"The Whole Purpose is to Introduce Comics to People Who Don’t Know Them" - Checking out Graphic Novel Reading Room’s First London Pop-Up!

On Thursday 27th June, I had the pleasure of attending London’s first-ever Graphic Novel Reading Room pop-up! Having heard about the event from collaborator SelfMadeHero, I was super excited that my plans for a day out in London aligned with the special one-off event. For those who don’t know, Graphic Novel Reading Room is an initiative set up by comics lover Gabi Putnoki in 2021, with three main aims:

to introduce new people to graphic novels and to give access to an inspiring selection of books for those who already love comics
to create a comfortable space where people can properly unwind and be with others in a non-pressured environment
to promote artists, publishers, festivals, indie bookshops and businesses and the comics community

GNRR founder Gabi Putnoki

In a nutshell, the Graphic Novel Reading Room is an inclusive event in which people can enjoy comics and graphic novels in a relaxed setting, in this case, the Wellcome Collection in London. This is GNRR’s first London event, so as a Broken Frontier representative, I was thrilled to check it out, and fulfil our ethos of supporting the comics community, and find inventive ways to bring the medium to new readers!

The Wellcome Collection was an ideal venue for a pop-up event like this; what could be cooler than a free museum and library?! The collections of donated comics to pick from were charmingly placed around the room and arranged by genres, such as LGBTQ+, Science Fiction and Non-Fiction – from graphic novel publishers like SelfMadeHero, Myriad, Image, Avery Hill and First Second. There was also a large selection of manga and small press zines available. Many of my favourites were spotted, like Isabel Greenberg’s Young Hag, Brecht Even’s City of Belgium, and Vera Brosgol’s Anya’s Ghost, as well as hundreds of titles I had yet to discover. Another charming take away from the event was a goody bag from SelfMadeHero for every attendee, with three free graphic novels inside, as well as two prints!

BF’s Lydia Turner at the GNRR

What made this event special was the relaxed atmosphere, and the sense of camaraderie from all who attended; whether you wanted to wax lyrical about your love for graphic novels, or sit and quietly read, there was a space for everyone to discover and enjoy the world of comics.

Founder Gabi was an excellent facilitator and was often busy welcoming and offering recommendations. I was delighted to catch her in a quiet moment and have a small chat – her passion for the project was totally infectious. Read below!

BROKEN FRONTIER: What’s the purpose of a Graphic Novel Reading Room and why do you think it’s important?

GABI PUTNOKI: So kind of the whole purpose with this is to introduce comics to people who don’t know them. And also to provide more range for people who do know them, to build the links with the comics community and support them. Also, to create spaces where people can just sit and read, but they can socialise as well if they want to.

BF: How often do you host Graphic Novel Reading Room events like this?

PUTNOKI: So, I’m based in Sheffield and I have a monthly event there but I travel with it. I go to festivals and zine fairs and sometimes I run events for universities. I was at Macclesfield last weekend, and I’ll be at Thought Bubble in November. So, I’m always on the look out for places and this (the Wellcome Collection) has been one of my dream places to get into. So I’m really so lucky.

BF: You have such a diverse range of comics, graphic novels, manga and small press! Where do all the donations come from?

PUTNOKI: From everyone! Artists donate them, publishers donate them. Individuals. Whoever wants to donate some books, then great! Originally, before I started the event, I got in touch with Myriad and SelfMadeHero to find out whether there’s any copyright issues with running these kinds of events. Emma from SelfMadeHero, and Corinne from Myriad have been supporters ever since, and have donated so many books to the reading room.