The Thought Bubble comic convention hits Leeds once more, and it’s this weekend, the 23rd and 24th of November. It rounds off a week-long comic arts festival featuring workshops, live events, signings and screenings; all centred around the world of sequential art. The convention draws an incredible range of independent talent and the cream of big name artists and writers.

I’ve been attending since 2010. That first year it was a one-day only convention, spread over two halls, and there wasn’t quite enough time to check everything out. Since then it’s been spread over a whole weekend, and has got busier and more awesome each time around. Contrasted with the chilly autumn Yorkshire air, the atmosphere inside the exhibition halls has always been genuinely warm and welcoming, with a real end-of-term feel to proceedings. Whilst I haven’t attended a great deal of conventions in the UK, Thought Bubble is the one I love, and hope to go to for years to come. This year in particular is set to be a blockbuster event, with a third hall for the very first time, and a frankly mind-blowing list of guests.

This will be my fourth year there, but my first as an exhibitor instead of a visitor. It will also be the first time I have exhibited any of my work anywhere so, for me at least, it’s a pretty big deal.

I will be bringing a humble little bundle of items for you to peruse (and buy!)…

Goodies

Mini-comics

There are two 12-page, black and white comics, both of which are of a personal and somewhat autobiographical bent. The first is “Done”, a comic about beating the little voices; the other is “Control”, a comic about our place in the universe.

Badges

Everyone loves badges! If you like robots, sweet treats, or woeful visual puns you’ll want to pick up these little beauties.

Win a prize!

As seen elsewhere on my site, I’ve had a little robot character kicking around since 2009. So far he’s had the working name of Cute Bot which is fine for my purposes but I don’t feel like he’s going to really come alive and find his own stories until I know what his real name is.

This is where you come in. I’ll be running a free competition throughout the Thought Bubble weekend where you can put forward your suggestions for Cute Bot’s real name. You can submit as many suggestions as you like (as long as they’re not rude or already existing character names), and should I pick your winning suggestion I will send you an exclusive A4 print to wherever you are in the world.

Where to find me

If you’re coming along to the Thought Bubble comic convention at Clarence Dock, Leeds, you will me find me at table 68 in New Dock Hall. I will be there both Saturday and Sunday with my table buddy and creator of Bunny Comic, Lem, who will be bringing an all-new comic along with the famed Melon of Chance, and other goodies.

I’m looking forward to really fun weekend, and hope to see some of you there!