It’s a much observed phenomenon in 2026 but, after the pandemic years saw so many regular fixture UK comics calendar disappear for good, it’s been refreshing to see so many new events popping up over the last couple of years. Indeed, if anything, we now have an even more packed comics calendar now than we did in 2019.
Case in point today is the official announcement for the ARC Festival of contemporary comics in London this July. ARC’s remit of showcasing genuinely form-pushing and experimental indie work obviously aligns very closely with Broken Frontier’s own ethos so expect some tie-in coverage in coming weeks. Just a quick look at the organising team of Tom Oldham (Breakdown Press/Gosh! Comics), Miranda Smart (Broken Frontier ‘Six to Watch’ 2020), Peter Cline (Otto Press) and Lando (Decadence Comics) underlines just what a finely curated event this is going to be.
Oh, and the Broken ‘Six to Watch’ will be tabling there too, as well as many individual Sixers from across the years. More details in the press release below…
Introducing ARC Festival – a new comics festival for London!
An explosion of contemporary comics taking place over four days in July, showcasing some of the best independent comics, graphic novels, sequential art and form-shattering visual narrative over a variety of incredible South-East London locations
Launching with the Mote Exhibition at the AMP Gallery, and a day of talks on the direction of comics right now at the Hub, ARC culminates in a colossal comics fair over two days, featuring over 100 exhibitors in Peckham’s stunning Copeland Park.
Monumental in scope, containing multitudes, and sure to be talked about for years, ARC is an unmissable celebration of comics. Be there.
Media
Website – www.arc-london.uk
Instagram – @a.r.c.london
Bluesky – @arcfestivallondon.bsky.social
Poster by Lando
Comics Fair
A two-day celebration of the best comics of now. A curated line-up of over 100 UK based and international artists and publishers including Anna Haifisch, Ben Wheatley, Breakdown Press, Cram Books, DECADENCE, Douglas Noble, Niall Breen, Plastiboo, Joe Kessler, Hollow Press, Leo Fox, Linnea Sterte, Mansion Press, Michael D. Kennedy, Miranda Smart, Otto Press, PEOW2, Strangers Publishing and many more.
July 11th (11am > 6pm) and 12th (11am > 5pm) 2026
Unit 08, Copeland Park, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN
FREE ENTRY
Talks
A day long program of panels, conversations and encounters between contemporary comics makers, readers, publishers and academics trying to understand the current shape of contemporary print-based comics and what the future may hold. The panels will cover themes such as small press heritage, exhibiting comics, contemporary fantasy, the international publishing landscape, and connections between music, performance and comics. Curated by Gareth Brookes and Miranda Smart. July 10th (10am > 5pm)
The Hub, 42 Bonar Road, London, SE15 5FB
Although the talks are free, we will be using a ticketing system to ensure that everyone who arrives will have a seat and the venue capacity is not over subscribed. Details of programme and booking to come.
Mote Exhibition
AMP Gallery
A show spinning wildly out from the very spirit of ARC, Mote is a one of a kind exploration of just what comics can be and can do. Participants include Anna Haifisch, Brie Moreno, Wai Wai Pang, Emil Friis Ernst, Andres Magan, Molly Colleen O’Connell, Zeel, Leomi Sadler, Hugh Frost, Joe Kessler and John Molesworth. Curated by Joe Kessler and John Molesworth.
July 9th Private View (6pm > 9pm), July 10th, 11th and 12th (11am > 5pm)
AMP Gallery, 1 Acorn Parade, London, SE15 2TZ
FAIR EXHIBITORS (CONFIRMED SO FAR)
A Profound Waste of Time
A.T. Pratt
Abigail Rai / Zara Gee
Anaïs Sière
Andrés Magán / Peep Media
Anna Haifisch
Anna Readman
Antoine Cossé
Antoine Orand
Anu Ambasna (CAMP!)
Avery Hill Publishing
Beam Press
Beingernst Enterprises
Ben Wheatley
Blue Funnel Books
BOOKS
Breakdown Press
Broken Frontier (Six to Watch)
Camberwell Comic Club
Cameron Arthur
Clarice Tudor
Colossive Press
Cram Books
Dan Cox
Dan Byron (Manga Originals)
Dan White
Dark and Golden Books
Darren Cullen
Dayeon Auh
DECADENCE
Donya Todd
Douglas Noble
Ed Cheverton
Ed Pinsent
Elisa Terranera
Emilia McKenzie AKA Emix Regulus
Emma Roulette
Evin Collis
Ferry Gouw
Fraser Geesin
Fidèle éditions
Fidelia Schlegl
Foot Books
Fredde Lanka / Queer Youth Art Collective
Gareth A Hopkins
Gareth Brookes
George Manson
Glacier Bay Books
Gosh! Comics
Harry Deane Willmott
Henry McCausland
Hollow Press
Iglootree
Isaac Lenkiewicz
Jade King
Jake Machen
Jesse Kay
Jim Hemmingfield
Joe Kessler
Joe Stone
Joekillick.Illustration
John Molesworth
John Riordan
Joseph P Kelly
Josephine M. K. Edwards
Jul Quanouai
Jumbo Press
Kayla Lui / 9010 Press
Kieran Rid / Tim Blann
King Louie’s Lab
Leo Fox
Leomi Sadler / Famicon Express
Liam Cobb
Lily Gould
Lu Fraser
Lucinda Purkis
Mark Stafford
Martha Burgin
Matt Seneca
Max Huffman
Michael D. Kennedy
Mindless Ones
Miranda Smart
Molly Anne Stocks
Molly Colleen O’Connell
NanaSometimesDraws
Nate Mcdonough
Necoco Studio
Niall Breen
Olivia Sullivan (ZEB.CO)
Otto Press
Owen D Pomery
PageMasters
Passage Books
Passe en Profondeur / Emilie Clarke
Paul Ashley Brown
Peony Gent
Peow2
Perfect Angel Press
Periodical
Physical Interface
Richard Short
Rin Edwards / Amelie Ryder- Plastiboo
Potter
Roman Muradov / Jan Blum
Sajan Rai
Sean Azzopardi
Short Box Comics Fair
SLCZF
Somnium Books
Sputnikat
Stella Murphy / Bridget Meyne
Strange Attractor Press
Strangers Publishing / Adam Falp
Sylvia Publishing
The Gullet Magazine
The Half-Digested Boy
The Mansion Press
THREESIX
Toby Evans-Jesra / How To Catch A Pig
Tom Humberstone
Underground Kingdom Comix
Wai Wai Pang
Will Humberstone / Luke Stuart
ZEEL
Zine Freak
Zoe Taylor
