Leeds Alternative Comic Fair back in December

The free Leeds Alternative Comics Fair returns for its fifth outing on Saturday 8th December, and this time it’s got a distinctly seasonal theme.

The organisers are encouraging everyone to ditch the Christmas shopping and discover a haven of creativity and inspiration from some of the finest artists in the North (and beyond), and there will be plenty of unique and unusual comics, art and crafts that will make great gifts.

Once again, it’ll take place at A Nation of Shopkeepers, a spacious bar that has proved to be the ideal venue with its great atmosphere, interesting food menu and well-stocked bar, and as usual the team will be keeping it intimate in scale so that attendees can have a good look at everything on offer, and get to chat with the creators about their wares.

Exhibitors this time include ‘friends of LACF’ Gareth Brookes, James ‘Couk’ Downing, Kristyna Baczynski, Adam Cadwell, Andy ‘Hexjibber’ Sykes, plus organisers Steve Tillotson and Hugh Raine, and Sean Azzopardi will be exhibiting for the first time, along with more new faces to be announced soon.

It’s on from 12 noon until 5pm and as usual the event is completely free to enter, so come along, have a browse, a chat, a drink and a fish finger sarnie, and pick up some unique presents for your friends and family (and don’t forget to treat yourself of course!)."

• More info: www.leedsaltcomics.wordpress.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/leedsaltcomics and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/385617881507995

Blank Slate's 'Nelson' in the spotlight at Hay Festival

(via Sarah McIntyre's blog): If you're in Wales at the Hay Festival this weekend, don't miss out on what is sure to be an awesome panel by six of the comics creators who made NELSON, published by Blank Slate - including Sarah McIntyre - on Sunday.

"I'm so completely proud of this book," says Sarah, who will also be doing a 4.00pm reading of Morris the Mankiest Monster in the Family Area, if you want to stop by to say hello.

Rob Davis, Woodrow Phoenix, Gary Northfield, Kristyna Baczynski and Will Morris are also on the NELSON panel.

If you're at Hay the following weekend, Sarah is back doing a bunch of other stuff, including a sold out panel with Philip Reeve, Martin Brown and Cathy Brett called Illustration Game of Consequences. Inspired by suggestions from you, these amazing artists draw live on one giant piece of paper.
"It will be random and it will be fun," says Sarah.

On Saturday 9th June at 10am, Sarah hosts Cartoon Craziness, a chance to meet this brilliant illustrator and learn how to invent your own cartoons. Expect pirates, monsters, princesses, dinosaurs, cowboys and, of course, Vern & Lettuce.

Then, at 1.00pm: Philip Reeve talks to Sarah: get along and discover a wild world of magical creatures and heroic adventures from the extraordinary imagination behind Mortal Engines - and, hopefully, a sneek peek of their forthcoming series Seawigs.

- Full info on the Hay Festival web site

Leeds Alternative Comics Fair back in April

The Leeds Alternative Comics Fair is back once more on Saturday 28th April, and the fourth fair is once again going to be held at A Nation of Shopkeepers, which has proved itself an ideal venue with its great atmosphere, interesting food menu and a well-stocked bar. 

The organisers are sticking with the same formula as the previous fairs, with a diverse selection of creators from the North of England, keeping it intimate in scale so that attendees can have a good look at everything on offer, get to have a chat to the exhibitors and choose from a wide range of comics along with badges, posters, cards and other handmade items direct from their makers.

Exhibitors at the fair this time include John Allison, Oliver East, James Downing, Kristyna Baczynski, Dan Berry, Adam Cadwell, Gary Bainbridge and Andy ‘Hexjibber’ Sykes, organisers Steve Tillotson and Hugh Raine plus more yet to be confirmed. 

The Fair opens at 12 noon and runs until 5.00pm and as usual the event is completely free to enter, so get along, have a browse, a chat, a drink and a fish finger sarnie. 

• More info:  http://leedsalternativecomics.wordpress.com, Facebook search “Leeds Alternative Comics” or tweet them @leedsaltcomics

Leeds Alternative Comics Fair in October

The 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair will take place on Saturday 1st October, in A Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds, just behind the Leeds City Art Gallery.

In keeping with previous events, this small but perfectly formed event hopes to bring you some of the best Northern, alternative comics makers, print-makers and illustrators, who will be selling their wares in the quirky, relaxed bar on Cookridge Street.

Don’t like comics? (Surely not! Did you think this was a surfing web site for some reason?) Well, there’ll be lots more on offer, such as craft wear, badges, art and music.

This event's guest list includes old friends such as Steve Tillotson (Banal Pig), Hugh “Shug” Raine (REET! Comics), Gary Bainbridge, Andy Waugh, Gareth Brookes, Helen “Memo” Entwisle, Huw “Lem” Davies, Ben Clark, Kristyna Baczynski and Geof Banyard (Fetishman), who will be showcasing new work.

New exhibitors include James Downing (COUK), Jim Medway, Isaac Lenkiewicz, Kelly Walton, Bob Milner (Milk Two Sugars) and a cameo appearance from Darryl Cunningham, of Psychiatric Tales fame.

The Fair is also reintroducing the communal table, giving non-exhibitors the chance to bring their comics along to sell. All we ask is that you help man the table for a short period of time.

• The event will run from 12 noon until 5pm and is free to enter. Get along, have a browse, a chat, a drink and a fish finger sarnie! More info: http://leedsalternativecomics.wordpress.com, Facebook search “Leeds Alternative Comics” or tweet us @leedsaltcomics