Manchester Zinefest returns in 2008 on the 30th August. The venue will be Urbis, slap bang in the city centre.

The Zinefest last ran in 2006, the work of a loosely organized group whic attracted some 200 people who viewed the exhibition, took part in discussions and workshops, plunder zine distros from all over the country and eat lots of vegan toasties. (Pictures on xsynthesisx zine’s webpage).

The event’s return is surely testament to a growing confidence in the ever-present but rarely decalred strength of the comics community in Britain’s North West which includes at least two comic publishers — Lucky Bag in Oldham and ROK Comics in Lancaster – and is home to numerous comic creators including Oliver East,Tim Perkins, John Ridgway, Adrian Salmon, Andy Diggle, Nick Miller and many more.

• If you’d like to help out, the organisers have an email list they use to keep in touch with each other: to subscribe, send a blank email to manchesterzines-subscribe(at)lists(dot)riseup(dot)net.

• Manchester Zinefet web site

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.

Categories: British Comics