Tharg the Mighty meets Dragons’ Den!

By John Freeman on September 28, 2011

2000AD has just announced its first official convention portfolio session in years – culminating in a Dragons’ Den-style show off!

2000AD has teamed up with the annual Thought Bubble convention , which takes place in Leeds in November, to create a very special event for budding comic book artists.

“Tharg demands that budding artists prove their worth before he will let them enter the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic,” a Marketing Droid informs us, “and this special portfolio session is not for the faint-hearted!”

To take part in the first Tharg’s Thrill Challenge, artists should view the free sample five-page script – the Terror Tale ‘Patch Pea Podlings’ by Arthur Wyatt – available on the Thought Bubble website, draw their own version of it, and bring their efforts to the Saturday portfolio sessions being held at the 2000AD stall.

The six best efforts chosen by Tharg himself will then go before a panel on the Sunday, where some of 2000AD’s top-name talent will pass judgement in front of a live audience!

Only the brave-hearted need apply, Earthlets. Dare you bring your wares before the searing gaze of Tharg the Mighty?!

• Please note: the portfolio sessions and Sunday event are open only to pages based on the script provided

• Further information: http://thoughtbubblefestival.com/events/2000ad-portfolio-competition/

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.