Paperjammening #3 - October 19th 2025

Small-press comic fair antics return! Talented creators from Paper Jam Comics Collective, in the basement of Travelling Man Newcastle, selling quality gear for your delectation! Sunday 19th October 11.30 till 4ish! Free in! Free comics probably!

Loads of great creators - check HERE for details of what everyone will be selling!

Canny Comic Jam - 24th February 2024

Links for Eventbrite and Facebook 

Canny Comic Jam!

A day of comic-making in the Library, no experience or skill necessary. 11am to 3pm. Drop in any time through the day to do some drawing and maybe make a comic. Everything is free. Suitable for adults and young adults aged 14+.

11.30am there'll be a brief talk about WHAT IS COMICS. What is it? Really? Alex is going to try and tell you. It's an amazing medium and if you're unfamiliar with the scope of what comics can do, hopefully this can give you some ideas. If you want to explore further, why not check out the Library's extensive manga and graphic novel sections, full of good stuff!

So what's else is happening?

Drawing games

Warm-up those drawing skills! Have a bit of a laugh! Reflect on the nature of pictorial communication!

Broken Telephone

Someone draws a picture. Then someone else writes a description of that picture. Then the third person draws a picture based on the written description but without seeing the previous picture. Then someone writes a written description of that picture (without seeing anything earlier). And so on!

If the last thing in the file is a picture, write a description of it. If the last thing is a description, draw a picture based on it. It's that simple! Once you've done your piece you get to look back through the whole file and see how the idea has changed over time (in theory it stays the same, in practice, things often go quite awry!)

Comic jams

Draw a panel, then pass the page on! Take it in turns to draw panels and try and make some kind of story that makes sense.

To add a little extra challenge, we'll have a tin of random prompts ('a new character enters the story!', 'the character stops and talks directly to the reader', etc).

Making comics

Foldy comics

Learn the ancient and mysterious art of folding one bit of paper into an eight-page booklet without staples, ready to draw a little comic in! Then draw a little comic! Then we'll photocopy them - a couple of copies for you to dispense to deserving readers, and, if you're happy to, a copy for the collection of all the stuff that gets made at the event!

TIPS! To photocopy well, make sure you leave reasonable clearance between the art and the edge of the pages, avoid pale colours like yellow or light blue that don't photocopy so well.

Anthology in a day

We're going to try and make an anthology (collection of multiple people's work) right there on the day.  The theme is 'libraries'. Simply draw one A4 page comic - make sure it's legible and not wildly offensive, and it's in!

TIPS! Again, leave plenty of space around the edge of the paper, and avoid pale colours for any important details. Make sure you credit yourself on your page (there'll be no contents/credits).

If you're not going to be around later in the day, but do draw a page - we can take a copy of your page before you go (you keep your page, always!), leave your name and we can keep a copy aside for you when you're next in the library.

Schedule:

10am Library opens.

11am Event starts. LET'S GOOOO!

11.30am Things vaguely pause for brief talk/discussion about WHAT IS COMICS.

11.50am GENERAL COMIC DRAWING ENSUES. Completed foldy comics get photocopied as they get finished.

2.30pm All suitable completed pages for the anthology are grabbed, it gets photocopied, assembled, stapled.

3pm High fives all round, survey all the stuff that's been done, event finishes.

4pm Library closes.

Canny Comic Con will return

Comics-focused events will return to Newcastle at some point. Got helpful thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch.

Small Press Day SUMMER COMICS JAM at Tyne Bank Brewery

Announcement!

For Small Press Day, Canny Comic Con is putting on this awesome event, with the lovely Tyne Bank Brewery...

Summer Comics Jam (& Beer Garden Party)! Saturday 13th July. Noon-Midnight. Free entry.

Comics from the best local creators! Drawing activities for everyone! Food from Acropolis Street Food! Quality DJs! Possible sunshine!

You want a Facebook event? Well we got one for ya right here.


CREATOR LINE-UP (many more to come...):

Barry Fox - Hi its me Barry Fox. Please feel free to visit the event on the thirteenth of the seventh of the twenty thousand and nineteenth. There shall be things for eyes and minds to enjoy. www.barryfox.co.uk

Britt Coxon - I make art, papercraft, comics, websites and think a lot about D&D. I also make comics very often with the Paper Jam Comics Collective but not very often on my own. Right now I'm working on a zine all about underground spaces in Newcastle. britthub.co.uk/

Don'tdarede Press - We will be selling Minicomics, Poetry and Memoir Zines, and Abstract Prints inspired by African Art. www.behance.net/jameswilkinson

Elisa Edmondson -  When I'm not busy getting myself in thousands of pounds of debt at university, I like making comics about myself and people around me. I will be selling zines and other artwork. www.instagram.com/elisasportfolio/

En - Original comics and fanbooks spanning such an eclectic collection of subjects and styles that you wouldn't think they were made by the same person. ...They are though. Just to... make that clear. nattherat.co.uk

Lauren Matthews, a.k.a Sayomi - Small spooky manga artist from Northumberland. I tend to specialise in dark fantasy art inspired by Japanese culture. I have one long-running occult fantasy series, Sacred?. I'll be selling comics, artbooks, zines, and art prints related to those things. www.sayomidraws.weebly.com

Moodypidge - I’m a birdbrained cartoonist doing her best every day! Crumbs was a personal therapy project of mine that grew wings and took off, introducing Sugar, Spice, Salty and Sweet and their Crumbs of Wisdom! crumbsdiary.blogspot.com

Oscillating Brow - Purveyor of tiny comics about disappointment, melancholy, loneliness, and ping pong. oscillatingbrow.blogspot.com/

Pabbie - I'll have original artwork and comics to sell of my webcomic Buneasy; a selection of one shot comics about a girl struggling with anxiety and the social norms. www.facebook.com/Pabbiecrafts/

Paul Thompson - I’m the editor/curator of Invisible Beasts: A Hidden Cartography (an exhibition and art/writing anthology about Monsters, and the places that hold evidence of their passing), as well as deploying the Comic Robot Go. hollowearth.co.uk/category/science/

Spookdoodles - I'm an illustrator and comic artist from Sunderland. I like to draw cute and creepy things, and I take a lot of inspiration from horror films, cartoons, mythology and folklore. I'll be selling comics, zines, prints, badges and more! instagram.com/spookdoodles

This Means Waugh - I'm an illustrator and cartoonist raised in the Scottish Borders and based in North East England. I'll have self-published comics about scientists, libraries and dysfunctional couples, as well as prints featuring your favourite films in monochromatic splendour.
thismeanswaugh.com

Trongate Publishing - Luke James Halsall and Gordon Robertson are two thirds of Trongate Publishing, the first comic book publisher from Renfrew. Trongate endeavour to help kids develop their writing skills and encourage people to read comics again. Trongate's Comicsworld was released at Avengers Endgame Scotland-wide at every Cineworld. Halsall's other work includes the Sicba nominated Out of Time published by Markosia and Robertson's Ar@e Cancer. trongatepublishing.wixsite.com/trongate

And the mighty mighty Paper Jam Comics Collective - Long-running open-to-all Newcastle-based comic-making collective who will be launching their eighteenth anthology comic You Need A Holiday ...And That. paperjamcomics.blogspot.com/

Plus we'll have a communal table filled with wonders, including...

Comics from Mama Lips - Mama Lips draws mostly comics about their life, ranging from the mundane to the insane. They also make music you can hear at mamalips.bandcamp.com/

plus... Analogue Press, Omnivistascope, and more.


And what's going on?

COLLABORATIVE DRAWING GAMES: for everyone, all ages, all levels or artistic experience. Get stuck in!

Draw-a-panel-pass-it-on jam comics - classic format! Everyone must join in!

Foldie-mini-comics - we will be dispensing knowledge of the secret mystical art of folding up one A4 piece of paper with no staples to make an A7 booklet. Very mystical.

Broken Telephone - someone draws a picture. Then someone writes a description of it. Then someone draws a picture based on the description. Then someone writes a description of that  picture. And so on - but in each instance, the page is only based on the immediately prior page. In theory, it's the same each time, BUT THIS NEVER HAPPENS, it always mutates.

Comics robots GO! - the inevitable rise of our future mechanical overlords will also involve sequential art. Paul has constructed mechanical wonders that will set challenges for you puny human artists. The first robot will draw a random panel layout for you...



And his brand new creation (to be revealed for the first time at this event) will randomise a theme for you. Incredible! Now, human art minions - OBEY! CREATE COMICS!

Thanks

High fives all round!

 

 photos: @LouiseReeve1, @BrittCoxon, @ToonLibraries

Thanks to all the creators, many of whom travelled great distance to be there.
Thanks to everyone who delivered the brilliant talks/workshop/panels.
Thanks to the 99th Garrison for keeping the event safe from those pesky rebels (and posing for photos and collecting for our charities).
Thanks for the donations of comics - and then money for the comics - at the charity table.
(We reached a total of £149.49 that will go to the Lord Mayor's nominated charities.)
Thanks to the Jen and all the library staff for giving Canny a home.
And thanks to everyone who came and bought comics, drew stuff, attended the events, I hope you had fun.

Without all of the above, the Canny Comic Con wouldn't be.


As ever, it'll probably return.

In the meantime you may also be interested in:


The majority of our guests sell their splendid work over the internet. Many do webcomics. You should check it all out, because they're all incredibly talented folks making great work.

Newcastle City Library - has a great selection of comics/graphic novels/manga. And now it has a subscription to Comicsplus - digital platform for comics (has a bunch of great stuff including, for example Bone, Hellboy, Adventure Time) https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/libraries/download-ebooks-and-audiobooks#comics

The Library also has a graphic novel reading group - Readers of the Lost Art, who meet on fortnightly Tuesdays at 6pm to talk all things sequential art, usually with a particular book or theme.

In terms of making comics, check out Paper Jam Comics Collective, who meet on the second Thursday of every month at 6.30pm at Travelling Man comic shop and occasionally put together awesome anthologies (open to all (18+), regardless of artistic experience).

It's on - Canny Comic Con 2017 - 18th March

Saturday 18th March 2017.
Newcastle City Library.
10.30am to 3.30pm
Free.

A hall jam-packed with some of the most interesting comics creators from around the region and beyond!

Plus:
•In-depth Star Wars character design workshop with Nigel Dobbyn.
•Talks from Applied Comic Etc and Black Lodge Press.
•Anthology editors' panel discussion.
•'Just A Comics Minute' (ripped off from lovingly reinterpreting a certain classic Radio 4 panel show by adding a comics theme).
•Drop-by drawing all day!

Charity collection

As in previous years, we'll be collecting during Canny for the Lord Mayor's nominated charities. This year they are: Charlie Bear for Cancer Care, the Fire Fighters' Charity, the Dog's Trust, and Arthritis in Children Fund based at the Great North Children's Hospital.


The 99th Garrison will be collecting, plus we'll be running a second-hand comics stall selling incredible bargains - with all takings going into the charity fund. Dig deep, people!

CCC2017 Guest: K Ben Clarke

Who are you?
I am K Ben Clarke, sporadic writer and artist of neglected webcomics, or a person who relates surprising well to the problems of cartoon ducks.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I've done a surprising amount of comic strips that are part of a series called Man-Children. I'm also now experimenting with work in less semi-autobiographical-comics-with-homicidal-penguins, like my first Paper Jam comic Necro-Nancy.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Doctor Victor Von Doom... Why? Have you never read comics - he has a magic castle full of robots, do I need to say more because I can but then this will all be why Doctor Doom is the best.

Further Info:
https://www.facebook.com/ManChildrenwebcomic/ - updates of my things get posted here as I've neglected twitter and tumblr more than my own webcomic.

CCC2017 Guest: Paul Thompson

Who are you?
I’m Paul Thompson, I make things and talk about making things. Too much emphasis on the latter and not enough of the former. I’m quite lazy.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I’ve written and drawn for a number of anthologies, my own comic is called Tales of the Hollow Earth, recently I curated an exhibition and anthology art book called Invisible Beasts. I’ve been involved in putting together a lot of anthologies too, The Newcastle Science Comic and far too many Paper Jam Comics Collective “…And That's”.

At the Canny Comic Con, I’ll be talking about anthologies as part of a panel, starting off far too many Jam Comics which you can join in with, and be taking the role of ‘Nick Parsnips’ running ‘Just a Comics Minute’ – if you’d like to play or suggest a topic drop Canny HQ an email.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Can I choose two?
I’m choosing two, but for one reason: Superman & Judge Dredd.
Both are perfect illustrations of how a character, backstory, location and supporting cast can create infinite stories to tell. Both characters have depth and backstory which isn’t immediately apparent, or even necessary to a new reader, making them immediately accessible to new readers.

As a result, both are occasionally mistaken for and criticised as one dimensional ciphers. The criticism is unfair and incorrect, but I think good writers are generally aware that this also, is an aspect of the character design that can be used to good effect where they can be viewed as a force of nature around which to tell a great many stories, a rock to bounce other characters off.

Further info:
I’m in twitter at @paulxthompson and my infrequently updated website can be found at http://www.hollowearth.co.uk/

CCC2017 Guest: Cuttlefish

Who are you?
Cuttlefish, a secretive middle-aged, undersea, comic artist from Newcastle.

What have you done / what are you doing?
With several small-press works under his belt including Out of Time 1, 2 & 3, Giga, Taxonauts, Trainee Space Chef, Dead Roots, The Best Man, Food for the Dead, Evolution & Beep and the Newcastle Science Comic project. He is also an active member of Paper Jam Comics Collective and has been involved with several comic events around Tyneside including 24 hour comics day, mini comics day and the Canny Comic Con.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Lincoln Red Crow from Scalped.

Further Info:
http://cuttlefishcomics.blogspot.co.uk/

CCC2017 Guest: The 99th Garrison

Who are you?
The 99th Garrison, we are the UK's largest independent Star Wars centric costume group.

What have you done / what are you doing?
We help our own charity (Dreamflight) and other charities raise funds, we have helped recently The MS Society, MIND and NE Children's Cancer Care to name a few.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Batman got me into comics initially, but always liked the Howard Chaykin art of the original Star Wars comics.

Further info:
www.99thgarrison.co.uk
FB @99thGarrison
Twitter @99thGarrison

CCC2017 Guest: Mama Lips

Who are you?
Mama Lips. I make auto-bio comics about queer life and anxiety. I also make music under the genre qwee (queer twee). Most of the stories are about love, gay themes, music and anything else that interests me.

What have you done / what are you doing?
I've been working on a number of real life comics but working on some different ideas lately.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Mabel from Gravity Falls, because she's adorable. I don't know if she counts as a comic character. So, maybe Jeffrey Lewis, his personality and humor comes through great in his comics

Further info:
www.mamalips.bandcamp.com

CCC2017 Guest: CharlyVonKarma

Who are you?
My name is Charlotte, I go by CharlyVonKarma and my work is mostly character and comic based.
I'm an up and coming artist from the North East who loves art, tea, music and old detective shows.

What have you done/what are you doing?
I've been attending conventions since 2010 selling quirky badges and prints featuring my artwork and taking commissioned sketches. Currently I am also working on a webcomic series called Sultans that focuses on the relationship between a music lover and a musician and the first volume has now been printed, so I'm very new to it all!

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Spiderman and Iron Man will always be my childhood favourites. As an adult I like characters like TJ from The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal, Spider Jerusalem from Transmetropolitan and The Commander from the webcomic Manly Guys Doing Manly Things. I like a wide variety!

Further info?
You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at CharlyVonKarma!
charlyvonkarma.com

CCC2017 Guest: Paper Jam Comics Collective

Who are you?
The Paper Jam Comics Collective - long-running, not-for-profit, open-to-all, comic-makin' DIY arts group!

What have you done / what are you doing?
We've been meeting regularly since the beginning of 2007, yakking on about comics, drawing comics (including jam comics and our signature '24-minute comic' sessions, the results of which sporadically get posted on our webcomic blog 'Paper Jams'), publishing themed anthologies of comics by members of the collective, and generally acting as a hub for small press comic creators in the Newcastle area.
Our all-ages adventure-themed fourteenth anthology The Amazing Adventure Comic Machine ...And That will be launched at Canny Comic Con!

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Batman! No, wait, not Batman, we didn't think about it properly! Or maybe it is Batman? Er.....

Further info:
http://paperjamcomics.blogspot.co.uk/
@PaperJamCC

CCC2017 Guest: Black Lodge Press

Who are you?
Black Lodge Press is a DIY publishing print specializing in riso printed comics and zines with a radical ethos. We support and involve inclusive communities of creative people, publishing work that celebrates feminism and queer culture!

What have you done / what are you doing?
We've put out the Axolotl series by Jack Fallows, DIRT and LAID by Cicy Reay, Transgender Step Parent by Mama Lips and Boring Comics by Emma Thacker, plus loads more!

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Our fave comic book character is probably Enid out of Ghost World.... 😊

Further info:
blacklodgepress.com
@blacklodgecicy for Instagram
@BlackLodgePress

CCC2017 Guest: Manhua Cha

Who are you?
Manhua Cha

What have you done / what are you doing?
We serve bubble tea inspired by our very own comic book set in Newcastle. Instead of choosing your drink flavours, you choose which super power you want along with an accessory to go with it.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Dave: Negan (The Walking Dead)
Carine: Gus (Sweet Tooth)

Further info:
www.manhuacha.com
Social media: @manhuacha

CCC2017 Guest: Applied Comics Etc

Who are you?
Applied Comics Etc

What have you done / what are you doing?
Making awesome comics that communicate specific information, typically as collaborations between comics creators and researchers/archives/other subject specialists. And helping people make their own comics.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Umm, autobiographical stuff? It's fun to see how other people draw themselves.

Further info:
http://www.appliedcomicsetc.com/
@appliedcomics

CCC2017 Guest: Tara McInerney

Who are you?
I am Tara McInerney, I live in Newcastle Upon Tyne, I'm a comic creatrix and illustrator, and I lecture at Teesside University in Comics, Graphic Novels and Sequential Arts.

What have you done / what are you doing?
My strapline: Aca-fan and compulsive storyteller with queer ideas.
I've worked for magazines such as Caravan and CCQ, and exhibited around Japan, Spain and the UK. Currently, I'm working on my latest comic Friendfiction, which centres on the lives of two girls who develop their relationship through a shared love of fanwork. The idea began whilst staying in Japan to research fan comics, after observing the wonderful interpersonal benefits of the fan community. This project is still ongoing, and very much a labour of love (ie; you won't see it quite yet...).
At Canny Comic Con I'll be presenting my self-published comic Myopica, a short on the futility of dialogue, and The Jay Mews Continental, a risograph limited-run comic anthology I started organising whilst studying MA Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art. It's been on hiatus for a while, but submissions for issue #2 are now open. I'm passionate about researching queer fan cultures and webcomics, an interest which constantly feeds my visual work, and helps keep my lectures current.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
At the moment, probably Professor Panther from BodyWorld by Dash Shaw. I have a thing for characters which are simultaneously powerful and pathetic.

Further info:
www.taramcinerney.com

CCC2017 Guest: Andrew Waugh

Who are you?
Andrew Waugh

What have you done / what are you doing?
I'm a Scottish illustrator, cartoonist and arts educator exiled to North East England.  I make funny comics about a range of subjects, most recently about real-life scientists.  I am the co-editor of the British Comic Award shortlisted children's horror anthology BOO!, which is two volumes down, with a third due this year.  When I'm not doing my own creative stuff I'm helping young people be creative in my day job.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Tintin - travels to exotic locations, gets into adventures and has a cute dog.  He's got life sorted out.

Further info:
THIS MEANS WAUGH 
@thismeanswaugh

CCC2017 Guest: Duncan Watson

Who are you?
Duncan Watson.

What have you done / what are you doing?
My previous work includes the entire output of Occupational Hazard Comics with Nigel Maughan. My current work is The Ratchwood Prophecies with Brian Bicknell.

The Ratchwood Prophecies foretell a time travelling anti-hero whose role underpins time itself but whose meddling threatens existence. Adventures unfolding beneath shadows cast by ominous forces of creation, incorporate Ratchwood, his sidekick Wicklow and the shady professor Vygotsky.

Favourite comics character (other than your own)?
Morpheus (Sandman)

Further info:
www.theratchwoodprophecies.com


EDIT - alas, Duncan won't be able to attend this year, but keep an eye out on his website for details of launch events in the near future for his comics at Travelling Man shops.