Lakes Festival Podcast Looks back on 2018

By John Freeman on January 5, 2019

We may already be enjoying a big Happy New Year already resplendent with inexplicable outrage over new pastry-based products from Greggs, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to look back at 2018, a great year in the world of comics. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast does just that with its latest episode, led with aplomb as ever by Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates, Who bring you their Top 10 that they read during last year.

These include Wolf by Rachael Ball, A New Jerusalem by Benjamin Dickson, Tumult by John Harris Dunning and Michael Kennedy, Death or Glory by Remender and Bengal, One in Four Naming the Beast by Francesco Mafrici, Killtopia by Dave Cook and Craig Paton, My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips, Red Rocket Comet by Matt Garvey, Andy Clift, Puttock and Rea, Rok of the Reds by John Wagner, Alan Grant and Dan Cornwell – and the Traces of the Great War anthology by too many creators to name. But which comes out on top?

Mike Williams and Pete Taylor have also got together for another episode of “Mutter Downs” – and you just know we’re in for a marathon of comic talk coming our way when they’re in the same room. This meet up is no exception, delivering two hours about their favourite comics and movies from 2018.

“I can’t even begin to list what they discussed,” says Podcast co-host Ian Loxam, “so listen in and enjoy.

“Thank you for listening in 2018 and here’s to another great year in comics and cons.”

• Listen to the Podcast on the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast Site

Listen right here!

• Download the latest episode of the Podcast on Spreaker | iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart Radio

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is back in Kendal in the Lake District 11th – 13th October 2019: www.comicartfestival.com

• Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast

Regular contributors to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast include Pete Taylor: www.thismanthispete.com and Mike Williams – find him on Twitter @CthulhuPunk

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.