Thought Bubble 2024: A New Wave Of Guests Is Announced Including MainStays James Tynion IV And Kieron Gillen
by Olly MacNamee
Like rooks at the Tower of London, there can be no Thought Bubble without Kieron Gillen. And low and behold, it came to pass that Gillen was finally announced as a guest at this year’s comic convention, happening November 16th (Saturday) and 17th (Sunday) at Harrogate Convention Centre.
But, there’s more. Also announced are James Tynion IV, Zoe Thorogood (It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott, Life Is Strange), Alex Norris (Webcomic Name), Alison Sampson (Department of Truth, Jessica Jones, Hellboy), Chrissy Williams (Golden Rage, Image Comics, Over the Line: An Intro to Poetry Comics), Fernando Blanco (WORLDTR33), Martin Simmonds (The Department of Truth, Dying is Easy, Punks Not Dead), Werther Dell’Edera (Something is Killing The Children), and co-founder and Creative Director of Vice Press, Matt Ferguson.
A lot of regular faces there. Maybe too many? It’s interesting to see many of the regular creators getting an invite. That’s to be expected. But, is that enough? Is it time that Thought Bubble cast its net a bit further and look to encourage new creators – first-timers who have built up a strong reputation – to get involved? Just a thought given a few creators have spoken to me in the recent past amazed at never having been invited. Thought Bubble is hands down the best comic con in the UK at the moment, but even a mammoth like TB can sit on its laurels too much and allow the grass to grow too long under its feet. Personally, I’d love to see the likes of Mark Russell (Second Coming), Dan Cornwell (Judge Dredd, Rok the God) and Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers). But then, every fan has their own wish list, I guess.
Tickets are on sale now.