News

Special Guest: Gerald Home


Cyprus Comic Con has the pleasure of announcing Gerald Home, actor of TWO roles in ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’, as one of our Special Guests for this year’s event!

Gerald Home was born on October 18, 1950, in Belfast of North Ireland. At the age of 16, he emigrated to Australia with his family where he made his first steps towards acting while still in university. He spent 3 years as an actor and teacher in Australia before moving to London, UK to study at the Drama Studio, from where he graduated in 1977.

 

On the Big Screen

Gerald has had an wide and varied career on the big screen and is most notably known for his two roles in the third installment of the original trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, titled ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ (1983), where he played Tessek-Squid Head (Jabba the Hutt’s accountant!) and the Mon Calamari Officer serving Admiral Ackbar!

He is still very active within the Star Wars community and has appeared at many conventions and events, meeting Star Wars fans around the globe. He is an Honorary Member of numerous fan groups and has had a strong online presence in Star Wars forums, as shown by his long-running popular online thread called ‘ROTJ History: Gerald Home’s Creature Info’, which has in-depth, inside information and backstage photos from ‘Return of the Jedi’, not seen anywhere else online!

Gerald was also a puppeteer on cult musical horror comedy ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986), operating Audrey II, the flesh eating plant! More recently film works include ‘London Boulevard’ (2010), directed by William Monahan, Hideo Nakata’s ‘Chatroom’ (2010) and ‘Where I Belong’(2014), directed by Fritz Urschitz.


TV Appearances

His many TV appearances include ‘Casualty’, ‘Jenny’s War’, ‘Scarlet and Back’, ‘Keeping Mum’, ‘Harry’s Mad’, ‘Shane’, ‘Time Gentlemen Please’, ‘Situation Critical’, ‘Paul Dreams of Bette’ and the ‘Boot Street Band’. Gerald also worked as a puppeteer on ‘Spitting Image’.

 

Mr. Muscle

Gerald was the original “Mr. Muscle” in the long-running series of Mr. Muscle TV commercials (a brand of hard-surface cleaners) in the early 90’s, which were shown all around Europe and as far away as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand! His portrayal of the character brought a lot of laughter and was loved by many generations.

He has also made TV commercials for Holland, Germany, Ireland and Belgium.

 

Theatre

In London West End, he appeared in Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘The Blue Angel’ at the Gielgud Theatre, ‘The Arabian Nights’ at the Arts Theatre and for a year in the farce ‘No Sex Please – We’re British’ at the Novello Theatre. Furthermore, he appeared in ‘A Christmas Carol in Oxford’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘The Winter’s Tale’ in Exeter, ‘The Gingerbread Man’ and a season of new plays in Milford Haven and national tours of ‘Dreams of Anne Frank’, ‘Salad Days’ and ‘Bell, Book & Candle’.

In Wimbledon, London, where he lives, he has appeared in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ at the Wimbledon Theatre as well as in 10 plays at the Polka Theatre. His favourite roles at Polka include Dr. Livesey in ‘Treasure Island’ and Professor Moriarty in a new Sherlock Holmes play written by Philip Pullman.

Artist Profile: David Selwood


Illustrator David Selwood is returning to Cyprus Comic Con’s Artists’ Alley together with his co-creator, author Christiane Sternberg.

Together, they created a graphic novel titled ‘Aphrodite – The Naked Truth’, Cyprus’ very first adult comic!

 

‘Aphrodite the Naked Truth’

Cyprus’ first erotic graphic novel, ‘Aphrodite the Naked Truth’ is the creation of artist David Selwood and author Christiane Sternberg. The novel tells of the Goddess of Love and the ancient festivities in her honour, through an amusing story, full of wit and frivolous charm!

To learn more about ‘Aphrodite the Naked Truth’, visit its official website (explicit content – 18+ only).


THE ARTIST

David Selwood was born in London and in the 1960’s attended Ealing Art College, London, under the direction of Roy Ascott and his team including artists such as R. B. Kitaj and the Cohen Brothers. David learned skills that were to be the foundations of his work that you see today. After a degree course in industrial design at the Central School St Martins, London, he won a travel bursary with one of his designs, enabling him to travel in Europe.

On his return he continued his career as an industrial designer, specialising in the field of lighting and received an award for one his designs from the British Design Council. After building his own natural stone house in rural Wiltshire, he was looking for a new project and encouraged by friends, David returned to his love of art and drawing.

After several exhibitions, and illustrating various children’s books, he completed his first graphic novel ‘Aphrodite the Naked Truth’, soon to be followed by HP Lovecraft’s stories ‘The Dunwich Horror’ and ‘At the Mountains of Madness’ with others to follow.

For more info on David Selwood visit his personal website and follow him on Facebook.


THE AUTHOR

For the last ten years, Christiane Sternberg (b.1965, Berlin), has been living as a writer and journalist in Cyprus, where she has found inspiration, as well as in the travel guides by Marco Polo, Merian and Dumont for many of her short and long stories, including them in her blog and also in her own books.

Her story about the ancient Aphrodisia inspired the artist David Selwood. And together they created the Graphic Novel ‘Aphrodite – The Naked Truth’.

Visit Christiane’s page on Amazon.

Artist Profile: Copper Mouflon


We are pleased to welcome back the talented creative duo of Copper Mouflon to the Artists’ Alley of CCC17!

Copper Mouflon is a collaborative project between writer Christopher Demetriou and illustrator Stella Violari, for the creation of comics and graphic novels that will have you turning for the next page (or scrolling for the next frame) with anticipation and excitement!


THE WRITER

Christopher Demetriou, proclaims a passion for stories of all types and genres and is always on the lookout for a good twist. When not writing stories, he enjoys contemplating the ceiling (apparently it helps with his creativity or something), winning every single board game ever thanks to his ridiculously unbelievable luck with the dice (!), and munching on whatever’s left in the fridge.

 

THE ARTIST

Stella Violari, studied illustration in the UK and completed her masters in the lovely and sunny Cyprus. She has been in love with drawing ever since she could hold a pencil (proof: her mother cries every time someone mentions “white walls” at home) and she is über passionate about games (though admittedly, she can’t beat Chris at board games), comics, anime, cartoons and movies. In short: if it comes on a screen, she’ll take it. Make sure to visit Stella’s Facebook page to see more from her personal projects and illustrations.

To see more from Copper Mouflon, visit their website and follow their page on Facebook!



Work by Copper Mouflon so far includes:

Kingdom of the Red Rose”, Chapter 1: “The Reaper’s Choice
Kingdom of the Red Rose”, Chapter 2: “Train Wreck
Stay Centered” – a short illustrated story.
Last Moments” – a one-shot 12-page mini comic created in collaboration with WriteCy during a local comics writing class.
Trial Run – Time Travel” part of an anthology with Arledge Comics, a US based independent creator.

Currently Copper Mouflon are working on the third chapter of their ongoing online comic, Kingdom of the Red Rose, titled “Guardian Angel Nathaniel”, as well as on a one-shot 12-page mini comic titled “The Pernach Master” and another one-shot graphic novel, “A Demon’s Drive”, based on the world of George Belaouris.

Do you have any ideas for stories or want to spill your heart out over any of Copper Mouflon’s work that you have read?
Hit them up on social media! They love chatting with their readers and fans!

 

Behind the Scenes of CCC17’s Trailer Shoot!


Today we are giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the trailer shoot for Cyprus Comic Con 2017, featuring – oh, um… what looks like some rather shady characters!

It seems that we are in some sort of bar, but it’s been completely overrun by villains!
Just where did all the superheroes go?! We need help!

What on earth is going on here?! Someone activate the Bat Signal!

Are those our blueprints?! But how in the world did these villains get their hands on them?
Just look at them – heavily drinking and laughing viciously! They must be up to no good!

Good heavens! I knew we should have renewed Thor‘s contract for one more year…
Even the director seems fed up with their shenanigans! Put that lightsaber down young man, um I mean Kylo, sir.

Well we are not entirely sure what is going on in these photos, but we know that this year’s Cyprus Comic Con trailer will be criminally good! No? Too much? Okay, okay, I will stop there – just wait to see the trailer when it comes out later next month!


Trailer Shoot Credits

The Penguin’s prosthetic nose! Makeup by Crystal Michael

CAST

Hasan Arkan as Payday thug
Daniel Ellinas as Riddler
Finn Force (Andreas Akritas) as Stormtrooper
Nicholas Georgiou as Bane
Nyree Hapetian as Malthael
Eleni Ioakim as Hooded villain
Kyriakos Ioannou as The Penguin
Christian Lauren Jocson as Bartender
Çağrı Kaba as Payday thug
Errikos Karefyllides as Deathstroke
Costas Koulermou as Darth Vader
Michael Shumeyko as Nagato (Pein)
Ali Soyturk as Kylo Ren

 

CREW

Confession: We completely destroyed these delicious sandwiches by Loukou Donuts!

Director: Andreas Sheittanis
Director of Photography: Ektoras Papageorgiou
Sound: Arsenis Agisilaou
Concept & Coordination: Neil Barnett, Crystal Michael
Makeup for Riddler and The Penguin: Crystal Michael
Volunteers: Christopher Barnett, Joseph Barnett, Frixos Georgiou, Marios Ttofa
Catering: Loukou Donuts

Last but not least, a huge thank you is in order for Charitos Vasou Louka and Neverland Rock Bar for allowing us to invade their space!

 

EuroCosplay Qualifier 2017


Competition Day: Saturday September 2nd

Maximum Entries: 25

Registration Deadline: Sunday August 13th –  Online Only

Check-In: Saturday September 2nd 10:00am – 1:00 pm at the Cosplay Desk

The EuroCosplay Championship is comprised of a series of qualifier cosplay competitions held in conventions all over Europe. The winner of each qualifier receives the honour of representing their country in the EuroCosplay Final which is held annually at the MCM London Comic Con in October.

The winner of the Cypriot Qualifier will not only be awarded with the usual grand prizes, but will also receive a return plane ticket to London, accommodation for 2 nights and a VIP 3-day pass to the October 2017 MCM London Comic Con.


How do I qualify?

In order to be eligible for representing Cyprus in the EuroCosplay Final, you need to:

  • Be 18 years old or over by the start of MCM Expo (27/10/2017)
  • Be of Cypriot nationality with relevant documents OR have lived in Cyprus for 3 years or more
  • Have a fully handmade costume which was made by yourself with minor help from others
  • Be available to travel to the UK from the 27th until the 29th of October 2017 with valid travel documents
  • Comply to all of the rules in the official EuroCosplay rulebook (click to view)

Registration Process

  • Once a cosplayer registers using the form, they will receive a confirmation email indicating that we have received their registration.
  • The cosplay team will then assess their costume photos and eligibility and will let them know via email if they’ve made it into the contest. All registered cosplayers will go through this screening process due to the limited amount of competition spots. Anyone who doesn’t make it into the EuroCosplay Qualifier, is welcome to compete on CCC Masquerade on Sunday.
  • The approved cosplayers will then discuss their stage performance with the cosplay team.

Stage Performance

  • All contestants are required to perform a skit lasting between 1 to 2 minutes on the cosplay stage.
  • An mp3 of the performance audio has to be provided by the contestant and lighting settings will be discussed with the cosplay team.
  • Stage props with the maximum dimensions of 2m x 2m  x 1m are allowed and should require 30 seconds or less stage preparation time.
  • CCC Cosplay Rules and Guidelines still apply.

Judging

There will be a private judging session before the stage show, where the judges can closely look at your costume and ask you questions.

Special Guest Judges


Prizes

1st Place

  • €1000
  • Represent Cyprus at EuroCosplay in London
  • A paid flight ticket to London & accommodation & VIP entrance to MCM Expo for 3 days
  • A Wanhao Duplicator i3 PLUS 3D Printer
  • A full body 3D scan of you in your costume which will be printed as 3D Statue

2nd Place

  • €500
  • A 3D scan of your face which will be printed on a superhero body as a 3D Statue

3rd Place

  • €250
  • A 3D scan of your face which will be printed on a superhero body as a 3D Statue

1st & 2nd Runner-Ups

  • €150 worth of nerdy merchandise

Judging Criteria

Construction – 40%

The judges will pay close attention to:

  • the quality, stitching and finish of fabric
  • the choice of structural materials such as foam, worbla, wood or cardboard and the way they were treated
  • the detail put into crafting the decorations and trimmings
  • the overall techniques used and the originality of ideas applied in the costume
  • the quality of the wigs, wig-styling, props, customised shoes and makeup

Accuracy – 40%

The judges will be checking how faithful your costume, hair, make-up and props are to the character you’re cosplaying as. Important things to look for are dimensions, material and textures, colours and detailing.

Performance – 20%

The goal is to look as much like your cosplay character as possible, this includes body motions and poses. Your stage performance can be dramatic or comedic or a mix of both. Overall a good performance should entertain the audience and the judges.


More about EuroCosplay

The EuroCosplay Final is one of the biggest international cosplay contests with over 25 countries participating. The judging panel of the London Final is always comprised of big names from the international cosplay scene flown in from America or Asia. The main focus of the judges is craftsmanship and all participating cosplayers are scored according to their accuracy 40%, costume construction 40% and performance 20%.

All participants are first inspected by the judges in a private session before the stage show, then they are given a couple of minutes on stage to perform a quick skit which best shows off their costume such as a dance or performance (e.g. sword swinging and posing), a song or even a short theatrical performance.

Visit the EuroCosplay Facebook Page, Twitter or Website.