Ahead of the first-ever Hastings Comic Con, David Baillie caught up with three of this year’s special guests, Colleen Douglas, Dennis Menheere and Lucy Sullivan, to talk about their work, what they’re bringing to the show, and why conventions matter.
You’re due to be a guests this weekend at the very first Hastings Comic Con, which I think is going to be brilliant! For anyone not familiar with your incredible work can you give us a quick intro?
Colleen Douglas: I am a 2023 RINGO! Nominee and 2025 GLYPH Winner for Silk Cotton and was Editor in Chief for Amigo Comics and edited for Sally Books based in Malaga (2017-2020; both submissions and project editing). I am historically the first Black woman to be published by Caliber Comics in its 35-year history. I am also a comic book creator. I have also edited for Scout Comics for the following titles: Commander Rao, The Greylock, Oswald and the Star Chaser, Cross Country, and Unicorn Vampire Hunter.
I have also edited for Afrofutures magazine. I have contractually written for Leviathan Labs and been commissioned to write for Ahoy Comics, Interpop Comics, Advent Comics (Epiphany Engine), and Fairsquare Graphics.
Lucy Sullivan: Hello, I’m Lucy, a comic writer/artist from London. I make comics about folklore, mental breakdowns, vengeful women, and massive black dogs. I’m best known for my debut graphic novel BARKING. I’ve created commissions for Black Hammer, Department of Truth, and Razorblades amongst many more and make creator-owned comics and zines.
Dennis Menheere: Hiya, I’m Dennis, Ringo-nominated artist for Image, Vault, Titan, and a lot of other stuff. I got my foot in the door with our debut comic Etheres two years ago and I’m currently working on the Little Nightmares comic book.
What are you most excited to share with fans next weekend? What will you be bringing?
Colleen Douglas: I am totally thrilled to be at Hastings Comic Con at its inaugural launch! I will be along with my award-winning book Silk Cotton and the latest outing, a light novel called Shakespeare’s Vampires (neither are what you think, you will have to wait and see).
Lucy Sullivan: I’m always excited to introduce readers to my eclectic range of work, from hand-folded zines to small press comics like SHELTER: Early Doors, risograph prints, and published books. I’ve just had a new set of prints delivered of my better-known commissions, so looking forward to adding those to my table. Please pop by! I’ll be ready to chat, happy to sign comics, and bringing my materials to sketch in copies of BARKING.
Dennis Menheere: Most of all, I’m happy to meet readers and fellow nerds. I’ll be bringing some of my private comic stash, including some hard-to-get comics, some blank covers for commission, and a bunch of prints!
What’s your favourite part of meeting readers and fellow creators at conventions?
Colleen Douglas: Seeing the surprise on the faces of new readers when they open one of my comics never gets old. Meeting up with fellow creators is always a joy, it’s like seeing long-time friends and having the chance to share creative idea catch-ups in each other’s lives.
Lucy Sullivan: Meeting readers and making pals with other creators is my favourite part of comics. I really enjoy chatting about stories, making comics, and art processes. It’s particularly fun to see folks react to my drawing technique. I use carbon typewriter sheets and dip pens, which look like black paper when you use them, but when you reveal the drawing it’s usually to great sound effects.
Dennis Menheere: I love that everyone is always so much in their element. I love hearing about their stories in geekdom and hopefully inspiring new creators to go pursue their goals.
Can you tell us a bit about your latest project and what inspired it? And are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease?
Colleen Douglas: The latest is my light novel Shakespeare’s Vampires (from Fairsquare Graphics with co-creators Fabrice Sapolsky and Lissa!) where Romeo and Juliet are feuding vampires, and you can go across to Fairsquare Graphics to learn all about it and other very excellent books! As for the next project, I am very anxious and proud to be writing an original graphic novel called Old Fadama and it’s about an albino friend who survived living in the e-waste slum dump of Agbogbloshie in Accra, which was closed in 2021.
Lucy Sullivan: I’m currently working on my next graphic novel in the SHELTER series entitled Mothers Ruin. It’s an urban folk-horror set amongst the Irish community of West London, told over the year of 1970.
At its heart is my matriarch, Mammy Magee, local fixer of problems but always for a price, and her brood of extraordinary girls. This story will see Mammy come up against another matriarch, Nanna Michaels, a local money lender with harsh rules and a formidable son. It’s going to be chock full of Celtic folklore, terrifying women, spooky happenings, and the odd bit of gore.
The art is planned to be watercolour and carbon, similar to the first story Early Doors, which I’ll have on my table this weekend for those wanting to catch up.
Dennis Menheere: I’ve been working on Little Nightmares for quite a while now, which will be coming out this year. I’ve already met some very passionate fans and I’m really looking forward to them getting to read it! I’ve also been doing a short story for BOOM! and I’m actually doing a board game as well!
Is there one comic (by another creator) you’ve read recently that really inspired you? (Doesn’t need to be new!)
Colleen Douglas: Barking from Lucy Sullivan and Lavender Clouds from Bex Ollerton, both are very moving books and tackle difficult subjects in the grief and mental health space for creators themselves. I think it’s very important to remember self-care, as comics creators we can often overlook this facet in our industry.
Lucy Sullivan: I’m in love with Taiyo Matsumoto’s latest series Tokyo These Days. It follows a manga editor who quits his position in order to spearhead a final anthology that will be his swan song. The pacing is dreamlike, with moments of magical realism. The art is textural, scratchy inks and beautifully renders modern urban Tokyo. I love Matsumoto’s work and this is my favourite alongside Go Go Monster. Big recommend.
Dennis Menheere: I was really enamoured by DamnRunner, Birdking, Ultramega, and a bunch of indie books. So many fantastic creators nowadays!
What advice would you give to aspiring creators?
Colleen Douglas: Keep creating, do what you love, make the comics you’d like to see, especially if they are not being made. You can be the one to do it because ultimately if you have made it someone out there may benefit from reading it, even if you never meet them.
Lucy Sullivan: Don’t worry about who will read your comics or how to get them published but instead focus on just making them. Start small with zines. Try not to spend too much time fussing as folks will spend minutes reading. The story is key. Your art can be of any standard, in any style, there’s no rules. But make the story as good as you can. Create what you want to read and revel in your own unique voice. I’ll look forward to reading it one day.
Dennis Menheere: Be disciplined, trust the process, shake hands, practice, be nice to everyone, don’t feel too much pressure from social media, believe in your skills!
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you stay creative and productive?
Colleen Douglas: Listening to music, that is at the foundation of all creative ideas I generate and then I go for a walk in the park to flush out the problem-solving of how I will make the idea real. I find being in nature helps my process a lot.
Lucy Sullivan: I have to get most work done whilst my kid is at school. My studio is based at home so it can be tricky not to be distracted. I try to get going as soon as possible and keep my phone as far away from my grasp as I can.
I start the day with something that I know will be easy to get into and build up to the more challenging work, whether that’s writing or drawing depending on the project.
I stick to regular break times and try to keep as much of a routine as possible. It’s important to have a schedule and deadlines in mind, even if they are just for yourself. Working towards a convention or specific date can give you a timeline that’s invaluable to staying on track. But don’t worry if it gets delayed, these things happen, just get going again as soon as you can.
Dennis Menheere: I don’t really. I’ve been drawing every day of my life so it comes naturally, I suppose. I do try to get breaks in and go for a walk. It helps maintain focus. Also, lots of coffee.
Why do you think conventions are important for the comics community and fandom?
Colleen Douglas: I think conventions are really like an oasis if the comics landscape were a desert. Here people can meet, celebrate fandom, and join in with a community they would otherwise be separated from, and we all know amazing things happen when people of like-mindedness come together.
Lucy Sullivan: Comics is a somewhat isolating industry. Most creators are off working on their own in some darkened room. Getting to hang out with like-minded folks, people who are up against the same challenges as you or have the same burning passion for a genre is incredibly uplifting and vital in reminding you why we need and make comics.
I feel very lucky to be a part of a number of communities from creators to area-based groups. The camaraderie is comics’ strength and absolute lifeline for me. None of it would matter without readers, so gathering everyone together is a wonderful celebration of the form.
Dennis Menheere: It’s a chance for fans to meet their favourite artists and, maybe even more importantly, meet like-minded people. It’s a place where you can have your mask off while having an actual mask on! I’ve met so many fantastic people and it’s a great feeling to be surrounded by folks of all walks of life with the same quirky interests.
And finally have you ever been to Hastings? Is there anything you’re looking forward to checking out? (I can thoroughly recommend a pier, a beach and a biker bar!)
Colleen Douglas: I have never been to Hastings, but I look forward to exploring it because I have a partner who is armed to the teeth with info and he’s determined to find all the great spots!
Lucy Sullivan: We visited Hastings a couple of years ago on a family trip with friends. We had a lovely day hanging out by the beach and pier. I’m very much looking forward to getting back. I’m open to any suggestions of places to go so please drop by my table and tell me where to grab a bite to eat or the must-see bookshops of Hastings. It’s going to be an excellent weekend.
Dennis Menheere: I have not! I live in The Netherlands, sort of right across from Hastings, and I sort of expect it to be a mirror reflection of my hometown. I’m a big history nerd though so I might look up some old town spots and check out some ‘Battle of Hastings’ places of interest.
• Hastings Comic Con 2025 runs from Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th June, White Rock Theatre, Hastings TN34 1JX | For tickets and more information, visit hastingscomiccon.com
Guests include Mike Collins, Colleen Douglas, Andy Fanton, Karrie Fransman, Paul Fry, Dennis Menheere and Ant Williams
• Colleen Douglas is online at zeecomeeks.com
• Lucy Sullivan is online at lucysullivanuk.com
• Follow Dennis Menheere on Instagram
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