Scotland’s Renfrewshire Libraries has lined up UK Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph for a special event as part of its annual Will Eisner Week program.

Bobby Joseph is the UK Comics Laureate for 2023-25, an acclaimed comic writer, artist, tutor and editor whose work has often challenged and inspired its readers.

His early work includes the creation of Skank magazine, where his best-known strip, “Scotland Yardie”, first featured, and later collected by Knockabout Press.

Bobby will be discussing his new role and experiences at Paisley Central Library, on Friday 1st March 2024, tickets available here.

The Comics Laureate is an ambassadorial and educational role for the comics medium and aims to raise awareness of the impact comics can have in terms of increasing literacy and creativity.

Working closely with the Lakes International Comics Art Festival, the Comics Laureate champions the role of comics in improving literacy through a programme of educational visits, workshop events, guest appearances and conferences. A key focus is working to increase the acceptance of comics as a creative art form in schools, libraries and throughout the education system.

Will Eisner (1917 – 2005) was a highly innovative and creative artist and writer who pioneered in the field of comics and graphic novels. He strongly advocated for the inclusion of graphic novels in library collections and sequential art on museum walls.

Will Eisner Week is a worldwide series of events, held from the 1st – 7th March each year, in libraries, schools, museums, comic book shops, bookshops and other venues celebrating comics and sequential art, graphic novel literacy, free speech, and Will Eisner’s legacy.

This is Renfrewshire Libraries seventh year of participation, and in addition to Bobby Joseph’s appearance, free events they are hosting include a show from cartoonist Kev Sutherland’s brilliant Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre on 4th March, a Writer on Writer panel with Monty Nero and Jim Alexander, and an “Adventures in the Celtic Twilight Zone” event with Pete Renshaw and John McShane.

• Bobby Joseph 7.00 – 8.00pm Friday 1st March 2024, Paisley Central Library, 22 High St, Paisley PA1 2BS | Book your ticket via EventBrite

• Follow Bobby Joseph on X @comics_laureate @skankmagazine | Instagram: @bobbyjosephcomics | BlueSky

• Check out all Renfrewshire Libraries Will Eisner Week events and book your free tickets

• Celebrate Will Eisner Week in March | Follow the celebrations on Facebook | 2024 Events List on WillEisner.com

• Find out more about the work of the UK Comics Laureate here on the Lakes International Comic Art Festival website

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.

Categories: Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: Bobby Joseph, Comics Laureate, downthetubes News, Events Scotland, Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Renfrewshire Libraries, Will Eisner, Will Eisner Week