Join editor/writer Chris Mole and many of the contributing artists at the Mercer Art Gallery (31 Swan Road, Harrogate) for an exhibition of pages and pin-ups from the anthology and historical material provided by the hotel, as together we try to uncover the Secrets of the Majestic.
Adrift on a Painted Sea by Tim Bird is a beautiful and profound graphic novel that explores family, loss, and art through the author's relationship with his mother, Sue Bird, who painted as a hobby throughout her life. The exhibition displays a range of paintings by Sue Bird, alongside some artwork from the graphic novel, written by her son Tim after her death to celebrate her art and life.
With so much happening at Thought Bubble this year we haven't forgotten about the little ones. Come and hang out in Roll Up & Rock's activity dome, with plenty of fun stuff for all ages, with activity trays, badge making, face painting. mask masking and loads more!
The Kids’ Zone is in Bubbleboy Hall - look for the big tent!
Come and visit the Graphic Novel Reading Room in our Queen's Suite foyer, where you can take a retreat from the festival and sample hundreds of comics.
Make sure to check out this exhibition of original pieces by the late, great Steve Dillion. Over 50 original pages drawn by Steve, dating back to 1978 when he was just 16 years old. Expect to see artwork created for 2000AD, Judge Dredd, Dr Who, Hellblazer, ABC Warriors, Punisher, Rogue Trooper, Preacher and more!
Graphic novel overload? Superhero fatigue? Bub’s Lounge is a quiet space where you can take some time out from the busy comic convention halls. Do absolutely nothing if you want, just kick back in a comfy chair and take a breather or pick up some pens and do some drawing yourself. You can also pick up free earplugs to help with sensory overload.
Bub’s Lounge is brought to you by Leeds Specialist Autism Services with sensory equipment provided by Roll Up & Rock.
Do you love poems AND comic books? Find out what happens when you mix the two together in this exciting one-hour workshop!
Join cartoonist Marc Jackson (BEANO, THE PHOENIX, HEY KIDS COMICS, and GOOF) in creating the FUNNY FORCE! Why draw a serious super-hero, when you can create a ridiculous one?!? Who will you create to join ONE LONG ARM MAN! MUSCLE MOOSE! BARB-ZOOKA! and FART-O! on their semi-epic quest to sillliness!
Not sure where to start your Thought Bubble weekend? Join Josh Hicks, Ed Pinsent, Lily Blakely, Imogen Mangle with host Tom Oldham of Breakdown Press and Gosh! Comics to discover the hidden gems and best of the year’s comics that you should be reading, then head into the convention hall to track them down!
IJenny Robins is joined by Sabba Khan, Alex Norris, Karrie Fransman, and Candice Purwin; creative powerhouses sharing their thoughts on gaming the system, rewriting the rulebook, unexpected sources of funding and places to publish, and how to hustle your way into making the art that speaks to your soul.
Calling all Bought Thubblers...young - old - borrowed - new!!!
Fancy drawing a panel for the 2nd edition of Bought Thubble Comix Jam brought to you by Doctor Simpo and chums, in the kids workshop area each day!!
Join Emma Rios, Jock, Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay and Dani as they discuss the art of crafting covers. Moderated by DSTLRY Founding Editor Will Dennis.
This session could change how you think about storytelling forever (maybe)!!
Comics Creators Sara Kenney (writer), Katie West (editor) & Sofie Dodgson (colourist) will talk through the classic "Hero's Journey" story structure and how and why they used alternative models in their own new comic, ACID BOX; a time travel adventure through 1990s rave culture.
Calling all kids who want to discover the secrets behind comic making! Join Neill Cameron in
a very special workshop hosted by The Phoenix comic.
Host and PhD Candidate Meher Shiblee, whose research focus is 21st Century Muslim Superheroines and Issues of Representation in Comics, is joined by comic creators Shazleen Khan, Sabba Khan, Ahmed Raafat and Ny Ali.
Join us for this spotlight on Chip Zdarsky and his comics career; one which encompasses the biggest names in the comics world, a heap of creator-owned work, a shelf-load of awards and the title of "Bad ass dude!!", by some guy on reddit. Hosted by award winning journalist and presenter, Kofi Smiles.
Ever wanted to print your work but not sure where to start? Join PRINT.WORK and their technical team for an informative, Jargon free, overview and Q&A covering everything you need to know about printing!
Gary Lactus and The Beast Must Die (SILENCE!) and Al Kennedy (House to Astonish) once again bring you an hour that’s hysterical in every sense, as Chrissy Williams, Ram V, David Brothers and Stephanie Phillips face odd questions, inexplicable challenges and unexpected guests as comicdom’s most pointless and shambolic panel show returns for a ninth year of what many are literally calling SILENCE! to Astonish
Film and Media Lecturor, Miriam Kent, hosts comic creators Simon Furman, Emma Vieceli, Declan Shalvey and Abby Bulmer to discuss their experiences in creating comics of recognisable characters, the excitement of shaping their lore and the responsibility to the fans.
Join the award-winning Manga artist and CBBC Britain's Best Young Artist judge Sonia Leong and try drawing your own original Manga-style characters starting with simple shapes and guidelines.
This session's artists are: Marcus To, Danny Earls, Elsa Charretier and Werther Dell'Edera.
How might we support individuals and organisations in the UK to access cultural funding? Join CCIC crew - Hannah Berry, Karrie Fransman, Rhiannon Griffiths, Sara Kenney, Myfanwy Tristram & Zara Slattery along with Pete Stones, Relationship Manager for Literature at Arts Council England, to discuss.
Join aspiring comic writers as they make their pitch to 2000 AD. The prize: paid work with the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic! Each hopeful has just two minutes to convince a panel of top comics talent that their idea for a Future Shock is worthy of being published in the legendary comic book!
Print of one the Donut Squad characters created by Neill Cameron, take it home for free and hang it on your wall!
Sean Azzopardi is a Hull based cartoonist and printmaker.
It's time to celebrate cosplay! Whether your cosplay is homemade, store bought, or a bit of both, we want to embrace it and the best way to do that is to strut your stuff on the stage as part of our annual Cosplay Parade hosted by the amazing Kofi Smiles
Folklore laid the foundations of oral storytelling; for centuries tales of tradition, magic, myth and legend were passed village to village, generation to generation, culture to culture. Fascinating Folklore author John Reppion hosts B. Mure, Kieron Gillen and Juni Ba who have turned this practice to comics pages and created stories of intrigue and fantasy.
Join creators Tini Howard, Claudia Aguirre, John Dunning and James Tynion IV as they chat about their favourite media and their own works of queer horror. Moderated by Jazzlyn Stone (Tiny Onion).
Join Adriano Ariganello, Crowdfunder and Kickstarter Backer Favourite, for an overview of how to plan your campaign, hit your goals, find your audience, and roll your crowdfunding success into future projects.
Get started making your own comics with Edward Ross and become a certified Graphic Novel Builder!
Join Tini Howard chat about creating, collaborating and the journey so far - with comics journalist Alex Fitch.
Laura Howell, Neill Cameron, Bernard Mensah and Sam Davies talking about their personal reasons for creating stories and art for little minds - hosted by Children and Young People's Librarian Matthew Stoppard.
What was the Dragon Ball creator's impact on comics and culture? Find out with David Brothers, Hamish Steele, Crom, Gary Moloney and host JV Chamary. Hint: it's over 9000.
Calling all Bought Thubblers...young - old - borrowed - new!!!
Fancy drawing a panel for the 2nd edition of Bought Thubble Comix Jam brought to you by Doctor Simpo and chums, in the kids workshop area each day!!
Dr Miriam Kent leads this interactive workshop provides an exploratory space for comics creators to contribute to a critical dialogue about the ongoing impact of AI on the comics industry.
Join the award-winning Manga artist and CBBC Britain's Best Young Artist judge Sonia Leong and try drawing your own original Manga-style characters starting with simple shapes and guidelines.
Short comic strips have transcended newspaper pages! Cartoonist Amy Noseworthy hosts JL Westover, Sarah Graley, and Alex Norris to talk about their silly, weird comics; the inspiration, meanings and the art of cramming an entire gag and a whole lot of emotion into just a few tiny panels.
Join the masters of the modern horror genre- James Tynion IV & Christian Ward by the campfire for a haunting chat about all things creepy in comics- hosted by Jazzlyn Stone.
Small Press Comics are the foundation of our comics community. In this panel we'll talk about where Small Press came from and where it's going, with those who publish it.
Do you create "soft" comics or work that leans toward empathy and gentler storytelling? If so, join us! In this workshop, we’ll explore how compassionate imagery, informed by psychology, can shape socially conscious comics.
This session's artists are: Ahmed Raafat, Emma Ríos, Steven Appleby and E.M. Carroll
Join aspiring comic writers as they make their pitch to 2000 AD. The prize: paid work with the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic! Each hopeful has just two minutes to convince a panel of top comics talent that their idea for a Future Shock is worthy of being published in the legendary comic book!
Join Sam as she takes you through the stages of creating some of her beloved characters from one of The Phoenix comics’ most mystical stories.
In this panel, hosted by Blake Sampson, Zara Slattery, Zoe Thorogood and Rachael Smith, discuss ideas around ‘monster portraiture’ the act of exploring the self and its deep facets by using monstrous figures to represent aspects of ourselves which we can bicker and fight with. But importantly, how graphic novels in particular are spearheading this evolution in one of the core pieces of storytelling, the monster and its effect.
Budding creators are invited to this amazing Thought Bubble opportunity; to discover how to create your own comic story with the UK manga brand mayamada!
Erotica comics are truly back on the (top) shelf. They bring us █████, ████ ███ and ███████. And that one time when ██ ████ █████, wow!! Tula Lotay, Becky Cloonan and Helen Mullane are hosted by Laura Jones in this spicy comics chat. Strictly over 18s only.
It's time to celebrate cosplay! Whether your cosplay is homemade, store bought, or a bit of both, we want to embrace it and the best way to do that is to strut your stuff on the stage as part of our annual Cosplay Parade hosted by the amazing Kofi Smiles
