The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

Last Saturday saw the annual (well, hopefully) Leeds Alternative Comics Fair set itself up again. And yet again, I couldn’t make it. I think I’m fated never to get there. So whilst I spent Saturday shivering and filling a bin with snotty tissues, the good folk of Leeds had fun.

Luckily, Hugh Raine agreed to write a report of the event as he saw it, and sent along some pics to boot (far, far better pictures than I ever take at these things certainly). So, here’s Hugh….

The 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair took place on Saturday October 1st at the kooky A Nation of Shopkeepers bar.

Here’s what we promised:

“In keeping with previous events, our 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? There’ll be lots more on offer, such as craft ware, badges, art and music.”

(Jim Medway and Helen Entwistle.)

Here’s what they got:

After stopping off at the Reet Sweet Craft Fair (which was taking place simultaneously in The Corn Exchange), we set up in our usual way, trying to make the best use of the odd assortment of tables. But we think slightly rag tag effect works well.

There were old friends and new. After a couple of unfortunate last minute cancellations, the final assembly consisted of organisers Steve “Banal Pig” Tillotson and Hugh “Shug Raine, plus Geof “Fetishman” Banyard, Jim Medway, Gareth Brookes, Helen “Memo” Entwistle, James “Couk” Downing, Isaac Lenkiewicz and Kelly Walton (with both made an impressive journey up from Plymouth, Andrew Waugh and Gary Bainbridge, Ben Clark, Bob “Milk, Two Sugars” Milner and Darryl Cunningham (who was making a cameo appearance on the communal table).

(Darryl Cunningham and punters.)

Comic friends such as Oli East also popped by. Oli had brought his son to his first ever comic event! Get ‘em while they’re young!

The pesky sunshine was having a bit of a negative effect on footfall; people just don’t seem to want to come inside on a hot day – can’t think why! But there was a steady flow of people throughout the day and some exhibitors even reported excellent takings, comparable to a larger event.

Highlights and lowlights include: Darryl Cunningham having to deal with the guy claiming mental illness was a social construct, a bemused bloke who had ‘never seen anything like this in a pub before’ and tight, gold pants…

As usual, the Leeds comic shops were very supportive and our big brother, Thought Bubble, gave us an encouraging squeeze of the shoulder.

(Steven Tillotson and Hugh “Shug” Raine. No, we are not related.)

This was our 3rd event and we’re learning lessons all the time about how to host an event. The surprisingly warm weather (in October!) was something that couldn’t be helped and the reintroduction of the communal table didn’t see many takers, but we had a fun day and think we succeeded in putting on another event that challenges people’s perception of what a comic event should be.

(More pics on at the Leeds Alternative Comics website)