Temple 56 - First Thoughts

[John Kirkham]

How about some first thoughts, ideas or suggestions about issue 56

[John Kirkham]

I’d like to kick things off. I’ve been thinking a lot about the direction the Temple should take in its new digital form. There’s one big problem I can see, the reason the Temple was created for is better served by another means - this website. The Temple was setup to provide feedback on people’s work, but this was pre-internet days and I think this site provides a much more instant and far superior means to provide feedback. So where does that leave the Temple?

Well I think it can serve a better purpose, the Temple could become a showcase for people’s talents. Basically the Temple how it was but with all the mailing comments stripped away. Instead one or two pages with information about the writer/artist then a section with their strips/pictures/scripts. This can be put together as a PDF and become freely downloadable from this site. We could also burn them onto CD and put them in those little plastic envelopes with a cover and pass then out at the comic conventions, or have them side-by-side with the comics on the smallpress tables.

To start with I think we should aim at bi-annual, a winter edition and a summer edition. Hopefully we can attract lots of people with this showcase idea, it doesn’t mean the monthly commitment the old Temple required. We could ask the old Temple folks to send us their latest material and they wouldn’t even have to come to the site or get involved, but that would be nice. Also we aren’t limited to space because we aren’t going to print it so we can make it as big as possible.

What do you think?

[dave hailwood]

Very true about not needing to put the Mailing comments in a PDF, though I do think it would be beneficial to put a few tutorials in the issue. I like the idea of a Bio type page at the front of everyone's section (containing contact details etc), with a display of art/strip samples etc making up the main bulk of the issue, and tutorials at the rear (perhaps containing a collected list of useful sites to visit). That way as well as people enjoying the strips, there's the chance that some may learn helpful advice (which is definitely in-keeping with the Temple ethos).

Bi-annual would be a good starting point. Perhaps pick up the pace at a later date when we've got a few more members. Then we could aim to have different issues out in time for different conventions (not just UK conventions, but US, France, etc. Whichever nationality our members may happen to be. Another bonus about being digital is we're not restricted to just the UK anymore)

[John Kirkham]

How about getting issue 56 ready for XMas 2007?

Actually, having issues ready for the conventions is a better idea. I know Bristol is in May but is there one in the winter anymore? I've noticed a couple of smaller one day conventions pop up, there was one in Birmingham a while back.

[dave hailwood]

Tony, or John Freeman are likely to know when the next UK conventions are coming up. I thought the Birmingham one was in August?

Toshiro, let us know if there's many comic conventions you attend in/near to your country.

Xmas 2007 sounds like a good date to aim for John. I've already got a few things I'd like to put in.

[John Kirkham]

The big Birmingham convention is in October (with Mike Mignola) but there was a one day Smallpress convention a while back I'm sure.

I'm just had a look and you can get 100 full colour printed CD with a full colour cover in a plastic envelope for £120

[John Freeman]

Check out my downthetubes events guide at for events info

[Tony Suleri]

October 13-24th 's when the Birmingham show takes place.

http://www.thecomicsshow.co.uk/

I'm none too sure as to what else might be on the Comics calender.

[Tony Suleri]

Great suggestions for the Temple too.

I'm all for it.