ComicScene Organisations

A list of comic, graphic novel, and zine organisations, advocacy groups, festivals, and collectives across the U.K. and Ireland.

If any of these details need to be updated or we have missed someone please email comicscenecr@gmail.com

British Cartoonists’ Association – britishcartoonistsassociation.org

Professional association for U.K. cartoonists, supporting exhibitions, networking, and awards.

British Comic Awards – britishcomicawards.com

National awards celebrating excellence in U.K. comics, formerly tied to the Thought Bubble Festival.

Broken Frontier – brokenfrontier.com

Comics journalism site promoting indie and small-press creators.

Comics Literacy Awareness – comicliteracy.com

Charity promoting literacy through comics and home of the Comics Laureate.

Comics Cultural Impact Collective (CCIC) – comicimpact.org.uk

Advocacy network strengthening the cultural and funding status of comics in the U.K.

Comics Creators Network (Society of Authors) – societyofauthors.org/groups/comics-creators-network

Professional body lobbying for fair contracts, pay, and visibility for comics artists and writers.

Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain (CCGB) – ccgb.org.uk

Established 1960, a social and professional organisation for working cartoonists.

Comics Youth CIC – comicsyouth.co.uk | Instagram: @comicsyouth

Liverpool-based youth-led collective using comics and zines to empower marginalised voices.

Down The Tubes – downthetubes.net

U.K. comics news and heritage website documenting British creators and small press.

Dundee Comics Creative Space – dundeecomicscreativespace.com

Educational studio linked to University of Dundee, fostering comics creation and literacy.

ELCAF (East London Comics & Arts Festival) – elcaf.co.uk | Instagram: @elcaf_festival

Major London small-press festival showcasing indie creators and publishers.

Educational Comics Network (informal) – see Comics Literacy Awareness

Network of teachers and literacy specialists integrating comics into classroom learning.

Festival of Cartoon Art (Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival) – shrewsburycartoonfestival.wordpress.com

Long-running celebration of British cartooning and live drawing events.

Friends of The Cartoon Museum – cartoonmuseum.org/support-us

Support organisation for The Cartoon Museum, aiding education and preservation.

Gosh! Comics – goshlondon.com | Instagram: @goshlondon

Leading independent London comics shop hosting launches, signings, and small-press events.

Graphic Novel Reading Room – graphicnovelreadingroom.com

Pop-up reading group promoting graphic novels as literature.

Graphic Medicine Collective (UK) – graphicmedicine.org | X: @graphicmedicine

International movement using comics to explore health, illness, and care narratives.

Hull Zine Library & Comics Collective – hullzinelibrary.tumblr.com

Community-run zine and comics collection supporting local creators in Hull.

Illustrators’ Guild of Ireland (IGI) – illustratorsireland.com

Professional association for Irish illustrators, including comics and graphic novelists.

Irish Comics News – irishcomicnews.dreamhosters.com | X: @irishcomicnews

Independent news outlet supporting Irish comics creators and publishers.

Limit Break Comics (Dublin) – limitbreakcomics.com | Instagram: @limitbreakcomics

Irish small-press collective producing anthologies and mentoring creators.

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Kendal Comics Community / LICAF Volunteers – comicartfestival.com

Grassroots volunteer network supporting the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Cumbria.

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Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) – comicartfestival.com | X: @comicartfest

U.K.’s largest comics festival, combining community, education, and international partnerships.

Ladies Do Comics (LDComics) – ldcomics.com | Instagram: @ldcomics | Facebook: facebook.com/groups/ldcomics

Women-led comics network (formerly Laydeez Do Comics) hosting talks, readings, and exhibitions.

London Graphic Novel Network – londongraphicnovelnetwork.com

Discussion group treating comics as serious literature and art.

Little LICAF – comicartfestival.com/little-licaf

LICAF’s educational arm bringing comics to schools and families.

M

Myriad Editions (Brighton) – myriadeditions.com | X: @MyriadEditions

Independent publisher known for championing new graphic novelists.

Manchester Comics Collective – facebook.com/ManchesterComicsCollective

Community hub for creators and fans in the North West.

Make That Thing (Ireland) – makethatthing.ie

Creative collective supporting Irish indie publishing and zine-making.

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National Literacy Trust – literacytrust.org.uk

Literacy charity using graphic novels in schools and libraries.

NoBrow Press – nobrow.net | Instagram: @nobrowpress

London publisher producing acclaimed graphic novels and art books.

Nottingham Comic Convention – nottinghamcomiccon.co.uk

Family-friendly regional convention supporting small press and literacy.

O

OOMK (One Of My Kind) – oomk.net | Instagram: @oomkzine

→ Women-led publishing collective behind DIY Cultures, exploring faith, identity, and self-publishing.

Orbital Comics (London) – orbitalcomics.com

Former shop and gallery that hosted art exhibitions and signings for comics creators.

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Panel Borders – panelborders.wordpress.com | X: @PanelBorders

Long-running radio show and podcast dedicated to comics interviews and scholarship.

Pop-Up Projects / Pathways Into Publishing – popupprojects.org | pathwaysintochildrenspublishing.co.uk

Arts charity advancing inclusion in children’s publishing, with comics-focused strands.

Q

Queer Zine Library – queerzinearchive.com | Instagram: @queerzinelibrary

Travelling zine archive preserving LGBTQ+ zines and comics and running creative workshops.

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Rabbits Road Press – rabbitsroadpress.com | Instagram: @rabbitsroadpress

East London community risograph print studio offering zine and comics workshops.

Rebellion / Treasury of British Comics – 2000ad.com | treasuryofbritishcomics.com

Publisher preserving classic British comics (2000 AD, Battle, Roy of the Rovers).

Reading Agency (Comics Initiatives) – readingagency.org.uk

Charity promoting graphic novels in libraries as literacy tools.

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Society of Authors – Comics Creators Network – societyofauthors.org

Advocacy group protecting creators’ rights and improving industry conditions.

Sweatdrop Studios – sweatdrop.com

Long-running U.K. manga-inspired small-press collective.

Scottish Centre for Comics Studies (University of Dundee) – scottishcomicstudies.com

Academic centre advancing comics research and education.

Small Press Day – smallpressday.co.uk | X: @smallpressday

Annual celebration of indie comics held in bookshops and libraries.

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TAG – The Academic Comics Research Group (UAL) – comicsresearch.arts.ac.uk

Research collective studying comics, graphic novels, and visual storytelling across disciplines.

The Cartoon Museum – cartoonmuseum.org | Instagram: @cartoonmuseumuk

National museum preserving and promoting U.K. cartoon and comics heritage.

Thought Bubble Festival – thoughtbubblefestival.com

Premier comics festival focusing on creators, inclusivity, and artistry.

The Phoenix Comic – thephoenixcomic.co.uk | Instagram: @phoenixcomicuk

Weekly children’s comic promoting reading for pleasure in schools.

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UK Comics Census / Creators Survey – comicsresearch.arts.ac.uk/tag/uk-comics-census

Research initiative mapping working conditions for U.K. comics professionals.

UK Web & Mini Comix Thing – ukwebcomixthing.co.uk

Independent digital convention and small-press showcase.

V

Viz Magazine – viz.co.uk | X: @vizcomic

Satirical British comic with decades of influence on U.K. humour and publishing.

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WIP Comics (Work In Progress) – wipcomics.co.uk | Instagram: @wipcomics

London-based collective running critique nights, anthologies, and meetups.

Women in Comics Europe (UK) – http://www.womenincomicscollectiveeurope.com

Network advocating for gender equality and visibility in comics professions.

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Yorkshire Comic Art Festival – thoughtbubblefestival.com

Community events tied to the Thought Bubble Festival in northern England.

Young People’s Comic Awards – comicartfestival.com

Youth engagement programme recognising young readers and creators.

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Zine Scene / DIY Cultures Fair – diycultures.co.uk | Instagram: @diyculturesfair

Annual London fair celebrating zines, comics, and radical self-publishing.

Zine Libraries Network (UK & Ireland) – zinelibraries.info

Grassroots collaboration linking zine and comics collections across the U.K. and Ireland.