Ace comic creator Jamie Smart, best known, perhaps, for his work for The Phoenix comic, will be appearing at The Forum, Bath on Monday 2nd November 2026, putting on a live drawalong show organised by Bath Festivals, who run the upcoming Bath Children’s Literature Festival, and everyone who attends will get an Exclusive A2 signed poster.
“I love making posters for my big launch shows,” he says, “it makes it feel more like a gig experience, and gives everyone who comes something a bit special to take home.”
This year’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival proper runs from Friday 25th September to Sunday 4th October, bringing some of the biggest and best loved names in the world of children’s books to a family audience of thousands.
It includes a number of Phoenix comic related events, with Laura Ellen Anderson, Jess Bradley, Neill Cameron, and Thiago de Moraes, and The Spectacular Phoenix Comic Book Draw-Off.
There are plenty of appearances by other comic creators, authors and illustrators, including Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, celebrating the launch of Gruffalo Granny; Beccy Blake, creator of the graphic novel Chicken Hill, Horrible Histories’ illustrator Martin Brown, InvestiGators creator John Patric Green, award-winning author and illustrator Jack Noel, creator of the hilarious graphic novel series DADBOT, Gary Northfield, for a workshop event challenging you to turn your favourite pet into a sensational super hero and pit them against a dastardly villain in your very own comic strip; plus, multi-award-winning Harry Potter artist Levi Pinfold, Mortal Engines author Philip Reeve, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026 (who also joins artist Sarah McIntyre for a separate event, an action-packed celebration of Adventuremice: Mini Mice Mayhem), Chris Riddell, the former Children’s Laureate and bestselling, award-winning author, and the legendary Jacqueline Wilson.
James Lancett and Jim Smith, Waterstones Illustrators In Residence, also make separate appearances.
• Check out the full programme here
Bath Festivals run events such as this appearance by Jamie in November, working in partnership with sponsor Longleat for a second year, following on the success from last year’s collaboration between these two family favourites.
“The World of Jamie Smart” on Monday 2nd November at The Forum in Bath will celebrate the launch of Bunny Vs Monkey Book 12, Day Of The Heroes.
The Woods need a hero! There’s a greased pig in a pickle, everyone is stuck in jelly and there’s a zombie invasion happening! Only Bunny and friends can save the day – as long as they don’t get in each other’s way…
“It’s an evening show too,” Jamie notes, “which is a new one for me! I’ll be showing everyone how to draw characters, and together (with audience suggestions) we’ll be making a brand new comic. These shows have always been a ton of fun… so hope to see you there!”
• Bath Festivals presents The World of Jamie Smart 6.00pm, Monday 2nd November 2026, The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG (Doors open 5.00pm) | Tickets available here
• The full Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2026 programme can be found at Bath Box Office
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
Inkblot Comic Festival returns to Manchester this Halloween 
Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2026 Guest Spotlight 
Mark Millar joins High Vis Festival lineup in Birmingham 
South London Comic and Zine Fair returns this Sunday
Leave a Reply