The first Leeds Alternative Comics Fair - a report!

Mrs. Shug and I were burgled on Friday afternoon, so my mind wasn't really on the fair until I arrived at A Nation of Shopkeepers on Saturday at 11am.

But by the end of the day, my mind had been taken off stolen laptops and a knackered door by what turned out to be a brilliant day.

@leedsaltcomics - Even a burglary at Shug's house won't stop us! Leeds Alt Comics Fair today at A Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds, noon-6! Comics, beer and fun!

Exhibitors filtered in and we were faced with the task of setting up. The nice girl who worked there offered us the use of just five tables at first. How embarrassing... But Steve quickly calmed matters and we managed to pull in available tables from every corner of the pub. I even had a large speaker for a surface! And you know what? The rag tag collection of tables really made for a quirky and interesting set up.

Due to a lack of space (if we'd had taken on even one more exhibitor we'd have been screwed!) Steve and I cherry-picked who we thought best represented the Northern scene. Plus a bonus Gareth Brookes all the way from London!

Adam Cadwel made it over from Manchester. Here he is, all set up and ready to rock!

Adam was doing "little you" portraits, which kept him busy right up until the end!


Next to him was Dr. Geof Banyard of Fetishman fame, who kept people entertained all day.


Next up was Dr. Simpo, who always dresses to impress. And later, he was joined by Andy Sykes. They both kept me chuckling throughout. Here's the good Dr. enjoying a comic just before it all kicked off:

Here he is worrying about too much exposure:

And here he is picking his nose with his own gear:


This is me:

I've completed my mini-series, Find Comet, Hit Comet, Watch Comet, Sleep and will be collecting the issues into one book in time for Thought Bubble.

Further along and onto the stage was Helen Entwisle, who spent a wee while setting up. Here's why:

Looks bloody good, doesn't it?

Kristyna Baczynski tried to avoid the lens but I got her eventually in all her birdy head glory:


Along the stage was Gary Bainbridge and Andrew Waugh, who'd only bloody gone and made it down from Newcastle, hadn't they?
Later, I spied them enjoying a candlelit dinner:

Aren't they sweet?

Ben Clark was just next door. I didn't really get round to Ben for a proper chat. Shame on me. Sorry, mate. Here's a picture of that woman who binned that cat as an apology:

Ben's comics went down a treat. Space Dracula was a fair fave.

Back down off the stage were The Black Dogs artist collective who had set up a record player where people could listen to some great tunes.

Fellow organiser (who did most of the organising, to be fair), Steve Tillotson was doing the usual roaring trade selling Banal Pig comics.

Gareth Brookes was with him with his back catalogue and the excellent new Sherlock vs Skeletor mini. I nearly pissed myself reading that a week or so earlier.




@leedsaltcomics - Steve Tillotson's having a beer. It's kicking off!

At the end of the semi-circle (or the beginning, depending on which way you look at it) was Tommy and Nikki of Cheap Zine fame. Again, I didn't spend much time with you guys. Me so sorry. But Steve sent me a picture of you:


@leedsaltcomics - We're all here and all set up. Looks brills! Get yersens down! I'm having an early vodka!

Oliver East came along and vowed to man the communal table for a while... Which turned into all day! We're much indebted to him for doing so as it meant we didn't have to explain the drill to everyone as they had their turn! He got to sell some of his brill comics, so I think all was well! And it was nice to meet you properly, too, Oliver!


@leedsaltcomics - @olivereast is our hero. He's been manning the communal table all day!

This is Jared from OK Comics. He kindly donated a box of small press stuff he was clearing out to make way for a new, more organised small-press section in his shop in Thornton's Arcade. He also went around and spent loads of dosh, further supporting the scene.

Top man.

@leedsaltcomics - Also, we heart Jared from @OKcomics

Other Leeds Alternative Comics hero, Clark, from the Thought Bubble Festival team, was around all day, keeping Adam company and generally being the tip-top guy he is.
It's a well-known fact that both he and Adam both love lamp:


We think of our event as a bit of a warm-up for Thought Bubble. Or we're the annoying little brother.


Things picked up rather quickly, surprisingly. Before long, the place was a-buzz with comic fans:



The lovely lassie in the middle is self-confessed comic addict, Lisa Dolman, who likes to show her support at these things!

@leedsaltcomics - Wahey! It's buzzing here! And Dr. Geoff of Fetishman just claimed to be a smut peddler!

Here's Stacey from Small Press Big Mouth. She interviewed Steve and me for her show and except for a slight hiccup at the start from me, I think it went rather well!


@leedsaltcomics - Steve and I were just interviewed for Small Press Big Mouth!

Two cups of tea were spilled during the day. But it's better than blood.
@leedsaltcomics - There have been two tea spillages! Otherwise, it's going great at the fair!

My Barbs comic sells steadily and I enjoy telling people about him - my ex-housemate and long time pal. So imagine my surprise when he chuffing showed up! A special guest appearance from an actual comic character!

And here are my buddies, Kev and Neil, with Barbs, who'd come to show their support:

And not forgetting Mrs. Shug, who turned up in spite of Friday's burglary:

She spent a while waiting around for me so I promise to spend more time with you at the next event... If you show up!

Adam Cadwell was also tweeting during the day:


The last hour or so saw a slowing down but amazingly, a lot of us took as much dosh as we do at a larger event! Ker-CHING! I wasn't expecting that so it was a very nice bonus indeed!

Adam Cadwell stuck around for a while and had a drink with us. Cheers, Adam!

The night ended with Steve, his girlfriend, Julie, Gareth and I enjoying a curry and some oke. Here's Gareth Brookes rounding the night off with Old Dirty Bastard's Shimmy Shimmy Ya:


@leedsaltcomics - Thanks for a great fair, everyone! A success, we'd say!


There are more photos on my Flickr!
Shug