A new comics anthology, by ten leading comic artists, five in the Philippines and five in the UK has been launched in response to the climate crisis.

Ten Years to Save the World demonstrates the power of comics to stimulate climate change action. Aimed at 18 to 24 year olds, but with a powerful message for us all, the project is a collaboration between the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Komiket in the Philippines and climate change communications specialists Creative Concern.

The Institut français, London is hosting a special French Comics Drink & Draw event next week, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.Unleash the artist within, learn a thing or two about drawing and enjoy a tipple on this inspiring sketching social. 

At previous Festivals, creators have signed after events where their schedule permits and we plan to continue the tradition, all taking place after events in the Brewery Arts Centre. Some creators may prefer not to be involved, given current circumstances, and we will of course respect their wishes and hope attendees will understand any reluctance for close contact. 

We have also organised a number of signing events in the free-to-enter Comics Clock Tower, in addition to post event signings that will be taking place in the Brewery.

The launch of our Breakthrough Initiative anthology Our Time unfortunately very much fell between the cracks in 2020 due to COVID. The good news is that many of team are now coming to Kendal during the Festival - and we’ve organised signing sessions in the free-to-enter Comics Clock Tower.

Next Friday sees the return of Comics Up Close to Kendal, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s specialist look at many aspects of the Ninth Art and creating comics, which includes a talk by artist-academic Elenit Sampra, creator of CIELL, a multinational project led by Lancaster University that developed comics for the purpose of inclusive English language learning, and Andrew Humphreys and Olivier K

LITTLE LICAF – part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival project, offering comic-related content specifically for those aged 12 – has just launched a new comic challenge for youngsters – this one with an environmental theme, working in partnership with #RewritingExtinction.

It’s almost time for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2021 – once again a physical event, in Kendal – and the LICAF podcast team have a brilliant preview of the upcoming comics gathering of comic creators and fans, taking place Friday 15th – Sunday 17th October. Not long to go, now!