London Film & Comic Con + UK Holiday wrap-up post

My trip to the United Kingdom for London Film and Comic Con was (not surprisingly) one of the most amazing convention trips I’ve ever had. Some of the content of this post already appeared in bits and pieces in my Facebook and Twitter feed, but I wanted to add a few things and gather it all in one place.

Thanks again to Tony Lee and London Film & Comic Con for bringing me to London, and for allowing me to push my return back by a week allowing my friend and convention-helper Tim Fox and I time to enjoy London and other parts of the UK after the LFCC weekend.

Christopher Jones and traveling companion Tim Fox who doesn’t like flying…

London Film and Comic Con

The convention itself was a great experience, greatly thanks to Tony Lee and his LFCC Comic Zone Team.

The LFCC Comic Zone Team: Antony McGarry-Thickitt, Amy-Jayne McGarry-Thickitt, Tony Lee, Michael Mastakin, and Dan Hart.

I got to meet lots of British fans and connect with other creators from the worlds of comics and Doctor Who, including (but by no means limited to) Rachel Stott, Dan Slott, Sara Pichelli, Mike Collins, Jeff Cummins, Steve Niles, Jorge Jiminez, James Peaty, Chris Thompson, Alisa Stern and Scott Ampleford of Puppet Who, and Stephen Saleh.

Normally at conventions I’m busy working my table and I never get to see any of the “celebrity” guests, but thanks to Tony I was able to find time to get photos with Doctors Tom Baker, David Bradley, Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi!

Paul McGann, Christopher Jones, Colin Baker, and David Bradley

Christopher Jones and Christopher Eccleston

Christopher Jones and a very tan David Tennant

Matt Smith and Christopher Jones

Peter Capaldi and Christopher Jones

I did a few sketches over the weekend, this one was probably my personal favorite.

Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor on a sketch cover variant of the Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor comic.

This gets an honorable mention because it amused me so much. When you are at a London comic book convention with EIGHT Doctor Who’s in attendance and you’ve just drawn a 7th Doctor mini-series and a fan asks for a sketch of “Ace,” you could be forgiven for not immediately realizing they wanted a sketch of Ace the Bat Hound!

Four Days in London

The London House Hotel and it’s cool (creepy?) automatic door.

Tim and I had arrived in London on Thursday morning and had already visited the Tower of London so we didn’t have to wait until after LFCC was over to feel we’d seem something of the UK beyond the Olympia convention venue, our hotel, and the daily coach rides in between. (And by coach I mean bus, not a horse and carriage.)

The Monday after the convention, Tim and I checked out of the hotel where we’d been put up by the convention and moved to a little hotel in Kensington. The door to the London House Hotel opens automatically as you approach, and every time it did I thought of The Prisoner.

Once checked in we were now in the “touristy” part of the trip. We did a double-decker bus tour of London that ended with a fancy tea at Harrods. We visited the Camden Town shopping district. We met up with Dutch, a friend of Tim’s he’d known for years but only online and all had dinner together. We met up with Chris Thompson (Brand Manager for Titan Comics) who I’d seen briefly at LFCC and had a much more leisurely conversation, talking all things Doctor Who and comics. I did a quick signing at London’s legendary Forbidden Planet comic book store on the day the final issue of my Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor “Operation Volcano” mini-series was released.

Thursday afternoon we met up with Tony Lee for better “quality time” then we’d snagged with him during the busy convention weekend. Together we visited The British Library, and half the fun was seeing Tony’s obvious joy in sharing one of his favorite places. The building itself is beautiful, but we saw bibles transcribed by monks, handwritten lyrics to Beatles songs, original manuscript pages from Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (on display side-by-side with a copy of Bernie Wrightson‘s illustrated edition of the book, to my delight), and the Magna Carta. Amazing place.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and I took the opportunity to give Tony the sketch I had done of him on the scooter he’d been using to whiz around LFCC all weekend. I’d left the hair “open for color” rather than filling it in black, but Tony thought it made him look white-haired and accused me of drawing his father. The sketch is presented here with the hair colored brown in deference to Tony.

Tony Lee on his LFCC scooter.

It was around this time that Tony learned that Frazer Hines (2nd Doctor companion Jamie from Doctor Who) was nearby, so he was invited to join us, and we all moved to another nearby pub for some good conversation and a low-light-level selfie.

Christopher Jones, Tony Lee, Frazer Hines, Tim Fox

Dinner with Dan Slott, and the Paul Cornell tour or Fairford

Thurdsay evening we met Dan Slott and Paul Cornell for a lovely Indian dinner, and afterwards Tim and I took the train with Paul to Swindon and then drove the rest of the way back to his home in Fairford, Gloucestershire which was a setting in our #DoctorWho The Third Doctor comic series “Heralds of Destruction.” We got in late enough that Paul’s wife Caroline Symcox and their son were asleep so we crept in quietly to get some sleep ourselves and be social the following day.

Friday began with some conversation at Paul and Caroline’s lovely home, which is the Vicarage for St. Mary’s Church. Caroline is the Vicar of the church, which was a featured location as UNIT’s temporary base-of-operations when they were in Fairford in our Doctor Who story! Caroline was good enough to give us a personalized tour of the church, which is a beautiful building with amazing history, especially it’s stained glass windows. I’d wanted to get a photo with both Paul and Caroline in front of the church, but Paul had already ducked away when I wasn’t looking to do some childcare while Caroline gave us the tour, and then Caroline got busy with some unexpected church business, leaving Tim and I to walk back to the Vicarage to meet up with Paul and await Caroline and the babysitter so Tim, Paul, Caroline and I could head off to Avebury!

St. Mary’s Church as seen in Doctor Who: The Third Doctor “Heralds of Destruction”

Chris standing in front of the real thing.

“Vicar: The Rev’d Caroline Symcox”

Avebury is an amazing place, home to a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village. One of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain, it contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world.

Christopher Jones, Paul Cornell, & Caroline Symcox at the Avebury Stone Circle.

After Avebury it was back to Fairford. Paul and I did some plotting and planning that will hopefully lead to another collaboration in the coming months (we’ll see), and then we all had a quick dinner at the pub before Paul gave Tim and I a ride back to the Swindon train station.

Cardiff (AKA Doctor Who Mecca)

Tim and I took the train from Swindon to Cardiff, which has been the base of production for Doctor Who since 2005. We didn’t get to our hotel until around 11pm, so we didn’t do much other than get some sleep before doing a tour the following day. The tour started from Wales Millennium Centre in Roald Dahl Plass, and we spent the afternoon travelling by coach (no double-decker this time) to various Doctor Who filming locations, occasionally stopping to walk about. It seemed that fully half the locations we visited were from either Father’s Day or the Human Nature / Family of Blood 2-parter, both written by Paul Cornell. This amused Tim and I greatly given where we’d spend the previous day. Arriving back at Roald Dahl Plass the tour guide pointed out Eddie’s Diner, the shooting location for the 50’s Diner (supposedly in Utah) seen in two different Doctor Who stories, so it was obvious where Tim and I were going to have dinner before catching the train back to London.

Looking for Patient Zero on the Doctor Who filming locations tour.

Tried to talk to Torchwood. Nobody Home.

Poor Ianto.

Eddies Diner, found in Cardiff Bay, not Utah.

Back in London

At this point we were running out of steam, so our last day in London consisted of a quick return trip to Camden so Tim could pick up a pair of boots he wanted, and then repacking our luggage for the return trip home. It was an exhausting, but amazing trip, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the hospitality we were shown while there. I’m hoping we can make it back very soon. If only I could figure out a more convenient way of getting back and forth…

Maybe this box I found in Earl’s Court can help.

Christopher Jones at London Film and Comic Con

I’ll be at London Film and Comic Con all three days (27-29 July, 2018), and I couldn’t be more excited to be traveling to my FIRST CONVENTION outside of North America!

That’s right, I’m doing a comic book convention in LONDON while I have a Doctor Who comic coming out! How sweet is that timing? Have you been following my Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor mini-series from Titan Comics? Issues 1 & 2 are out now, with the concluding issue #3 coming out August 1. Writer Andrew Cartmel and I will both be at LFCC, so bring your copies for us to sign, or pick it up from Titan Comics at their booth!

London Film and Comic Con (or #LFCC2018 if you’re one of the cool kids on Twitter) sounds like it’s going to be a metric tonne of fun with lots of exciting guests and events. You can learn more about it on their web site: https://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com/

I’ll be at my table in Artist Alley most of the weekend, selling art, doing commission sketches, and happy to chat with anyone who stops by.

I’m on three panels over the course of the weekend:

FRIDAY 4pm – I AM THE DOCTOR
For almost fifty-five years now, Doctor Who has been a mainstay of British entertainment. Join our panel of Doctor Who creators, including one-time Script Editor of Doctor Who, and now writer of the current 7th Doctor series Andrew Cartmel, as they discuss the past, present and future of the comics, books and upcoming games involving this Time Lord! Christopher Jones, Andrew Cartmel, Jeff Cummins, Mike Collins, Giorgia Sposito. Moderator: Antony McGarry-Thickitt (Geek Syndicate)

SATURDAY 11am –  THE SUPERHERO SHOW

With so many different types of comics available, sometimes it’s easy to forget that superhero comics have been around for over eighty years now. Join our panel as they discuss why the super hero has stayed fresh for generations. Kevin Hopgood (Iron Man), Daniel Sampere (Injustice 2, JLA), Jorge Jiménez (Superman, Justice League), Sara Pichelli (Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy), Alison Sampson (Jessica Jones), Christopher Jones (Young Justice). Moderator: Irma Page

SUNDAY 10am – MARKOSIA ENTERTAINMENT

Since 2004 Markosia have strived to be one of the top UK independent publishers in the business, with creators that had their early starts there including Tony Lee, Ryan Stegman and Fiona Staples among others. Join Special Projects co- ordinator G.M Jordan alongside some current and future creators, as they discuss some upcoming titles – and every attendee gets a limited edition signed A3 poster of Dark Lines of London! Stephen Saleh, Mariela Malova, Haydn Pryce-Jenkins, Tony Lee, Christopher Jones, G.M Jordan.

Prints and Commission Sketches

Yes, I’ll be doing commission sketches at the show an will have my usual prints for sale, but as I can’t use my handy-dandy Square reader to take credit card transactions in the UK, I’ll need to be CASH ONLY. Please plan accordingly if you know you’re going to want to visit my table at the convention. I’m also trying to keep my prices low while balancing that against the convenience of round figures, so please have fives available if at all possible. 11″x17″ prints will be £15 each, or 3 for £25. Commissions will be £50 for a head-and-shoulders sketch and £80 for full-figure (see examples below).

Thank you!

11×17 Prints

I’ll have my usual prints for sale including my newest,“Thirteen” featuring Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor, “The Paternoster Gang” featuring Strax, Madame Vastra and Jenny, and if you like me you love Doctor Who AND Superheroes, check out “Love at First Sight” featuring Harley Quinn and the TARDIS.

It may not be new, but given the current comic book I’m drawing you might want to check out “Come on Ace, We’ve Got Work To Do!” featuring The 7th Doctor and Ace versus an army of Daleks. It’s the print that led to me doing Doctor Who comics for Titan! (Ask and I’ll tell you the story!)

Those are only a few of my 11″x17″ prints – stop my Artist Alley table to see them all!

8.5 x 11 Prints

I’ll also have my selection of 8.5″x11″ prints at £10 (color) and £5 (black & white)

As usual, all my prints are available from my Etsy store, but they’re cheaper to get from me in person at my discounted convention prices.

Commission Sketches

I will be doing sketches during the convention. I anticipate a limited amount of time to catch up on my commission sketch list outside of show hours, so get your requests in EARLY, as my list will fill up FAST!

• Full Figure: £80 for the first character +£60 for each additional character
• Head Sketch (shoulders & up): £50

My sketches are ink drawings are black and white line art on 9″x12″ Bristol. I’ll do commission sketches for the same rates in sketchbooks or on sketch covers for the same rates if you provide the book.

Christopher Jones at CONSOLE ROOM 2018

What a great time to see my fellow Whovians at the Console Room convention this weekend!

I’ll be in the convention’s Artist Alley located in the Woodlands Room right next to the bar. That’s right – NEXT TO THE BAR! I’ll be at my table there most of the weekend, selling art, signing books, and happy to chat with anyone who stops by.

Two times to look for me elsewhere:

• Saturday at 10:00am Katy Rex and I will be talking to Dave Wheeler on Main Stage about Creating Comic Books.
• Saturday at 12:30pm when I’ll be interviewing Console Room guest Dan Starky on Main Stage, talking about his recurring role as Strax and what it’s like being the most famous Sontaran in Doctor Who.

Last weekend’s Free Comic Book Day saw the release of Titan Comics’ Doctor Who free comic which not only featured the debut of Jodie Whitaker’s 13th Doctor, but had a 5-page teaser for my 7th Doctor mini-series Operation Volcano that is coming out in June. (Below are my covers for the first two issues of that series featuring Sylvester McCoy’s 7th Doctor and Sophie Aldred’s Ace, plus a cover featuring David Tennant’s 10th Doctor I did for Titan’s “Road to the 13th Doctor” mini-series.)

I won’t yet have copies for sale of either of those books, but I do have the trade paperback collection of the 3rd Doctor mini-series Heralds of Destruction that I did last year with Paul Cornell. Pick one up and get it signed!

New 11×17 Prints For Sale!

I’ve done a number of new prints since Console Room last year: “Thirteen” featuring Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor, “The Paternoster Gang” featuring Strax, Madame Vastra and Jenny, and if you like me you love Doctor Who AND Superheroes, check out “Love at First Sight” featuring Harley Quinn and the TARDIS.

It may not be new, but given the current comic book I’m drawing you might want to check out “Come on Ace, We’ve Got Work To Do!” featuring The 7th Doctor and Ace versus an army of Daleks. It’s the print that led to me doing Doctor Who comics for Titan! (Ask and I’ll tell you the story!)

In addition the new additions I’ll still have my full selection of 11″x17″ color prints including Young Justice and Doctor Who favorites and even Svengoolie!

And I’ll also have my selection of 8.5″x11″ prints at $10 (color) and $5 (black & white)

You can see the rest of my prints in my gallery. As usual, all my prints are available from my Etsy store, but they’re cheaper to get from me in person at my discounted convention prices.

Commission Sketches

I will be doing sketches during the convention. Stop by my table, H4, on Friday or Saturday to get on my list! Here are my at-the-con sketch rates.

• Full Figure: $100 for the first character + $80 for each additional character
• Head Sketch (shoulders & up): $60 or $40 with a current student ID

My sketches are ink drawings done with brush pens on 9″x12″ Bristol. I’ll do commission drawings for the same rates in sketchbooks or on sketch covers for the same rates if you provide the book.

Christopher Jones at C2E2 2018

I’m thrilled to see so many friends and fans again at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo this weekend! I’ll be at Artist Alley table H4 for all three days of the convention.

Here’s a handy map to help you find me at the con!

Yes, once again everybody’s favorite clown prince of crime Mister J will be joining me! He’ll be roaming the convention getting into staying out of trouble when he’s not at my table!

    

2018 Con Exclusive Free Mini-Print

Those who have been following me for a while know that C2E2 is also where I unveil my new FREE mini-print for the year! These are convention exclusive 4″x6″ signed prints that can only be obtained by visiting me at a convention and showing me that you follow me on Facebook or Twitter. It’s a way that I can say thank you to my fans for sticking around. And they’re sort of starting to become collectible, apparently.

In honor of Young Justice returning this year, my newest Mini-Print features Kid Flash claiming another “Souvenir”: a mini-print of Kid Flash claiming another “Souvenir”: a mini-print of… well, you get the idea.

I’ll still have my mini-prints from previous years for C2E2 since I’m driving (not worrying about luggage weight really increases what I can bring with me!) So if you’ve missed one, get it while you can.

New Prints Since Last Year 

I’ve got a few new 11″x17″ full color and 9.5″x11″ full color AND black-and-white prints for purchase since last year’s C2E2, too. I think you guys are going to like these. As usual, I’ll be offering all of my prints at a significant discount from my Etsy store prices.

First, for Young Justice fans, there’s a bonanza of new prints! The Season 2 Team print, The Bat Family, The Flash Family (aka “Flash Forward”), The Marvel Family, and for you villain fans out there, Let There Be Light! 

For Doctor Who fans I’ve got new prints as well: “Thirteen” featuring Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor, “The Paternoster Gang” featuring Strax, Madame Vastra and Jenny, and if you like me you love Doctor Who AND Superheroes, check out “Love at First Sight” featuring Harley Quinn and the TARDIS.

Given the Doctor Who mini-series I’m currently drawing (out this June with a special preview for Free Comic Book Day), it may not be new, this might be of special interest: “Come on Ace, We’ve Got Work To Do!” is my print featuring The Seventh Doctor and Ace.

And I’ll also have my selection of 8.5″x11″ prints at $10 (color) and $5 (black & white), and a limited number of copies of the collected edition of Doctor Who: The 3rd Doctor mini-series by myself and Paul Cornell.

You can see the rest of my prints in my gallery.

C2E2 2018 At-the-Con Sketch Rates 

I will be doing sketches during the convention. Stop by my table, H4, on Friday or Saturday to get on my list! Here are my at-the-con sketch rates.

• Full Figure: $100 for the first character + $80 for each additional character
• Head Sketch (shoulders & up): $60 or $40 with a current student ID

My sketches are ink drawings done with brush pens on 9″x12″ Bristol. I’ll do commission drawings for the same rates in sketchbooks or on sketch covers for the same rates if you provide the book.

Cosplay Repair Kit!

Again this year, I will have the cosplay repair kit with sewing stuff, different sorts of tape, contact cement, and other misc. cosplay repair items. Just ask if you need to use it.

Before I go…

I wanted to answer some Frequently-Asked-Questions from twitter:

• Autographs are always free and I’ll sign anything you bring me. (Check out my guide to asking for signatures and drawings at conventions!)
• I do not charge for photos and I am happy to take a photo with anyone who asks!
• I’m happy to do interviews, podcasts, snippets, goofy stuff, and whatever any day but Sunday, but the earlier you can drop by, the better!
• I will draw any cannon character ship kissing if asked. I will draw any two characters together doing non-romantic/sexual things, regardless of whether it’s cannon or not.

Please stop by and say hello, grab your free mini-print, and if you’re cosplaying, let me take a photo for my Facebook page. Oh, I have an Instagram now too, so be sure to follow me on there too!

Can’t wait to see you all, especially those of you who bring me Diet Coke every year (you know who you are!)

Christopher Jones at Emerald City Comic Con

I’m delighted to be returning for a second year at Emerald City Comic Con, March 1—4. I’ll be set up in the Artist Alley doing original commission sketches, selling prints, and chatting with anyone who wants to say hello.

Artist Alley – Table II9

Emerald City ComiCon is being held at the Washington State Convention Center (7^th and Pike) in Downtown Seattle. This year, ECCC Artist Alley will be on the 6^th Floor of the building, accessible by escalators and elevators in front of the entrances to the Exhibition Hall on the 4^th floor.

Exhibition Hall / Artist Alley Hours are:

Thursday:   10:00am—7:00pm
Friday:        10:00am—7:00pm
Saturday:   10:00am—7:00pm
Sunday:      10:00am—5:00pm