The best comic artists, writers and creators are heading to Cumbria for spectacular family-friendly festival next month.
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival promises to be a treat for comic art addicts, people new to the world of comics or those who just love exceptional art and storytelling.
Staged at Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal from October 15 to October 17, the festival offers a diverse international line-up of guests from the UK, Europe, the US, Africa, China, the Philippines and more.
The programme includes live drawing, creative workshops, a comic market place, debates, cartoonists, satire, exhibitions and some of the most amazing comic artists from across the globe.
Festival director Julie Tait said: “We are delighted to be back in Kendal with an incredible line-up of guests, exhibitions, events and workshops.
“This year we have a strong focus on the role comics can play in responding to and interpreting some of the biggest issues of our time.
“The festival is bringing new work to a global audience tackling issues such as the climate crisis, deforestation, the human impact of the one child policy in China and Putin’s dictatorship in Russia.
“Comics remain a powerful force for change and we are delighted to be celebrating their global importance at the festival this year.”
Highlights of the festival this year include a link up with the National Cartoonists’ Society Festival in New York, where guests playing the role of their favourite cartoon character will battle it out in a balloon debate.
Meanwhile Chinese comic creator Wang Ning will be joining the festival from Beijing will be leading for the worldwide launch of his anthology My Only Child.
There will also be a number of creative workshops for the next generation of comic artists to learn their craft, from stop-frame animation and drawing, to using humour.
The festival is held at venues across Kendal, with details available at www.comicartfestival.com