The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is returning to Bowness-on-Windermere for the third year running, with an opening night that pits comic creators against each other to find out who would make the best Avenger, from Marvel Comics – and it just gets crazier from there!
As well as ticketed events, featuring award-winning comic creators from across the globe, including local artist Sean Phillips, whose series with Ed Brubaker, Criminal, is heading to Amazon's Prime Video service, there's a free Doctor Who exhibition at Windermere Jetty Museum – and plenty of free comic-themed workshops and activities taking place, specifically for families.
Each year, over 300 children aged 12 and under, along with their families, immerse themselves in the world of comics. Guided by comic artists such as Marc Jackson(best known for his work on The Beano and The Phoenix) and the creative team from Room for Comics and Macc-Pow!, these free workshops are known for sparking creativity within young minds.
To supplement the workshops, a range of activities including badge-making, face-painting, and cosplaying will be on offer, promising an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Watch out for Daleks too, who will be patrolling a special exhibition that celebrates 60 years of Doctor Who comics, produced in partnership with the long-running official Doctor Who Magazine. This unique display features prints of comics featuring every major Doctor, the very first Doctor Who strip from 1964 and newly designed monsters created as part of a special competition for youngsters (the winner to be announced at the weekend).
Around Bowness, look out for the annual “Comic Art Trail” in the windows of many local businesses, showcasing eye-catching comic art created by guests appearing at the weekend-long event.
“This year’s Comic Art Trail will feature work from many of our visiting artists,” says co-ordinator Sim Leech, “plus from schools that have taken part in our Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded Comic Potential project. It will be displayed in shop and business windows, starting down by The Glebe and working its way up Crag Brow.
“We are grateful for the support of all the business taking part.”
Luis Martins, Lakeland Arts interim CEO, says of the gathering: "Lakes International Comic Art Festival is an exciting event for people to engage with some of the biggest names in the comic art industry. We're honoured to be hosting Little LICAF at Windermere Jetty Museum for the third year in a row.
"The museum is a place for everyone to experience culture, engage their creativity, and discover stories.
"Little LICAF will give families the opportunity to create their own stories inspired by wonderful workshops and activities.
"We look forward to welcoming the community and making this festival the best year yet!"
"We're thrilled to be back in Bowness," added Festival Director Julie Tait. "Expect the unexpected all weekend, in one of the best parts of Britain!"
Announced guests for 2024 in alphabetical order are: Mehdi Annassi, Yomi Ayeni, Kate Charlesworth, Cloud Chatanda, Mike Collins, Dagsson, Benoit Dahan, Jorge Fornés, Heike Friesel, Paul Gravett, Isabel Greenberg, Juanjo Guarnido, Luke Healy, Paolo Herras, Marc Jackson, Aimée De Jongh, Bobby Joseph, Keli Lark, Michael Lark, Cyril Lieron, Victoria Lomasko, Dave McKean, Junko Mizuno, Terry Moore, Reetta Niemensivu, Fumio Obata, Karel Osoha, Dan Panosian, Jacob Phillips, Sean Phillips, Pieter De Poortere, Jason Quinn, Patricia Ramos, Mollie Ray, Kevin Eric Raymundo, Bruno Redondo, The Rickard Sisters, Tom Richmond, Mohammad Sabaaneh, Nina Six, Bryan Talbot, Mary Talbot, Amy Tetteh, Emma Vieceli and the VIZ team.
• For details of their amazing comic careers head to this page on the Lakes Festival web site
