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Inkblot Comic Festival returns to Manchester in October

By John Freeman on July 23, 2025

The Inkblot Comic Festival returns to Manchester on Saturday 18th October, with a boat load of incredible, yet to be announced artists, plus comics, manga, collectables – and, for the the first time ever, the launch of the Inkblot publishing label, and a full force live artist battle!

Taking place at Sugden Sports Centre, Manchester, Early Bird tickets are on sale now, as well as VIP tickets with early access and some goodies!

“It’s our biggest show yet,” say the organisers.

The Sugden Sports Centre, “the perfect venue to keep the indie comic community growing”, is right in the heart of Manchester; an ideal spot to celebrate comics, zines and illustration under one big roof.

Offering “One Big Hall, Endless Comics”, you’ll find it filled with talented comic artists, small press creators and zine makers. Browse unique artwork, discover new stories, chat with the artists and pick up something special to take home.

“Whether you’re here to collect, meet creators or just soak up the atmosphere, InkBlot Manchester has everything in one place — simple, open and packed with creativity.”

• Inkblot Comic Festival Saturday 18th October 2025, Sugden Sports Centre, Manchester | Web inkblotfestival .com | Get your early bird tickets here

Last year’s Inkblot lineup, sponsored by Lazarus Comics and Meraki Comics, included Andy Williams, aka Andy the Illustrator, event organiser and creator of Lost Legends of Lazarus, Chris Askham, Blackwells Manchester, Luke Michael Copsey, writer and illustrator Andy J. Clarke, freelance Illustrator and concept artist Emilymeganxart, artist and storyteller Raluca Farcas, author AK Faulkner, author Matt Gantry, artist Hana Abstracts, the Manchester independent bookshop, cafe and events space House of Book and Friends, Nottingham-based comic publisher and global small press retailer Koguchi Press, Tim Kong, artist Sophie Lou, Mizer, Jenny Mure, artist Nona, Northwich Comic & Film Festival, Emily Omerod, Ewan Power (Power Comics), Regal, AP Spinks, the team behind Tallewellyn Comics, creators of Tempus Clade, and artist and illustrator Kevin Wells.

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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.