Festival 2025 Crossword

Test out your knowledge of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Cumbria and all things comics! Download a copy of this challenege (PDF format, link below) and send your completed crosswords to us with your chance to win free passes for this year’s festival, signed artwork and much more. You may also find some hints to this year's guests in your answers. Good luck

Lakes International Comic Art Festival launches UK Development Agency for Comics

 The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is proud to announce it has formalised its role as the UK Development Agency for Comics.

The new Agency for Comics will be based in Barrow-in-Furness, where the Government and private sector is investing in a bold programme of cultural renewal.

The announcement was made at a reception held in the UK’s House of Commons yesterday, Wednesday 30th April, hosted by Tim Farron MP, to celebrate UK comics.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation reaffirms support for Comic Potential Project with new funding

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has reaffirmed its support for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s Comic Potential with further funding, a project created in partnership with Northwest-based education partners.

Make Mine Manga Exhibition Back on Tour

The free Make Mine Manga exhibition, curated by comics expert Paul Gravett, a project led by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, is back on the road in coming months.

British Comics Now Delegation to Brussels Announced

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced the creators forming its latest British Comics Now delegation, who will be heading to Brussels in October for a special weekend of Ninth Art events.

LICAF has also revealed the creators who will feature in its first British Comics Now catalogue, a selection of exciting new work by UK-based creators.  

Donya Todd

Donya is currently working on a graphic novel, The Witch’s Egg, coming out October 2025 with Avery Hill. 

Previous titles include ButtertubsDeath & the Girls and Bimba. 

Donya Todd Online

Official Website: Donyatodd.com

Social Media: Instagram @Donyatodd

Craig Thompson

Craig Thompson is a cartoonist and the author of the award-winning books BlanketsGood-bye, Chunky Rice; and Habibi

His graphic novels also include Carnet de Voyage and Space Dumplins, and Ginseng Roots (2025). Habibi was an Observer Graphic Novel of the Month and a New York Times bestseller, which was described by Neel Mukherjee as “a landmark publication”.

Chris Shepherd

He’s done everything – from the 43rd World Stare-out Championships with Paul Hatcher for BBC’s Big Train comedy sketch show, to working on music videos for Reverend and the Makers, Holly Johnson, Lambchop (as HeCTA), and The Wave Pictures. He also created animations for BC Camplight, Sara Pascoe, Nathan Barley, et al. He’s won tons of international film awards, including a BIFA and two BAFTA nominations.

Mike Perkins

After wrapping up the 31-issue adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand, he transitioned into illustrating Astonishing X-Men, and has since successfully re-launched DeathlokCarnage and Iron Fist

Mike has recently moved to DC Comics, where he has depicted the adventures of the Green Lanterns, collaborated with Greg Rucka on Lois Lane, and launched The Swamp Thing with Ram V. 

Lorenzo Mattotti

Mattotti has published numerous books, including Fires (1986), Caboto (1992), and Stigmate (1998). He illustrated The Raven by Lou Reed (2011) and collaborated with Neil Gaiman on the children's book, Hansel & Gretel (2014). 

His graphic novel version of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (with Jerry Kramsky) won an Eisner Award in 2003. He is also a prolific illustrator for publications such as The New YorkerVogue, and Vanity Fair