Hi-Ex
{{short description|Comics convention in Scotland, 2008-2012}}
{{Update|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox Convention
| name = Hi-Ex
| image =
| caption =
| status = Defunct
| genre = Comics
| venue = Eden Court Theatre
| location = Inverness
| country = Scotland
| first = February 2008
| last = 2012
| organizer = Richmond Clements, Vicky Stonebridge
| filing =
| attendance =
}}
Hi-Ex (short for Highlands International Comics Expo) was a name given to a Scottish comics convention held from 2008 to 2012. It was held early of each year in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (up to 2012). The organizers were 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, 18 January 2008[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7195730.stm Scots' impact on comics examined], BBC, 22 January 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622062637/http://www.highland-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/3177/Comic_book_heroes_set_for_city_expo.html |date=22 June 2008 }}, Highland News, 29 January 2008{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Inverness Courier |url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5032/Inverness_a_big_draw_for_comic_fans.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225175951/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5032/Inverness_a_big_draw_for_comic_fans.html |archive-date=25 February 2008 |website=Inverness Courier}}
The convention was the Center of a range of other events organized to promote comics in the region, including "outreach visits" to schools (involving Kev F. Sutherland), with the help of the Highland Council and Scottish Arts Council,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8362014.stm Comic event secures council help], BBC, 16 November 2009{{Cite web |url=http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-hianewnfj.RefLocID-hiacg5005.Lang-EN.htm |title=Northings review |access-date=10 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828205352/http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-hianewnfj.RefLocID-hiacg5005.Lang-EN.htm |archive-date=28 August 2008 |url-status=dead }} and an exhibition of comic art in Eden Court's gallery. Richmond Clements quoted: "Over the years Scots have had a surprising influence on comic art and script writing.
History
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 to speak to a wide number of professional comic creators and the event rapidly grew into a full weekend. They received advice from people who had experience in running conventions, including Michael Carroll, who chaired the Irish national science fiction convention, Octocon,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7373125.stm Catwalks and comic book heroes], BBC, 1 June 2008 and the Comic Expo's Mike Allwood.[http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/jan08-feature-hi-ex.html Interview with organisers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522130021/http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/jan08-feature-hi-ex.html |date=22 May 2008 }}, Northings, January 2008 Hi-Ex has 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 organized through e-mail."
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 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!] by Gary Erskine, 5 February 2008
In 2011 the gathering was cancelled due to lack of sponsorships, and time conflicts. The convention wasn't able to hold an event "fans and guests deserved." The exhibition for comic art and script writing was due to be held at Eden Court March 26 - 27th prior to the event's cancellation.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130120081557/http://www.comicbitsonline.com/2010/10/28/no-hi-ex-2011-convention/ "No Hi-Ex! 2011 Convention,"]}} Comics Bits website. Accessed 7 June 2012.{{Cite news |date=2010-09-09 |title=Highland comic convention cancelled |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11242351 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} the show returned in 2012.{{Cite web |title=Highlands International Comic Expo 2012 Information |url=https://animecons.com/events/info/3238/highlands-international-comic-expo-2012 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=AnimeCons.com}} {{Cite web |date=2012-04-05 |title=Hi-Ex {{!}} The W o o l a m a l o o Gazette |url=https://www.woolamaloo.org.uk/tag/hi-ex/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en-GB}}
= Dates and locations =
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://richwriting.blogspot.com/ Richmond Clement's blog]
- [http://www.balnacra.com/ Vicky Stonebridge]
- [http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=6369 Hi-Ex in the Highlands], Forbidden Planet, 3 February 2008
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/hiex/ Hi-Ex photographs] on Flickr
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezh6ajYx-p4 The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre's guide to Hi-Ex], by Kev F. Sutherland
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evTxgansiDg The Predator's footage of event]
- [http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2009/07/we-are-family-a-conversation-with-vicky-stonebridge/ We are Family: A conversation with Vicky Stonebridge], Forbidden Planet, 31 July 2009
Category:Fan conventions in the United Kingdom