Cardiff Comics Carnival returns to Cardiff in March

By John Freeman on February 12, 2020

Cardiff Comics Carnival will be returning on Sunday 29th March at its new venue: Kongs, on St. Mary’s Street.

Running from 12 noon until – 6.00pm, the event will be a day-long celebration of small press comics, zines and artwork, featuring some of the best comics talent from South Wales and beyond.

With free entry and drinks served all day, Cardiff Comics Carnival is a chance for the public to engage with the comics medium and discover a wealth of new and exciting artists.

Cardiff Comics Carnival 2019

Organised by a group of Cardiff-based artists and cartoonists, Cardiff Comics Carnival is a continuing grassroots effort to further develop a vibrant comics scene in the area and to showcase the variety and quality of work being produced in the region today.

“Last year’s CCC turned out to be a great day,” says co-founder and cartoonist Josh Hicks, and it was amazing to feel such enthusiasm and positive energy around independent comics, zines and illustration in Cardiff.

“I’m proud to be a part of putting it on again, and am glad that Cardiff Comics Carnival is now becoming a recurring part of the annual arts calendar in this city. It’s fun, vital, and a good excuse to get lots of cartoonists together. Comics!”

Cardiff Comics Carnival 2019

“After last year’s inaugural CCC, we knew we’d be returning this year, it was just a matter of when,” adds co-founder and cartoonist Ioan Morris. “Finding just the right date between the Six Nations, Mothering Day and Easter is tricky, as is finding a suitable city centre venue with enough space and light to do the exhibitors’ work justice, but we think we’ve cracked it and are pleased to be holding our 2020 event at Kongs on Sunday March 29th.

“It’s our firm belief that comics are for everyone and it’s just a matter of people seeing the breadth and quality of what’s out there, so Cardiff Comics Carnival will once again be free to enter.

“We’re excited to announce our roster of cartoonists, illustrators and zine makers in the coming weeks and hope to see you in Cardiff at the end of March.”

• Cardiff Comics Carnival 12 noon – 6.00pm Sunday 29th March 2020 Kongs, on St. Mary’s Street, Cardiff | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email: cardiffcomicscarnival@gmail.com

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.