4th Thought Bubble Sequential Art Festival 18 – 21 Nov. 2010

[ENGLISH] Thought Bubble tells us: The biggest celebration of comic books and graphic novels in the UK returns to Leeds this November as Thought Bubble presents its most exciting programme to date! Now in its 4th year the festival has been extended over four days from 18 – 21 November 2010 with a jam packed programme of events, including a massive comic book convention at Saviles Hall, Leeds’ largest conference space opposite the Royal Armouries.

This year’s convention welcomes some of the biggest names in comic books to Leeds including John Romita JR, the artist responsible for Kick Ass, which was adapted into a smash hit movie earlier this year and Adi Granov who illustrates the Iron Man comic book series. The huge convention will also welcome hundreds of exhibitors 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 fans. 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!

Over the summer Thought Bubble launched it’s very own national award, with the support of Arts Council funding, The National Sequential Arts Competition is a new annual prize which is open to all artists and writers living in the UK. Budding artists and writers are required to create their very own one page comic book story and all the entries will be judged by a leading panel of industry professionals, including 2000 AD Editor Matt Smith, Imagine FX Editor Claire Howlett and Marvel Spider-Man Editor Steve Wacker. The competition is split into two age categories and the jury will select two runners up and a winning entry from each age group, the overall winner in each category will receive £200 of graphic novels and a private tutorial with a leading writer or artist based in the North of England.

All 6 winning entrants will see their work published in a special Thought Bubble Free Comic Book Issue which will also include original work from leading international artists and writers including Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Sean Phillips (Marvel Zombies), Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy), Andy Diggle (The Losers), Antony Johnston (Daredevil), Kieron Gillen (Thor), Mike Carey (Lucifer) and Marc Ellerby plus many more.

The comic book will be distributed around the world in May 2011 as part of Free Comic Book Day, a worldwide initiative to promote sequential art. for details about the competition go to www.thoughtbubblefestival.com
This year’s festival also includes a fantastic line up 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 on Friday 1st October. Tickets for the one day convention are on sale now! For all the latest news and updates check out www.thoughtbubblefestival.com and join our mailing list.

Quote from Director Lisa Wood, “Thought Bubble has grown enormously over the past 4 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 States or Europe they have already heard of our event which is amazing!”

Thought Bubble Sequential Arts Festival
18 – 21 November 2010
The comic convention will take place Saturday 20 November 2010 between 10am and 5pm at Saviles Hall Leeds and tickets cost £10.00 for the whole day, under 12’s get in for free! Tickets can be purchased online at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com or in person by phone at the City Centre Box Office in Leeds on Millennium Square, tel: 0113 2243801