Curated by comics archivist Paul Gravett, with an invaluable advisory board, “Queer As Comics” will be the first temporary gallery exhibition at the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration scheduled to open in May.
The official opening date is still to be confirmed. Unfortunately, the planned opening date of 15th May 2026 has had to be withdrawn, as there are some delays with the massive refurbishment of the QBC buildings and site, to prepare it for full public opening. Expect more details soon.
Discover the stories of fantasy, identity and resistance, as told by queer comic-makers spanning 80 years in this first exhibition of its kind. “Queer as Comics” traces the comics, strip cartoons, graphic novels and zines that have documented and shaped LGBTQIA+ lives since the 1940s.
From the UK’s first published gay comic strip, (Dave Richards, 1969), and the first gay Black superhero (Rupert Kinnard, 1974), to the humour and sharp satire of the 1970s and 1980s queer press, this is an exhibition of trailblazers. Queer communities have used comics to disseminate messages and share impactful stories throughout history while defying censorship.
With most artworks shown for the first time, “Queer as Comics” chronicles how comics creators provided representation for queer communities.
The exhibition showcases some of the very earliest examples of published queer comics. Original drawings from Tove Jansson’s 1954 Moomin cartoon strip for the London Evening News are included, based on herself and her lesbian community.
In the decades following the UK’s partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, a vibrant queer press developed, with comic creators satirising queer scenes and making urgent political statements. Kate Charlesworth’s first UK lesbian comic strip, The Adventures of Sandy, is presented alongside Mary Wings’ Come Out Comix (1973): an example of the lively underground ‘comix’ scene simultaneously developing in the US.
Artwork on display addresses state power, discrimination and bold visions for the future. Tom Robinson’s Living with the Big A (1987) is a key example of this: made to protest Section 28 and advocate for gay rights during the AIDS epidemic.
Today, queer creators continue to expand the medium of comics through ambitious graphic novels, vibrant self-publishing scenes and webcomics with global followings. Recent works shown include Anna Trench’s tale of women’s football and love in the early 20th century, Florrie, Bishakh Som’s architecture-inspired visions of the future, and Lee Lai’s award-winning story of love lost, Stone Fruit (2021).
Among the many amazing artworks on show will be original pages by American cartoonist Burton Clarke from his Gay Comix story Satyr, never exhibited before. One sequence has made a powerful poster for the show.
“There are wonders to be seen!” Paul Gravett enthuses.
Queer as Comics is supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust. BSL interpretation for Queer as Comics has been awarded by the Exhibitions Group. It has been created by guest curator Paul Gravett and supported by an Advisory Board panel.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s first and only charity for illustration – art that communicates stories and ideas – founded by illustrator Quentin Blake.
Its new centre in Clerkenwell, London, opening in May 2026, will be the world’s largest dedicated space for illustration, producing exhibitions and creative projects in collaboration with illustrators, collections, universities, schools, community groups and touring partners.
• Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Queer As Comics Exhibition Page
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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: Comic Art, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions
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