On 15th February, Comics Youth CIC will host the inaugural Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair at Future Yard CIC, Birkenhead. Far from being just another comics convention, this event focuses on empowering young, marginalised creators while reimagining what a comics fair can achieve.
What makes this event unmissable?
- The Talent: Twelve early-career comics artists from across the Liverpool City Region will exhibit their work, including Cara Brown, named one of Broken Frontier’s 2025 “Six to Watch.”
- The Guests: Big names in the comics world, including Lewis Hancox (Escape from St. Hell), Bex Ollerton (Sensory: Life on the Spectrum), and Emma Reynolds (Drawn to Change the World), will deliver talks, panels, and workshops—all free of charge.
- The Mission: Organised entirely by young people through our Marginal Changemakers project, the event is set to champion diversity, inclusion, and community within the comics industry.
This innovative fair was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, which funds projects that empower young people to lead, create, and drive meaningful change.
What’s on the programme?
The day includes free workshops like “Comics and Mental Health” with Bex Ollerton and “Comics and Climate Justice” with Emma Reynolds. There’s also a panel on “Comics and Identity,” featuring creators like Lewis Hancox and Julian Gray (Lowry exhibition: Stories for Us), delving into how comics empower marginalised voices.
Ahead of the event, we’re hosting a free industry talk on 31st January, where George Williams will offer insights into publishing for early-career creators.
This isn’t your average comics fair. It’s about more than selling comics—it’s about building community, reshaping conventions, and giving creators from the margins a platform to thrive. With endorsements from the likes of Lakes International Comics Art Festival, Thought Bubble, and MACC-POW, the Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair is already turning heads.
We’d love for you to help share this story. If you’re interested in covering the event, interviewing the organisers or exhibitors, or attending on the day, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
I’ve attached the full press release for your reference. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Comics Youth Eventbrite.
If you’d like to learn more or feature this initiative, please don’t hesitate to contact:
- Ollie Hicks: ollie@comicsyouth.co.uk
- Anna MacDonald: anna@comicsyouth.co.uk
Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you there!
P.s, This youth-led event is a major milestone for the UK comics scene—don’t miss the chance to be part of this inspiring story!
See more on Comics Youth CIC on Writing.ie here.
