Hi-Ex

Infobox Convention
name = Hi-Ex


caption =
status = Active
genre = Comics
venue = Eden Court Theatre
location = Inverness
country = Scotland
first = February 2008
last =
organizer = Richmond Clements, Vicky Stonebridge
filing =
attendance =
website = http://www.hi-ex.co.uk/

Hi-Ex (short for the Highlands International Comics Expo) is the name given to a Scottish comics convention. It is held early in the year in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. The organisers are Richmond Clements (editor at FutureQuake Publishing) and Vicky Stonebridge. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7194176.stm First superheroes expo for north] , BBC, January 18, 2008] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7195730.stm Scots' impact on comics examined] , BBC, January 22, 2008] [ [http://www.highland-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/3177/Comic_book_heroes_set_for_city_expo.html Comic book heroes set for city expo] , "Highland News", January 29, 2008] [ [http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5032/Inverness_a_big_draw_for_comic_fans.html Inverness a big draw for comic fans] , "Inverness Courier", February 1, 2008]

Overview

The idea for the convention emerged from the lack of a major comics convention in the area and a discussion Richmond Clements and Vicky Stonebridge had with Eden Court's Judith Aitken, about possibly bringing in a few guest speakers. Through contacts made because of their involvement with the British small press comics they were able speak to a wide number of professional comic creators and the event rapidly grew into full weekend. They also received advice from people with experience in running conventions, including Michael Carroll, who runs Octocon, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7373125.stm Catwalks and comic book heroes] , BBC, June 1, 2008] and the Comic Expo's Mike Allwood. [http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/jan08-feature-hi-ex.html Interview with organisers] , "Northings", January 2008]

Hi-Ex has also been used by the BBC as an example of how the Internet has helped facilitate developments in the Highlands and Islands. Clements is quoted as saying "Practically the entire event was organised through e-mail."

2007

The first event took place at and included Cam Kennedy, Colin MacNeil, John Higgins, Gary Erskine and Rufus Dayglo. The poor weather meant Alan Grant was unable to attend and run a script writing workshop but Al Ewing, Declan Shalvey and Ben Clark filled in for him. Also there were the 501st Legion UK Garrison [ [http://www.ukgarrison.co.uk/ UK Garrison] ] and a Predator. [ [http://www.top-punts.co.uk/ Predmaniac] ]

Hi-Ex was the centre of a range of other events organised to promote comics in he region, including "outreach visits" to schools, involving Kev F. Sutherland, with the help of the The Highland Council and Scottish Arts Council, [http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-hianewnfj.RefLocID-hiacg5005.Lang-EN.htm Northings review] ] and an exhibition of comic art in Eden Court's gallery.

2008

The BBC revealed that Frank Quitely and Mike McMahon were booked for the second Hi-Ex, taking place on the weekend of the 14-15 February. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7485704.stm Convention books Superman artist] , "BBC", July 3, 2008]

Reception

"Northings", the Highlands and Islands Art Journal, described the first convention as "inspirational" and said that "By the end of the weekend I felt like a door had been opened on a whole genre of Art that I hadn’t really engaged with before.". Of those that attended, Gary Erskine declared it a "complete success." [ [http://garyerskine.blogspot.com/2008/02/hi-ex-success.html Hi-Ex success!] , February 5, 2008]

References

External links

*
* [http://www.futurequake.co.uk/ FutureQuake]
* [http://www.balnacra.com/ Vicky Stonebridge]
* [http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=6369 Hi-Ex in the Highlands] , Forbidden Planet, February 3, 2008
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/hiex/ Hi-Ex photographs] on Flickr
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezh6ajYx-p4 The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre's guide to Hi-Ex] , by Kev F. Sutherland
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evTxgansiDg The Predator's footage of event]