
The first Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair taking place next month at Future Yard CIC in Birkenhead is shaping up into a smashing showcase for comic creators.
Organised entirely by young people through the Marginal Changemakers project, the event is set to champion diversity, inclusion, and community within the comics industry.
Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Comics Youth Eventbrite.
Taking place on Saturday 15th February 2025, the day includes free workshops like “Comics and Mental Health” with Bex Ollerton and “Comics and Climate Justice” with Emma Reynolds. There’s also a panel on “Comics and Identity” featuring creators like Lewis Hancox and Julian Gray (subject of the solo Lowry exhibition “Stories for Us”), delving into how comics empower marginalised voices.


The event will also showcase the work of twelve early-career comics artists from across the Liverpool City Region will exhibit their work, including Cara Brown, named one of Broken Frontier’s 2025 “Six to Watch.”
The Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair is a brand-new independent comics fair, proudly youth-led and funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Devised by the Marginal Changemakers – a passionate cohort of young leaders dedicated to tackling inequities in publishing and the comics industry – this fair is a celebration of emerging talent. It’s designed to uplift and empower early-career comics artists from the Liverpool City Region, showcasing their creativity, stories, and voices.
Ahead of the event, the team are hosting a free industry talk on 31st January, where George Williams at Make Hamilton in Birkenhead will offer insights into publishing for early-career creators. You can book for this advance event here on EventBrite.
“This isn’t your average comics fair,” the team emphasise. “It’s about more than selling comics – it’s about building community, reshaping conventions, and giving creators from the margins a platform to thrive. With endorsements from the likes of Lakes International Comics Art Festival, Thought Bubble, and MACC-POW, the Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair is already turning heads.”
• Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair 11.00am – 3.30pm Saturday 15th February 2025, Future Yard CIC, 75 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6AB | Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Comics Youth Eventbrite

What to Expect…
A vibrant comic fair featuring zines, comics, prints, and artwork from marginalised and early-career creators.
Thought-provoking talks and workshops on themes like mental health, community, climate justice, and identity.
Opportunities to connect with artists, writers, and fellow comic enthusiasts.
Full Programming Schedule
11.00 AM – Comic Fair Opens
Live Room


11.30 AM – 12.30 PM – Bex Ollerton: Comics & Mental Health Workshop
Yellow Room, Ticketed
12.30 PM – 1.15 PM – Pitahpat: Comics & Community Talk
Live Room


1.30 PM – 2.30 PM – Emma Reynolds: Comics & Climate Change Workshop
Yellow Room, Ticketed
2.30 PM – 3.15 PM – Comics & Identity Panel
Featuring Julian Gray, Lewis Hancox, Sharptxngue, and Bex Ollerton
Live Room
3:30 PM – Comic Fair Closes
Important Info: The comic fair and main panels (in the Live Room) are free and unticketed – drop in anytime!
Workshops in the Yellow Room (with Bex Ollerton and Emma Reynolds) require free tickets, so don’t forget to head to the Comics Youth Eventbrite and reserve your spot in advance
Is the event accessible? Yes! The venue is wheelchair accessible, and BSL interpreters will be present for key sessions. The team are also considering offering a quiet hour to ensure the event is inclusive for everyone.
If you have specific access needs, please let the team know in advance by contacting ollie@comicsyouth.co.uk. They can assist with transportation by reimbursing travel within the Liverpool City Region if you’re facing financial hardship.
A full post detailing accessibility features will be shared on the Fair’s Instagram closer to the event – stay tuned!
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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.
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