First Leeds Alternative Comics Fair set for September

By John Freeman on August 20, 2010

Leeds Altrnative Comic Fair 2010 The first Leeds Alternative Comics Fair takes place on the 18th September 2010, 12 noon-6.00pm, at A Nation of Shopkeepers bar (behind Leeds City Art Gallery).

The event is being organised by comic creators Steve Tillotson of banal pig comics and REET! Comics Hugh “Shug” Raine.

“We have both exhibited at the excellent Thought Bubble Festival for the last few years but want to see more events like it in and around Leeds and West Yorkshire,” says Steve. “We were inspired by the events put on by the Alternative Press collective in London, the Alternative Press fairs and “Are You Zine Friendly” events, and wanted to try and replicate that in the north, raising the profile of small press comics in the north and staging an enjoyable social event in the process.

“We’ve selected a range of creators that we feel represent the broad scope within the small press comics scene in the north and make up an interesting selection of products to buy and browse,” He adds. “There will also be a communal table for other creators to drop their comics off and sell.

“We wanted to create a relaxed environment in which comics fans and the uninitiated could browse and buy comics direct from the creators, without entry fees or table costs and we’re sure that A Nation of Shopkeepers will be an ideal venue. It already hosts the ‘Doodle Booze’ drink and draw events run by OK Comics and is a popular gig venue that holds up to 850 people.”

• The blog for the event is http://leedsalternativecomics.wordpress.com

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.