Lancaster Comics Day Back in June

By John Freeman on May 2, 2016

The official 2016 Lancaster Comics Day poster, art by local comics creator Nick Miller.

Lancaster Comics Day is back next month, taking place in Lancaster Library on Sunday 5th June.

Organised by the Friends of Lancaster Library, the event has a varied line up of guests, many of them creators known for their Doctor Who comics work such as writer and publisher Tim Quinn (whose anarchic biography is published soon by MIWK Publishing, Blackpool-based artist Adrian Salmon, writers Andy Diggle (better known for his work for Marvel and DC Comics, including Green Arrow) and Eddie Robson – and comics artist and British comics archivist Lew Stringer.

In addition to his Doctor Who humour strip for Doctor Who Magazine, Lew’s credits also currently include “Pup Parade” in The Beano.

Joining them will be comics artist Sean Phillips, whose current work includes The Fade Out co-created with Ed Brubaker an published by Image Comics; comics writer Alex Paknadel, who has earned huge acclaim for his work for US publisher Boom! Studios on Arcadia; local SF and fantasy authors AS Chambers and JS Collyer; games publisher Ken Walton; and joining them on the guest list, independent comic publishers Tom Ward (co-creator of Merrick The Sensational Elephantman) and Joe Matthews (creator of Funny Monsters comic).

But that’s not all, because a number of great comic talents also have tables at this small and imperfectly formed event, including Nowhere Men artist Dave Taylor. He’s no doubt been tempted by the thought of Katie White’s comic cake.

Also there will be Jack Knight, the owner and lead designer at Knight Time Creations and the cartoonist for the Lancaster Guardian newspaper. Along with his cartooning work, he has been recognised for his community work, which includes setting up the Independent Lancaster loyalty card scheme to support local businesses last year, inspired by a similar scheme in Liverpool. It’s work that’s earned him an invite to one of the Queen’s birthday parties next month.

Sam Phillips is again organising a dedicated games room and Graham Pearce will be on hand to entertain kids with his popular comic workshops.

Supported by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and sponsored by Lancaster’s First Age Comics, Lancaster Comics Day is ready for its second annual event… But are you ready for Lancaster Comics Day?

Please share – I hope to see you there as I’m also on board, helping organise the thing!

• More info at http://www.lancastercomicsday.uk.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.