Launching The Black Panel v2.0

Hello from Andy Luke and welcome to the new Black Panel Distribution. For the last few years, Patrick Brown and myself have sold Irish indie comics through stalls at The Black Box Bazaar and Black Market, Black Books, Chilli Fest and others. It's been an interesting trip, but with venues in Belfast drying up, a track change was necessary. We've asked our publishers to come forward with details where I can provide payment, and are waiting on their help in settling any outstanding accounts from the first incarnation.

So, Phase 2 - I'll be continuing to distribute Irish comics, but now dedicating my efforts to achieving permanent showcase spaces, shops within shops if you will. As a resources agency, The Black Panel will be utilising it's network of facilitators and affiliate sites to showcase the sixty fantastic comics in our stock. Communications and customer access and satisfaction are the aim of the game. The Panel will be operating across Counties Antrim and Down, helping promote and sell entrepreneur's comics from all over Ireland.

Black Panel logo c. Paddy Brown 2009

Some very interesting chats with Avalon Arts in Belfast and helping facilitate their December 9th Comics Fayre. The Fayre takes place in Haymarket Arcade off central Royal Avenue. This was the route through to the site of the old Talisman, one of Belfast's first comics shops, and to Impact, now trading as The Stack, who have agreed to be part of the event.

We're working in partnership with Stuart Gould's UK Comics Creative agency. His new Showcase magazine includes over 260+ products - from Markosia, Rough Cut, Accent UK, Neptune Factory, Braw Books, Comic Book Alliance, Time Bomb Comics, Team Girl and others. Debuting at the MCM Expo 27-28 November, Showcase also features links to the Black Panel, and the first edition includes eight recommended titles from our stock:


Gran - 2nd edition by Andy Luke
Cattle Raid of Cooley - Paddy Brown
From Rags To Rockstars by Tommie Kelly
The Well Below by John Robbins
Last Bus by Paddy Lynch
Matter by Phil Barrett
Romantic Mayhem by Various
Supernatural Showcase by Gar Shanley and Cathal Duggan

 The beta version of Showcase is up now, with the full catalogue ready mid-November at http://www.ukcomicscreative.co.uk/showcase-magazine.htm

Next week, an announcement on our first permanent shop-placings.....stay tuned!