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Lancaster gets a new indie comic shop, Zine Freak, ahead of this year’s Coco Comic Con

By John Freeman on April 5, 2024

Lancaster, already home to First Age Comics, has a new indie comic shop, Zine Freak, run by comic artist Matt Simmons, creator of titles such as Future Egg and Mukbang.

Comic artist Matt Simmons who also runs Zine Freak, an indie comics stall in Lancaster's Assembly Rooms Emporium — *Comic creator Matt Simmons, who runs Zine Freak*

Based in the Assembly Rooms Emporium on King Street, Zine Freak offers a smashing selection of British indie comics from a range of creators, with new stock being added all the time.

Matt – who you can find on X as SheriffFreak – has a good stock of titles on offer ahead of this weekend’s indie-focused Coco Comics Convention, taking place just around the corner at The Storey on Saturday 6th April, and will have a presence at that event.

Zine Freak, Lancaster Stock - April 2024

Creators at the free to enter event this year include Matt Adcock, author of novel and comic Complete Darkness, comic artists, designer and illustrator Kristyna Baczynski, Clark Bint, Killtopia creator Dave Cook, First Age Comics, cartoonist and game artist Steve Gregson, Beck Kubrick, artist and writer Isabel Hatherell, Hesitant Doodle, writer and musician Chris Mole, cartoonist James Lawrence, illustrator, comicbooker Alex Moore, cartoonist Conor Tierney, IGF nominated writer Dan Whitehead, and many others.

In addition to having two comic shops with different stock for sale, First Age Comics focused on American and British mainstream titles and more, the city of Lancaster is also home to the The Morecambe & Lancaster Zine Library, now running Zine Making Clubs every Monday evening at the Gregson Centre on Moor Gate.

The Library is intended as a resource for creativity and connection, linking Morecambe and Lancaster with its Ziney hubs at Good Things Studio in Morecambe and The Gregson Community Centre in Lancaster.

Lancaster is also home, of course, to a number of comic creators, including comic writer Antonella Caputo, fantasy author A.S. Chambers, artist Paul Harrison-Davies, writer Andy Diggle, writer and editor John Freeman, storyboard artist and animator Ant Mercer, writer and cartoonist Nick Miller, graphic novelist Mollie Ray, Matt Simmons and writer Eddie Robson.

• Zine Freak is at the Assembly Rooms Emporium, King St, Lancaster LA1 1JN
The emporium is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm (and summer Bank Holidays) | Follow Zine Freak on Instagram | X

Housed in a Grade II listed heritage building built in 1759, The Assembly Rooms Emporium is home to an Aladdin’s cave of stalls including Assembled Books (offering books, cards, jigsaws, games, and more); B’s Knees (ladies and gents vintage/upcycled clothes and accessories; toiletries; ephemera); Celtic Dreams (silver, vintage and antique jewellery including commissions); Asian Arts & Crafts Lancaster (Asian arts and crafts and pre-packed food and drink); Funki Fancy Dress (fancy dress, Steampunk, goth and alternative clothing, accessories and hats); Miss Frog Ltd. (novelty, nerdy and anime); and Renaissance by Mrs Feebs (upcycled furniture; antiques, collectables and art; handmade pottery & fabric items; ethnic handicrafts).

• First Age Comics is at 3 Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QD
Find First Age Comics on Facebook | WhatNot (for current sales) | X

• The Morecambe & Lancaster Zine Library, now running Zine Making Clubs every Monday evening at the Gregson Centre on Moor Gate | Follow them on Instagram

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.