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Comics Forum 2025

13-14 November | Leeds Art Gallery and Central Library (UK)

When David Kunzle asserted in his 1973 magnum opus The Early Comic Strip, that it was by definition ‘a mass medium,’ he pointed to comics’ industrial and mechanical foundations, arguing that: ‘The comic strip is, and can only be, the product of the printing press’ (3). Although experimental comics challenge the idea that mechanical reproduction is a defining characteristic of comics, and the notion of the comic book industry as a coherent entity has been questioned, it is undeniable that comics have been greatly influenced by the industrial contexts in which they are created and circulate. These contexts include the companies that are well known for creating comics, such as publishers and retailers, but also less publicly visible but vitally important industries: printers, distributers, marketers, translators and more. Technology platforms and other media industries that connect to comics through branding, cross-promotion and trans- or multimedia forms also play important roles.

Comics Forum 2025 will explore the theme of industry, broadly conceived, in relation to various forms of comics (i.e. including bande dessinée, manga etc.).

Links:

Additional Events (ticketed separately)

Comics Practice and Research: A Public Exhibition and Roundtable (SOLD OUT!)

As part of Thought Bubble Comic Arts Festival week, the University of Leeds presents Comics Practice and Research. a week-long exhibition and a public roundtable event exploring the intersection of comics, creative practice and academic research.

From 10th to 16th November, a new public exhibition in the School of Design foyer will showcase creative work from an international network of comics scholars and artists, including Nick Sousanis, Kay Sohini and Kate Evans.

On Wednesday 12th November, the exhibition hosts a public roundtable discussion. The panel features leading creators and academics, including artist Karrie Fransman, scholar Paul Fisher Davies, and comics writer Rik Worth, who will discuss the future of comics scholarship and creative collaboration.

Comics Practice and Research Exhibition runs 10th–16th November, Foyer, School of Design, University of Leeds (what3words: ///noises.final.become)

Comics Practice and Research Roundtable Discussion will take place at 4:00 PM on Wednesday 12th November in the Glass Studio, School of Design, University of Leeds with drinks reception at 5:15 PM.

MJ Hibbett presents: Data and Doctor Doom

‘Data and Doctor Doom’ is a new live show in which Indie legend MJ Hibbett PhD – the world’s leading (and only) academic expert on Doctor Doom – tells you all you need to know about the MCU’s next big baddie. Using songs, jokes, slides and a thirteen-dimensional unified catalogue of transmedia character components, he’ll demonstrate how Doctor Doom can be explained using empirical analyses, how this can be applied to all fictional characters, and why on earth you’d want to do that.

The show will take place at The Fox and Newt, 9 Burley Street, Leeds, on Friday 14th November 2025. Doors are 7.30pm, show starts 8pm, and it should all be done by 9.45pm

Tickets cost £6.00 in advance and can be bought from WeGotTickets, Jumbo Records or Crash Records.

Vision & Labour: Making Comics. The Art Of Avery Hill Publishing

An exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate, 18 Oct 2025 to 26 April 2026

Kristyna Baczynski, Tim Bird, Katriona Chapman, Tom Humberstone, Charlot Kristensen, B. Mure, Owen D. Pomery, Claire Scully, J. Webster Sharp, Rachael Smith, Lizzy Stewart, Lucy Sullivan, Zoe Thorogood, Donya Todd, Tillie Walden, and George Wylesol.

Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery has teamed up with indie publisher Avery Hill Publishing to create an exhibition showcasing some of today’s most exciting comics creators.  Opening in October in time for this year’s Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival, the exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into the work of leading comic artists, and an important snapshot of the UK comics landscape over the past decade.

On display in the exhibition will be original artwork by sixteen diverse artists, shown alongside the finished books. The exhibition will offer insights into the creative process of making comics, and the different working practices of each artist, ranging from meticulous ink drawings to spectacular digitally created imagery, including video footage of the creators at work. There will also be photo opportunities with life size recreations of some of the book covers, and an interactive game designed by artist and designer George Wylesol. The various design elements pulling it all together are by comics artist Kristyna Baczynski who has created infographics, including a description of the various stages of journey from the original idea of the creator to the finished physical book.

The audience will come away with an appreciation of the talent and vision of the creators and a new understanding of the labour involved in creating the art and making the finished book.

Karen Southworth, Exhibitions Curator at The Mercer Gallery explains “Through working with Thought Bubble and Avery Hill Publishing, we’ve come to appreciate that comics and graphic novels are a valuable, but often overlooked, part of our literary culture. We know this exhibition will inspire fans of comic art but we hope it will open people’s eyes to discover this vibrant and accessible art form”.

Co-founder Ricky Miller says “This exhibition is an exciting way for us to extend our remit of helping new creators into comics and a great chance for us to look back on what we’ve created over the years. Somehow we’ve achieved this despite having no publishing experience, juggling demanding day jobs and major life-changes, in what was supposed to be a fun side-project that accidentally got out of control”.

The exhibition has been organised in partnership with Thought Bubble, the UK’s largest comic art festival which takes place in Harrogate annually in November. Thought Bubble’s Martha Julian says “To see the work of these incredible creators in one place should be grasped with both hands! Avery Hill Publishing have been a stalwart of the indie comics community for well over a decade, and we couldn’t be prouder to be including this celebratory exhibition as part of this year’s Thought Bubble Festival”.

 

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