qualità per bambini specialmente nei Paesi in via di sviluppo.
www.bibliotecasalaborsa.it/ragazzi/ibby/

Bine ati venit tuturor noilor fanii de benzi desenate din România!


Saturday 3rd May is Free Comic Book Day!



Free Comic Book Day is perfect for fans and newcomers alike – if you love comics, these titles give you a great taste of what’s in store. You can join the comics revolution – discover comics for the first time or return to the fold to see what you’ve been missing!

We’ve got bags of comics to give away*, providing you with a perfect jumping-in point – and we’ve got loads of in-store signings as well!

In LONDON, you can meet Henry Flint, Matt Smith and Tiernan Trevellian, the stars of 2000AD from 1 – 2pm – and then, from 3 – 4pm, Martin Stiff will be signing The Absence!

If you’re in LIVERPOOL, join Stuart Jennet, signing Chronos Commandos from 1 - 2pm.

And if you’re in SOUTHAMPTON, join John Higgins signing Razorjack, from 12 - 1pm!

Whatever you’re into – get into Forbidden Planet on Free Comic Book Day!

*One bag per customer, while stocks last. Only comics marked as Free Comic Book Day titles are free of charge.

FORBIDDEN PLANET
Forbidden Planet is the largest store of its kind in the world. Some of the biggest names in SF, Fantasy and Cult Entertainment have come to our London Megastore for events, including Jonathan Ross, Kevin Smith, Sam Raimi, Guillermo del Toro, John Landis, Terry Gilliam, Christopher Lee, Simon Pegg, William Gibson, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and Stephen King.

For more about our signings please go to: http://forbiddenplanet.com/events/

Monday 28 April 2014

Toys? Action Figures? Games??? Oy!/玩具?动画人物?游戏???OY!





I've been asked why, unlike on the old WordPress CBO, I do not include reviews and information on comic related toys -HeroClix, action figures, fantasy gaming?

Firstly, no one sends these items to be reviewed therefore no reviews!

Secondly, send me the items and I'll review them!

I didn't really think that through. I am old.

So, them's the facts.  Word.

Oh, the same with cosplay -I cannot post images of cosplayers here without permission. So there.




我一直在问为什么,不像旧WordPress的CBO,不包括评论和漫画相关的玩具,HeroClix信息,人物动作,奇幻的游戏? 首先,要审查,因此没有评论!没有人将这些物品 其次,给我的项目,我会检讨他们!  我真的不认为通过。我老了, 所以,他们是事实。单词。 哦, ​​同样具备角色扮演-我不能发表扮演者的形象在这里未经许可。所以有。

It's official: Zack Snyder set to direct 'Justice League'

It's official: Zack Snyder set to direct 'Justice League'
.

Warner Bros. is officially planning to make 'Justice League' as a follow-up to the currently in-production sequel to last year's 'Man Of Steel,' and now they've made it official that Zack Snyder will direct it as well.
 
Today's not-remotely-shocking news is that Zack Snyder will officially direct "Justice League" for Warner Bros as soon as he's done with "Man Of Steel 2."

For the most part, all this does is clarify the situation. After all, since the moment the conversation about the sequel to "Man Of Steel" began, the question about Warner's entire game plan regarding the DC universe has been in play. Each new announcement about the film has added new characters to the mix. Ben Affleck's onboard as Batman. Gal Gadot is set to play Wonder Woman. Just last week, they hired Sam Fisher to play Cyborg. It seems obvious that they're seeding things for more movies down the road, and now they've called the shot.

Greg Silverman, president of worldwide production for the studio, made it official in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. There's a hilariously breathless quote midway through his story that pretty much explains why they were given the story. "The plans for three superhero movies in relatively quick succession show how intent Warner is on catching up with rival Walt Disney Co.'s Marvel Studios in building a cinematic superhero universe after years lagging behind."

Yeah, good luck with that. They don't mention a date for "Justice League," but if the "Man Of Steel" sequel comes out as planned in 2016 and Zack Snyder is directing both films, then the earliest we're going to see it is 2018. If they did decide to make "Justice League" back-to-back with the "Man Of Steel" sequel, then maybe they could get it into theaters by 2017. Even so, by that point, there will be what? Six new Marvel movies? More?

They can't worry about competing, honestly. No matter what they do, Warner just isn't committed to the sort of laser-focused production schedule that has made the Marvel movies such a force to contend with in the last few years. Warner tends to go gigantic when they make these films. I would be surprised if Marvel's made three films out of their whole run so far that are anywhere near as expensive as "Green Lantern" was, and I'm willing to bet that aside from "Avengers: Age Of Ultron," there's never been a Marvel movie that costs as much as "Man Of Steel" did. And that's fine. That's the way it should be, actually. Warner should just focus on doing the films they want to do, the way they want to do them, on the schedule that works for the movies. Unless they plan to start cranking out two a year, they're not really competing. Not in the way fanboys keep trying to make it sound. Yes, right now, "Man Of Steel 2" and "Captain America 3" are both set for the same date, but that won't end up happening, and besides, those films are going to be doing such radically different things in regards to their place in the larger narratives around them that comparing them because they are both based on comic books is ridiculous.
I found it interesting that they mentioned other films in development, including "Shazam," "Metal Men," "100 Bullets," and "Fables," especially since at least two of those have no overlap potential with "Man Of Steel" or "Justice League" at all. They also teased the possibility of making a "Wonder Woman" movie, but I'll believe that when I see it. I've read too many good drafts of relatively faithful "Wonder Woman" movies over the years to believe that they're any closer to actually making the film.

For now, "Justice League" is the prize that Warner Bros. has to focus on, and if they pull it off, then they open the door to at least try some other characters. This is still such an early moment that speculating about where they're going to go assumes that they'll pull this off. That is in no way a given. I'm on the record as being a big fan of "Man Of Steel," and I'm personally excited that they now appear to be doubling down on Snyder as the guy who is setting the palette for the larger world. But we'll see how the public responds, and how far they get with their "Justice League" plans before we start calling this a "universe."

Sunday 27 April 2014

In Search of Moebius (BBC 4 Documentary)

Sanho Kim? WHO IS SANHO KIM?



This is another re-post from the old CBO but much edited -with art for one thing! Even today I still have fond memories of Sanho's horror comic strips and,being a fan of the old Charlton Horror Comics (I think The Promise was his first horror story I read), he was one of those artists who really made me want to draw comics.  

There was an odd "feel" to the look of his strips, if that makes any sense? 

I picked up a Charlton horror comic on a seedy old newsagent-tobacconist that no longer exists -it disappeared with much more of the Newfoundland Road area of Bristol when the new motorway was built in the 1970s. It seemed the only shop where I could pick up Charlton Comics in those days. But when I opened the comic...Sanho's art combined with the colouring from the Cornflake box printing press that Charlton used..wow.

Sanho is little remembered in Western comics these days, I’ve tried hard to find info on him but with no luck.
I publish the article in full with thanks to the author for finally educating me on this great artist (and I've added a bunch of art).
___________________________________________________________________________

WHO IS SANHO KIM?

Empire’ is pride and spirit of Korean people and its culture.
by Kim Dong-Hwa,Chairman of the Korean Cartoonists Association
  
Mr. Sanho Kim has been honored with an Order of Cultural Merits by the Korean government in October 2008. He was recognized as an artist having created countless pieces of comics as well as works of fine art dealing with the Korean culture and history ever since he showcased his first work in 1957.


His representative work Lifi encouraged the Korean people to rise from the disasters of the Korean War and still is imprinted in the minds of many people as the first science fiction comics in Korea.

 After immigrating to the US,he published numerous comic books to disseminate oriental sentiments to the Western world for the first time. With a unique view of the Korean history,Mr. Kim introduced traditional drawing techniques to comic books in History of Great Korean Empire.
 He is still energetically working on the Korean fine art.

 Despite the differences in forms and storytelling, the common theme that runs through Lifi and History of Great Korean Empire is pride and spirit of the Korean people and their culture.
With the dream of being a comic artist that has sprouted since his childhood,he happened to enjoy a cartoon,“Mr. Manhong,” featured in the Busan Daily Newspaper at a refuge camp during the Korean War.
 
Back in Seoul,he studied fine arts at Seorabeol Art College where he made a debut as a comic artist with a story about freedom fighters,A Shining Star at Dawn,contributed to the Manwha Segye Magazine. The story became a big hit thanks to his skills and story telling abilities,which made it possible to vitalize the spirit of the freedom fighters who resisted the Japanese occupation.
While most Korean comics of the 1960s were based on sad themes,he stood out for his science-fiction and adventure comics. With his rich imagination in the science-fiction genre,he created a fascinating universe in his ‘Lifi’ series.


The series of Lifi the Fighter of Justice saw its publication in 1959,soon becoming a best seller. During the poverty-stricken period in which people couldn’t even afford to listen to the radio, Lifi,armed with brand-new weapons,became a hero fighting against the crowd of devils. With a “”- shaped badge on the chest,and based on the Taeback mountains,Lifi was ubiquitous,showing his heroic act throughout the country. 

Through the hero in the comic book Kim tried to express the spirit of the Korean people to encourage them to overcome the hardship of those difficult days.


At a time when Comic books were dismissed as a lowly genre, Kim began to challenge the prejudice by creating a hero that represents the country against the background of the 22nd century,which signified future generations full of hope and dream.

After having studied Western painting, he started his career in comics with ‘The brilliant Twilight Star’ in 1958. After the creation of ‘Lifi’,he drew comics in several genres,such as western,adventure,police,and war stories.

In 1966, he moved to the United States,where he began a publishing house. He was a popular artist for Charlton Comics, renowned for producing over 90 percent of American comics. Among his over 300 credits are ‘House of Yang’,'Hercules’,'Wrong Country’,'Dr Graves’,‘Billy the Kid’ and ‘Cheyenne Kid’.

He also drew horror comics for ACG Comics,and worked as an art director at Off Broadway and Village Times. He was the first Asian style comic artist to be published in the USA.

Mr. Kim tried to show something Korean and Chinese in his works and express the beauty of Korea with his unique oriental brush touches while working in the US. American readers could experience the oriental actions through ‘Ploto’,a Korean wearing a bamboo hat with a bun hair who came all the way to the US from Shanghai as a refugee from the Japanese Occupation,demonstrated Taekwondo, and punished villains in the name of justice. 

Through ‘Promise’,part of ‘Ghost Story’ series,they were also able to get to know about the concept of the “han” sentiment of a Korean ghost who used to wear traditional ‘chima’ and ‘jogori’,as well as the customs and emotions of the people of the Choseon Dynasy invaded by Japan.

Especially,this work, written in English, had new features including speech balloons containing Korean translation.
 
He became popular as an artist as well as an entrepreneur who, later,changed his career to become a historian after traveling to China. Charmed with the new view of the Korean ancient history and its people who had governed broad areas including the Sandong peninsular and Manchuria about 6,000 years ago.

He returned to Korea in 1996,where he continued his comics career with ‘Daejusinjeguksa’ (History of Great Korean Empire)’,'The Duman River’ and ‘The Story of Buddha’,comics in which he combined western painting with comics art.



He invented a new form of “picture scenario” in order to create ‘History of Great Korean Empire’ in which he cast a new view on the East Asian history. Despite the differences in forms and story telling, the common theme prevailing through ‘Lifi’ and ‘History of Great Korean Empire’ pride and spirit of Korean people and its culture.