Perhaps it may seem a little strange for me to be writing some form of report on a two-day programming-driven festival that I was only at for day one. But if that appears an idiosyncratic approach then it’s very much aligned with the general vibe of small press comics fest Caption which returned to Seacourt Hall in Botley, Oxford again this year after its revival in 2025 following a several year hiatus.
Caption is quite unlike any other comics event I have ever been to. And it’s fair to say I have been to one or two. It’s a smaller do, largely focussed on the events, and with just one communal table staffed by volunteers where everyone can put their work for sale. The panels and workshops are what it’s really all about and I was delighted to be able to attend and promote BF’s work in the community on not one but two of those this year. Thank you to the Caption team for giving us the opportunity.
The Six to Watch panel in progress
The most important part of the weekend for me was, of course, the Broken Frontier ‘Six to Watch’ panel which had four of this year’s group sitting on it: Jua OK! (Road to Chimera), Yu-Ching Chiu (The Wall and the Uncharted Land), Daisy Crouch (Very Hungry Women) and Shri Gunasekara (Runner) who all spoke so eloquently and enthusiastically about their practice and finding their places in the comics world. For some of them this was their very first experience of talking at a comics event but you would never have known given how confidently and expressively they carried themselves. One of the finest panels I have ever been involved in so a virtual round of applause to all four of them. Great to see Daisy’s Very Hungry Women selling out after the panel too so a reminder that the Kickstarter for #2 launches here this week.
Panel drawing and all photos courtesy of Jenny Robins
Later in the afternoon was the Comics and Journalism panel which unfortunately was a little reduced in numbers after 40% of the panellists had to drop out (life happens so this is perfectly understandable!) and not as representative demographically of the comics commentary world as I’m sure everyone would have liked. But chair Andy Luke had some great questions for what proved to be a very interesting conversation. I got to use my favourite line “I don’t make comics. I make comics creators”; former BF reviewer Holly Raidl provided a fresh perspective on the questions raised; and Rich Johnston got to fundamentally disagree with me about what makes a good review. All in good spirits I hasten to add for what I think was a very lively chat.
Co-organiser Andy Luke
Other events of note on the Saturday included the Trans Narratives panel with The Mollusc Dimension chairing and Jua OK!, Alex Taylor, Aruudlay and C.Bedford as guests. This was such a candid, important and relevant discussion of the kind that we need to see much more of at events. Thank you to all involved.
More programming highlights came from the Rickard Sisters talking about their socially conscious work which includes The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and This Slavery, and Kieron Gillen’s artist/writer speed-dating session. And, if you’re utterly exhausted by the slop apologists (slopologists?) in comics there was an unashamedly anti-slop ‘Small Press Vs. AI’ panel on the Sunday hosted by Amy Letts with Hannah Berry, Karrie Fransman, Kristina Stipetic and KitsuneArt. You can also read what Amy has to say on the subject here at BF.
What did seem a shame this year was that as excellent as the programming was – and Caption has this truly wonderful vibe of a community coming together – attendance could have been higher. So many more people would have benefitted from the advice given in the talks, the personal experience communicated, and the opportunities to share practice. Especially younger or emerging creators who could have learnt so much from those speaking. Hopefully that’s something that can be addressed next year. Regardless, what a joy it was to be a part of this endearingly eccentric festival again. Thanks to the Caption team for bringing this pirate-themed weekend of comics and community to us once again.
Report by Andy Oliver
