Thought Bubble Comic Convention is going to be massive this weekend in Harrogate, and it’s been impossible for us to keep up with everything that’s going to get launched, promoted, or make headlines: but here’s a random roundup of just some of the amazing work you will find to savour…
This is by far from an exhaustive list! In part, it’s the product of social media’s algorithms and teasers friends of downthetubes have mentioned in recent weeks in email and conversations. So, apologies in advance to the many, many amazing creators who will also be launching new work we have missed.
Over at Broken Frontier, Andy Oliver has been far more proactive than us on this front, running some terrific Thought Bubble advance coverage, including a swathe of comic creator interviews. Check out his 2025 advance coverage here
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First, let’s just remind you of the Special Guests at this stupendous event from the international world of comics…
The official guide for the weekend long event is here for a full guide, and the huge guest list is here. Enjoy it if you’re going!
Head here for information on tickets
Before you head to Harrogate this weekend, be sure to bookmark the incredibly useful hall maps designed by Leigh Wortley on the Thought Bubble website! There are individual maps for each hall of this two-day jamboree of comic goodness… oh, and the packed programme details, too!
Things to Look Out For…
Ahead of this weekend’s festivities, thanks to Thought Bubble and Diamond Comics, Leeds Libraries will be giving away thousands of comics on Friday 14th November. Join in at the Art Library in Central Library, Chapel Allerton, Crossgates, Headingley and Pudsey to pick up some comics and get everyone reading more! (Comics available while stock lasts!)
Be absolutely sure to seek out artist Marc Laming and the B7 Media tables, because there’s a big project heading your way they have been working hard this weekend to announce – particularly Marc! There will be an official announcement tomorrow, Friday 14th November. Trust me: British comic fans will not want to miss it..
Marc is also doing portfolio reviews over the weekend and is looking forward to meeting new artists and seeing some incredible work.
And, talking of incredible work, he will have this stunning Endeavour print for sale, and B7 Media will have copies of the latest issue of Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies (#3, also on sale in TG Jones stores) on their stand, written by some John Freeman chap, with amazing art from Neil Edwards (Rogue Trooper: Ghost Patrol, Fantastic Four).
Talking of launches, as we reported earlier today, ace artist and designer Ant Williams is launching two fantastic projects sure to interest downthetubes readers, including his Whamblam Slam! Card Game, bringing Superpowers to the Tabletop. Get ready to battle with a multitude of colourful heroes and over the top villains…
For this year’s Shortbox Comics Fair, Riotbones, a queer illustrator and comic artist with a passion for all things haunting, dark, and tender, wanted to challenge myself with a more conceptual story that’s mainly inspired by that incredible, almost indescribable experience of having been unequivocally changed by meeting somebody. “I wanted to depict that feeling of your beliefs and ideals being challenged constantly, with all of that eventually leading to a quiet sort of understanding that lingers warmly in the background of your existence.” You can check out the result for yourself at the Thought Bubble Comic Convention this weekend (Table G10A, Bubbleboy Hall)
77 Publishing, publishers of Blazer and The77, are in attendance (Redshirt Hall, A20-21), next to Simon Bisley and opposite the Rebellion stand. To celebrate getting out of the office, they’re offering an incredible 77% off a range of digital titles! Hit this link to grab yours! Oh, and check out the Kickstarter for This Comic Is Haunted Issue 5! It looks fantastic!
From Palestine at Thought Bubble Festival: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival will be sharing stories, art, and voices from Palestine. Visit the “From Palestine” table in the Bubbleboy Hall, featuring the Qusasat digital comics anthology, presented with Sliman Mukarker the co-founder of Power Group (Bethlehem); powerful works by artists from Gaza, including Safaa Odah, creator of Safaa and the Tent; and a few special creative gifts from Palestine.
These works reflect creativity, and international collaboration — showing how comics can connect people and tell stories the world needs to see.
Successfully crowdfunded earlier this year, The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira is a dreamy, weird but wonderful comic adventure by author and artist Sapphira Jane Olson, getting its official launch at the weekend. She’s sharing space with the equally brilliant PSYComics in the 2000AD hall (B18). Neil Roche and Isaac Allison will be representing the PSYComics team.
Oh, and talking of crowdfunding, no doubt Dave Elliott and the Deadline team will be celebrating their success relaunching the 1990s anthology! Congratulations to this very much creator-owned, creator driven project. T-shirts and prints will be available on their stand in the 2000AD Hall – and anything else they can cobble together at the last minute!
We already mentioned the massive guest list, but an appearance by Posy Simmonds is always a treat. Join her in conversation with her biographer, Paul Gravett, as they discuss her experiences, processes and latest projects. The talk takes place on Saturday 15th November 2025 – 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm in the Panel Room 2, Queen’s Suite. Details here
Another independent creator of note at Thought Bubble, best known for his abstract comics, is Gareth A. Hopkins (Bubbleboy Hall D13) if you want to say hello, talk about how and why he makes comics – or, he says “just because you want somewhere to put your coffee for a little bit.”
The Cosmic Detective Agency #2 by 2000AD and SHIFT contributor Simon Jacob will be available from him direct at the event (D22, Redshirt Hall) and #1 released last year, too! Check out our item on the project here.
Simon recently posted this incredible “Three Eyed Electro Berserker” art, which started life as a digitally coloured line drawing for the back of an issue of Witchmaze. “Always kinda liked it, so I thought I’d paint it up,” he says. “Why not!”
Robert Sienicki is launching Freshly Grown Gardener during Thought Bubble (Redshirt Hall, D42a) this weekend. You can also find it later in UK shops, including Travelling Man and Gosh Comics.
Kate Ashwin, the creator of the marvellous, long-running web comic Widdershins, and Hit the Ground Running, has been making internet comics since 2002. Those last two may be related. Do check out her work (B25 Red Shirt Hall). Another creator well-deserving of a long service award and less disdain from cats.
Donya Todd is another great exhibitor (C7, Comixology Hall), returning to Thought Bubble for the first time in 10 years! “I’ll be a nervous wreck so be nice to me,” she asks. “Come and grab a copy of The Witch’s Egg.” She right next to brilliant independent publisher Avery Hill Publishing. She’s one of 25 contributors to the first ever Very Tiny Comics Anthology from Deadly Knitshade (a.k.a Lauren O’Farrell) launching at the event, a colourful-haired comics creator, writer, crafty street artist and author from London. Other contributors include Karrie Fransman, Tor Freeman, Sarah Gordon, and Jamie Smart!
Longtime comic creator Andy Lanning (Marvel UK, Marvel Comics and much more) will have a selection of posters with him (C24, 2000AD Hall), and books and artwork for sale too. A trooper!
Awesome artist Sam Hart (C-30b, Redshirt Hall) will have a few copies of his Comic Art Superheroes, his indie comics, sketchbooks, sketch covers and prints. Visual Narrative for Comic Books, his first online course on the Domestika platform, has had thousands of students, and he’s done more since.
British cartoonist and inker Matthew Seaborne, whose includes in Brigade Remastered for Image, now working on Reaper Destroyer, has a new art book for sale at Thought Bubble (B11, Comixology Hall), which looks pretty cool. Here’s a taste of his art…
Cartoonist Roger Langridge will also be exhibiting (E18, Redshirt Hall). He echoes the feelings of most creators at Thought Bubble over on BlueSky: “I like doing sketches, I like selling books and I like going home with slightly more money in my pocket than I had when I arrived. You can help me do all of these things!”
His latest diary collection, All Good Things, is also available from his web store.
Finally, even if you can’t make it, do consider supporting the 4th Annual Friends of the Elephantmen Charity Prize Draw for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, organised by Andy Cowburn.
It’s too late for you to be included in the draw to win amazing art donated by the likes of Simon Coleby and others, but it’s a great cause, so please consider giving your support any way!
Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises funds towards the pioneering work at Alder Hey. Your support ensures the 450,000 children we see each year will have access to the best facilities and equipment, and that the benefits of our innovating work are felt by families throughout the world.
We hope this has given you a smidgen of the flavour of Thought Bubble this year – again, there is a lot happening! Do follow the event’s official socials for more highlights
• Thought Bubble is online at thoughtbubblefestival.com | BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | YouTube
• Search for the latest #thoughtbubble posts on BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | X | Other Social Media are available but life’s too short
• Thought Bubble 2025 Comic Convention | Maps
• Thought Bubble 2000AD Hall Map
• Thought Bubble BubbleBoy Hall Map
• Thought Bubble ComiXology Hall Map
• Thought Bubble Red Shirt Hall Map
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
Categories: British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
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Looking forward to this, but I just know I’m not going to be able to get around everything.