The Hackney Comic + Zine Fair is back in 2021, but this time the team are moving things online for a digital celebration of sequential art and the people who make it.
Taking place over four weeks in September, the fair will also feature a programme of workshops, panel talks and digital meetups – all accessible for free from the comfort of your own home.
The event aims to highlight the many different forms, styles and genres that comics and zines can take, especially in the independent, self-published and small-press scene. No matter if you’ve never picked up a comic before or have been reading them your whole life, there will be something for you to enjoy at HCZF.
“The new digital format means we can showcase even more talented comic creators than before, and this year we are holding open applications to exhibit for the first time,” says event organiser and cartoonist Joe Stone.
“2020 sucked,” Joe continues. “Being away from our friends, families and communities was difficult, but people adapted and found ways to stay in touch and stick together.
“This year, I really wanted to make sure the comics community still had events to bring us all together and promote the incredible work being made – even if it’s online.
“As sad as it is that we won’t be physically together in the same room as we have in the past, the silver lining is that we can have a bigger event with more exhibitors, we’re not limited to one or two days, and anyone can attend from anywhere in the world.
“As well as our programme of online events we’re keeping our fingers crossed there will also be some physical activities we can announce closer to the time, so keep your eyes peeled for more information coming soon.”
Hackney Comic + Zine Fair had it successful inaugural event in 2019, which hosted 40 exhibitors and 400 attendees on a sunny Sunday at London Fields Arches. The event was conceived to give small press comic creators a chance to come together, celebrate their work, reach a wider audience, and help bring the often misunderstood medium of comics to the local community in Hackney.
While the move online takes things beyond Hackney, the area is still at the heart of the event and where the physical fair will return to as soon as it’s safe and possible to do so.
• Exhibitor applications will be open from 3rd April 2021. Follow Hackney Comic + Zine Fair on Instagram and Twitter, and head over to www.hackneycomicfair.com for more information about the event
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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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