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Artists from Marvel to Beano to set up shop at MCM Comic Con’s Artist Alley

By John Freeman on April 22, 2024 • ( 0 )

MCM Comic Con May is just around the corner, and fan favourite area Artist Alley, is returning once again. Weekend tickets have now sold out, so grab your day tickets while you can. There’s a huge lineup of comic guests lined up, just some of them highlighted here…

Returning to the Excel Center, London over Friday 24th – Sunday 26th May, 2024, the team behind this major event tell us they’re increasing their focus on comics and the literary scene this year, and see Artist Alley as the go-to destination at MCM Comic Con for fans who want to meet, chat with and purchase art from independent artists and creators. Featured throughout are prints, sketches, original artwork, comics, and the opportunity to commission custom artwork.

Artist Alley will include a diverse array of artists who have worked on anything from cult favourite webtoons to the biggest Marvel and DC comics. It’s a one stop shop for aspiring artists and the best way for fans to get up close and personal to their favourite comic book maestros.

Artist Alley will also be the hotspot for all comic-related panels and workshops, helping aspiring comic book writers and artists to learn from the bet and break into the industry. Below is a small selection taking place over the weekend:

Comic Book Layout 101 (with Clip Studio Paint) – Artist Alley Stage

Panels, gutters and page flow – where do you begin when creating a comic? Join comic artists as they guide you through the process of planning and laying out a comic to tell your story using unique comic and manga industry features on offer with Clip Studio Paint.

Workshop: Want to Write Your Own Comic? Let’s Do it With Tpub! – Platinum Suite

Join Neil Gibson (Twisted Comics, Dark Horse Comics) as he runs a workshop where we will write a comic script from scratch. Who knows – it might even turn into a comic.

Cyanide & Happiness: How to Make a Funny – Artist Alley Stage

Look behind the curtain and learn how Cyanide & Happiness came to be what it is today. Hear from the minds themselves on what makes them tick while also watching behind the scenes and some early exclusive and never before seen footage. Think you know funny?

Amongst the many talented artists attending, here is a small selection of some recognisable names:

Alison Sampson

Alison is an award-winning London-based artist, drawing comics and illustrations in horror, fantasy, science fiction and adventure. Fans will be able to meet Alison and chat about Hellboy, Sleeping Beauties, Department of Truth and many more!

Hamish Steele

The brilliant mind behind DeadEndia, Hamish has taken his work from graphic novels to the big screen. Fans will also recognise Hamish from his Netflix adaptation of the series in Dead End: Paranormal Park starring Spider-Man actor Zach Barack.

Laura Howell

From Beano to the Regular Show comic, Laura’s fans stretch far and wide. The artist on BEANO’s “Minnie the Minx”, Laura has been working for the Beano since 2007 and has contributed to Ratz, Johnny Bean from Happy Bunny Green, Beano Manga, and “Billy the Cat”, just to name a few.

Khary Randolph

Best known for Sirens of the City, Excellence and Teen Titans, Khary is attending his first artist alley since March 2020 at MCM this year. Fans of anything superhero know Khary through his unique and engaging art style which has landed him on the pages of both DC and Marvel comics.

MCM Comic Con London 2024 24th – 26th May 2024 ExCeL London | Web: mcmcomiccon.com/london | Keep an eye on the official MCM Comic Con social pages for further announcements

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.