For the first time ever, the London Book Fair featured a comic and graphic novel pavilion and a number of seminars were dedicated to comic books. In addition, no less than three Flemish graphic novels will be published in English this year: ‘Sleepyheads' by Randall.C (Blank Slate)and ‘The wrong place' by Brecht Evens (Drawn & Quarterly) are expected to be released in June. In autumn, Self Made Hero will release the English translation of Judith Vanistendael's ‘De maagd en de neger'. Reason enough to give some attention to the Flemish graphic novel scene during a Graphic Novel Night on Monday evening 19 April.
International graphic novel connoisseur, journalist and organizer of the Comica Festival, Paul Gravett, introduced the guests in the fascinating world of the Flemish graphic novel with rich visual material. Then followed a sneak preview of the announced translations. Doug Wallace of Self Made Hero showed pictures from ‘Dance by the light of the moon' which will unite the two parts of Vanistendael's ‘De maagd en de neger' in one book. Authors Randall.C and Brecht Evens read from ‘Sleepyheads' and ‘The wrong place'. For those who could not wait until the release of the translations, copies of the original works were for sale and the authors signed them with unique drawings. The virtual version of the FLF's exhibition ‘Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande' was shown on several screens. The evening ended with a Flemish-style waffles bake and Belgian beers were served. ‘A wink at (Flemish comic hero) Nero', smiled Geert De Proost, representative of the Flemish government in London.
> Visit the picture gallery...
> Discover the virtual version of ‘Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande'...
