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Comics “a great way into literacy”, says Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph

By John Freeman on April 17, 2025

Young Reporters from Birchfields Primary School got to visit the See Myself In Books Festival in Manchester recently, and interview authors Maisie Chan, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola, as well as Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph and Margaret Duff, the Read Manchester Manager.

Bobby Joseph was interviewed later by Media Cubs, and talked about his role as Comics Laureate, revealing his love of comics growing up, but noting a lack of representation and diversity in many books and comics he read, something he strongly feels needs to continue to be addressed. He also talked about how useful comics are as a gateway to literacy.

The Read Manchester See Myself in Books campaign aims to increase the number of diverse books in schools and libraries, and inspire reading in the local community by making sure children and young people can access books with characters that they can relate to. When children and young people enjoy reading, they read more often, helping to build vital reading skills and bringing wider benefits for wellbeing, confidence and learning.

Media Cubs offer kids-led reviews of family attractions in the North of England, Pop-up TV studio and newsrooms, inspiring young people from all backgrounds to become mini reporters.

• Find out more about Comics Laureate 2023 – 2025 Bobby Joseph here, and check out his Laureate Library List here

• Read Manchester See Myself in Books

• For more information about Media Cubs, the pop-up TV studio and newsroom and youth-comms experts, visit: https://mediacubs.co.uk/

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.