EVENT: Overload: NZ Comic and Manga Convention 2017

This weekend sees the return of Overload: the NZ Comic & Manga Convention, an annual community-focused event where local indie comic and manga artists can exhibit and sell their artwork.

Overload 2017 will host more than 200 indie artists from all over New Zealand. They are running loads of fun events for attendees to join in, such as: a Cosplay Competition, an Illustration Competition, and for the first time this year, an anime song Karaoke Competition. They will also have international guests in attendance:  anime singer Kawano Marina (‘Morning Arch’, ‘Takaramono’), anime director Takuya Sato (WIXOSS series, Steins; Gate) and cosplay artist Ying Tze.

Above: Cosplay artist Ying Tze.

If Comics and Manga are your thing, this is a great convention to pick up some amazing original artwork direct from the artists themselves, as well as manga, anime DVDs, and plenty of other genuine collectible goodies!

Overload 2017 will be taking place this Saturday, September 30th, from 10am – 6pm at The Cloud Convention Center, 89 Quay Street, Auckland. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for under 13s and Free for under 5s! Tickets can be purchased at the door, or from Eventfinda HERE. From more information, visit the Overload website HERE.

- AK!

News From Earth's End: September Edition

Above: The cover of Faction #2, by Christian Pearce.

The second issue of the latest NZ comics anthology, Faction #2 is out now! It's 90 pages of kiwi comics goodness, featuring: Allan Xia, Cory Mathis, Damon Keen, the Sheehan Bros, Rachel Royale, Michel Mulipola, Ned Wenlock, James Squires, Mukpuddy and myself!

It's available from selected retailers and the Faction website HERE for $24.95 (+ postage).

Above: The cover of Moth City: Volume 3 Part 1, by Tim Gibson. Copyright Tim Gibson 2013.

Tim Gibson's webcomic Moth City continues to draw great reviews and industry attention, with it's fifth issue dropping on ComiXology next Wednesday HERE.

Above: Let Me Be Frank #4: Celebrity by Sarah Laing. Copyright Sarah Laing 2013.

As a part of the Auckland Libraries' Comic Book Month, author and cartoonist Sarah Laing will be giving a talk about he latest novel, The Fall of Light, and comic books in general at the Point Chevalier Library, this Saturday Sept 28th from 2.30pm -3.30pm. She has currently released four issues of her excellent comic series Let Me Be Frank through Pikita Press, that can be purchased online HERE.

Above: Issues of Let Me Be Frank on the Earth's End Spinner Rack!

Overload, the annual NZ Comic & Manga convention returns in 2013 with a much larger venue, the ASB Stadium, Kohimarama road, Auckland. The event features a range of comic creators and illustrators selling their work as well as a cosplay contest, and special guest manga artist Range Murata. It takes place this Saturday 28th of September, from 10am - 6pm. Entry is $5, with FREE parking available!

For more details on what to expect from Overload this weekend, visit the website HERE.

The From Earth's End: The Best of New Zealand Comics collection is on the way; I'll have news in the coming weeks for the exclusive book launch in Auckland and signings taking place in November! For more updates and exclusive content make sure you LIKE the Facebook page HERE, and follow me on Twitter: @adriankinnaird. More to come soon...

-AK!

EVENT: Overload 2011 NZ Comics & Manga Convention

If you're a fan of Manga, comics and Cosplay, then this weekend's Overload Convention is for you!

This two day event will be held July 23-24th at the Hotel Pullman (formerly the Hyatt Regency Hotel) Regatta Rooms in Auckland, from 10am-5pm. There's a $5 entry fee at the door, which buys you entrance to the NZ Comics and Manga Market, Cosplay and artwork competitions, special guest panels and more.

Special guests include: Ant Sang, designer of Bro' Town and creator of the recent graphic novel Shaolin Burning. Ant will be appearing all day Sunday and presenting a panel discussion on his work at 1pm.

Dylan Horrocks, author of Hicksville and currently producing the webcomic Sam Zabel And The Magic Pen at www.hicksvillecomics.com will be appearing both days at the New Zealand Comics booth, along with myself, Lee-Yan Marquez creator of The Impostor series, and Richard Fairgray of Blastosaurus.

Yuri Inaba, the Grand Champion of the World Cosplay Summit 2009 will also be appearing both days, shearing her passion for Cosplay and Anime with her NZ fans, as well as taking part in a Q&A session on Cosplay at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Above: A photo from Overload 2010.

If you're not familiar with the manga and cosplay movement in New Zealand, this convention will be a real eye-opener. After attending last year, I can tell you some of the artwork and comics available here are amazing, and I expect this year will be no different. For more information about Overload 2011 and a timetable of the weekend's events, check out the official website HERE.

-AK!