Carl Doherty came, he saw, he lugged his own weight home in comic books.

As ever, the British International Comic Show in Birmingham was an eye opener. It’s difficult to conceive of any other storytelling medium that would receive such an intimate display of affection. From the established talent that not only offered signings but were always willing to chat, to hopeful self-publishers unveiling their creations on the world, there was something for everyone.

In fact, if anything struck me most about BICS 2009, it was the diversity of the indie and self-published books on offer. So often comic books are crudely categorised as simply superhero tales or manga, with a gaping chasm in-between. BICS 2009 emphasised that this simply wasn’t the case, the sequential art translations of literary favourite published by Classical Comics alone defy this ignorant overgeneralization.

There were some great events on too, including a talk by Japanese illustrator Michiru Morikawa – her images graced much of the show’s publicity material – about her work and career. DC editor Michael Wright and some very artistic company chatted about 70 years of the Dark Knight, and Tim Pilcher discussed the creative exchange between the comic book and film industries. The ‘Comics Insider’ symposium was particularly interesting, as publishers, creators and retailers alike exchanged ideas

But that’s enough about that.

I’ve been meaning to commence a regular series for alltern8.com for several months now, in which I simply mention several self-published or small press books that have taken my eye. Nothing more, nothing less; these aren’t reviews as such, but a nod to the charming and inventive work that is being produced on the periphery. Visit these talented people’s sites, buy their books or enjoy their webcomic, and tell your friends. Spread the word. That’s the most anyone can possibly do.

Anyway, enough pontificating! Here are five titles that grabbed my interest at BICS 2009. They weren’t necessarily the best or the most awe-inspiring books at the show, but they all have a unique flavour that offers something you will not find elsewhere.

P.S. And for those vendors who weren’t approached by an odd bookish fellow who looked fit to buckle under the weight of his purchases and scavenged freebies, please get in touch and let us know about your literary offspring.
 

The Mutilated Dead
Attackosaur (www.attackosaur.com)

Martin Ian Smith and R.H. Stewart have released the second one-off from their Attackosaur brand. Their first effort, Paralysis, was a ambiguous little horror tale that would have felt at home on the Twilight Zone, and this combination of the Wild West and the Walking Dead is in a similar vein. Smith’s writing is sophisticated and Stewart’s idiosyncratic art is brutal and memorable.

Handknit Heroes
Mortaine Publications (www.comicknits.com)

You asked for it, you got it. That’s right, superhero comics and knitwear have finally been spliced into one slick package. Fortunately, for a concept that relies on a gimmick, the story itself is pretty good. Writer Stephanie Bryant keeps the spandex to a minimum, instead focussing on the personal lives of her team, while Marc Olivant’s art is as polished as many mainstream titles. Each issue ends with a knitwear pattern by Erssie Major (www.erssieknits.com), based on an item worn by a principal character.

Medusa
Graphite Fiction (www.graphite-fiction.com)

Chris Kent’s haunting story of memory and loss, set partly in Iraq, reminds me greatly of the sort of work Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean produced together in the 80s.