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.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7194176.stm First superheroes expo for north], BBC, 18 January 2008</ref><ref name=scotsimpact>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7195730.stm Scots' impact on comics examined], BBC, 22 January 2008</ref><ref>[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</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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,<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8362014.stm Comic event secures council help], BBC, 16 November 2009</ref><ref name=northings>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=scotsimpact />

== 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,<ref name=broadband>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7373125.stm Catwalks and comic book heroes], BBC, 1 June 2008</ref> and the Comic Expo's Mike Allwood.<ref name=interview>[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</ref> 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."<ref name=broadband /><ref name=interview />

'''''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."<ref name=northings /> Of those that attended, Gary Erskine declared it a "complete success."<ref>[https://garyerskine.blogspot.com/2008/02/hi-ex-success.html Hi-Ex success!] by Gary Erskine, 5 February 2008</ref>

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.<ref>{{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.</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> the show returned in 2012.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Dates and locations === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Dates !! Location !! Attendance !! Notable guests !! Notes |- | 2–3 February 2008 || Eden Court Theatre, Inverness || ... || Frank Quitely, Mike McMahon, Alan Grant, Kev F. Sutherland,<ref name=scotsimpact /> Cam Kennedy, Colin MacNeil, John Higgins, Gary Erskine, and Rufus Dayglo|| Poor weather meant Alan Grant was unable to attend and run a script writing workshop but Al Ewing, Declan Shalvey and Ben Clark filled in for him.<ref name=northings /> Also there were the 501st Legion UK Garrison<ref>[http://www.ukgarrison.co.uk/ UK Garrison]</ref> and a Predator. |- | 14–15 February 2009<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7485704.stm Convention books Superman artist], ''BBC'', 3 July 2008</ref> || Eden Court Theatre, Inverness || ... || John Higgins, Leah Moore, Mike McMahon, and Frank Quitely.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steven |last=McKenzie |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7737629.stm |title=Hot debate likely on cult comic |publisher=BBC |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=26 January 2010 }}</ref> || Coinciding with the launch of the ''Watchmen'' film, the 2009 event had a general ''Watchmen'' feel, with the presence of colorist Higgins and Alan Moore's daughter Leah. As it also coincided with Valentine's Day it included a debate on romance comics, and romance in comics in general.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7883802.stm |title=Comic love tackled by convention |publisher=BBC |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=26 January 2010 }}</ref> |- | 27–28 March 2010 || Eden Court Theatre, Inverness || ... || Charlie Adlard, Asia Alfasi, Gary Erskine, Simon Fraser, John Higgins, Cam Kennedy, Gary Northfield, and Kev F. Sutherland || Sponsorship by Highland Council grant for outreach and additional activities |- | 31 March – 1 April 2012 || Eden Court Theatre, Inverness || ... || Michael Carroll, Al Ewing, John Higgins, Sally Hurst, and Chris Murray<ref name="Coburn">Coburn, Georgina. [http://northings.com/2012/04/03/hi-ex-highland-international-comic-expo/ "Hi-Ex! Highland International Comic Expo,"] Northings (3 April 2012).</ref> || Raffle raises £1907 for Children First charity<ref name="Coburn" /> |- |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links==  * [https://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]{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}, Forbidden Planet, 31 July 2009

Category:Fan conventions in the United Kingdom Category:Defunct comics conventions Category:Culture in Inverness