2025 sees the return of a vintage classic of the comic creative’s calendar – Oxford’s long-running Caption, returning to the city next year – and the first panel, chaired by Broken Frontier website Editor-in-Chief Andy Oliver, has been announced.
Treasured by professionals and hobbyists alike, Caption ran from 1992 to the last show in 2017. Now, as we previously reported, a team of creatives with fond memories and future plans are bringing it back to Oxford, to take place over the weekend of 16th – 17th August 2025.
One of the highlights of the festival are the varied panels and workshops, and the first panel for Caption 2025 has been announced, working in collaboration with Broken Frontier’s very own Andy Oliver.
Andy and Broken Frontier have been at the forefront of championing new and diverse talent from independent and small press comics for more than ten years, and Andy will be hosting the “Six To Watch” panel on Saturday 16th August 2025.
Guests and timeslots to be confirmed closer to the date.
Andy Oliver is Broken Frontier’s Editor-in-Chief and site owner. He is also a co-organiser of the annual UK Small Press Day, and has been a judge or committee member for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition, the British Comic Awards and the SICBA Awards.
Previous Six To Watch creators have included Dominique Duong, Zoè Delautre Corral, Sabba Khan, Aleesha Nandhra, Sammy Ward, Beatrice Mossman, Alxndra Cook, Kat Cass, Kry Garcia, Joe Stone, Manon Wright, Ed Firth, Mereida Fajardo, and Kamila Krol, among others.
Caption is a different type of festival, based around a theme each year. The 2025 event is fittingly using the theme of REBIRTH, reemerging into a post-pandemic world awash with memorabilia focused conventions. Those who attended loved Caption’s more cosy and social ambiance, with no division between guests and attendees, no tables separating creators from fans, and no long queues for autographs.
As Caption doesn’t take place in large, cavernous halls, attendance is limited to a comfortable number. Head to the event’s Indiegogo page to buy your ticket and help fund the event with your attendance.
Further announcements regarding venue, guests and program details are to be announced in the next few months.
• Sign up for advance membership email updates on Indiegogo
• CAPTION is online at captionfestival.wordpress.com | Live Journal | Follow Caption along on Facebook | Flickr Photo Pool
• Follow CAPTION on Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
• Broken Frontier “Six to Watch” Items
- About the Author
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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, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
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