British Comic Conventions making their return at last

By John Freeman on October 12, 2021

Cornwall Comic and Gaming Festival TRURO

While COVID-19 impacted every physical comic event in the UK, and internationally, throughout 2020 and 2021, the good news is that 2022 is beginning to look much more positive, with dates now being firmed up for many gatherings.

We’ve just updated our “Rolling Events” page of British and Irish gatherings, and there’s already plenty of things lined up for you to check out for next year, and over the rest of 2021.

Of course, we’re not out of the woods yet with the pandemic, and it does appears that some long-standing events may not return, their web sites either no longer existent and their social media presence, sadly not updated for many months.

But news of the return of events like Lawless to Bristol, and the big London comic gatherings, too, does rather perk us up here at downthetubes, despite the best efforts of many to continue the fun online when we couldn’t meet in public!

Some organisations running events are, of course, sensibly, emphasising they will proceed only subject to restrictions and will be enforcing any social distancing measures if they are still in place. (It is highly possible that mask wearing, for example, will be requested in indoor areas, and it is still in force in some parts of the UK).

As ever, thank you to everyone who has supplied information and apologies if we haven’t added your event yet. Please do also check out our Events News and Exhibition News news streams.

As ever, information about events from event organisers is welcome: here’s how to contact us. Please do not assume we will see a convention announcement on Facebook, Twitter or other social media!

• UK and Irish Comic Conventions, Exhibitions – Rolling List

If you don’t see your date added to this list, please re-send the information as it’s entirely possible, given the huge amount of email received, that we’ve missed it first time around – sorry!

• If you’re looking for hotel accommodation near your comics event, why not give Booking.com a try? (affiliate link)

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.