On the day he’ll be selling hand drawn temporary tattoos, inked directly onto people’s arms, necks or hands using skin safe semi-permanent tattoo pens that will last up to 24 hours.

His website is http://jack-knight.graphics – where people can see his illustration portfolio.

Comic Artist Joe Matthews

Fed up with the lack of new British humour comics being published by the major publishers, Joe decided to publish his own. Issue Three is on sale now and will be available at Lancaster Comics Day, featuring the  “Zackster – Kid Zombie” (this time at the beach and causing mayhem!), “The Bed Bugs” (investugating a mysterious hair) and “Werewolf Growl” as well as a text story, “Milly, Monster Hunter”, and some great activity page. Every issue  comes with free stickers and trading cards as an enticing gift.

“It seems I was always destined to be a cartoonist, says Joe. “My childhood days where filled creating superheroes and comics, contributing to fanzines in the mid 70’s and self publishing my own fanzine at the age of 13. By 1985 I started having a few cartoons published in the Beano. Then, with the big influx of ‘lads’ comics I created ‘Thud n Bud’, the brainless bouncers which ran in Gas and then continued in UT. During this time I also contributed to the Newcastle-based Sunday Sun newspaper with a weekly feature called ‘The Sunday Gang’, which ran for just over two years.

“Despite unsuccessful trials on Count Duckula, Barbie and Rug Rats for London Editions, this did eventually lead to Tom & Jerry Comic and Baby Loony Tunes.

“In recent years, I’ve concentrated on my own characters and publications. I have been producing the ‘All Star Squad’ for a local shopping centre kids club, a monthly four-page comic with strips, puzzles and colouring competitions. I also created ‘Animal Impact PE Ltd.’ with my wife Michelle, a product to encourage and engage children and teachers in primary school PE lessons.

“My latest publishing adventure is Funny Monsters Comic. With characters like Zackster the Kid Zombie, Werewolf Growl and Millie the Monster Hunter, this is a hark back to the 1970s comics such as Monster Fun and Shiver & Shake and is now on its third issue. The comic comes with collectable cards and stickers.

“All issues will be available to buy at Lancaster Comics Day for £1 each. I will also be doing signed sketches of the characters as well as doing portraits were I will draw you as a Zombie. These have proved to be very popular and a lot of fun.”

• For more information visit the comic’s official Facebook page; or follow Joe on Twitter @FunnyMonstersCo

Author Adam Millard

Author Adam Millard is the author of twenty novels, ten novellas, and more than a hundred short stories, which can be found in various collections and anthologies. Probably best known for his post-apocalyptic fiction, Adam also writes fantasy/horror for children, as well as bizarro fiction for several publishers. His “Dead” series has been the filling in a Stephen King/Bram Stoker sandwich on Amazon’s bestsellers chart, and the translation rights have recently sold to German publisher, Voodoo Press.He will be signing and selling novels and novellas at the event. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Check out his official web site at www.adammillard.co.uk | Facebook: www.facebook.com/Adam.L.Millard | Twitter: @adammillard | Sign up to receive Adam’s monthly newsletter: www.adammillard.co.uk/newsletter.html

Comics Creator Harry Saxon

Harry Saxon was born a little bit over 32 years ago in Greece, whence he escaped a little bit over two years ago to move to Lancaster. He’s been working as a full time independent illustrator, graphic designer and comics colourist for over 15 years (CV/list of work here). He is known for his adaptability and versatility and usually he’s working on multiple, very diverse projects at the same time.

His recent work includes the critically acclaimed Scottish indie Freak-Out Squares from Unthank Comics, which has had some great reviews (read Multiversity’s here) and is currently working on Issue Three, due to be released very soon. His credits also include working on a comic that stars US of A’s least favourite president in new adventures Andrew Jackson In Space, Transrealities which brings a super hero/villain battle to East End, the Canadian multi-coloured crime comedy Rainbow Killers and Torsobear, the fluffy crime noir that you weren’t expecting.

Locally, you might have seen his posters for The Dark Side Of The Lune around Lancaster, or theatre posters he’s made.

Harry will be selling comics and prints of his work, making sketches and accepting commissions.

He will also be running flip comics games for children and adults, where the Lancaster Comics Day’s attendees can make a comic by drawing a panel each.

You can find out more about Harry and his work here https://about.me/harryasaphsaxon | Gallery/portfolio: http://asaph.deviantart.com/gallery | Testimonials http://harryasaphsaxon.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html | Facebook art page https://www.facebook.com/HarryAsaphSaxonART | Twitter: @Eru_Rouraito

 

Sophie Sparham

Sophie describes herself the only way she knows how: a a story teller.

“Basically, I want to continue to write sci-fi, make wonderful radio and create unique journalism,” says the author, who has worked at various places including interning at Kerrang Radio! and the Prison Radio Association. She has created many freelance pieces of audio, for example for artists taking part in Birmingham’s Flat Pack Festival, and won most innovative radio piece at the IBS Radio Awards in New York. her punk documentary This is Not a Novelty was also given a special mention at The Charles Parker Prize in 2014.

Sophie is currently a journalist at the Derby Telegraph. She writes sci-fi fantasy and focus on LGBT issues and has been writing fiction and poetry for as early as she can remember. She’s also published one novel, Snow in Hell, which will be on sale at the event and is working on her second, God Sized to Go.

There’s more information about Sophie on her web site: http://sophiesparham.co.uk. You can also find Sophie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @SophieSparham

Comics Creator Tom Ward

Tom Ward is the writer of the brilliant Merrick : The Sensational Elephant Man (read a review of ~Issue 4 here) will also be at Lancaster Comics Day on Sunday 14th June. Merrick is a Victorian pulp/adventure/horror/cape gaslamp comic set in 1880s London. Based on a fictional version of the life of Joseph Merrick, it steps between historical facts and turn of the century folklore juxtaposed with the American superhero comic conventions of super powers, masks, secret identities and fantastic adventures. He’s on Twitter @MerrickComic and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theelephantmancomic/ web http://www.merrickcomic.co.uk/the-comic

He’ll be selling Merrick 1-4 as well as posters, prints, shirts and art cards all related to the books at the event.

Comics Creator Chris Welsh

Chris Welsh is the writer of Wart Comic (www.wartcomic.com), a Lovecraftian tale of a man trapped in an asylum. The comic featuring a whole lot of giant monsters and strange dimensions, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can find it on Twitter @WartComic and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WartComic

Chris will be selling Wart 1 & 2 at the event as well as posters, prints, shirts and art cards all related to the book.

Comics Creator Dave Windett

Dave Windet is a professional illustrator and comics artist whose work has been published in Britain, Europe and America. He has drawn comics featuring numerous original and licensed characters, designed original characters, and updated existing character designs for a variety of publications.

Dave has provided everything from single illustrations to complete contents for books, magazines, websites, mobile phones, games, and even children’s shoes.

With writer John Gatehouse he recently completed work on Monster Hunters Unlimited – a four book series for PSS (a division of Penguin USA).

Samples of his work can be seen on line at www.davewindett.com

He will have original comic art, sketches prints and copies of The Kaci Bell Mysteries for sale, a collection of his newspaper style adventure comic strip written by John Gatehouse. Originally an online strip, all 141 episodes have been collected as an all ages graphic novel. You can read it online at www.davewindett.com/books/the-kaci-bell-mysteries.html

 

Zine and Heard

Zine and Heard are a collective of cartoonists, zine makers and musicians. They promote and support DIY expression in Lancaster and the surrounding areas. Stuff they work on and friends have made will be available at their table – comics, zines, records and tapes – and have created a special Lancaster Comics Day comic, Frankenzine, which will be on sale on the day.

The group also curates a retail space upstairs at First Age Comics where they sell small press comics and zines by some of their favourite British publishers such as Breakdown Press, Decadence, Café Royal Books – and carry difficult to get hold of US small press comics and zines by publishers such as Youth in Decline, Koyama, Picturebox.

“We have done ‘pop up shops’ in the last few months at Lancaster University (in partnership with Peter Scott Gallery), Lancaster Library, and at the ‘Other Worlds’ festival of experimental music in Blackpool,” the team tell us. “We host zine making workshops and love to encourage creativity and personal expression.”

There’s more information on the group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zine-and-Heard/715564221896405

Also at the event will be local writer Carolyn Edwards and comics collector David Novell, who’ll be selling some 1990s comics and other items.

Retailers at Lancaster Comics Day

First Age Comics

Lancaster-based comics retailer First Age Comics, who are based in Moor Lane,  have kindly sponsored the event. In addition to selling comics and other goodies at the event, their shop will be open on Lancaster Comics Day.

Hello Toys

Hello Toys are a Carlisle based E-Commerce business that focus on kooky and unusual toys and gifts. They offer a wide range of plushes, homewares, apparel and kawaii gifts, perfect for those who like something a bit different.

They’ll be selling Anime and Manga toys and accessories, apparel like T-shirts and slippers, stationery, and film/game merchandise such as Pokemon and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Check out their web site at: www.hellotoys.co.uk

Oxfam Books, Lancaster

Oxfam carry an extensive number of back issue comics and are hosting a charity raffle on the day, with some one of a kind comic goodies on offer. Both John Ridgway and Dave Taylor are drawing exclusive illustrations for this. More details on the lots soon. If you’d like to donate items for this raffle, please drop them in at Oxfam Books, Penny Street Lancaster, for the attention of Jason Lawie c/o the Manger.

Studio Arts, Lancaster

Studio Arts which was established in 1972 by Ann Dodgson. It initially started as a small business selling a basic range of art materials, such as paint and brushes, from the converted front room of her house. Later she opened a high street shop in Lancaster, which coincided with the merger of her paint supplier Rowney with Jim Daler paper and board manufacturers . This merger enabled Studio Arts to widen its range of quality products to meet the needs of university students and architects as well as members of the arts, graphics and design community.

The retail shop is open in Lancaster open Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00pm and you can buy online at: www.studioartshop.com

Children’s Comic Competition

Are there aliens in your dustbin? Is a gorilla living in your ginnel? As part of Lancaster Comics Day, organisers are challenging young comic creators to come up with short illustrated stories that tell stories of life as it might be in in the city (or nearby!) – in comic strip form. Read more about this and find the competition rules here

Let The Games Begin!

The House Lancaster Gaming Group are hosting a games room as part of Lancaster Comics Day at Lancaster Library on Sunday 14th June. The games being played throughout the day will be Warlord Games’ Dredd: The Miniatures Game, Batman: The Miniatures Game and, hopefully, Mantic’s Mars Attacks: The Miniatures Game.

Schedule

(As of 8th June 2015 and subject to change, guests appearance subject to work commitments). The day will also include competitions and and media screenings.

Panels in The Santuary

12 Noon: Breaking Into Comics

Breaking Into Comics will feature Andy Diggle, John Freeman, Tim Quinn and Tom Ward, talking about their different paths into the business and offering suggestions on how to breach the walls of the comics business today. The event will round off with a presentation and announcement of the winners of the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival’s  digital “Lost in Space Anthology”, which is being published in partnership with Titan Comics.

2.00pm: Doctor Who: A Comics Voyage, hosted by John Freeman

Take a trip down memory lane with Andy Diggle, Eddie Robson, Tim Quinn, John Ridgway and Dave Taylor, charting the history of Doctor Who comics across the years. From the very first Doctor Who comics published in 1964 in TV Comic, right up to the rogue Time Lord’s modern day adventures in Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who Adventures and Titan Comics Doctor Who titles!

Children’s Events (in the Main Library)

11.30am “Repainted” Workshop presented by Preston-based comics creator Graham Pearce

Start a day of comics fun with an opportunity to colour in pictures – but with a crazy twist, as you’ll find out on the day! Graham is the creator of the humorous action adventure comic Sgt Mike Battle and you may have seen him recently on ITV’s The Chase.

12 noon Flip Comics with Harry Saxon

What is a flip comic? It’s a fun game where people take turns to draw a comic, continuing the story someone else started (in this case, Harry Saxon). When it’s your turn you read the previous panels and draw your own comic panel, continuing the story and making it as funny, strange or as nonsensical as you like. If you can’t think of how you should progress, or want an extra challenge, you can draw a random word from the Help-a-Plot Box to use in your panel. Harry will be running flip comics games for children and adults from noon. The flip comic game will run throughout the day and you can participate as many times as you’d like.

3.00pm We Draw, You Draw with Paul Harrison Davies

Kids of all ages are welcome to join local comics artist Paul Harrison-Davies in the children’s section of the library for this fun comics challenge. You challenge Paul to draw a picture – but you then have to draw one in return. Who knows what will happen? Fun for all!

Tickets

Tickets (on sale now from Lancaster Library and First Age Comics) are £5, £2 concessions (unwaged, students), kids under 13 go free if accompanied by an adult. Ticket includes admission to two panels, one on Doctor Who comics and the other on “Breaking Into Comics”, subject to space (first come, first served)

Further Information

Please contact Stuart Reynolds of the Friends of Lancaster Library: follmembers AT gmail.com

Web Links

• Visit the Lancaster Comics Day Facebook Page for the latest news about the event

• The Facebook event page is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1433383200287242

• Follow Lancaster Comics Day on Twitter @LancasterComics

• Friends of Lancaster Library Facebook Page