Israel is a small country but the comics, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Media cultures are growing nicely here. Last week’s ICon Festival in Tel-Aviv was the convention’s 15th annual event, which seemed to garner a little more interest than I’d sensed before. I appeared in one of the panels on the history of Israeli Superheroes, along with Uri Fink (Sabraman and Zbeng!), Ofer Zanzuri (Kfir and Adirei Ha’Tchelet), Dorit Maya-Gur (Falafel Man) and my contribution (Uri-On). It was moderated by Yuval Sharon, partner and operatorof the Eisner award winning comic book shop Comics ‘N Vegetables. It’s a close-knit family of artists, writers and self-publishers, maybe if only because of the relatively small size of the comics culture here.
It was also a rather concise representation of most everything that’s been produced locally in Superhero comics. We presented in chronological order based on the first appearance of our work, each creator in their own time, though all sharing overlaps into the present. We told stories of the creation of each of our properties and tried to put them into developmental perspective with each others’ work, and the general growth of the comics culture here. Towards the end we digressed a little into the influence of comics on social trends. Also present was “culture detective” and journalist Eli Eshed, and the talented artist/photographer, Elite Avni-Sharon (Yuval’s wife) who took the very nice photos.
Waiting for the panel to start with Eli Eshed and Dorit Maya-Gur
With Dorit Maya-Gur and Ofer Zanzuri
With Uri Fink and a handshake between the two creators who got the ball rolling for Israeli Superheroes
Dorit and I talked about the spreading protest movements before the panel
From Left: Netzer, Dorit Maya-Gur, Ofer Zanzuri, Uri Fink and moderator Yuval Sharon
Uri Fink talking about the creation of Sabraman
About Uri-On and the general comics scene at the time.
A comfortable hot seat
Ofer Zanzuri on Adirei Ha’Tchelet
Dorit Maya-Gur on Falafel man
Wrapping up with a little talk on current events
Photos by the fabulous and talented Elite Avni-Sharon. Click image for her site
