Leamington Comic Con on Saturday

By John Freeman on March 23, 2017

Leamington’s award-winning comic convention – Leam Comic Con – returns on Saturday (25th March 2017) at the Royal Spa Centre bringing big name guests, independent publishers and creators and local talent to the town.

Christian Wildgoose

Top guests include Christian Wildgoose, artist on DC’s Batgirl, and the brilliant Improper Books series Porcelain; Daredevil and Star Wars artist Marc Laming; multi-award winning Manga creator Sonia Leong, who has worked for TokyoPop, Self-Made Hero, Image Comics, Hachettes, VIZ Media and Titan Comics; and John-Paul Bove, an artist best known for his work on Transformers for IDW, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Panini and Judge Dredd for 2000AD.

“This year’s event is going to knock the spots off our last two,” enthuses one of the organisers Lisa-Marie Nelson, “and considering we’re an award-winning comic convention, that’s no mean feat.

“Not only have we more big name guests and talented independent writers, artists and creators than you can shake a stick at, we’ve moved on up to an even bigger and better venue.”

Local talent in the spotlight includes Leamington-based artist Chris Oxenbury – known locally as the emoji man – and accomplished artist Tom Malin.

Jon Laight of Level 8 Comics

Small press creators from across the U.K. In attendance include Rozi Hathaway, launching her new book Cosmos & Other Stories (reviewed here, published by Good Comics), the talented Jon Laight,the brain behind Level 8 Comics, currently seeking deserved backing for his latest Bretheren Born book, Dead Canary Comics, Jake Dudas, the Awesome Comics Podcast team, the brilliant Paul B. Rainey, creator of There’s No Time Like The Present and Thunder Brother, Peet Clack and many, many others.

It promises to be a superb comics-dedicated event with plenty for kids of all ages to enjoy, so if you’re in the area – just go!

• For the full guest list, events schedule and more visit www.spatowncomics.co.uk

Children under 13 are still free to attend with a paying adult and can take advantage of free face painting, balloon modelling and colouring in stations

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.