THOUGHT BUBBLE MONTH 2026! The Leeds Comics Collective’s annual Thought Bubble anthology has become a welcome addition to the small press debut traditions in Harrogate every year. After their Cryptids of Leeds (2024) and Mixtape of Mystery (2025) editions this year’s anthology, Warriors of Junk Food, takes on a fast food theme.
I am a huge fan of group efforts like this where artists come together to support and platform each other for a greater good. There’s an idealism and sense of community to them that is inspiring and admirable. And the Leeds crew’s activism in putting out work like this and holding their regular meet-ups, alongside their active part in Small Press Day in recent years, is duly noted.
Warriors of Junk Food is, as the title suggests, a collection that never takes itself too seriously. Behind the eye-catching, subversive iconography of Frank Deacon’s cover (top image) are seventeen comic strips with their own individual takes on that theme. Rob Luckett’s ‘Burgoblins Everywhere!’ (above) kicks things off with a playful take that sees mystical burger demons being summoned via restaurants on our earthly plane. It’s full of neat wordplay, fun jokes and action-packed, kinetic cartooning.
Standouts include Doctor Simpo’s ‘Beware the Fatberg’ that mixes in a little social commentary with its account of a monstrous fat deposit forming in the sewers under a fast food joint’s premises. Kristyna Baczynski’s ‘Greasy Bandits’ also has a satirical edge with its witty take on fast food mascots returning from oblivion like some kind of corporate kaiju. And James Grimshaw and Molly Pukes’ ‘Foul Spirits’ (above) approaches things from a different perspective, reinterpreting the subject in video game style, with Pukes’ oozing, fluid and pliable visuals being one of the anthology’s true treats.
Other highlights include Hobie Smith’s alt comics-style weirdness in ‘Hotdog’ (above), the kind of out there weirdness that ensures you want to look more fully into someone’s practice. A delicious Nancy parody in Patrick Boyle’s ‘Nanthy’ (below) that captures the clever, expectation-defying rhythm of its inspiration but with a much darker edge. And George Pooley and Flo Woolley’s ‘Over Easy’ is a charming and succinct sidestep into childhood reverie.
As I think I have said in previous years not all the work here is polished in presentation but that, of course, is entirely the point. Projects like this exist to allow newer creators to learn their craft while having the opportunity to sit side by side with more established names on the scene. As ever, this year’s LCC effort is a great deal of fun and a chance for us all to discover a new generation of enthusiastic comickers.
Robert Luckett, Patrick Boyle, David North, Kristyna Baczynski. Abi Wye, beardedhorse, Spike Wilson-Staley Hobie Smith Dan Pollard, Doctor Simpo, TC Robin & Lily Edwards. James Grimshaw & Molly Pukes, Adrien Bryter & FIona Marchbank, George Pooley & Flo Woolley. James Patricks & Kevin Haworth. Robbie Tweedale & N Hui. Jamie Dipper & Martin Hopwood • Leeds Comics Collective, £4.99
Review by Andy Oliver
Leeds Comics Collective are at table B34 in the Bubbleboy Hall at Thought Bubble.
Thought Bubble 2026 runs from November 9th-15th with the convention weekend taking place on the 14th-15th. More details on the Thought Bubble site here.
Read all our Thought Bubble 2026 coverage so far in one place here.
Poster art by Núria Tamarit
