The first-ever Mersey Margins Comics Collective Fair, an innovative, youth-led event, will take place on Saturday 15th February 2025.
The Fair will create a new, community-focused and youth-led space for early-career, marginalised comic artists to showcase their work, learn from industry leaders, and thrive in an industry that can often feel inaccessible.
Young early career comics artists from across the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral) are warmly invited to apply. Tables are free and exhibitors can have reasonable travel costs refunded.
The Fair is intended to be an initiative to redefine and radicalise what a comics fair can be. Successful exhibitors will be able to attend artist development forums beforehand to share knowledge and learn more about conventions and publishing from industry professionals.
This unique fair is being organised by Marginal Changemakers, a programme of Comics Youth CIC, who are focused on changing the publishing industry and creating a better environment for comics to thrive. The team’s work is aims to bridge the gap for early-career, marginalised comics creators in the Liverpool City Region, continuing a mission to create a supportive, community-focused space for emerging voices.
“This isn’t just another comics event; it’s a reimagining of what a comics fair can be,” say the organisers. “Mersey Margins is centred on inclusivity, accessibility, and professional development.
“We believe Mersey Margins will not only showcase the incredible talent of creators from across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral but also serve as a blueprint for how conventions can be run inclusively.”
The inspiration for Mersey Margins was a desire to help creators struggling to make comics in the competitive industry, and a desire to create an event which was less focused on celebrities and corporate traders and more focused on building community. The Marginal Changemakers wish to tackle these issues by creating a welcoming and community focused event for these creators as independent work is vital in challenging the balances of power in the comics industry.
Mersey Margins will transform how independent comics events are run, with a focus on nurturing talent and supporting emerging voices.
The hope is that artists can leave the event feeling empowered and excited about their future in the industry, whilst visitors to the convention will enjoy seeing the diverse comics arts of the Liverpool City Region.
The Marginal Changemakers will publish their learning afterwards, which will both help other early career artists and offer ways convention organisers can support their exhibitors better.
Mersey Margins has already garnered praise and support from highly respected UK comics conventions organisers, with endorsements from Lakes International Comics Arts Festival, Thought Bubble and MaccPow.
“Mersey Margins isnt just a comics fair, it’s a stepping stone to a more inclusive and diverse comics industry,” say the team. “It’s about empowering young creators, reshaping how conventions are run, and creating lasting change for future generations of comics artists.”
“This is an inspired and inspiring initiative,” says Julie Tait, Director of Lakes International Comics Art Festival, “much needed if the comics industry in Britain is going to grow and enable talented young people from the margins to be seen and flouris.”
“Making comics, selling them, and running comics events can feel like a bit of a mystery, but what can come of them is endless positivity, friendship, personal growth and boundless creativity!” enthuses Chloe Green, Festival Director, of Thought Bubble. “It’s so powerful! Building and sharing knowledge like this is so important; I can’t begin to imagine what excellence will come of it! I will be following Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair every step of the way.”
“I wish you guys all the very best with your event, it’s great to see more and more indie comics events on the map,” said Marc Jackson, cartoonist and founder of MACC-POW! Macclesfield’s comic art festival.
“As a queer, disabled person, the regular comic conventions feel unappealing and the organisers do not accommodate people like me,” said Violet Keys of Marginal Changemakers. “More alternative, community-based events have tailored similar interests and more diversity within them.”
“This is more than a regular comics fair, this will radicalise the way independent conventions are run,” Ollie Hicks, Project Lead, Marginal Changemakers, suggests, “offering free tables, paid travel and artist development opportunities for the exhibitors.”
Comics Youth was founded in 2015 and is a creative community organisation led by young people, for young people. Its aim is to empower youth across the Liverpool City Region to flourish from the margins of society: Harnessing their own narratives, finding confidence within an inclusive community, and developing the resilience to succeed on their own path. They also launched the Marginal Publishing House, the first youth-led publishing house.
Marginal Changemakers launched in 2023, with funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The programme teaches young people about both publishing and activism. We work closely with young people to create campaigns which will improve conditions in the publishing industry for workers, readers and creators.
Mersey Margins Comics Collective Fair is their third campaign. Previously they developed an Inclusion Charter for publishers, and held a Talking Shelves day where they encouraged people to visit their local independent bookshops and recommend comics.
• Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair will take place on Saturday 15th February 2025 – Venue to be announced
• To find out more about Comics Youth visit www.comicsyouth.co.uk | Facebook | Instagram| X
• For Marginal Changemakers visit marginalpublishing.co.uk/marginal-changemakers | Instagram |
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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.
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