Thought Bubble Festival 2011

UK Comic Con season continues with the annual Thought Bubble Festival in Leeds. Taking place from November 14th to the 20th, it's the largest sequential art festival in the UK (sequential art defined as comic books, graphic novels and similar forms of media), so if you only attend one con this year, Thought Bubble might just be your best bet. Among this year's special guests are comic book legends Tim Sale, Adam Hughes, and Gail Simone though the convention boasts an impressive list of creative minds (for a more thorough sampling of guests, click here). The festival comprises a range of events and activities from signings and panels with creators to discussions of the sequential arts in academic scholarship. For more information on this year's Thought Bubble Festival, check out the official press release behind the cut.

5th Thought Bubble Sequential Art Festival 14 - 20 November 2011

The biggest celebration of comic books, graphic novels and animated storytelling in the UK returns to Leeds this November, as Thought Bubble presents its most exciting programme to date! Celebrating its 5th year, the festival has been extended over a week from 14th – 20th November 2011 with a jam-packed programme of events, including a massive comic book convention at Leeds' largest conference spaces, the Royal Armouries and Saviles Hall.

This year's convention is the largest in the UK, and welcomes some of the biggest names in comics to Leeds, including Tim Sale, an Eisner Award winning artist whose work has received widespread acclaim; and Adam Hughes, one of the most respected artists currently working in the medium. The weekend long convention will also welcome hundreds of exhibitors, who will be turning out in force for this year's event; from brilliant small press artists and writers, to major UK retailers offering something for all comic book fans, all spread across three hundred tables in two halls. Aspiring artists and writers in our region are also encouraged to bring along their art portfolios as representatives from Marvel comics will be on hand to give advice, and be on the look-out for the next big thing in comics!

In 2010 Thought Bubble launched its very own national award with the support of Arts Council funding. The Northern Sequential Arts Competition is a new annual prize which is open to all  artists and writers living in the UK. Budding artists and writers were invited to create their very own one page comic book story, and all the entries were judged by a leading panel of industry professionals, including 2000 AD Editor Matt Smith, Imagine FX Editor Claire Howlett and Marvel’s Spider-Man Editor Steve Wacker.

All 6 winning entrants will see their work published this year in a special Thought Bubble anthology which will also include original work from leading international artists and writers including Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy), Andy Diggle (The Losers), Antony Johnston (Daredevil), Mike Carey (Lucifer), plus many more.

This year’s festival will also include a fantastic programme of free interactive workshops & masterclasses for both young people and adults with activity for beginners as well as more experienced writers and artists. The full programme, along with full guest line up and venue details will be announced soon, and tickets for the convention will be going on sale in May! For all the latest news and updates check out www.thoughtbubblefestival.com.

Quote from Director Lisa Wood, “Thought Bubble has grown enormously over the past 5 years thanks to the help of Arts Council England and private sponsors such as Travelling Man. Because of this we are able to attract high profile guests from all around the world... I’m now finding that whenever I mention Thought Bubble to a new guest from the United States or Europe they have already heard of our event which is amazing!” 

Thought Bubble Sequential Arts Festival14 – 20 November 2011The comic convention will take place Saturday 19th November & Sunday 20th November 2011 between 10am and 5.30pm at the Royal Armouries and Saviles Hall Leeds, and tickets cost £18.00 for the weekend, or £10 for the day, with under 12's getting in for free! Tickets will be available to purchase online at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com or in person by phone at the City Centre Box Office in Leeds on Millennium Square, tel: 0113 2243801.