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Who gets to get ahead in comics? Find out tonight in third online UK Comic Creator Survey debate

By John Freeman on September 29, 2020

What constitutes success in the UK comics scene – and who gets to have it? Is it a meritocratic free-for-all, or are there gatekeepers? What barriers and prejudices do creators face? Is it all about who you know? Who gets to tell their stories?

In the third online discussion event following the results of the UK Comics Creator Survey, Comics Laureate Hannah Berry will chair an online discussion tonight, digging into the issue before throwing it open to the audience in a bid to put heads (virtually) together to find ways that we can make things better.

This online panel features esteemed panelists: artist, author and comics industry veteran Patrice Aggs; director of Comics Salopia and ICE festivals Shane Chebsey; co-founder of comics publisher BHP, the 9 Panels Agency and Glasgow Comic Con Sha Nazir; host of WIP Comics group and podcast and founder of Hackney Comic & Zine Fair Joe Stone; and author, academic and co-founder of LD Comics, Dr Nicola Streeten.

• Show me the: ACCESS – 8.00pm Tuesday, 29th September 2020 – book now through EventBrite

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.