Comic editor helps fire students' imaginations (From Oxford Mail)

Comic editor helps fire Oxford students' imaginations

8:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Fran Bardsley, covering Education, East Oxford and Cowley. Call me on 01865 425439

THE editor of one of the comic world’s best-known publications shared his expertise with budding artists at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.

Matt Smith, editor of Osney Mead-based Rebellion Development’s 2000 AD series, set youngsters at the college a special assignment to create their own illustrated story following the style of the Future Shock stories which appear in the comic.

Last week he visited pupils to see how their strips were coming along.

Mr Smith said: “From what I saw they looked like they were progressing well.

“A lot of them had a good kernel of the story and just needed developing really.”

The pupils are all studying an extended diploma in creative media production.

They have until the February half-term to complete their stories and Mr Smith will return to the college in Oxpens Road to judge which is best.

The winner will receive a collection of 2000 AD graphic novels as a prize.

The 2000 AD series includes the popular Judge Dredd stories.

Course leader Gary Force said: “We are keen to offer students as much real-world experience as possible and help them to make contact with professionals working in the media industry.

“By visiting the college, Matt has certainly inspired our students and enabled them to see how they might apply their studies to a career in a creative industry.”

Danny McKeran, 16, from Bicester, is working on a story set in a replica of Earth built by robots.

He said: “It was quite an inspiration to come and meet Matt, share ideas and get to know the process of how it all works.”

Sachin Sundar, 16, from Cowley, is working on a story which involves a character travelling back in time to prevent a murder.

He said: “It was really good because he gave me feedback on my work as well as talking about the industry.

“It was a pretty good insight into the industry and how to put your ideas across.”

The budding comic artists and writers may sketch, use compter illustration packages or photography to tell their stories but must include a surprise twist in the last panel.