Here's the full timetable for Thought Bubble Comics Festival, for the second weekend in November, now in its new location of Harrogate. Bleeding Cool will be attending the show, highlights must include epitaph panels for The Wicked + The Divine and Giant Days, a special screening of Shaun of the Dead in conjunction with Vice Press, superhero cake decorating with Great British Bake Off's Kim Joy, The Walking Dead immersive experience, with Charlie Adlard in the vicinity, first-time guests like Brian Azzarello, Donny Cates and Daniel Warren Johnson alongside celebrity entrants Kim-Joy, and returning favourites to our shores like Spike Trotman – and, as ever, their mid-show party where everyone just loses it, in a brand new place to get thrown out of,…
Brian Azzarello, Daniel Warren Johnson, Jhonen Vasquez, Jillian Tamaki, Pauline, Choo, Donny Cates, Gemma Correll, Terry Dodson, Luke Pearson, Aaron Campbell, Abz J Harding, Adam Gorham, Al Ewing, Alan Martin, Alison Sampson, Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston, Bengal, Brenden Fletcher, Brian Schirmer, Bucky Ringsell, Cameron Stewart, Charlie Adlard, Charlotte Mullin, Chris Wildgoose, Christian Ward, Dan Watters, Dave Gibbons, Dave Johnson, David Barnett, David Messina, Declan Shalvey, Dee Cunniffe, D'Israeli, Emma Vieceli, Esad Ribić, Etherington Brothers, Frazer Irving, Gary Erskine, Gerry Duggan, Glyn Dillon, Ian Edginton, Ian Kennedy, Jack Lawrence, James D'Amato, Jamie McKelvie, Janet K Lee, Jenn St-Onge, Jeremy Haun, Jock, John Allison, John Lees, John McCrea, John Reppion, John Wagner, Kenneth Larsen, Kev Walker, Khary Randolph, Kieron Gillen, Kim-Joy, Kristyna Baczynski, Kyle T. Webster, Leah Moore, Lee Garbett, Lisa Sterle, Mahmud Asrar, Marc Deering, Marc Ellerby, Margaux Saltel, Mariko Tamaki*, Maritsa Patrinos, Martin Simmonds, Matt Ferguson, Matt Wilson, Megan Hutchison, Megan Nicole Dong, Mick McMahon, Mike Henderson, Mildred Louis, Monty Nero, Nick Brokenshire, Nick Roche, Olivier Coipel, Ollie Masters, Paul Duffield, Peter Doherty, Ram V, Rian Gonzales, Richard Starkings, Rob Davis, Robbie Thompson, Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, Sarah Graley, Sean Phillips, Simon Spurrier, Spike Trotman, Steve Yeowell, Sweeney Boo, Tom Fowler, Warwick Johnson-Cadwell.
And programming for the weekend:
Saturday, November 9th
Vault Comic Portfolio Reviews: White Noise Creative Team
Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: Table 39 – comiXology Originals Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: All Ages
Ram V, Dan Watters, Alex Paknadel and Ryan O'Sullivan, the team behind White Noise, will be at the Vault Comics table welcoming people to bring along their work for advice, guidance and review.
Bubbleboy and The Travelling Man present Donny Cates
Time: 11:00-11:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Join podcast hosts Sam "Bubbleboy" Dixon and Ali "The Travelling Man" Ross for a deep dive into comic writer Donny Cates career.
Strip Panel Naked
Time: 11:10-12:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Strip Panel Naked is a regular YouTube show, hosted by editor of the Eisner-nominated PanelxPanel, that takes a deep-dive into exactly that. Join us for a live edition of the show, where we'll talk to Dave Gibbons, Mariko Tamaki, Daniel Warren Johnson and Matt Wilson about how they went about the writing, art, colours and lettering across a few pages of their work, and how those choices end up affecting the reader.
Hosted by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Felt Pens and Funny Books…with Marc Jackson
Time: 11:30-12:30 & 14:00-15:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: 5+
Join cartoonist Marc Jackson (BEANO/ACES WEEKLY) for some furious felt-pen FUN!
Learn the basics of creating cartoon characters and comics and how to enjoy drawing crazy things, regardless of your skill level!
The Future of Filth: Where will erotic comics go?
Time: 12:00-12:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: 18+*
Several erotic comic artists and publishers delve into how the adult side of the comics industry is changing at rapid pace.
From what got them into the graphic side of graphic novels, the struggles of social media censorship, and what stories they want to see represented in the sex-positive revolution. With Spike Trotman (Iron Circus, Smut Peddler), Rocio Vidal (Sextories), Alex Assan (Captain Imani on Slipshine), Jennie Gyllbald (Jennitales and other anthologies) and moderated by Tab Kimpton (Discord Comics, Sir Butler & Boy). Perfect for smut fans, fellow artists and anyone else who likes frank chats about sex and modern culture.
*Photo ID will be checked on the door.
Goodnight, Giant Days
Time: 12:10-13:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
From its origins as a fill-in story on his webcomics site Scary Go Round in 2011 to a 55-issue run at Boom!Box with five Eisner nominations and seven international translated editions, Giant Days is an unusual series in mainstream comics, a sitcom about three friends at university.
As the series comes to an end, its writer (and occasional artist) John Allison talks to Claire Napier from Women Write About Comics about where it all went right. The laughter, the tears! How do you squeeze five years of material out of a six-issue series? Where does John get his "crazy ideas" from? And what will he do now the Giant Days are over?
Hip Hop Comic Covers
Time: 12:00-13:00 & 13:00-14:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: All Ages
Grandmaster or Flash? What are the links between Marvel Comics and Hip Hop? Join us for a morning of radioactive street-culture fun. Explore and admire Marvel's extraordinary comic covers inspired by Hip Hop album covers, and be inspired! Bring your favourite album covers and get design a comic book cover reflecting your own '(super)power'. With thanks to Marvel for allowing us to display their art.
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
The Wicked + The Divine: Epitaph
Time: 13:00-13:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
The Wicked + The Divine series is coming to an end. Join the creative team that brought us the beloved comic series and help bid it a final farewell. There will be tears.
In June 2014 The Wicked + The Divine hit the comic book store shelves for the first time. Now over 50 issues in with many an award and accolade earned, the end is here… Join Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Dee Cunniffe as they chisel the final words into the tombstone of this iconic comic series.
Panels & Pixels: Talking Webcomics
Time: 13:10-14:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
From wacky sci-fi to serious fantasy to lighthearted slice-of-life stories, the possibilities of webcomics are limitless! Webcomics have the power to innovate and experiment, but with these new freedoms come new and unique challenges, such as self-promotion, earning money, and finding the right publishing method.
In this panel discussion, six panellists will answer questions and chat openly about the joys (and trials) of the webcomic world; their experiences in the industry, what drew them to digital comics, publication strategies, and advice for aspiring webcomics creators. Featuring: Alex Assan (Shaderunners), Chuck Mullin (Bird Brain), Hamish Steele (DeadEndia), Hari Conner (Finding Home), Mildred Louis (Agents of the Realm) and Tab Kimpton (Discord Comics).
SILENCE! To Astonish
Time: 14:00-14:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Watch Gary Lactus and The Beast Must Die of SILENCE! and Al Kennedy of House of Astonish inflict daft games, badly researched questions and ill-advised impressions on a very special, hand-picked, crack group of comic professional victi-err… guests.
House to Astonish is Scotland's longest-running comics podcast and has been featuring comics news and reviews for over ten years. SILENCE! is the world's only comics podcast.
The Importance of Being Tank Girl
Time: 14:10-15:20
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Join Glyn Dillon in conversation with Tank Girl writer and co-creator Alan Martin.
Focusing firstly on the early years of Tank Girl comics, when they were both living in the seaside town of Worthing with artists Jamie Hewlett and Philip Bond, they will also discuss Alan's future plans for Tank Girl.
Stop Frame Animation Workshop
Time: 15:00-15:30
Location: Kids' Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: 8+
Bring your own action figures alive at our stop frame animation workshop. You'll have the opportunity to create your own short film using our iPads. Bring your own figures and props or use our crazy mix of figures and bits and pieces.
We'll post your creations on Thought Bubble's Twitter and Instagram at the end of the day to share with the rest of the convention. Teams of three work really well for this activity.
Eight year olds and upwards, adults welcome.
Sketching Spotlight
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Come and watch the amazingly talented Glyn Dillon, Marc Ellerby, Sweeney Boo and Tula Lotay draw live on stage, hosted by the awesome Peter Doherty!
Our amazing guest artists will talk you through their creative process and give you some real insight into how they work real time! A fun, informal interview style panel.
All sketches produced will be auctioned off in aid of Barnardo's Children's Charity after the festival.
Figure Drawing (Wheels Included)
Time: 15:00-17:00 (Drop-In)
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: All Ages
Join Zara Slattery (Coma Comic (WIP) and Two Birds) and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Kingsman) in this figure-drawing workshop where you'll draw diverse body types, create stories and have a chat with our models (clothes will be on). No artistic skills required!
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
2000 AD Writing Competition
Time: 15:10-16:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Writers are being invited to pitch their ideas for a brand new Future Shock to a panel of our top script droids on the Saturday at Thought Bubble – but they have just two minutes to make their case! Can you condense your idea, plot, and characters for a self-contained, four-page short story with a twist ending down into just 120 seconds? And in front of an audience? And convince some of our best writers that it's a winner? Only the bold shall be victorious!
The clock is ticking! Can you make your pitch and write your way into a job with 2000 AD? Get writing and make sure you're first in line to appear – it's first come, first served! Only our panel can decide whether your idea is worthy of the Mighty Tharg's attention – the prize is getting paid to have your winning script turned into a Future Shock in the pages of the Galaxy's Greatest Comic!
Please note: pitches will only be accepted for the Future Shocks story series.
Zombies Will Never Die
Time: 16:10-17:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
Florence Okoye chats the past, present and future of zombie stories with Charlie Adlard and Comics Laureate, Hannah Berry.
Zombies reflect a deep-rooted human fear of contagion and death, but what you might not know, is that zombie stories have roots in slave history and is super racial/class based. Through the storyworlds of zombie narratives we explore that makes the walking dead endure.
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
What's next for comiXology Originals?
Time: 16:40-17:30
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age Range: All Ages
The biggest news in comics is comiXology's exclusive digital content program – comiXology Originals. Now, you can be the first to hear about an exciting new project from this bold program.
You'll get the scoop on an all-new, yet-to-be-announced, comiXology Originals series direct from the creators making it in a conversation with comiXologist Kiersten Wing.
Join us and learn about the process of bringing creator-owned comics to life and what it's like pushing the envelope with digital comics.
How Publishing Works
Time: 17:00-17:45
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: 18+
Publisher of BHP Comics and Rights Agent at 9 Panels Agency, Sha Nazir guides you through some practical tips and shows you the steps you need to take from small press to UK-wide indie and international distribution, the highs, lows and pitfalls.
ComiXology Mid-Con Party
Time: 19:30-01:00
Location: Entrance 1, Harrogate Convention Centre
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Thanks to our amazing pals at comiXology, this year's mid-con party will be free entry! We'll have the drinks and music flowing until late, so help us celebrate another Thought Bubble in style, with special guest DJs Tula Lotay, Ivan Salazar, Khary Randolph, Sarah Gordon, Margaux Saltel, Dearbhla Kelly and Jules Scheele. The party tips its hat to The Wicked + The Divine, with farewell surprises for the incredible comic series including some exclusive cocktails at the bar!
It can get busy, so make sure to come down early! Flash your wristband, exhibitor or guest pass on the door for entry! The party is 18+, bring your photo ID, just in case!
Sunday, November 10th
2000 AD Art Challenge
Time: 11:00-11:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Many have tried to make it into the hallowed pages of the Galaxy's Greatest comic, most have failed, but the winner of this year's 2000 AD portfolio competition will be joining the likes of Dave Gibbons, Jock, Mick McMahon, Brian Bolland and Mark Buckingham!
This year we have the ultimate prize – the winner of the portfolio session will get the chance to illustrate a Future Shock in 2000 AD! Join the ranks of the biggest names in British comic books by getting a paid strip from Tharg the Mighty!
Vault Comics Portfolio Reviews
Friendo Creative Team
Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: Table 39 – comiXology Originals Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Alex Paknadel, Martin Simmonds and Dee Cunniffe, the team behind Friendo, will be at the Vault Comics table welcoming people to bring along their work for advice, guidance and review.
The Freelance Rollercoaster: Getting Down To Business
Time: 11:10-12:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Eisner-nominated cartoonist and freelance illustrator Kristyna Baczynski shares advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of a freelance career in comics and illustration.
A career in comics and illustration can be exciting, but also uncertain, with high, lows and loop-the-loops aplenty. With a decade of experience under her belt, Kristyna Baczynski shares pieces of advice and hard-earned business tips that have helped her on a wild journey from creative kid, to arts graduate, to designer, to full time comics author and illustrator.
Pack Your Angry Eyes, Just In Case
With Una
Time: 11:30-13:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
This workshop will introduce methods of getting correct proportions in figure and face by understanding your own body and facial expressions. You will do a lot of drawing (quick pencil sketches), a lot of moving about, take some selfies and take part in discussions.
Workshop for all ages. Most suitable for 11+ but primary age children are welcome with a participating parent. All you need is a phone with a camera. Materials provided.
The Science of Marvel
Time: 12:00-12:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Science Communicator JV Chamary asks a panel of comic creators to discover whether there's a formula for making characters the Marvel way.
Together with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Stan Lee created Marvel's most beloved superheroes and gave them powers and origin stories with scientific explanations. In this discussion JV will be joined by Marvel writers and artists: Mariko Tamaki, Simon Spurrier, Gerry Duggan and Robbie Thompson.
Comics and Protest
Time: 12:10-13:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
A panel which looks at a roster of impassioned graphic novels remembering hard-won battles, and the role comics can play in political protests.
Comics in Conversation with Jock
Time: 13:00-13:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Thought Bubble is incredibly excited to welcome Jock to our Comics in Conversation.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Jock is now New York Times best-selling British artist whose notable work includes Batman: The Black Mirror, and Wytches. Join us as we discuss Jocks past and present career, his likes and dislikes and all the gory bits in between.
Hosted by Will Dennis.
Zombies vs Thought Bubble
Time: 13:00-15:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
A real-time, narrative comic jam where you must defend yourself from the living dead, using only pen and paper!
Join comic creator Karrie Fransman (The House That Groaned, Death of The Artist), for 'Zombies vs Thought Bubble'. Arm yourself with your art, a splattering of zombie science and prepare for the onslaught!
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
The Importance of Colour
Time: 13:10-14:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Eisner award winning colourist Matt Wilson of Paper Girls and The Wicked + The Divine fame demonstrates how colour can take a flat image to another level.
Matt will be joined by fellow colourist Peter Doherty, and will talk you through the process of colouring a page. Highlighting how important colour can be for setting the scene and bringing real drama to the comic pages we all love.
From Page to Stage: Adapting 2D characters to 3D Cosplay Creations
Time: 13:30-14:10
Location: Royal Hall
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Hosted by Element Hypnosis and featuring cosplay and comic industry professionals.
A look into how flat comic images of characters can become wearable spectacles using a range of tools and techniques. Panellists will discuss with the audience how they use the methods at their disposal to best represent the characters in person that we know and love to see in print.
James D'Amato RPG Play Through: Oh Captain My Captain
Time: 14:00-14:50
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
James D'Amato leads a panel of talented comics and games professionals through an RPG live on stage!
Jamie McKelvie, Spike Trotman, Grant Howitt, and Mary Hamilton tell the tale of a group of desperate pirates under the command of a legendary and enigmatic captain as they play the upcoming RPG Oh Captain My Captain.
Hip Hop Comics Connection
Time: 14:10-15:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Ever wondered why your favourite MCs tend to have an alias? How many masks does it take to make a villain?
Juice Aleem (MC, writer, performer, Director of Afroflux, comics fan and co-director of BSide Hip Hop Festival) explores how the origin stories of many young Hip Hop artists mirror those of comic book heroes. Juice will be joined by a range of your favourite comic creators to talk music, inspiration and comics. All this as well as a few interactive elements to expand our personal Infinity Gauntlets.
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
Cosplay Masquerade
Time: 14:30-16:00
Location: Royal Hall
Event Type: Parade
Age range: All Ages
Thought Bubble's massive cosplay event is back! Whether you're in costume or not, come along and experience a cavalcade of crazy characters as we decide who's best dressed enough to impress our judges!
Costumes must be handmade, or altered by at least 50% to have a chance of winning the competition, but all cosplayers are welcome to attend the masquerade.
Neil Slorance, the artist behind the graphic novel Dungeon Fun and Doctor Who, walks you through how he found his distinctive drawing style as a cartoonist, and how to discover your own!
Sketching Spotlight
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Room A – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
Come and watch the amazingly talented Abz-J-Harding, Cameron Stewart, Rian Gonzales and Dave Johnson draw live on stage, hosted by the awesome Peter Doherty!
Our amazing guest artists will talk you through their creative process and give you some real insight into how they work in real time! A fun, informal interview style panel. All sketches produced will be auctioned off in aid of Barnardo's Children's Charity after the festival.
Life Isn't Binary
Time: 16:10-17:00
Location: Room B – Queen's Suite
Event Type: Panel
Age range: All Ages
A positive, empowering panel that discusses how we can all better represent non-binary people; both on the page and in our creative teams.
Let's smash some stereotypes, answer some awkward questions and show how important it is to reflect everyone in our comic pages.
Featuring: Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, Jack Lawrence, Joe Glass, Bucky, Eve Greenwood and Steve Stivaksti. Hosted by Sal Couch.
All Weekend
Comics Are Alive!
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Harrogate Convention Centre
Event Type: Exhibition
Age range: All Ages
Come and join us for an interactive art trail like no other. Using Augmented Reality technology, we have created an awesome collection of artworks that will magically come alive when you view them through your smart phone or tablet! Simply download an EyeJack app, aim your mobile at the picture, and watch the image move before your eyes.
Over a dozen pieces of art will be scattered throughout the festival area over the weekend and go hunt down those pieces!
This project is curated by the incredible artist Tom Eglington.
AireCon Zone
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: The Pride Hall
Event Type: Social
Age range: All Ages
AireCon is a friendly and inclusive analog gaming festival that takes place each year in Harrogate Convention Centre.
Grab a game from the huge games library kindly provided by Travelling Man, take a seat and get gaming.
Whether you've come alone or with a massive group you'll find plenty of fun to be had.
Bubs Lounge
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Quite Zone
Age range: All Ages
Graphic novel overload? Superhero fatigue? Bub's Lounge is a quiet space where you can take some time out from the busy comic con halls. Do absolutely nothing if you want, just kick back in a comfy chair and take a breather or pick up some pens and do some drawing yourself with the awesome Girl Gang Leeds. You can also pick up free sunglasses and earplugs to help with any sensory overload.
Bub's Lounge is brought to you by Leeds Specialist Autism Services, who will also be exhibiting under the name 'Aut Bubble' in The Pride Hall, table 38.
Cartoon Museum
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: The Pride Hall
Event Type: Exhibition
Age range: All Ages
The Cartoon Museum is on tour and bringing a mini-exhibition of its incredible pieces to Thought Bubble, featuring some of the best examples of our comic and cartoon history from the 18th century to the modern day.
Awesome Merchandise Zone
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: The Pride Hall
Event Type: Experience
Age range: All Ages
Awesome Merchandise are back, bigger and better than ever!
Drop by The Pride Hall, pick up a pen, and get creative with their giant comic-themed colouring walls!
Their team of experts will also be on hand to answer any of your print or merch questions and give honest advice to help you get the most out of your products. We've even heard rumours that there'll be awesome prizes up for grabs for the best drawing and best colouring across the weekend.
The Walking Dead: Immersive Experience
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Queen's Suite
Event Type: Experience
Age range: 12+
Leave the herd of the comic con behind and step into the storyworld of The Walking Dead.
Mink Ette (escape room/games designer), Sara Kenney (writer/ filmmaker) and Florence Okoye (UX designer, NHM) join forces to get you creating, questioning and exploring. We can be happy… we can be content… we can have peace. We can live again. "WE ARE NOT THE WALKING DEAD!" – Rick Grimes.
12+, younger children welcome with an adult.
Supported by Wellcome Trust.
Kyle Webster Digital Brush Demo
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Demo Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Experience
Age range: All Ages
Gather around and watch Kyle Webster as he guides you through his creative process on a Wacom Tablet.
Kyle's digital brushes have become the industry standard used by Disney, Pixar and other giants in the industry, drop by our Demo Zone to see Kyle at work; an informal demo where you can ask questions and gather tips from a pro!
Draw with the Stars!
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Come and showcase your latest comic creation on our character wall.
Come by at the end of the day to see your character rub shoulders with established comic book personalities.
Your work on the final character wall will feature on Thought Bubble's Instagram and Twitter.
Collaborative Story Writing
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
In the Creativity Hub we will have a story started by an established writer which ownership will then be taken over by you!
Come along to pick up the story and take it on your own journey.
Each participant will write a paragraph taking the characters on adventures of their own making.
Children's Free Drawing
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Throughout the whole weekend free drawing is available in the Creativity Hub for children of all ages.
Come along and contribute to our large superhero scene.
Duplo Fun
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
The builders amongst us can come and construct mini worlds in our Duplo free play area all weekend at the Creativity Hub.
Drawing and Animating Fun with Doctor Simpo
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Join the amazing Doctor Simpo all weekend in the Kids' Zone for a whole heap of drawing and animating fun, and loads more!
Paper Mask Making
Time: 11:00-16:00 both days
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Colour your own superhero mask with felt pens, pencil crayon or water colour paints, add super power embellishments then cut it out and walk away in your own superhero disguise.
Badge Making with Phoenix Comics
Time: 11:00-16:00 both days
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Join us at the Creativity Hub for our badge making extravaganza. We'll help you create your own superhero badge selecting images from our pile of Phoenix Comics.
Felt Headwear and Cuffs Workshop
Time: 12:00-13:00 both days
Location: Kids Zone – The Pride Hall
Event Type: Workshop
Age range: All Ages
Use our ready sewn felt headwear and cuffs to create your own superhero accessories.
After cutting out your felt shapes you can attach your details with a needle and thread if you've got the skills or use our stapler if you have superhero disasters to rush off to.
Panel Show is seven-week exhibition showcasing the incredible world of comic books, graphic novels and sequential art. The show features original artwork by around 40 acclaimed artists. It also explores some of the processes they use to develop their finished pages, including pencils, inked pages, thumbnails, layouts and concept designs.
Artists contributing work include Una (Becoming Unbecoming), Jade Sarson (For the Love of God Marie!), Dean Ormston (Black Hammer), Tillie Walden (On A Sunbeam), Paul Trevillion (Roy of the Rovers), Jacky Fleming (The Trouble With Women), Mawil (Kinderland), Darryl Cunningham (Science Tales, Billionaires), Luke Pearson (Hilda), Steve Beaumont (How to Draw Graphic Novels), Jonathan Edwards (21st Century Tank Girl) and many more.
It has been co-curated by Si Smith (How To Disappear Completely) and Dick Bonham (LittleMighty).
The History of Thought Bubble: The Yorkshire Comic Art Festival
With Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival now in its 13th year, join us for an exhibition of the festival's journey from a small event in the basement of Leeds Town Hall, to a huge comic con welcoming thousands of visitors from around the world.
The exhibition will include past festival images, illustrations, comic pages by some amazing world-renowned creators, as well as photos and memories submitted by the festival's fans!
Location: The Gallery at 164, Munro House, Duke Street, Leeds LS9 8AG
Event Type: Exhibition
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free Entry
Stories of People, Places and Things – A collaboration between The Gallery at 164, Thought Bubble Festival and Leeds Arts University, this exhibition is a documentation of life on Quarry Hill, through the eyes of the Comic and Concept Art students of Leeds Arts University.
A snapshot of the wonderful characters and stories that occupy the places, spaces and environments, and who work, live, visit, stay, and experience this vibrant quarter of the city every day.
Comic Art Workshop
Date: 30 Oct
Time: 14:00-15:30
Location: Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 1EG
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: 8-13 years old
Cost: £2
Join Regie from Harrogate's Destination Venus comic shop for an afternoon of comic art.
A great opportunity to pick up hints and tips on how to create amazing comics.
Doctor Geof's Fantastical Tea Museum
Date: 31 Oct – 12 Nov
Time: Mon to Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 11:00-16:00
Location: The Harrogate Tea Rooms, Westminster Arcade, HG1 2RN
Event Type: Exhibition
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free Entry
Humorous comic creator Doctor Geof (Cats with Tanks, Fetishman, The Steampunk Literary Review) has used his great love of tea to create a nonsensical museum from a fictional tea-obsessed world that runs parallel to our own.
At 14:00 on Sunday 3 November, Geof's latest satirical endeavour, Queen Faketoria, played by Brendan McCoy, will be offering a Grand Opening of The Harrogate Tea Rooms.
PRE-SHOW
Flying Eye bring Hilda to Harrogate
Time: See Gallery Opening Times
Location: The Mercer Gallery, 31 Swan Rd, Harrogate, HG1 2SA
Event Type: Exhibition
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free Entry
The incredible Flying Eye Books is bringing an exclusive Hilda exhibition to the wonderful Mercer Gallery, Harrogate.
With original sketches from Luke Pearson, cool cut outs and lots of behind the scenes pieces you've never seen before!
Great for the whole family.
This exhibition is open till Sunday 24 November.
Art Around Town!
Time: All Day
Location: All Around Harrogate
Event Type: Exhibition
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free
Harrogate is thrilled to welcome the Thought Bubble Festival! To celebrate, Destination Venus – Harrogate's independent comic store – has turned the whole town into a giant gallery of comics by releasing comic art into the wild!
Follow the trail and discover some great original comic art by talented British comics artists, but also some great coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and independent businesses.
Why not escape the convention crowds for an hour or so and discover a side of Harrogate you might not have expected…
This exhibition is open till Sunday 10 November.
Major Tom's X Thought Bubble Exclusive Pizza
Time: Sun-Thurs 12:00-00:30, Fri & Sat 12:00-01:00
Location: Major Tom's Social The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB
Event Type: Social
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: See Menu for Prices
"A youth club for grown ups with pizza and craft beer!"
Throughout the Festival week, Major Tom's Social Club will be refuelling comic book fans with a special pizza menu. The pizzas are made from scratch every time, they are not always round but they are always delicious!
Super-Vegan: Spinach, artichokes, olives, pine nuts and caramelised onions.
Captain America – Chorizo, mozzarella and a garlic bread star.
10% discount on food all weekend when you show your Thought Bubble wristband.
This offer is on till Sunday 10 November.
Thought Bubble Quiz
Time: 18:00-20:00
Location: Waterstones, 15 James St, Harrogate HG1 1QS
Event Type: Social
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: £3
A science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, and manga themed quiz for teams of 1-4 people. Co-hosted by our great friends Geek Pub Quiz, and in association with Thought Bubble.
This exciting quiz will feature questions about some of the great creators appearing at Thought Bubble in Harrogate.
Tickets £3 each. Maximum team size 4 people. Great prizes for winning teams.
Great British Bake Off superstar (and Thought Bubble Comic Anthology artist!) Kim-Joy will be joining students at the Lighthouse School and showing them how to decorate their own delicious superhero biscuits in her incredibly cute style!
Kim-Joy is renowned for her colourful and playful bakes that the children will love! With a background in mental health, she promotes baking as a therapeutic and mindful activity.
The Lighthouse School is dedicated to young people aged 11 to 19 with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) or related communication disorder.
The Rainbow Age: LGBTQIA* Comic-Book Club
Time: 17:00-19:00
Location: The Sanderson Room, Third Floor, Leeds Central Library, Calverley St, Leeds, LS1 3AB
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 16+
Cost: Free
Join us for a celebration of LGBTQIA* comics & creators with an informal book club evening! Bring along your favourite LGBTQIA* comics, or come and discover something new from our collection, kindly supplied by Travelling Man. Meet like-minded fans and make new friends over comics.
After our previous Rainbow Age events, Travelling Man donated all the books to Leeds Libraries to create a completely unique collection for the whole of Leeds to enjoy; the first of its kind in the country. This year, they'll be adding to the collection with some incredible new LGBTQIA* comics from 2019.
Pints and Pencils
Time: 19:30-LATE
Location: The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Cost: Free Entry
Proudly presented by the team at Travelling Man and the Leeds University Comic Book Society, Pints and Pencils is the social drawing competition featuring plenty of prizes, laughs and beverages.
Artistic ability is not required to win top prizes and drawing equipment will be provided!
Please bring a valid photo ID.
Creating Comic Characters
Time: 10:00-11:30
Location: Bilton & Woodfield Community Library
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: Selected Schools Only
Cost: Free
A workshop led by Regie from Destination Venus comic book shop. Participants will learn how to create distinctive comic characters and encouraged to create their own.
Basic Principles of Animation with Doctor Simpo
Time: 16:00-18:00
Location: Skipton Library, High St, Skipton BD23 1JX
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: Selected Schools Only
Cost: Free
Doctor Simpo's 12 Principles of Animation workshop will help you to bring your own worlds to life with the only limits being those of your own dreams.
Animation or the illusion of life is a trick that can be created from the differences between two images, if these images are similar then an illusion of movement is created, which can be a very powerful storytelling tool. If you can think of a good story to tell then you can tell it through a series of images.
"Let's crack on with creating animations!"
Gosh! Comics X Thought Bubble Presents: Jillian Tamaki and Michael DeForge
Thought Bubble and Gosh! are proud to present a signing with two of the most exciting names in contemporary comics, Michael DeForge (Lose, Brat) and Jillian Tamaki (Super Mutant Magic Academy, This One Summer).
Known for their innovative approaches to the medium of cartooning, this is one event true comics fan won't want to miss.
Hive Mind: Drawing as a way of thinking with Una
Time: 18:00-20:30
Location: Travelling Man, 32 Central Road, Leeds, LS1 6DE
Event Type: Workshop
Age Range: 16+
Cost: Free
The aim of this session is to help artists and writers to use drawing to think through, develop and plan their characters and stories, and to co-operate and collaborate to share creative energy.
You will do some drawing and doodling, some writing, mind-maps and thumbnails, group and individual work. You will leave the session with a couple of characters (based on vintage photos and postcards, provided) and a sequential story plotted out in rough, to be completed as finished work in your own time. You'll get to meet and chat with Una, see her working process and also rummage through her zine collection.
Comics Forum Academic Conference
Art and Design | 7-8 Nov
Time: 09:00-16:45
Location: Room 700, Leeds Central Library, Calverley Street, LS1 3AB
Event Type: Conference
Age Range: 16+ (some talks unsuitable for under 18s)
Cost: Ticketed
Comics Forum 2019 will explore the themes of art and design as they relate to comics, with talks, reading groups, demonstrations of practice, discussions of research methods and more! Join us on the top floor of Leeds Central Library for talks from top international academics.
Tickets are priced as follows:
1 day (7th or 8th November): £12
2 days (7th & 8th November): £24
4 days (2 day Comics Forum pass + 2 day Thought Bubble pass): £48 – A saving of £5 on the cost of Thought Bubble tickets if bought separately.
Please visit Comics Forum for full details and to book tickets.
James D'Amato Signing at Travelling Man Newcastle
Time: From 17:00
Location: 43 Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5JE
Event Type: Signing
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free
Join the 2019 Travelling Man signing tour, bringing Thought Bubble guests to a store near you, ahead of their appearance at this year's convention.
Travelling Man are a proud sponsor of Thought Bubble 2019, and are celebrating their 28th year as the North of England's premiere comics shops.
James D'Amato is a podcaster game designer and author from Chicago. He is President of the One Shot Podcast Network which is home to dozens of shows about tabletop roleplaying games. He also writes the Ultimate RPG Guide for Adams Media.
ILLUSTRATE DONATE
Time: 18:00-23:00
Location: Outlaws Yacht Club, 38 New York St, Leeds LS2 7DY
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Cost: Free Entry
Bad Ornament & Outlaws Yacht Club present 'ILLUSTRATE DONATE' an art competition and charity auction raising funds and awareness for Music and Arts Production. There will be live illustration, an art exhibition, charity auction, DJs and more…
The competition will include two ways to enter, all levels are welcome!
1 . Donate your work to the charity auction to win cash prizes, commissions and bar vouchers. Winners decided by the highest silent bids.
2. Take part in the live illustration collaboration event to win cash prizes, commissions and bar vouchers plus an opportunity to be included in the Outlaws fanzine.
Winners decided by our panel of judges.
All entries are donations and will be included in the charity auction displayed in Outlaws and online. The auction will be active in venue and online. All bids are private. Only the total funds raised for the entire event will be announced, so no individual amounts for specific pieces, just 1st, 2nd, 3rd. This we hope will encourage more artists to donate illustrated works with every penny raised going to MAP.
Location: Major Tom's Social, The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB
Entry Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Cost: Free Entry
Four rounds of geeky trivia and awesome prizes in the run up to the highly anticipated Thought Bubble Comic Con weekend in Harrogate.
Follow @GeekPubQuiz on Twitter for more details on this event.
Thought Bubble Book Crossing 2019
Time: Various Times
Location: Select Libraries across Yorkshire
Event Type: Social
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free
Thought Bubble is once again teaming up with Diamond Comics and Travelling Man to give away free all ages graphic novels and comics to everyone!
Libraries all over Yorkshire are participating, on Friday 8 November and help us to achieve our aim to get everyone reading more!
Just pop along and pick-up some great comics for free, to take home and read, or give to a friend!
List of libraries coming soon.
James D'Amato Signing at Travelling Man Manchester
Time: From 16:30
Location: 4 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1JW
Event Type: Signing
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: Free
Join the 2019 Travelling Man signing tour, bringing Thought Bubble guests to a store near you, ahead of their appearance at this year's convention.
Travelling Man are a proud sponsor of Thought Bubble 2019, and are celebrating their 28th year as the North of England's premiere comics shops.
James D'Amato is a podcaster game designer and author from Chicago. He is President of the One Shot Podcast Network which is home to dozens of shows about tabletop roleplaying games. He also writes the Ultimate RPG Guide for Adams Media.
ComiXology Welcome Party
Time: 20:00-LATE
Location: The Majestic Hotel, Ripon Road, Harrogate HG1 2HU
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Cost: Free Entry
To kick off the Thought Bubble comic con con weekend, come and join your favourite comic book creators at our super swanky official hotel, the Majestic.
ComiXology are kindly hosting the welcome party of all welcome parties to kick off the comic con weekend.
Everyone is welcome – there'll be food, there'll be drinks, there will be music from your favourite superstar DJs! See you there from 20:00.
Vice Press x Bottleneck Gallery x Thought Bubble Presents: Shaun of the Dead!
Time: 20:00-23:00
Location: Everyman Harrogate, Westgate House, Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1HQ
Event Type: Screening
Age Range: 15+
Cost: £18
"Take car. Go to mum's. Kill Phil, grab Liz, go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over. How's that for a slice of fried gold?"
To kick off Thought Bubble 2019 comic con weekend, Vice Press will be holding a special screening of Edgar Wright's Rom-Zom-Com classic, Shaun of the Dead along with an exclusive, officially licensed, limited edition screen printed poster by artist and Vice Press co-founder, Matt Ferguson.
A screening exclusive variant edition of the poster, to be revealed at the screening, is limited to just 100 copies. To guarantee a copy, the print will be available to pre-purchase with your ticket and any remaining copies will be on sale to screening attendees immediately following the film and limited to one per attendee. This print will not be made available by any other means.
A regular edition of the poster will be available to Thought Bubble convention attendees from the Vice Press table on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November (tables 42-44, comiXology Originals Hall), with remaining copies on sale via the Vice Press and Bottleneck Gallery websites at a later date.
Tickets will cost £18 and include a free drink from the bar. Get them here!
Thought Bubble Comic Con
Time: Sat 10:00-18:00 & Sun 10:00-17:00
Location: Hall M Entrance, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate
Thought Bubble Comic Con is a world-famous convention that guest stars over 100 industry professionals, features over 400 talented exhibiting creators, a whole host of panel talks, cosplayers from across the globe, a bigger and better than ever Creativity Hub for kids, and so much more!
As part of Saturday's Comic Con Schedule there's the Mid-Con Party which is also at Harrogate Convention Centre! Kicking off at 19:00 the party will be full of ace DJs including Tula Lotay, Ivan Salazar, Khary Randolph, Sarah Gordon, Margaux Saltel, Dearbhla Kelly and Jules Scheele and there'll be exclusive Wicked and Divine farewell surprises!
Sunday will feature the popular Cosplay Parade in the Royal Hall (right next too the Comic Con entrance). Whether you're in costume or not, come along and experience a cavalcade of crazy characters as we decide who's best dressed enough to impress our judges!
Cold Bath Brewing Co. X Thought Bubble Festival
Time: Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Location: 46 King's Rd, Harrogate, HG1 5JW
Event Type: Social
Age Range: 18+
Cost: Free Entry
Join our lovely pals at Cold Bath Brewing Co. for a weekend of comics-themed fun! Just over the road from the convention centre, they'll have amazing food and drinks for you to indulge in, including an exclusive Thought Bubble beer on tap!
After the convention closes each day, make your way to their upstairs lounge for some super cool anime screenings kindly provided by MVM Film.
Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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