A Bubble In Leeds

Thought Bubble

From a small comic fair in Birmingham to one of the “must go” on the UK convention scene. This brings me to Thought Bubble, a comic event held in Leeds. I’ve never been to Leeds before and I ended up getting lost in the town centre but like always, I usually find my way back to where ever I began or I just phone a taxi!

This was my first time at the event. It’s one of the newer conventions on the UK con circuit. In the past they’ve had guests who are the cream of the crop. Artists like Alex Maleev, Frank Quitely and the showman himself, writer Mark Millar. A lot of creators really like TB, the organisers say “it celebrates sequential art in all its forms”.

Everything’s there from superheroes to small press. It’s a four day affair which ranges from themed cinema showings, talks, panels, exhibitions etc. In all fairness, I just went for the con and to meet some creators, get sketches (which sometimes take ages) and hopefully get some interviews when they aren’t busy. The big guests this year were comic’s legends, John Romita Junior and Tony Harris.

I got up really early for this one. I left my friends with their hangovers and headed off to Saviles Hall which “as it happens” is named after Jimmy Savile. After asking for directions, I made my way there. Surprisingly, I was the first one there which makes a change. Sometimes a lot of hard core fans queue hours before a convention starts, in exteme cases they start waiting the night before. I cheekily tried to get in, but I was told to wait outside. Well at the end of the day, I’m just a punter.

To pass the time, I began talking to other fans. We regaled about comics, artists and sketches we wanted to get. As the clock approached 10am, organisers began segregating the queue from people who pre-ordered to the ones who wanted to pay on the day.

For the people who bought pre-ordered tickets, the waiting line stretched to the neighbouring Royal Armouries museum. When the door opened, I headed straight for the table of veteran Brit artist Barry Kitson.

I found Barry to be one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I’ve done a short interview with him which I will post up sometime this week. Looking back at TB I had a good time despite the fact that it seems to be outgrowing its venue.

Rucksacks were slung in my face regularly and cosplayers were doing their thing with a guy on stilts to boot, it was a crampy affair but it had an infectious pleasant atmosphere. I think a lot of people were there for John Romita Junior or “Jurj” as my mates like to pronounce him. I’ve got his sketchbook which I bought a while ago; I wanted a sketch although I was told that his sketches aren’t that good.

With a few more sketches from the likes of Jamie Mc Kelvie and Sci Fi illustrator Neil Roberts, one thing I regret is I didn’t give much of the small press scene a look. There was one artist who bought her sketch book along with her, she was really talented and I hope something comes out for her.

Whilst I was on the train, I kept thinking about the day. I think if I do go again, I might spend the whole four days there and make an adventure of it. So what’s next on the con list, Mark Millar’s London convention??

Thought Bubble

Posted: 23/11/2010
Categories: Conventions / Comics

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