Independent Comics Summit comes to Birmingham

By John Freeman on May 4, 2018

Outside of bigger comic publishers such as Marvel and DC in the USor Titan and Rebellion in the UK, what are the realities of actually creating comics as an independent publisher?

The question will be explored at ‘The Comics Summit‘, taking place in July in Birmingham, a brand-new event set up by creators, for creators, that will examine the joys and pitfalls of making comics on an independent level for professionals and amateurs alike.

Jon Lock, of the Cheltenham-based Big Punch Studios, which publishes well-known independent titles Afterlife Inc., 7STRING and Extraversal, has organised the event to address the challenges affecting an often under-represented industry.

“The Comics Summit is an opportunity for creators to come together, outside of a convention setting to share ideas, tips and tricks and to start a discussion about our community,” he explains. “We hope that the Comics Summit will be a chance for creators to talk in a relaxed setting and share good practice so that we can better do the things we love.”

The Summit will be held at Comics Uncovered, a not-for-profit event for aspiring and professional comic creators, featuring seminars, workshops and masterclasses from top creators at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre on 7-8 July.

• For more information, visit https://comicssummit. wordpress.com

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John Freeman

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.