KA-BOOM! The Art of Creating Comics

By John Freeman on January 19, 2023

Oxford’s Story Museum is currently hosting an amazing exhibition, KA-BOOM!, that aims to offer an enjoyable insight into how comics are created – and a special Private View event, including a talk by Tom Fickling from The Phoenix, will take place next week.

Created by the Museum in partnership with BEANO, Monster Fun publisher Rebellion and The Phoenix comic, KA-BOOM! takes visitors on an interactive journey through the comic-making process in order to encourage the next generation of comic artists and writers.

A giant pop-up comic strip created in conjunction with comic artist Neill Cameron has taken over the museum’s temporary exhibition space, revealing what makes a great comic and giving children the skills to make their own.

Visitors are guided through the comic process – from developing characters and plotting, to drawing, colouring and lettering – with the help of some familiar faces including Dennis and Gnasher, Minnie the Minx, Cadet Judge Dredd and Bunny VS Monkey, as well as getting tips from comic creators, including 2000AD‘s Ramzee, BEANO‘s Laura Howell and Bunny VS Monkey creator Jamie Smart.

Also on display throughout the exhibition is original artwork showcasing the rich history of British comic book making, including artist sketches from the 1950s to the present day.

TORCH – The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities has organised a Talk and Private View of ‘KA-BOOM!’ next Thursday, 26th January 2023, 5.30pm -7.30pm, when Peter Kessler of The Lakes International Comic Art Festival will be in conversation with Tom Fickling from The Phoenix. You can register here

Displayed in the Story Museum’s ‘Treasure Chamber’, Phoenix artist Neill Cameron was interviewed about this exhibition on CBBC’S Newsround.

The Treasure Chamber is included within a ticket for the Story Museum Galleries which are open daily to the public during state school holidays and from Wednesdays to Sunday during term time.

Last year, more than 80,500 people engaged with the Story Museum including families, schools and community groups. Highlights of the Museum’s story-filled year included this new exhibition, and being one of the host venues for the Tiny Ideas Festival, a brand new festival for very young children and their families.

• Find out more about the exhibition, ticket prices and booking here on the Story Museum web site | Buy Museum tickets here

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.