“Comics: The Famous & Forgotten”, a celebration of Britain’s comic art heritage has arrived at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, one of the first venues to host The Cartoon Museum’s first touring exhibition. There’s a special competition for young creators that’s part of the programming, too.
“Comics: The Famous & Forgotten” runs from Saturday 17th January and will run until 15th March 2026 and features a selection of iconic, nostalgic and surprising artworks from the London based Cartoon Museum’s renowned collection. Included are artworks by Leo Baxendale, Frank Bellamy, Doug Braithwaite, Reg Bunn, Dave Gibbons, Frank Hampson, Gerry Haylock, Juliana Mahfouz, John McCrea, Eric Parker, Woodrow Phoenix, Ken Reid, Ronald Searle, Rachel Stott, and Dudley D. Watkins, among many others.
The exhibition shines a spotlight on Britain’s rich comic tradition, its icons, innovators and the overlooked creators who shaped generations of readers.
As the only museum in Britain dedicated to preserving and celebrating comic and cartoon history, the Cartoon Museum is dedicated to preserving the best of British cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation.
The Cartoon Museum received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2024 to launch a three‑year programme of touring exhibitions. The Beacon Museum will be one of the first venues in the UK, to host this exciting new touring collection.
Visitors are invited on a journey through more than a century of British comic history. The exhibition explores the birth of the comic strip in Victorian Britain, the riotous humour of BEANO, VIZ and 2000AD, and the rise of homegrown superheroes. It also highlights the groundbreaking work of artists such as David Lloyd and Bryan Talbot, whose influence helped cement Britain’s reputation as a global powerhouse in comic storytelling.
Alongside the classics, “The Famous & Forgotten” uncovers the lesser‑known stories such as the world of girls’ comics, the rebellious underground zine movements, and the fresh perspectives of today’s emerging artists. Each display invites visitors of all ages to rediscover old favourites and perhaps even feel inspired to create their own.
Hannah Whyte, collections curator at The Cartoon Museum, said: “We’re excited to get this exhibition on the road, and to share our collection of British cartoons and comics with wider audiences – from iconic characters like Dennis the Menace – to hidden gems you might not have heard of before!”
• Comics: The Famous & Forgotten 17th January – 15th March 2026, The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 7LY | Opening Times: Tuesday – Saturday | 10.00am – 4.30pm | Sunday | 11.00am – 4.00pm | Web: thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk
Comic Competition for Young Creators
The Beacon is also hosting a special comic competition, giving young creators the chance to produce their own original comic. Selected entries will be printed and displayed at The Beacon Museum, offering a great opportunity for budding artists to see their work showcased.
The competition is open across three age categories:
- Age group 1 (4 – 6 years)
- Age group 2 (7 – 10 years)
- Age group 3 (11 – 16 years)
Entries must be hand‑drawn, family‑friendly, and limited to one original comic per child. More information about the competition can be found here.
Welcoming the exhibition’s impending arrival, Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said “Comics: The Famous & Forgotten is a great opportunity for people of all ages to explore a unique part of Britain’s cultural history.
“It’s a chance for local residents and visitors alike, to explore the stories behind the characters so many of us grew up with, while also discovering artists and comics we might never have heard of.
“The exhibition has plenty of charm, and the comic competition is a great chance for young people to get involved. I hope everyone who comes along finds something that sparks their interest.”
Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager added: “Comics – The Famous and Forgotten celebrates the creativity and playful humour of comics. From much loved favourites to overlooked pioneers. We are delighted to bring this vibrant exhibition to The Beacon Museum, where it can be enjoyed by families, comic fans and visitors alike.”
Comics: The Famous & Forgotten promises an engaging, colourful and inspiring experience for families, comic enthusiasts and anyone curious about the art form that has shaped British culture in ways both famous and forgotten.
Between Whitehaven’s mines and Harbour, The Beacon Museum tells the story of historic Cumberland, an area set amongst the Lake District’s dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes.
Along with its permanent collection, museum offers an ongoing programme of exhibitions in the Light & Dark Gallery, and Harbour Gallery. These range from major blockbusters often curated by staff at the Museum, to touring exhibitions and works on loan from other institutions.
The Museum also hosts The Beacon Book club, an informal, friendly group of likeminded people who want to share their passion for reading and to discover new favourite books and make new friends.
• Comics: The Famous & Forgotten 17th January – 15th March 2026, The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 7LY | Opening Times: Tuesday – Saturday | 10.00am – 4.30pm | Sunday | 11.00am – 4.00pm | Web: thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk
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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, Comic Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Other Worlds
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